California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Biological Control Considerations and Research for Lettuce Growers

    Two of the worst pests plaguing lettuce growers in the Salinas Valley area are aphids, specifically lettuce-currant aphids (Nasovonia ribisnigri), and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Lettuce-currant aphid is an invasive pest that sets up shop in the heart of the lettuce plant and will render the crop unsellable when it reaches high enough numbers. Thrips can both cause cosmetic damage to lettuce crops and are also responsible for the spread of Salinas impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), the fatal lettuce disease that has driven large losses since the 2020 growing season.

    While effective tools exist to control both aphids and thrips, they are almost exclusively chemical. Chemical sprays are increasingly under pressure due to changes in the regulatory framework in California as well as the development of pest resistance and discoveries of key chemistries in area watersheds1,2. The UC Davis FiVE lab biological control research program addresses a growing interest in developing alternative tools for managing both pests that do not rely on chemical applications. Biological control provides an opportunity for the management of thrips and aphids that do not rely on chemical tools.

    Biological control is defined as the use of natural enemies to control a target pest. Three general categories of biological control could possibly be used as management practices for lettuce pests in the Salinas Valley area:

    • Conservation biological control refers to the establishment and maintenance of resources and conditions favorable to a native or endemic beneficial species. Instead of releasing predators into crop fields, specific types of flowers and other habitats are planted to attract beneficial species that are already a part of the local ecosystem. To date, most efforts on biological control in lettuce have used the conservation biological control approach.

    • Inundative biological control involves the release of a beneficial insect species in large numbers with the expectation that the beneficials that are released will only provide control for a short amount of time before eventually dying out. Such releases would need to be repeated at regular intervals for the duration of the growing cycle for a crop.

    • Augmentative biological control refers to the use of releases of smaller numbers of beneficials to areas where a smaller population of the species already exists, but not in numbers great enough to provide adequate control of the targeted pest species. The goal of augmentative releases is to bolster already-existent populations of beneficial species so they achieve great enough numbers to provide control of the pest or pests of interest.

    Conservation biological control in the Salinas Valley

    Syrphid flies

    Aphid pests of lettuce have been effectively managed in some lettuce production systems through the planting of sweet alyssum adjacent to and interspersed within crop fields3. Sweet alyssum is a favorite of the Syrphid fly (Diptera: Syrphidae), the primary biological control agent used to control aphid pests in lettuce. Syrphids, also called hoverflies or flower flies, are a family of black and yellow pigmented flies which resemble bees and stinging wasps. The coloration is a protective camouflage; Syrphid flies are harmless to humans. Syrphid adults are frequently seen visiting flowers for their nectar and pollen, which the insect consumes both as an energy source and to support their reproduction.

    In exchange the female Syrphid flies will lay eggs in lettuce plants with lettuce aphid infestations, the primary food source for their young. Once the eggs hatch, the syrphid maggots, which are predatory on slow, soft-bodied insects, will feed on the aphids and suppress their population. Syrphid larvae are known to be voracious; some California species have been shown to consume upwards of 100 aphids per day4!

    Syrphids are the intended beneficiaries of most conservation biological control in central coast lettuce fields, but other beneficial species take advantage of these resources as well.

    Other predatory species love sweet alyssum

    Many other biological control agents are supported by insectary plantings5. Ladybird beetles often inhabit lettuce fields and may provide some control of lettuce aphid infestations. Common lacewings (family Chrysopidae) are also found in lettuce fields and insectary plantings. Lacewings, which are only predatory in their immature or larval life stage, can provide biological control services against lettuce aphids and western flower thrips. Minute pirate bug (Orius sp.) and aphid midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) have also been observed in and collected from insectary plantings in lettuce fields, but it is not known the extent to which they can suppress populations of lettuce aphid or Western flower thrips.

     UC Davis Fi-VE Bug IPM Lab biological control research programs

    Including insectary plantings to attract naturally occurring predators has historically been the only efficient way to get beneficial species into crop fields. Newly developed technology using drones as a dispersal tool may provide another option for growers interested in using biological control as part of their pest management programs for aphids and thrips. This technology drastically reduces the time and labor required to conduct large releases of laboratory-reared beneficial insects, making the approach more feasible for growers.

