RIPE Coalition:
Steering Committee

Arkansas Rice Federation is associated with the USA Rice Federation, the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses. The Arkansas Rice Federation is the state’s largest rice industry trade association, serving as the umbrella organization for the AR Rice Farmers, AR Rice Council, AR Rice Millers and AR Rice Merchants.

The North Dakota Grain Growers Association is the premier voice for the state’s wheat and barley producers, offering members education, leadership, and representation to increase opportunity. From building strong relationships with legislators in Bismarck to meeting with top policy makers in Washington, the NDGGA continually works to provide North Dakota farmers with representation on both state and federal levels.

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. The purpose of this organization is a triangle of priorities: Legislation, Cooperation and Education. MFU is the voice of family farmers in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. MFU supports cooperatives of all kinds.

Founded in 1927, North Dakota Farmers Union is the largest general farm organization in the state of North Dakota. With more than 70,000 farm, ranch and member families, they provide a network of educational programs, services and events that benefit farmers, ranchers, cooperatives and rural communities. NDFU is committed to the advancement of family farm and ranch agriculture and quality of life for people everywhere.

National Black Growers Council is a collective of multigenerational producers who advocate for the best interests of Black farmers locally, statewide and nationally. Its mission is to improve the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of Black row crop farmers. The NBGC was organized to represent the unique needs of full-time Black farmers. They have formed partnerships with each other, with majority farmers, and with corporations.

National Sorghum Producers serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through legislative and regulatory representation and education. Its mission is to lead positive change for sorghum farmers through effective policy and relationships. As the organization moves forward more than 60 years strong, it will continue to meet the needs of its members through dynamic programs and new ventures.

National Latino Farmers and Ranchers provides policy advocacy, farm management and sustainability training, conservation best practices, and technical assistance that enables Latinos and multiethnic farmworkers, farmers, and ranchers who have been historically discriminated against to transition and thrive in indigenous, regenerative and sustainable farming and ranching operations, while strengthening and safeguarding our national food supply system.

Georgia Organics is a dynamic, member-supported, statewide nonprofit investing in organic farmers and community allies to cultivate a strong local food movement. Officially founded in 1997, its roots go back to the 1970s as an association of growers that recognized the power of collective action. Today, Georgia Organics continues to champion this ethos in support of their mission to invest in farmers for the health of our communities and the land.

IL Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, maintaining a high profile on issues in DC and in Springfield, IL. Through grassroots advocacy, ICGA creates a future for Illinois farmers in which they can operate freely, responsibly, and successfully. The organization conducts governmental affairs activities, market development projects, and educational and member service programs.

No-till on the Plains, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit educational organization providing information on economically sound, agronomically superior and environmentally safer agricultural systems of producing food, fiber and fuels. By emulating the systems of nature, producers revive the efficiency of their soils by improving its properties. The goal of NTOP is to make farmers and ranchers more profitable, while improving their soil resource!

Organic Valley is the brand name of CROPP Cooperative, the largest cooperative of organic farmers in the United States. Founded in 1988 and based in SW Wisconsin, the cooperative includes more than 1,600 organic family farms across 29 states. It is farmer-owned and governed by a board of directors and executive committees elected by its members. After 30 years in business, OV continues to produce some of the highest quality products.