Written by Katrina Heinze, OFRF Board Member from 2014-2023
A deliberate present is a present to the longer term. I help natural farming and OFRF as a result of I care in regards to the future well being of our planet and its individuals. A deliberate present to OFRF is a tangible manner for me to pay it ahead.
My mother fed me natural milk earlier than “natural” was even a label. I grew up cooking and connecting with individuals via meals. Later in my profession, these pursuits led me to work in natural meals and natural coverage. What a present! Via my work, I discovered in regards to the care, exhausting work, and superb data that natural farmers deliver to rising our meals, in addition to the challenges that make farming organically and bringing a farm’s items to market tough.Â
In 2014, I joined OFRF’s board. Our farmer board members and farmer listening classes taught me that natural farmers are experimenters and that we nonetheless have a lot to study the very best manufacturing practices to nurture the environment, take care of and tackle the impacts of local weather change, and supply wholesome meals for all—all whereas making certain sustainable economics for farmers and farming communities.
OFRF’s mission is to foster the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming techniques. I really like OFRF’s farmer-centered, science-based method. Our work is long-term and requires long-term funding. For instance, OFRF publishes the Nationwide Natural Analysis Agenda (NORA) each 5-6 years. The NORA Report is used to ask for Congressional funding for natural analysis, affect USDA’s grant funding, and assist these of us within the natural meals business rally to help our farmers’ most vital manufacturing (and non-production) wants. All of this contributes to new data and help for natural farmers.
My husband and I’ve included OFRF in our will along with our common OFRF donations. We did this to mannequin our values for our household, exhibit how we align our assets to these values, and be clear in regards to the legacy we need to depart behind.
Property planning may be simple to place off or keep away from. Nonetheless, we discovered that having conversations with our household about our needs enriched {our relationships}. By discussing what mattered most to us and the way we might finest use our assets now and sooner or later, we’ve turn out to be higher stewards of our assets right now. We’re glad we did this now as an alternative of ready or lacking the chance altogether.
Deliberate giving can happen throughout your lifetime or at dying, and it’s a essential a part of your total monetary and property plan. Usually bigger than donations from unusual revenue, deliberate items can present revenue, monetary safety, and tax financial savings to you and your loved ones, relying on how they’re structured. In our case, our deliberate present features a multi-year dedication to OFRF now and a designation of a share of any remaining property at our deaths. Â
Deliberate giving is essential for non-profits like OFRF, who rely largely on annual giving to “hold the lights on.” Though OFRF receives grants for key program initiatives, these grants don’t typically pay for workers improvement, accounting, and the time-consuming work of serving to policymakers perceive the wants of farmers. Deliberate items construct year-to-year stability for now and create a “financial savings account” for later.
I’ve seen the influence of deliberate items on OFRF. Once I was on the Board of Administrators, we acquired a deliberate present. This single donation enabled us to rent a paid intern to help our analysis program. It additionally demonstrated to a future grant maker the worth of our work, which has now resulted in a multi-year grant. Higher nonetheless, the donor was unknown to us, and studying about why OFRF was vital to them introduced us pleasure and a renewed dedication to our mission.
A deliberate present doesn’t must be difficult. Together with OFRF as a beneficiary in your will or naming OFRF as a full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance coverage coverage or retirement account is a straightforward approach to make a deliberate present. Consulting along with your monetary and authorized advisors may help you establish what’s finest in your state of affairs and values. After you have put a present plan in place, let the beneficiary non-profit know. They may profit from understanding what motivated you, and you’ll get to benefit from the influence of your considerate present.
Collectively, let’s make sure the widespread adoption of natural farming practices. Our earth and farming communities depend upon it. Please be a part of me in planting a seed for the longer term by making a deliberate present to OFRF right now.
Sincerely,
Katrina