    As part of a research program funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CA DPR) and in collaboration with Daniel Hasegawa at USDA-ARS and with Parabug, we are studying the release of biological control agents using drones for the management of aphid and thrips pests of lettuce crops. Our three experimental programs are as follows:

    In-field inundative releases of green lacewing larvae and predatory cucumeris mites to control aphids and thrips in lettuce

    In-field drone release of green lacewing eggs and predatory mites

    Experiments run by former Monterey County IPM Advisor Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia found that a single inundative release of green lacewing eggs (Chrysoperla rufilabris) in lettuce fields reduced aphid pressure six weeks after release6. Our experiment builds on Alejandro’s work, examining whether repeated releases of green lacewing eggs throughout the lettuce growing cycle reduce aphid numbers. Additionally, the experiment includes two treatments aimed at suppressing western flower thrips: inundative releases of a species of predatory mite (Amblyseius cucumeris), and a combined release of both predatory mites and green lacewing eggs.

    Augmentative releases to bolster non-syrphid predatory species in insectary strips and intercropped alyssum

    An insectary strip treated with an augmentative release of Orius insidious

    Other native predators of aphids and thrips are present in the insectary plantings growers use to attract syrphids, but their numbers are too low to provide suppression of thrips and aphids in adjacent crops. These species are reared by commercial insectaries, but using them in an inundative release could prove too costly for growers. Experiments in this program examine the use of smaller releases of these predatory species early in the growing cycle over insectary plantings. The goal is to determine whether the presence of floral resources allows the predators to stick around and build up enough in population to control aphids and thrips in the crop field. Experiments will be conducted with aphid midge (Aphidoletes aphidimyza), an aphid predator, and minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus), a predator of western flower thrips.

    Augmentative releases to manage thrips in non-crop areas

    Drone release of thrips predators over ice plant

    Western flower thrips plague not just vegetable crop fields but also the vegetation surrounding crop areas. In this experiment, we will examine whether releases of cucumeris mites and minute pirate bugs over field edges planted with ice plant will establish these predators in the vegetation and provide long-term suppression of western flower thrips. — By Ian Grettenberger and Addie Abrams, UC Cooperative Extension

    Citations

    1. Deng, X. Study 321: Surface water monitoring for pesticides in agricultural areas in the Central Coast and southern California (2022)
    2. Gao, Y., Lei, Z. & Reitz, S. R. Western flower thrips resistance to insecticides: detection, mechanisms and management strategies. Pest Manag. Sci. 68, 1111–1121 (2012).
    3. Brennan, E. B. Agronomic aspects of strip intercropping lettuce with alyssum for biological control of aphids. Biol. Control 65, 302–311 (2013).
    4. Hopper, J. V., Nelson, E. H., Daane, K. M. & Mills, N. J. Growth, development and consumption by four syrphid species associated with the lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri, in California. Biol. Control 58, 271–276 (2011).
    5. Bugg, R. L., Colfer, R. G., Chaney, W. E., Smith, H. A. & Cannon, J. Flower Flies (Syrphidae) and Other Biological Control Agents for Aphids in Vegetable Crops. (University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2008). doi:10.3733/ucanr.8285.
    6. Del Pozo-Valdivia, A. I., Morgan, E. & Bennett, C. In-Field Evaluation of Drone-Released Lacewings for Aphid Control in California Organic Lettuce. J. Econ. Entomol. 114, 1882–1888 (2021).

  • USDA Begins to Survey Farmers’ Yield Estimates in 2024

    As the 2024 crop season moves forward, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine acreage, yield, and production estimates throughout the growing season.

    “Each year, the agriculture industry anticipates USDA’s Crop Production reports, which provides monthly survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ yields throughout the year,” said Gary R. Keough, NASS Pacific Regional Director. “The May Agricultural Yield Survey provides the first indications of how farmers are doing.” NASS will mail the survey to producers in April, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they planted in 2024, how many acres they planted, and the anticipated yields on their farms.

