Organic farmers are already more likely to cultivate more than one type of crop at a time on their farms, a practice known as "diversified farming." The average organic farmer produces about seven crops at a time on their farm, delivering a cascade of benefits to the soil, economics, and overall farm health, including mitigating the impact of unforeseen storms. However, farmers face challenges in reliably producing crops due to the escalating instability caused by climate change-induced extreme weather events.
The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is announcing the Organic Training for Agricultural Professionals Prize and is inviting applications from organizations that have proven extraordinary contributions to training farming community groups, farmer-leaders, and agricultural professionals in organic agronomic, certification and record-keeping, and profitability guidance.
Organic growers work diligently to meet the high demand for organic produce and protect consumers from foodborne illnesses. Yet many organic growers face serious obstacles in meeting both food safety requirements and USDA National Organic Program standards.
According to a 2019 USDA Organic Survey, compliance with food safety regulations is one of the greatest challenges facing organic farming today, creating hardship for growers of all scales–large and small–to maintain their organic certification.
The “Organic Center-FFAR joint Organic Research Program” supports innovative research that will have the biggest impact on bringing organic into the future. For 2022, the research should focus on transforming how organic systems can contribute to climate change mitigation and resilience.