FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 natural farmers throughout the nation chosen to obtain technical help for progressive on-farm trials
(March 4, 2024) OFRF is proud to announce the launch of our progressive Farmer Led Trials (FLT) Program with the number of our first ten farmers. The FLT Program will help farmers and ranchers in conducting sensible, on-farm analysis that tackle farming challenges and enhance farmer-led improvements in natural farming. OFRF will present technical help and seed funding to implement these on-farm trials, and create area to foster a neighborhood of farmer-researchers.
“Farmers are experimenters by nature. Serving to them add just a few scientific steps to their farm trials can result in extra concrete and reliable outcomes that they’ll share with different farmers”, mentioned Thelma Velez, Director of Analysis and Schooling Applications. This program was created to help farmers in carrying out simply that by offering technical help and minimizing the danger of making an attempt a brand new observe.
This primary 12 months cohort contains a mixture of starting farmers, BIPOC farmers, and veteran farmers spanning specialty crops, grain, and winery operations. All individuals are licensed natural or in transition to natural. The analysis matters recognized by the farmers give attention to constructing soil well being, cowl crop use, weed and pest administration, shade fabric use throughout summer season, planting distances, companion planting, and selection breeding. The next is the complete checklist of farmers chosen:
- Rhianna Simes, Verdant Phoenix Farm, Phoenix, Oregon. https://verdantphoenix.com/
- Tim Colby, Colby Farms, Papillion, Nebraska. https://colby-farms.com/
- Maggie Dungan, Salad Days Farm, Versailles, Kentucky. https://www.saladdaysfarm.com/
- Lindsay Klaunig, Trouvaille Farm, Athens, Ohio. https://www.trouvaillefarm.com/
- Nathan Lada, GreenThings Farm Collective, Ann Arbor, Michigan. https://www.greenthingsfarm.com/
- Jorge Reyes, Reyes Winery, Potrero, California.
- Alexandra Holle, Silver Holle Farms, Severn, Maryland.
- Jennifer Barrientos, Kennebec Valley Farm, Solon, Maine. https://www.kennebecvalleyfarm.com/
- Bob Quinn, Quinn Farm & Ranch, Huge Sandy, Montana.
- Tiffany Stanley, A Totally different Chick Farm and Orchard, Johnson Metropolis, Tennessee. https://www.adifferentchickfarm.com/ Instagram: @adifferentchickfarm
OFRF has been working to create this program for over two years, and we’re so excited to get began and supply extra direct help for farmers, mentioned Thelma Velez, Director of Analysis and Schooling Applications. We’re wanting to see how these on-farm trials will profit natural farmers in the long term.
To study extra concerning the Farmer-Led Trials Program, please go to our program web page on the OFRF web site. Moreover, try the model new OFRF publication titled Farmers Information to On-Farm Analysis. https://ofrf.org/analysis/farmer-led-research-trials/
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This mission is supported by the USA Division of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Natural Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Natural Transition Initiative and is run by the USDA Agricultural Advertising and marketing Service (AMS) Nationwide Natural Program (NOP).
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About Natural Farming Analysis Basis
The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF) works to foster the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming programs. OFRF cultivates natural analysis, training, and federal insurance policies that carry extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing.
http://www.ofrf.org/
Media Contact
jose@ofrf.org