    Producers are encouraged to respond online at agcounts.usda.gov. On NASS’s Respondent Portal, they can complete their survey, track upcoming surveys, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA agencies, and more. Those who do not respond by April 29 may be contacted for an interview.

    “Farmers reporting acreage of at least one commodity of interest are included in the monthly data collection to forecast crop yields,” explained Keough.

    USDA NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, responses will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in identifiable form.

    The survey data will be published in the Crop Production report on May 10, 2024. This and all other NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information, call the NASS Pacific Regional Field Office at 1-800-851-1127.

  • USDA Announces 2024 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation has announced the 2024 crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton.

    The differentials, also referred to as loan rate premiums and discounts, were calculated based on market valuations of various cotton quality factors for the prior three years. This calculation procedure is identical to that used in past years.

    The 2024 crop differential schedules are applied to 2024 crop loan rates of 52 cents per pound for the base grade of upland cotton and 95 cents per pound for extra-long staple cotton. The 2018 Farm Bill stipulates that the loan rate for the base quality of upland cotton ranges between 45 and 52 cents per pound based on the simple average of the Adjusted World Price for the two marketing years immediately preceding the next crop planting. However, the established loan rate cannot be less than 98% of the preceding year’s established loan rate. The loan rate provided to an individual cotton bale is based on the quality of each individual bale as determined by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service classing measurements.

    These differentials are important to cotton producers because they are used to derive the actual loan rate for each bale of cotton – above (premium) or below (discount) the average per pound loan rate, depending on the grade or quality of the cotton. The actual loan rate is significant because it is used to determine any marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments.

    The Commodity Credit Corporation adjusts cotton loan rates by these differentials so that cotton loan values reflect the differences in market prices for color, staple length, leaf, extraneous matter, micronaire, length uniformity and strength.

    The rates are posted on USDA’s Farm Service Agency website at www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/price-support/commodity-loan-rates/index. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Kent Lanclos at (202) 720-0114 or Kent.Lanclos@usda.gov.

    More Information

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

  • It’s a Wrap for the Wrap

    People have known for centuries about the usefulness, worth, and value of cotton, but one fairly recent innovation – intended to shelter the crop – has actually become an obstacle for the industry.

    Farmers frequently wrap their large round cotton bales in plastic to protect them from environmental contaminants as they await transportation from the field to processing plants. While effective, shreds of plastic sometimes break away during the removal process and become entangled with cotton fibers. The resulting contamination leads to machinery damage, processing inefficiencies, and a notable reduction in market value.

    Fortunately, new technology created by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and industry partners is helping to solve that problem.

    According to Matthew Pelletier, agricultural engineer with the ARS Cotton Production and Processing Research unit in Lubbock, TX, the technology leverages color cameras and advanced custom algorithms to identify and eliminate plastic contaminants during ginning. “Ginning” refers to the process of removing stems, burrs, soil, and other debris from cotton bolls.

    “The VIPR (Visual Inspection and Plastic Removal) system uses color cameras to rapidly and accurately detect plastic contaminants,” Pelletier said. “We use cell phone technology to reduce the cost and make it economically viable on a large scale. This approach allows us to integrate advanced imaging and processing capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial systems.”

    Cotton bolls pass through the Visual Inspection and Plastic Removal system during the cotton ginning process. The system uses cameras to detect plastic contamination. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Pelletier)

    Cameras scan for plastic contaminants as cotton enters the ginning process. When detected, precise air knives remove it from the cotton stream. This process eliminates the contamination and minimizes the loss of good cotton.

    Plastic contamination has led to significant financial losses for the cotton industry, Pelletier said – more than $750 million annually since the practice of wrapping bales in plastic began. For an average cotton farmer growing 1,500 acres of cotton, plastic-related losses could be more than $30,000 per year.

    The VIPR technology team recently won two awards for their efforts: the 2020 Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLCTT) Regional Mid-Continent Award and the 2021 FLCTT National Award.

