Dec 8, 2025
OFRF launches national survey to guide future of organic ag
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has opened the 2025-2026 National Organic Farmer Survey, a major nationwide effort to document the challenges, priorities and needs of organic and transitioning farmers across the United States and North America. The survey will remain open through Jan. 31, 2026.
OFRF, a nonprofit that since 1990 has worked to support the producers who grow the nation’s food and fiber, said farmer input remains central to its work. Insights from past surveys — including the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda — have informed farmer-led research projects, shaped university and extension programs, and helped policymakers direct resources to organic producers.
“Organic farmers are experts in their fields, and their perspectives must guide decisions about agricultural research, education, and policy,” said Brise Tencer, executive director of OFRF. “This survey ensures that investments in the organic sector reflect the real needs of producers on the ground.”
The survey is open to all certified and in-transition organic farmers nationwide. Participation takes roughly 25 minutes. As an incentive, respondents will receive a discount code to Johnny’s Selected Seeds and have the chance to win prizes such as boots from The Original Muck Boot Company, pruning tools from FELCO and a farm consultation with an experienced organic farming professional.
For researchers, the survey offers timely and valuable data: “It’s important to make it clear that the surveys OFRF conducts on farmers’ needs are incredibly valuable. I’ve used the results to justify knowledge gaps in my grants, and that’s been really important. Getting a pulse on what farmers need right now is something we don’t always know — especially because I’m in research, not full Extension — so these surveys have been really important to me,” said Alex Woodley, associate professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University.
The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and paper copies can be requested. Farmers interested in participating can request access by emailing OFRF at communications@ofrf.org.
By collecting and amplifying farmer voices, OFRF aims to guide the organic sector toward practical, real-world solutions, from research priorities to educational outreach and policy advocacy, aligning investments with the needs of growers nationwide.
