NOFA Monthly Policy Work
Farm Bill Updates - IMPORTANT!
Senate Ag Committee Schedules Markup Hearing August 6th at 9:30 AM EST. Tune in HERE!
There is a possibility that the Senate Agriculture Committee will consider the Farm Bill during the first week of August. While the timing is still uncertain, it will likely depend on whether senators can reach a bipartisan agreement on SNAP. With this potential window approaching, now is a critical time for senators to hear from their constituents about the importance of strengthening support for organic agriculture in the Farm Bill.
In an effort to get support from the Democrats on the Ag Committee, Chairman Boozman included a one-year delay of the SNAP cost-share provisions (cuts) passed last year, and paid for that delay by further increasing the State cost share SNAP provisions starting in 2031 for states with high SNAP error rates. The Committee Democrats have not stated whether this delay is enough to gain their support for the bill. The discussion draft of the Farm Bill can be accessed here. The summary of the organic and related provisions of the most recent markup by the National Organic Coalition can be seen here.
NOFA-NJ encourages the advocacy of organic agriculture within the development of the Farm Bill. Below are sign up links that will help the Senate hear your voice on this issue and other issues regarding environmental justice:
National Organic Coalition: Action Alerts — National Organic Coalition
National Family Farm Coalition: Tell the Senate: Oppose Farm Bill 2.0, the Agricultural Act of 2026!
You can also contact or email members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to express your opposition to the current Farm Bill and what you want to be supported. Their contact information can be located here.
Supporting Urban Agriculture in New Jersey
Here at NOFA-NJ we believe in supporting the growth of urban agriculture because it helps us reach our shared goals of environmental stewardship, community health and resilient local food systems. Expanding support for urban agriculture through policy and funding programs helps ensure that wherever farms can be produced, they promote sustainable, community-centered food production. We are also proud that our Policy Chair, Cali Alexander, serves on the board of Newark Science and Sustainability, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability, food justice, and community resilience through education, urban agriculture and clean energy initiatives.
Please join us for the Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Meeting at Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus in downtown Trenton on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. Here we hope to bring together community leaders, organizations, and residents to advance sustainable food systems across New Jersey. Please register here.
14th Annual Sustainable Living Empowerment Conference - Nourishing Newark: Connecting Communities to Sustainable Food Systems
NOFA- NJ also attended the 14th Annual Sustainable Living Empowerment Conference – Nourishing Newark: Connecting Communities to Sustainable Food Systems. The conference brought together community leaders, nonprofit organizations, educators, urban farmers, students, policymakers, and residents to discuss how Newark can build a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable local food system. The conference emphasized practical solutions to food insecurity through collaboration and community-led initiatives.
Cottage Food Operators - We're Calling You!
NOFA-NJ has been a strong supporter of the New Jersey Cottage Food Act (Bill A5229), as sponsored by Asm. Sauickie which makes it easier for cottage food operators to get permits by streamlining the application process, reducing paperwork, and improving access. As part of this effort, we are reaching out to cottage food operators across New Jersey to connect, hear your experiences, and ensure your voice is represented. While bakers often have organizations and networks to support them, producers of foods such as jams, jellies, granola, honey, and other cottage food products often do not. If you’re one of these producers, we’d love to hear from you. Contact NOFA-NJ so we can help support you, your home-based business, and a stronger cottage food community in New Jersey. We are planning legislative advocacy and mobilization to begin in September. Please email us both at:
- Cali Alexander, Policy Chair: goatwell1@gmail.com
- Jamal Dundas, NOFA Legislative Aide: jamal.dundas2017@gmail.com
Recent Sign-On's/ Important Legislative News
- Climate Justice Alliance: Don’t let billionaires set the agenda–take action against dirty permitting reform!
- Beyond Pesticides: Action of the Week and Weekly News Updates
- Booker, Warren, Welch Introduce Bill to Stop Big Ag from Rigging the Seed Market Against Farmers
- USDA Helps Organic Producers with Certification Costs | Farm Service Agency
Collaboration: New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative
NOFA-NJ has collaborated with the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative (NJFDC) to advance local food system policies that improve how food is grown, distributed, and accessed across New Jersey. Together they focus on strengthening local and regional food systems, supporting resilient communities, and helping both farmers and consumers thrive. Below is an overview of the NJFDC’s recently formed New Jersey Food Policy Council and their mission as well as their policy agenda for 2026-2027.
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 Meeting!
NOFA Policy committee meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of every other month. The date for the next meeting is August 18, 2026 at 7PM EST via zoom. Stay tuned for August policy agenda 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.
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