Ohio Organic Farmers in DC: NOC and OFA Fly-Ins
Last month, we went to DC with organic groups twice, each with a farmer from the OEFFA community. First, in early March with the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and next with the National Organic Coalition (NOC) at the end of the month.
In total, we had eight meetings with Ohio congressional offices, seven with other congressional offices, and two meetings with staff at the USDA.
Perfect Timing for the Organic Farmers Association Fly-In
Nicole, OEFFA’s federal policy coordinator, and Scott Myers, Woodlyn Acres Farm co-owner (Dalton, Ohio) and OEFFA board member, went to DC in early March as representatives of the Organic Farmers Association’s Policy Committee.
This was OFA’s ninth annual Farmer Fly-In, and it was timely to be in town since the House Agriculture Committee was debating new farm bill text (update on this here). We spent time with staff from the offices of Congressman Landsman, Congressman Miller, Congresswoman Brown, and Senator Husted. In addition, we were also a part of House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff meetings.
The 30+ members of the coalition had meetings with representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA to advocate for supportive policies on key issues in the organic farming sector. We were also able to communicate our priorities for the farm bill with congressional offices, including stronger investments in the organic sector and the preservation of conservation program funding. We agree with OFA that the next farm bill “should be a vehicle for progress that empowers farmers and protects our natural resources.”
We ended our day with a wonderful dinner at Founding Farmers, a farmer-owned scratch restaurant, sharing our stories from the day. The rest of our week in DC was spent reviewing policy priorities and diving into strategies for advancing organic issues in the farm bill, appropriations, and at the USDA.
Advocating for Organics with the National Organic Coalition
Lauren, OEFFA’s policy director, and farmer Jim Jacobs of John Jacobs & Son, Thistledown Farm, and J & J Poultry went to DC at the end of March to join NOC and other coalition members from across the country. This group included 24 advocates representing 15 states, made up of farmers, food processors, organic certification agencies, and environmental groups.
At peak cherry blossom season, advocating on Capitol Hill was especially magical. Lauren and Jim fit a lot into their days, including meeting with staff from Senator Moreno and Husted’s offices, and staff from Representatives Kaptur and Taylor. They even ran into Representative Kaptur herself and chatted in the hallway for a while. Jim proudly presented each office with a bottle of organic sunflower oil that was made from sunflower seeds grown on his farm in Napoleon, Ohio.
Lauren and Jim joined the rest of the NOC group for meetings with Senate Agriculture Committee staff and National Organic Program and Farm Service Agency staff at the USDA on a later day.
While not on the Hill, NOC spent time strategizing and reflecting on the meetings throughout the week and connecting with and learning from partners across the country.
“I can’t get over what a great experience it’s been having a professional from OEFFA to politely lead me around and get me through this in a very successful way… We spoke with, I believe, six different offices throughout the day, and we were able to tell real-world stories about organic farms in Ohio. I’m from Napoleon, Ohio. My representatives understand that the choices they make really do have a financial impact on my business.”
Jim Jacobs
Thank You, Scott and Jim!
We always say that connecting farmers with their legislators is a favorite part of our job. We know it is no small feat for farmers to step away from their farms and travel to Capitol Hill, so it is always amazing when they decide to join us to advocate in DC. It is so wonderful to be in community with organic farmers and organizations from across the country, all while watching Ohio organic farmers share their stories directly with legislators and their staff, and with our national partners. We are very thankful to have you share your time and perspectives with us—and with members of Congress. Thank you, Scott and Jim!