The Organic Fruit Growers Association is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, and education purposes. We share information and encourage research to improve the organic production and marketing of fruit and to represent the interests of growers engaged in such. We connect individuals, growers, businesses, researchers to collaborate within the industry.

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Read our bylaws.

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During strategic planning in the winter of 2022-2023, OFGA members and board chose to emphasize three areas of work:

• Collaborate with growers and university researchers to conduct and share research on organic fruit growing.

• Expand OFGA's membership of organic fruit growers in the Upper Midwest.

• Build OFGA through improved administrative tools and diversified fundraising.

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Read a summary of our strategic priorities.

Read a detailed stakeholder assessment summarizing surveys and interviews conducted during our strategic planning.

OFGA members are a community of growers, researchers, industry professionals who support our mission. They share information, use our Listserv and other online resources, they participate in workshops and field days to connect in person. They are the first to know about current research, opportunities to collaborate with universities and other experienced growers. Our grower-members provide markets with delicious, nutritious fruit.

In 2004, a group of organic fruit growers started the Organic Tree Fruit Association to be a voice for its members, to represent the interests of tree fruit growers in the Upper Midwest region. Their goal was to share information, encourage research, and help each other with production and marketing challenges they were facing.

Ten years later, at the 2014 annual meeting, members voted unanimously to expand the scope of the organization to include all fruits (including bush, vine, and bramble fruits) and to change the name of the organization to reflect that change.

Our Board of Directors are responsible for overall policy and direction of the association, serving three-year terms. At any given time, at least three of our board members are commercially producing organic fruits, and at least two of the board members are involved with a certified organic farm.

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Meet our Board Members.

The OFGA coordinator assists the board and coordinates much of OFGA's programming, communication, and research.  Chris McGuire is the current Coordinator.  Chris and his wife Juli also raise organic apples at Blue Roof Orchard in Belmont, WI, where they have farmed since 2003.