CT NOFA Federal Grant Freeze and the Organic Land Care Program

In light of recent news from CT NOFA (the organization that founded and continues to administer OLC), we want to clarify the status of the OLC Program. The Organic Land Care Program does not directly utilize federal grants. CT NOFA, however, does, and the unprecedented withholding of their approved grants has left a hole in CT NOFA’s operating and annual budgets, requiring an immediate reduction in staff hours and program activities.

The good news is that the Organic Land Care Program will continue to operate in 2025 with a minimum of disruption. We anticipate continuity in AOLCP benefits, the accreditation program, and scheduled training courses. And we will continue to develop and nurture partnerships to provide benefits and opportunities for AOLCPs.

Over the coming weeks, CT NOFA and OLC staff will evaluate whether and how to continue other OLC program activities planned for 2025, such as the Standards update, development of new training and advanced courses, and outreach and education activities. In the longer term, CT NOFA’s Board of Directors will embark on a planning process to define a stable future for CT NOFA and the Organic Land Care Program beyond 2025.

We hope you will stand with us as we navigate this unexpected challenge. We may be a little slower to reply to your messages, but we welcome your input and feedback and thank you for your ongoing commitment to organic land care and the OLC Program.