Northeast Organic Farming Association

Established in 1982, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts chapter (NOFA/Mass) is a membership-funded non-profit organization. They welcome anyone who cares about the environment and our food system to join over 1000 other members and/or engage with their educational programs and advocacy efforts. Through education and advocacy they promote organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet.

Programs

NOFA offers a multitude of programs from Agroforestry to bulk ordering. Some highlights include their organic farmer support and healthy soil services. They offer consulting for those who need help with their application for organic certification for crops, livestock, poultry, eggs, wild crops, mushrooms, sprouts, processed product and cranberries. Additionally, they offer affordable technical assistance including soil lab analysis and inputs recommendations, soil health analysis, organic certification, and custom technical support.

Events

They run educational workshops & trainings, conferences, and community networking events. Their annual Winter Conference is a one-day gathering with workshops, keynote talks, community seed swaps, exhibitor fairs, and discussion groups focused on organic agriculture, soil vitality, and sustainable food systems. Some of their hands-on and interactive learning workshops are on topics including, soil health and soil biology (testing, microbial ecosystems, organic amendments), Organic growing techniques & crop planning, garden and farm business skills. growing specialty crops or organic market plants,  and seasonal skills for farmers and gardeners. These sessions can be in-person or online and are aimed at home gardeners, beginning growers, and seasoned farmers alike.

Stay updated and register for events here

Policy and Advocacy

NOFA/Mass advocates for sustainable agricultural and landcare policies that strengthen the resilience of our local communities. Their policy team works on issues as diverse as food, agricultural and climate justice, toxins reduction, pollinator protection, and ecological health and regulations which support organic and regenerative farms.

Below is a brief listing of some of their priority bills which have been filed for the 2025-2026 session.

Create a Pesticide Reform Task Force (S.617/H.932) – A bill to create a “pesticide control modernization and environmental protection task force” was advanced favorably last session and is a top priority for pesticide reform advocates this session, as it will help address a host of systemic concerns in a holistic manner.

Center Farmers within PFAS reforms (S.56/H.109) – NOFA/Mass is joining with a coalition of food system advocacy groups to encourage lawmakers to include measures in pending legislation to ensure that the burden of protecting our families and ecosystems from these “forever chemicals” does not fall on our farmers.

Promote Ecological Mosquito Control (S.547/H.985) – We must end the broadscale aerial application of pesticides and support a scientifically based mosquito-borne disease management program. This would protect public health while minimizing environmental and public health risks associated with some forms of (pesticide-dependent) mosquito control.