    “This technology represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology,” Pelletier said. “It not only aims to restore the international market value and reputation of U.S. cotton, but also has implications for other agricultural or manufacturing sectors that face similar challenges.” – By Scott Elliott, USDA-ARS Office of Communications

  • Mendocino Winegrowers Appoints Bonnie Butcher as Executive Director

    Mendocino Winegrowers Inc. (MWI) has announced the appointment of Bonnie Butcher as its new executive director. Butcher brings a wealth of experience in event management, sales, and strategic planning to her new role. With a diverse background in hospitality and event planning, Butcher is poised to drive MWI’s mission of promoting and advancing the Mendocino County wine industry to new heights. According to MWI Board President Hoss Milone, “We can’t imagine anyone better suited to take MWI in the direction we are envisioning, including more wine events and increased visibility for vineyards and wineries inside and out of Mendocino.”

    A Track Record of Growth and Innovation

    At BARRA of Mendocino, where she worked for the past eight years, Butcher served as the tasting room and event center manager, where she oversaw all aspects of operations. Under her guidance, the tasting room experienced substantial growth in both wine sales and event rental revenue, showcasing her ability to drive business performance and enhance customer experiences.

    Butcher’s expertise extends beyond operational management. She has a proven track record in strategic sales, data analysis, and cultivating strong customer relationships. She also has a substantial background in event planning from large multi-day events to intimate and upscale gatherings.

    Local Roots & a Vision for the Future

    Butcher was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama. Her passion for wine and hospitality, combined with her Southern hospitality roots, make her a natural fit for MWI’s leadership team. Says Butcher, “Mendocino County is a vibrant wine region with immense potential, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to help MWI elevate the profile of Mendocino wines on a broader scale.”

    Butcher’s appointment comes at an exciting time for MWI as the organization develops new ideas and opportunities to expand its reach and promote the exceptional wines produced in Mendocino County.

  • Every Day is Earth Day for the Most Sustainable Winegrowing Region

    Few organizations or businesses have been as proactive in addressing environmental concerns and lessening their impact than the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW).

    Ten years ago, Sonoma County Winegrowers announced its intent to become the nation’s – and likely the world’s – first 100% certified sustainable wine region by 2019.  It was a bold, ambitious declaration but Sonoma County’s winegrowers were committed and, together, they succeeded in meeting their target in just five years.  Today, Sonoma County has a record 99% of its local vineyards certified sustainable.

    Five years ago, Sonoma County Winegrowers became an exclusive participant in the California Land Stewardship Institute’s (CLSI) Climate Adaptation Certification program marking the first-time participating growers could obtain certification for a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration program.   Over the past few years, CLSI has created customized local farm plans based on soil type, microclimate, elevation, history of the land and farming practices that meet the certification requirements. In partnership with the California Farm Bureau Federation’s scientific arm, 3,860 acres in the pilot program have been certified. An additional 9,000 acres are in the process of achieving certification later this year.

    Last week, local winegrowers began receiving Smart Apply , precision spraying equipment from John Deere Company, as Sonoma County Winegrowers embark on a major collaboration with one of the world’s most iconic brands. The John Deere technology is designed to enhance eco-friendly practices, minimize the carbon footprint, and encourage sustainable land management.  It is an important part of John Deere’s collaboration with SCW’s innovative Farm of the Future, a living lab for the future of agriculture and an innovation accelerator.

    Clearly, winegrowers in Sonoma County are constantly pushing to do more. Over the past ten years, their commitment to continue to build on their sustainability leadership through a variety of activities and programs has earned them a worldwide reputation as a global leader in sustainability and regenerative agriculture. It is no surprise that SCW has been recognized with California’s highest environmental award, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award.

    “It is important on Earth Day to recognize Sonoma County and our 1,800 local, forward-thinking winegrowers who have a proven track record of disrupting the status quo through collaborations, innovation, and leadership.  Since 2014, we have developed, partnered, and implemented a wide variety of initiatives to bring about a real impact,” stated Karissa Kruse, President and CEO of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.

    Through its Farm of the Future, Sonoma County Winegrowers view their vineyards as a living lab to collaborate with innovative companies to pilot concepts that may eventually result in game-changing solutions for farmers around the world.  In addition to John Deere Company, Farm of the Future collaborators include Ford Pro, Wilbur Ellis, and Agrology.

