NOFA Monthly Policy Work
Family Farmer Input Desperately Needed in Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 – The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced today the same partisan, corporate-written, status quo Farm Bill that has failed family farmers, our rural communities and economies, our food security and our environment. Instead of listening to their constituents, Congress is doubling down on their past mistakes, persisting with policies that have landed farmers in protracted crises.
“Farmers are going out of business, with bankruptcies hitting a six-year high in April. As farm income continues to fall — frequently dropping below the cost of production — prices for inputs such as fertilizer and fuel skyrocket. Even in the face of crisis, our elected representatives insist on rehashing the same tired, out-of-touch policies that got us here,” said Tim Gibbons, Executive Director of the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC). “Come out to rural America, look around, ask questions, and bring back solutions that ensure farmers can make a living wage, stay on the land, and pass it down to future generations.”
Additional information regarding the Farm Bill can also be found at: https://frac.org/
Senator Cory Booker Visits Local Food Hub
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2026
Booker Statement on Committee Passage of Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement on the Committee’s passage of the Republican Farm Bill:
“The Republican Farm Bill that passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today on a party line vote fails to meet this moment of crisis our farmers and our families are facing. Not only does the bill fail to meaningfully fix the massive cuts to SNAP that Republicans made last year, it also does not provide funding or policy changes to help the hundreds of thousands of struggling small and mid-sized farmers across our country. Since Congress passed the last Farm Bill in 2018, we have lost over 150,000 farms in our country. That is an average of over 50 farms going out of business every single day. The repeated need for emergency assistance demonstrates that our current farm programs are no longer working as intended. Congress cannot continue responding to every farm crisis with another hasty bailout while leaving the underlying problems unaddressed. This Farm Bill needs to be amended into a better bill that would help to build a more resilient agricultural economy by restoring fair markets, strengthening local and regional food systems, and investing in the production of the healthy foods Americans need.”
Pictured is Senator Booker and his wife Alexis during his 21 county legislative tour. Here he is in Phillipsburg, NJ visiting Fresh Stop market, a market providing local fresh food from small and medium scale farmers on a sliding scale to support food access for all.
NOFA NJ Policy Chair Supports NSAS Tour at Organic Food Incubator
Newark Science and Sustainability Board was very grateful to Mr. Mike Schwartz of the Organic Food Incubator for a great site visit. The board was very impressed with their operations and willingness to work with farmers and agricultural based organizations like Newark Science and Sustainability. Cali Alexander, NOFA NJ Policy Chair also serves on the board of Newark Science and Sustainability
NOFA NJ FesTomato! Events Draw Legislators and NJDA Leadership
Legislators and stakeholders that visited Festomato included Tameko Webster, NJDA Deputy Secretary, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Alex Sauickie as well as Glen Beebe, Chief of staff for Assemblyman Sauickie along with Melanie Ganzman Pres. NOFA NJ and Niara Wilson NOFA NJ Outreach Associate
NOFA NJ Attends Second Annual Food Security Field Day
NOFA NJ attended the second annual Food Security Field Day at Fairground Farm Hopewell, NJ farm on August 7th! There was an incredible mix of food security leaders, state representatives, farmers, and funders who attended to discuss the importance and challenges of local food security initiatives. The roundtable discussion was particularly impactful, as it brought together unique insights from all sides of the emergency food system to explore how New Jersey farmers can become more deeply involved in feeding our neighbors in need.
NOFA NJ truly appreciates the open dialogue. Let’s look forward to continuing to build this local, resilient food system together!
NOFA NJ is a Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Board Member
NOFA NJ was invited and is honored by the Hunterdon Chamber of Commerce to become a Board of Director Member. Cali Alexander now represents NOFA NJ and the farming community at the Chamber. Building this important relationship with the Chamber in the farming community is an important priority. Here in this photo is the chamber at a recent tour of the Union Hotel in Flemington NJ
NOFA Policy Coordination and Interstate Collaboration
The seven NOFA chapters (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey) meet twice a month through a monthly meeting of the Interstate Council and a monthly meeting of the Interstate Policy Committee to discuss farm policy, coordinate communication among state chapters, and collaborate on state and federal agricultural policy issues. The NOFA-Interstate Policy Call is August 20, 2026.
The NOFA Interstate Council facilitates collaboration among the chapters. It acts as an umbrella organization for projects of collective concern to educate our broad NOFA farmer community, gardeners, consumers, and land care professionals. All Northeast Organic Farming Association chapters offer educational conferences, workshops, farm tours, and printed materials in each of its seven states.
The NOFA Interstate Council Policy Committee is the regional and national advocacy arm of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). Composed of policy employees and state chapter leaders, it advocates for grassroots organics, defends organic integrity against corporate loopholes, and shapes national legislation like the Farm Bill in Washington with established relationships with federal and state legislators.
Upcoming Policy Committee Meetings!
NOFA Policy committee meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of every other month. Stay tuned for policy agendas to be posted soon! If you would like to join the meetings to discuss any policy topic, or join the committee itself, please feel very welcome. Please email Cali directly for the information (see email below).
Have any policy questions, comments, or concerns? Please feel free to email us at:
- Cali Alexander, Policy Chair: goatwell1@gmail.com
- Jamal Dundas, NOFA Legislative Aide: jamal.dundas2017@gmail.com