THOMASVILLE — Brookwood School alumna Logan Petrey ‘09, originally from Dixie, Ga., was recently named to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This distinguished group is comprised of 15 volunteer members representing the organic community who will serve five-year terms beginning in January 2021. 

“Organic agriculture is a challenge,” Petrey said. “It is especially challenging in the Southeast where the climate is most suitable for plant disease and other pests. In organic systems, the farmer needs to understand the ecology of each field and learn how to work with it and to use it to obtain more yield. The challenge and complexity both keep me engaged and devoted to my work.” 

Petrey became connected to the USDA through her work as Southeast Ranch Manager at Grimmway Farms. 

“I love to farm,” she said. “I grew up on a farm and wanted to always have that lifestyle. For Grimmway, I grow more than 20 different vegetables. The standards set at Grimmway are exceptional, and I enjoy working to those standards. Nothing beats riding around the farm seeing all shades of green and red crops growing well.” 

She has met and worked with people in the USDA, Organic Trade Association (OTA) and United Fresh. The OTA and United Fresh both encouraged Petrey to apply for the NOSB position. 

While on the board, she plans to be a champion for production and integrity. 

“As a farmer, I work in the vegetable and grain sectors, and through business relationships, I work with the poultry, dairy, and greenhouse/nursery industries,” Petrey said. “I will represent and defend the necessities of production for these systems so that we can continue to produce large volumes of organic products while developing procedures to reduce organic fraud. Protecting the integrity of organics and protecting the business of the organic farmer would be my biggest accomplishments.” 

She believes that the standards set for her during her time at Brookwood helped instill good habits. 

“Brookwood not only educates, it institutes values of honor, wisdom, and achievement into each of its students,” Petrey said. “The standards set for students at Brookwood create habits of hard work, achievement, and persistence. The environment and people at Brookwood School are at work daily to help children and young adults build a strong foundation.”