Organic Framing Research Foundation

A Organic Farming Research Foundation defines its mission as: "to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues."

When we visited Bob Scowcroft's office, Organic Farming Research Foundation Executive Director in Santa Cruz, it was just before the publication of Organic Rule, "a long-awaited victory for organic farmers and consumers," as he said .

"Organic farming is the brightest hope for a prosperous and sustainable future in our fields and on our tables. OFRF has insisted the USDA adopt strict and transparent rules from the beginning and will continue to advocate for a fair share of our public agricultural research and education resources," he added.

Bob answered some questions about the world organic movement and the organic market in United States.

What is the importance of the Rule about organics, just released ?

The Rule establishes a national standard for the trade in organically certified and labeled products. It means that consumers can truly have the right to know how their food is produced and the power of that right to know finally provides real competition to conventional food products.Consumers have a choice.

What benefits it will bring to organic farmers this new Rule?

Organic farmers will be able to sell their products in a much more vibrant market, more supermarkets, more farmers markets and more consumer acceptance for the term organic. There is a down side however, there will be more international organic products and given the differential in labor costs...American farmers may well have to sell their organic products at a lower cost.

How do you see the American organic market in a near future?And the global organic market?

The global organic market will go through small but real boom and bust stages. There will be massive plantings of organic soybeans for example but a recession in Janpan or a falling yen will hurt organic producers just like their conventional bretherin. The key to long term success is to develop local, indiginous organic markets...whether its to the tourist trade, upscale consumers or international air travelers...in the long run organic will prosper when it can be offered to the working class at a competitive price. Taste, health and a clean environment will eventually win the consumers hard earned cash.