The CCOF Foundation is proud to announce our newest 2026 Future Organic Farmers cohort! Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our donors, who believe in investing in the future of organic farming, we have provided 25 students with $5,000 each to support their academic and professional pursuits in organic agriculture.
This direct funding helps students cover tuition, educational materials and resources, internship or work-experience expenses, and other costs directly related to their studies in organic agriculture, supporting their professional growth and career development. This year’s cohort consists of highly motivated individuals who demonstrate a strong passion for and commitment to careers in organic agriculture. Representing communities across the U.S., from Hawaii to Kentucky, these students reflect the breadth and diversity of the next generation of organic agriculture leaders.
Their interests and motivations fuel a wide range of career paths:
“My goal is to create and manage my own organic farm combining crops with small-scale animal care.”
“Watching my family fight industrial developers who are buying prime farmland has shown me that staying silent is not an option.”
“My goal is to support the development of regenerative and organic farming systems that improve soil function and help address climate change.”
“I would like to use my farm as a teaching place for students.”
“Not long ago, my father asked me why I went to college, if I was going to end up working as a farmer. As if tending to my sacred relationship with Mother Earth was such a bad thing.”
While the students come from varied backgrounds, they all share the same passion—to advance organic agriculture for a healthy world.
Future Organic Farmers are a future investment as they are willing, eager, and devoted to lifelong learning in the ways of organic agriculture. They bring new ideas, generational knowledge, and enthusiasm to the industry.
Please join the CCOF Foundation in congratulating this year’s Future Organic Farmers grant recipients. Find out more about the Future Organic Farmers grant fund from the CCOF Foundation.
