Episode 34: Organic Farmers Association Kate Mendenhall - What Is The Organic Farmers Association?

Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association.   Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her nationwide experience and dedication to organic farmers throughout her career make leading the Organic Farmers Association her dream job and she is a fierce advocate for what organic farmers need and want from the ground up!   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:38 – Introduction 1:38 – 2:35 – What is the Organic Farmers Association and what type of work does it do? 2:35 – 5:34 – How did you become interested in sustainable food and agriculture and become the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association? 5:34 – 8:43 – Can you tell me a little bit about how you implement organic practices on your farm? 8:43 – 10:50 – What are some of the challenges and benefits of becoming USDA Certified Organic? 10:50 – 13:28 – Can you tell me about the USDA National Organic Program and why the National Organic Program is important? 13:28 – 16:09 – There are some people who are critical of USDA Certified Organic and believe it should be stronger. What would you say to people who may be hesitant about getting certified or considering dropping certification? 16:09 – 18:16 – Can you tell me about the educational work the Organic Farmers Association does? 18:16 – 19:36 – The Organic Farmers Association has farmers circles – what are they and how can they benefit farmers? 19:36 – 21:40 – What are some examples of Organic Events the Organic Farmers Association helps coordinate? 21:40 – 22:51 – Can you tell me about the Organic Voice magazine? 22:51 – 26:08 – Can you tell me about the advocacy work the Organic Farmers Association does and some of the recent outcomes? 26:08 – 29:33 – What are some of the main challenges for the organic agriculture movement in the US right now? 29:33 – 30:39 – What can everyday people do to grow the organic agriculture movement? 30:39 – 32:16 – What are your hopes for the future of the organic movement? 32:16 – 32:45 – Things to share and wrap up   ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION https://organicfarmersassociation.org/   RESOURCES Organic Career Network: https://organiccareernetwork.org/ Organic Farmers Association Policy Positions: https://organicfarmersassociation.org... Organic Voice Magazine: https://organicfarmersassociation.org...   FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuX... RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet   TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability Farms Farmers Farming Organic USDA Certified Organic Organic Farmers Association