We’re bringing together farmers, organizations, and activists to advocate for policies, programs and resources that support broad adoption of organic, regenerative, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Our Mission
The Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) supports policies and programs that help grow the organic sector in Washington. We are advocates for:
- RESEARCH to explore, define, evaluate and support the implementation of effective organic and regenerative practices.
- EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES that provide producers and farm workers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively engage in organic and regenerative agriculture.
- RESOURCES to invest in organic infrastructure, transitioning to organic, and organic producers.
- PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND CONSUMER EDUCATION to increase demand for certified organic/regenerative food.
- AN EQUITABLE, JUST, ANTI-RACIST FOOD SYSTEM.
Advocacy Priorities
- Organic and Regenerative Grants and Bridge Loans: Secure grant funding for small and mid-sized farmers investing in organic-regenerative practices, equipment, and infrastructure. Build a bridge loan program to enhance farmer’s access to reimbursable grant funding.
- Expand WA Organic Cost Share: Permanently fund the Washington State Organic Cost Share program, supplementing federal cost share funds for organic certification.
- Raise the Profile of Organic and Regenerative Agriculture in WA: Increase legislators’ and policymakers’ understanding of the multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits provided by organic-regenerative agriculture.
- Support Existing Conservation Programs: Support and defend established conservation programs while advocating for better inclusion and support of organic-regenerative farmers and practices.
- Organic Action Plan: Develop an Organic Action Plan to provide a comprehensive roadmap leading to growth in the number of acres being farmed using organic practices and ensure Washington’s organic sector continues to grow and thrive.
- Public Procurement: Grow the organic market by incentivizing procurement of organic products in schools and other public institutions.
Equity Statement
CORA will demonstrate its commitment to equity in all areas of work, including our governance, policies, and procedures, membership, programs, communications, and advocacy agenda. CORA’s Governing Council and membership is committed to being representative of, inclusive of, and giving voice to members of the organic and regenerative community who have been systemically marginalized or are underrepresented.
Our History
Over 40 years ago, Washington State led the beginnings of the organic and regenerative movement. Producers, distributors, processors, retailers, and conservationists across the state united around a shared belief: we could grow food better. They envisioned a food system that honored the wisdom of original land stewards, eliminated synthetic inputs, was rooted in community, and put people, soil, and all living beings first.
Grappling with how to ensure that those claiming to grow food according to these principles practiced what they preached, they organized to create standards and certifications that could credibly verify a producer’s commitment to organic principles.
Their efforts led to the establishment of the Washington State Organic Program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and ultimately the national and legally backed certified organic system utilizing the USDA Organic Seal.
But despite Washington State’s decades of leadership and an incredible network of dedicated advocates, growth has stalled. According to the 2022 Agricultural Census, only 1.07% of Washington’s agricultural lands are certified organic, and only 898 out of 32,076 farms in Washington (or about 2.7%) are certified or transitioning to organic practices.
To help shift this paradigm and grow the movement, a group of over 15 representatives from across Washington created the Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) in 2022, with Tilth Alliance serving as its fiscal and administrative backbone.
Milestones
2022
Coalition Launch and Governing Council: CORA’s first 12-member Governing Council (GC) begins its work. Organizations serving on the original GC include Tilth Alliance, PCC Community Markets, Organically Grown Company, Zirkle Fruit, Wilcox Farms, Pure Eire Dairy, Rojo Juice, Foothills Farm, Blue Heron Farm, Bastyr University, and multiple conservation organizations.
2023
Organic and Climate-Smart Ag Evaluation: CORA secures $200,000 of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funds for the Washington Conservation Commission to evaluate the current contributions of organic and climate-smart agriculture toward achieving Washington’s climate-response goals.
2024
Organic and Regenerative Agriculture Task Force/Action Plan Bill (SB 6278): CORA attempts to pass its first bill (SB 6278) to create an Organic Action Plan (OAP) that would lay out a roadmap toward increasing organic acreage, expanding support for historically excluded and burdened organic producers, and building specialized educational and infrastructure support for organic producers. Over 900 supporters sign in favor of the Senate bill and over 500 supporters in the House. SB 6278 passed unanimously in the Senate but stall in the House and is not passed before the legislative session ends.
Organic Inspection Credit: While SB 6278 fails to pass, CORA still manages to secure $400,000 for Washington State Department of Agriculture’s 2025 operating budget to be used for an organic inspection credit. As a result, organic establishments certified by the Washington Organic Program receive an automatic $500 certification credit in 2025 and producers certified by external certifiers receive the credit through an application process.
CCA Funds for Climate-Smart/Carbon Sequestration Practices on Small-Farm: With CORA’s support, the Governor and the legislature include $5 million in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s budget to be used for agricultural carbon and sequestration projects on small farms. Producers with less than $3.5 million in revenue will be eligible.
2025
Expanding opportunities for organic, regenerative, climate-smart, and sustainable producers (SB 5474 & Companion Bill HB 1588). CORA works on a bill with multiple objectives including creation of an Organic Action Plan, establishment of a microgrant program to support the growth of organic, regenerative, and sustainable climate-smart agriculture, and refunding the State organic cost share program. Over 2,000 people signed on in support of the bills during the hearing process, testimony to the progress CORA has made in advancing awareness of and support for the organic regenerative sector. While neither bill made it through the legislative process, a $100k budget proviso for the microgrant program ultimately made it into the state budget. Unfortunately the proviso became one of over $25 million in line items vetoed by the Governor in the face of the State’s fiscal crisis.
CORA greatly strengthened its relationships with key legislators in 2025, including hosting a town hall for three key legislators at its annual conference. These relationships will be critical to our ability to move our advocacy priorities ahead in 2026.
CORA’s Leadership
CORA is led by a governing council composed of farmers and folks working in the regional food system, who are also members of the coalition. Our current Governing Council members are:
- Mike Dill, Organically Grown Company
- Ali Lee, Health and Equity Specialist
- Maynard Mallonee, Mallonee Family Farm LLC
- Anne Schwartz, Blue Heron Farm
- Matt Steinman, Foothills Farm
- Melissa Spear, Tilth Alliance
- Brenda Vanderloop, Sammamish Valley Alliance
- Mike Wenrick, PCC Community Markets
- Donnie Wilcox, Wilcox Farms