    Said Kruse, “Today, Sonoma County is rapidly transforming into an ag incubator and living laboratory as a multitude of companies are seeking to work with our growers to develop game-changing solutions and real-world applications to some of the biggest environmental challenges.” She added, “It is so exciting to hear from companies that want to come to Sonoma County and be a part of the Farm of Future.”

    Sonoma County winegrape farmers and winemakers are dependent on a healthy environment to grow and make some of the world’s best wines.  Because of this, SCW has also developed the industry’s first one-hundred-year business plan; established the Center for Ag Sustainability; created a sustainable wine label that now appears on more than 3 million cases of Sonoma County wines and 600 different wine SKUs; cut the use of glyphosate in Sonoma County by 70% while more than 45,000 vineyard acres of Sonoma County’s 60,000 vineyard acres have become glyphosate free; and established a leadership academy to teach a variety of skills and trainings to help vineyard employees become better leaders in their community and workplace.

    “In Sonoma County’s vineyards, it is clear that every day is Earth Day and consumers can order any glass or purchase any bottle of wine from Sonoma County with full confidence knowing that the wine is made with certified sustainable grapes,” said Kruse.

    About Sonoma County Winegrowers: Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grape growers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world.  In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023.  SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).  Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org.

  • CAWG Pushes Legislation to Streamline Ag Employee Housing

    California ranks last in both housing affordability and availability, compared to the rest of the United States. This is having a major impact on California farm workers who are having to commute long distances to get to work or are otherwise struggling to get by. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as they push for legislative support to streamline the permitting process for on-farm ag employee housing. Read more about it in the May issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Almond Prices Expected to Rise in 2024, Setting Stage for a Positive 5-Year Forecast

    The next five years appear to be much brighter for the California almond industry than the last couple years of depressed market conditions, according to a recent RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness report.  Prices are expected to rise this season, but how much, and how soon will they climb to profitable levels? Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm spoke with Roland Fumasi from Rabobank to find out. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Christine Lott Joins California Walnut Board & Commission as Director of Communications

    The California Walnut Board & Commission is pleased to announce Christine Lott as their new Director of Integrated Communications.  Christine comes to the Board & Commission with extensive communications and product marketing experience having worked for thirteen years at Blue Diamond Growers as the senior global brand manager.  She led the marketing department for the international consumer division, which encompasses all branded products available in retail stores under the Blue Diamond brand in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This division included milks (Almond Breeze), snack nuts, and various other nut-based products. In this role Christine, developed and implemented marketing programs, digital and social media, public relations programs.

    Most recently Christine worked in new business development for Safe Food Alliance (SFA).  Previously, Christine worked for the California pear industry, the California Cherry Board and Stemilt World Famous Fruits. She coordinated the marketing and promotion activities which included advertising, public relations, industry communications, event coordination and sales promotion, category management, ad planning, merchandising and promotion tactics targeting major retail grocery chains throughout the US and Canada to build partner relationships and generate incremental sales.

    She has a consumer-focused mindset which aligns with the Board & Commission’s efforts in retail category management and volume growth through sales activation, one of their strategic initiatives.  In addition, Christine’s hands on experience in new product launches of fresh and manufactured foods will be an asset as the Board & Commission expands another strategic initiative in product innovation for the food manufacturing/ingredient and foodservice channels.

    Christine has a great appreciation and respect for the complexities in agriculture and for family farms, having been raised on a California dairy farm. “Combined with her 20 years of extensive food marketing and communications experience and work on behalf of growers throughout her career, Christine, has the background, experience, and knowledge to help shape and deliver our integrated consumer, industry, and product communications platform,” shared Robert Verloop, President/CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission.  “Please join me in welcoming Christine to our industry and the California Walnut Board & Commission.”

    Christine will work in the Folsom office and can be reached at 916-932-7070 or clott@walnuts.org.

  • Organic Trade Association to Host Organic Week on Capitol Hill

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to be hosting Organic Week, its annual flagship event, on May 14-16 in Washington, D.C., featuring two days of critical discussions on the issues and opportunities facing the organic sector and a day of advocating for organic on Capitol Hill. The event offers the organic community a once-a-year chance to come together, brainstorm, and help chart the way forward for organic.

