The board of directors of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is pleased to announce the hiring of Brise Tencer as executive director effective May 1. Since 1990, OFRF has funded over $3,000,000 in organic research projects and acted as a strong advocate for organic policy and education. 

Tencer brings 14 years of experience working on organic food policy, farming, and research issues, and strong relationships across all sectors of the organic community.

“After a conducting a nationwide search, the OFRF Board enthusiastically welcomes Brise as our new executive director,” said OFRF Board Chair Meg Moynihan. “She has been involved with organic agriculture throughout her career and is skilled at forging collaborations among groups and individuals.  Brise is dynamic, informed, and creative, and she will do an outstanding job leading OFRF’s work to foster the widespread adoption and improvement of organic farming systems through research, policies, and connections that directly benefit organic farmers.”

OFRF, based in Santa Cruz, Calif., is a leader in promoting research to promote better organic farming practices. Its network includes over 15,000 organic farmers, researchers and consumer advocates, as well as organic companies. 

Tencer most recently served as policy and programs director for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Her professional career has also included work as a consultant on sustainable agriculture projects at the Union of Concerned Scientists and—from 2000 to 2006—as legislative coordinator for OFRF.

“I believe OFRF plays a critical role in the organic community, and I have a deep, personal, and historical commitment to its mission of fostering the widespread adoption and improvement of organic farming systems,” said Tencer. “I am truly excited about the opportunity to lead this vibrant organization and reinvigorate its work furthering research that supports the needs of organic farmers.”

Tencer holds a B.A. in Community Studies from University of California, Santa Cruz and a M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.  While previously at OFRF, she helped initiate the Organic Agricultural Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Organic Farmers Action Network (OFAN), a grassroots political action network to support organic-friendly policies. Tencer has served on the boards of the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, the California Climate and Agricultural Network, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.