News

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA), along with the six other organizations comprising the NOFA Interstate Council (NOFA I.C.) in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, joined a broad lawsuit to challenge the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government.

Americans want healthy organic food to feed their families. Today, 82% of American households purchase organic produce and demand for organic continues to rise. In fact, over the past two decades, demand consistently outpaced domestic production capacity. Imported organic ingredients and finished goods fill the gap, with the United States spending an estimated $8.9 billion on organic imports in 2024, according to research by the Organic Trade Association in 2025.

In our previous update, we discussed the potential effects of the federal grant funding freeze on CT NOFA’s ability to continue our full slate of programs and services. Although our pledged grant funds continue to be frozen and are without a timeline for resolution, we want to be clear about our position: while some of our programs and communications will become more limited in scope, CT NOFA is not shutting down.

CT NOFA Director of Policy and Advocacy, Dr. Kim Stoner, was on hand in Hartford today along with Republican state senator Tony Hwang to discuss the proposed amendment that would enshrine the right to a clean environment into the Connecticut state constitution.

Roughly two-thirds of CT NOFA’s budget for 2025 is tied to federal grant funding, primarily through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Without restoration of these previously pledged grant funds by the federal government or significant growth in grassroots donations and support, CT NOFA will be forced to cease operations and lay off all staff, beginning May 1.

Steadfast Farms, in Bethlehem, Connecticut, proudly announces that its processing and slaughter facility is pending USDA Organic Certification for Poultry Processing. As a participant in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), Steadfast Farms has worked closely with CT NOFA for the past six months to ensure full compliance with organic processing standards.