In March, NOFA-NY representatives joined the National Organic Coalition in Washington D.C. for an annual meeting and lobby day. NOFA-NY’s Katie Baildon and Wes Gillingham met with Congressman Marc Molinaro and the staff of Congressman Nick Langworthy, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Chuck Schumer’s offices. With each office, we urged our representatives to advance organic agriculture policy and funding by:
- Updating and expanding the Organic Certification Cost Share program
- Ensuring continuous improvement and accountability of the National Organic Program
- Addressing racial disparities and land loss, and promoting equitable access to organic agriculture
- Providing long-needed support for farms facing the organic dairy crisis
- Increasing funding for organic research to keep pace with the growing organic sector
- Develop organic literacy training for NRCS staff and provisions to increase access to conservation programs for organic operations
Katie is Policy Manager for NOFA-NY and Wes serves as Board President and Policy Committee Chair. He is also co-founder of Catskill Mountainkeeper and operates Wild Roots Farm in Sullivan County, NY.
