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Shaping the Organic Farming Movement in NJ

Since its inception in 1985, NOFA-NJ has shaped the organic and sustainable growing movement in New Jersey and nationally through policy action, events, and outreach. In cooperation with many partners and coalitions in all arenas of the food and environmental realm, NOFA-NJ’s policy work has impacted development and implementation of national organic standards, development of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approved materials list, and the formation of State of New Jersey’s organic certification program. In 2000, NOFA-NJ was awarded a delegate seat at New Jersey’s Annual Agricultural convention.

NOFA-NJ’s policy efforts work to encourage policies and regulations that support sustainable farms and farmers, specifically:
- Increase access to land opportunities for beginning and new farmers.
- Increase economic opportunities for organic and sustainable farmers in the state
- Increase support for the government entities that support sustainable growing practices, including the programs within the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NJ Department of Agriculture and Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Experiment Station.
- Oppose regulation that supports the use of synthetic chemicals, genetically engineered organisms, and other agricultural practices that are detrimental to natural plant systems, degrade water quality or damage soil fertility in the region.
- Encourage policies that support the growing body of evidence that organic farming practices can mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.