    The gathering of the organic industry comes at a pivotal time for the organic sector. Organic is now a $67 billion industry, a high-level mark. But with this growth comes new questions about how to effectively accelerate and sustain the momentum of the movement.

    In keynote speeches, panel discussions and special break-out sessions, dozens of organic industry leaders and policy makers will take a close look at organic’s most pressing issues and priorities. Experts will explore current trends in the organic marketplace, the impact of competing labels and claims, federal and private actions to boost organic production, steps to ensure continuing improvement in organic standards, strategies to navigate the political environment of a Farm Bill and national election year, and much more.

    “Organic Week is a unique opportunity for our members and organic stakeholders to join forces to keep organic advancing,” said Tom Chapman, co-CEO of OTA. “Organic is confronting some deep challenges now, but the sector also has untapped opportunities to appeal to today’s health-focused and environmentally conscious consumers and educate them about the full scope of the benefits of organic.”

    “Organic is a movement, one that prioritizes sustainable business practices, accountability, trust and transparency to consumers,” said Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of OTA. “Organic Week is the chance for organic stakeholders to connect, share ideas, hear from the experts and use their collective muscle to help organic expand.”

    Conference highlights 

    Keynote speakers at the conference include top government officials and organic industry leaders. The latest data on the U.S. organic market will be released, and for the first time at Organic Week, breakout sessions homing in on specific organic categories will be offered.

      • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak about USDA’s investment in organic agriculture to grow the sector, and its steps to maintain strong and evolving organic standards.
      • Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, will brief on USDA’s Organic Market Development Grants which are designed to address the critical need for new market pathways in organic,  Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator of USDA’s National Organic Program, will update on USDA’s new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, the most significant change to organic regulations since their inception, and John Berge, Deputy Administrator of Farm Programs for USDA’s Farm Service Agency, will discuss USDA’s efforts to support organic farmers and programs USDA is implementing to support the organic dairy sector.
      • John Foraker, CEO and Co-founder of organic baby food maker Once Upon a Farm, will share valuable insights on how organic can amplify its value and expand access to more households.
      • Other industry leaders appearing in the program include: Nicole Atchison, CEO of PURIS, the innovative maker of plant-based foods and ingredients; Stevn Shephard, CEO of the organic poultry producer Farmer Focus; Hobbs Wolcott, President of the global organic ingredient distributor Tradin Organic USA; Paul Schiefer, President of the iconic Amy’s Kitchen, and more.
      • Eduardo Cuoco, Director of IFOAM Organics Europe, will talk about Europe’s ambitious organic action plan and what insights the U.S. can gain from the European strategies.
      • The top findings of OTA’s 2024 Organic Industry Survey will be released. Spearheaded by OTA for more than 20 years, this closely followed survey is regarded as the most comprehensive measure of the American retail certified Organic market.
      • Organic agricultural outlook sessions will be featured on Day 1 of Organic Week. These breakout sessions are designed specifically for businesses and farmers navigating the organic market’s evolving landscape, and will explore vital subjects at the sector level.

    And more: Awards, a run and Capitol Hill advocacy 

    The trade association’s Annual Organic Leadership Awards reception will be held on May 14. This always inspiring event recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and vision in furthering the goals of the organic movement.

    Day 2 of Organic Week will kick off with a 5k loop around the National Mall. This CLIF BAR sponsored event is a great opportunity to exercise, see iconic D.C. monuments and have casual conversation with Organic Week participants, as well as Administration and other Hill staff.  Register here to attend.

    Organic Week concludes with a full day of advocacy on Capitol Hill when dozens of OTA members will meet with U.S. lawmakers to share how and why they should support organic. This day of Hill Visits is one of the most impactful ways an OTA member can make a difference on behalf of the entire organic industry.

    The Organic Week headquarters hotel will be the Park Hyatt D.C. hotel, where all activities will be based. Registration for Organic Week is open. Register here for the event.

    For Organic Week sponsorship opportunities, contact Cassandra Christine at cchristine@ota.com.

    About the Organic Trade Association

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing more than 500 organic businesses across 50 states and 9,500 farmers through its Farmers Advisory Council. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.