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Episode 34: Organic Farmers Association Kate Mendenhall - What Is The Organic Farmers Association?

Release Date: 08/13/2025

Episode 39: The Ethical Dairy David Finlay - What Is Ethical Dairy?

Food For You and the Planet

David Finlay is the owner and co-founder of The Ethical Dairy which he co-founded with his late wife Wilma. David Finlay is renowned for his innovative and sustainable approach to dairying. As an early adopter of organic farming, he has led the movement in Scotland and the UK, integrating agroecological practices, renewable energy solutions, and forward-thinking dairying systems, such as cow-calf contact dairying. His commitment to sustainability is evident through his work on soil and pasture management, wind turbines, and biodigesters, winning him multiple accolades, including the...

Episode 38: Potsdam Institute for Climate Research Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen - What Is the Planetary Health Diet?

Food For You and the Planet

Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen, is Co-Author of the EAT Lancet Commission, an agricultural economist and Head of Research Department 2 "Climate Resilience" at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Professor of Sustainable Land Use and Climate Change at Humboldt University in Berlin. Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen grew up on a farm in Northern Germany and studied Agricultural Sciences and Economics at the University of Kiel and the University of Reading in England, where he graduated with a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics. For his doctoral studies he studied in...

Episode 37: American Farmland Trust Tim Fink - How Can We Preserve American Farmland?

Food For You and the Planet

Tim Fink is the Vice President of Policy at the American Farmland Trust. Tim develops the American Farmland Trust’s overall policy direction and strategies and coordinates federal and relevant state policy work in close collaboration with American Farmland Trust national initiative leaders, regional directors, and partners. Before joining AFT, Tim was the director of research and policy analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, where he advocated for increases in USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, fundraised for the National Academies'...

Episode 36: WWOOF Chloe Sullivan - What Is WWOOF World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms?

Food For You and the Planet

Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager at Federation of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) Organisations. Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager for the Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FoWO). Her journey with WWOOF began in 2021 as a WWOOFer. After transformative experiences on organic farms in Denmark, the Netherlands, and the US, Chloe was inspired to share the WWOOF experience with others. She started sharing about her experience on social media, which led to a connection with the WWOOF Canada team and an opportunity to become more involved...

Episode 35: Native Plant Trust Arthur Haines - What Are The Benefits Of Native Plants and Foraging?

Food For You and the Planet

Arthur Haines is a Senior Research Botanist at The Native Plant Trust. Arthur is a plant biologist specializing in the taxonomy and identification of New England tracheophytes. He is the senior research botanist for Native Plant Trust and author of Flora Novae Angliae published by New England Wild Flower Society and Yale University Press, and several other books, including Flora of Maine, A New Path, and Ancestral Plants (a two-volume set on edible, medicinal, and useful plants). In addition to his work studying advancement in plant systematics, Arthur is an administrator for the Go...

Episode 34: Organic Farmers Association Kate Mendenhall - What Is The Organic Farmers Association?

Food For You and the Planet

Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association. Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her...

Episode 33: Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Sally McGee - What Is The Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition?

Food For You and the Planet

Sally McGee is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives at the Nature Conservancy and Leader of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition. Sally McGee works for the Nature Conservancy where she is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives for the Global Aquaculture Program. Her areas of focus include the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, Sustaining Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), and projects focused on seaweed cultivation. Sally also developed, owned, and operated an oyster farm, Sixpenny Oysters, in Noank, Connecticut. Previously, Sally was TNC’s...

Episode 32: Deer Isle Oyster Company Abby Barrows - How Can Oysters Provide Healthy Food and Benefit the Environment?

Food For You and the Planet

Abby Barrows is the Owner and Operator of Deer Isle Oyster Company and microplastics research scientist. Abby Barrows grew up and currently lives on an island off the coast of Maine. The ocean has been her passion driving her personal and professional path. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Philosophy in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic. Directing microplastics research since 2012, she initiated the first baseline data map of microplastic pollution distribution in Maine. She concluded her work as the Principal Investigator...

Episode 31: Cornell University Michael Mazourek PhD - How Can We Breed Vegetables for Flavor and for Local Growers?

Food For You and the Planet

Michael Mazourek, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Horticulture. Michael Mazourek, PhD, is the Calvin Knoyes Keeney Associate Professor of Vegetable Breeding at Cornell University. Michael is a breeder of peas, beans, squash, cucumbers and peppers and has released numerous cultivars and breeding materials that are shared by small, regional seed companies and incorporated into breeding program of the world’s largest seed companies. Michael’s specialty is biochemical genetics in vegetables; he explores the...

Episode 30: IFOAM Organics International Karen Mapusua - How Can We Build An International Organic Agriculture Movement?

Food For You and the Planet

Karen Mapusua is the President of IFOAM Organics International. Founded in 1972, IFOAM Organics International is a membership-based organization working to bring true sustainability to agriculture across the globe. The mission of IFOAM Organics International is to lead change, organically. Its goal is the broad adoption of truly sustainable agriculture, value chains and consumption in line with the principles of organic agriculture. Through its work, it builds capacity to facilitate the transition of farmers to organic agriculture, raises awareness of the need for sustainable...

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Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association.

Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her nationwide experience and dedication to organic farmers throughout her career make leading the Organic Farmers Association her dream job and she is a fierce advocate for what organic farmers need and want from the ground up!

TOPICS EXPLORED

0:00 – 1:38 – Introduction

1:38 – 2:35 – What is the Organic Farmers Association and what type of work does it do?

2:35 – 5:34 – How did you become interested in sustainable food and agriculture and become the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association?

5:34 – 8:43 – Can you tell me a little bit about how you implement organic practices on your farm?

8:43 – 10:50 – What are some of the challenges and benefits of becoming USDA Certified Organic?

10:50 – 13:28 – Can you tell me about the USDA National Organic Program and why the National Organic Program is important?

13:28 – 16:09 – There are some people who are critical of USDA Certified Organic and believe it should be stronger. What would you say to people who may be hesitant about getting certified or considering dropping certification?

16:09 – 18:16 – Can you tell me about the educational work the Organic Farmers Association does?

18:16 – 19:36 – The Organic Farmers Association has farmers circles – what are they and how can they benefit farmers?

19:36 – 21:40 – What are some examples of Organic Events the Organic Farmers Association helps coordinate?

21:40 – 22:51 – Can you tell me about the Organic Voice magazine?

22:51 – 26:08 – Can you tell me about the advocacy work the Organic Farmers Association does and some of the recent outcomes?

26:08 – 29:33 – What are some of the main challenges for the organic agriculture movement in the US right now?

29:33 – 30:39 – What can everyday people do to grow the organic agriculture movement?

30:39 – 32:16 – What are your hopes for the future of the organic movement?

32:16 – 32:45 – Things to share and wrap up

ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION

https://organicfarmersassociation.org/

RESOURCES

Organic Career Network: https://organiccareernetwork.org/

Organic Farmers Association Policy Positions: https://organicfarmersassociation.org...

Organic Voice Magazine: https://organicfarmersassociation.org...

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