Oregon Tilth Inc

Organic education program: through educational initiatives, the organization promotes food production practices that conserve natural resources, enhance resilience to climate change, and foster healthy, equitable communities. In 2024, oregon tilth expanded its long-standing national partnership with the usda natural resources conservation service (nrcs) to grow from one to five joint staff positions that support technical and financial assistance for transitioning and organic farmers. By working within the nrcs to improve their support for these producers, the organization has a large ripple effect on programs that are providing billions of dollars annually to us agriculture.the organization serves as the pacific northwest regional lead for usdas transition to organic partnership program (topp). The program builds on existing collaborations and cultivates new partnerships with service providers, public agencies, research institutions, and industry leaders to expand knowledge and strengthen support for transitioning farmers and organic agriculture. Initiatives like farmer-to-farmer mentorship, individual technical assistance, educational field days, and accessible webinars are designed to grow the organic sector. Topp activities have expanded to include workforce training for new and existing agricultural professionals, including organic inspectors.in 2024, oregon tilth embarked on a new project to increase awareness, understanding, and use of crop insurance and risk management tools by organic producers and those transitioning to organic. This initiative is focused on addressing the dramatic underutilization of vital farm safety net programs by organic producers.the organization is committed to diversifying its staff, leadership, and the broader organic sector. In 2024, partnerships with tribal organizations and groups serving latino and immigrant families invested in community events, outreach, storytelling, and direct support to remove barriers and bring resources to these historically underserved communities. A new partnership with paul quinn college, a dallas-based historically black college, provided students with real-world work experience in the organic sector while reducing their reliance on student loans.the organization works in strategic partnerships to shape public policy and government programs at the state and federal levels. In 2024, the organization collaborated with advocacy partners to engage legislators, agency leaders, and university administrators through written public comments, oral testimony, as well as online and in-person meetings. In these engagements we discussed organic research priorities, risk-based oversight of organic operations, and funding to support organic climate smart farming practices. By connecting policymakers and administrators with the organic community, the organization helps ensure the sectors values and needs are represented in decisions that advance organic research and education, expand markets, and promote organic practices that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.