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Tag: the Organic Trade Association

  • USDA Awards Organic Trade Association Over $1M for Global Organic Promotion

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to announce it has received a total of $1,042,035 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP) to promote U.S. organic products around the world in 2025.

    This funding includes $971,393 in new allocations and $70,642 in carryover funds. The award comes alongside the additional $2.5 million received at the end of 2024 from the second tranche of the Regional Agricultural Promotional Program (RAPP). This $5 million in RAPP funding paired with the new MAP funding offers critical support to bring U.S. organic companies to trade activities globally and continue to open foreign markets.

    “Consumers around the world are choosing organic,” says Sarah Gorman, Manager of International Trade for OTA. “Our activities showcase and educate key markets on the quality, integrity, and variety of USDA certified organic products available for export. This year’s activities are taking place in a wide range of markets – from our more established trading partners to new untapped markets.”

    “Since 1999, OTA has been participating in USDA’s Market Access Program and bringing the U.S. organic industry to markets throughout the globe. We’ve created new opportunities for organic businesses through international promotions, organic exporter education and business to business connections. These opportunities don’t just help organic farmers – they also create jobs and economic opportunities across all sectors,” says OTA co-CEO Tom Chapman.

    Global demand for U.S. organic continues to strengthen as American exporters introduce new products annually to consumers overseas. USDA statistics show an 18 percent increase in exports over the last year. Canada and Mexico remain the primary export destination for U.S. organic products by a wide margin, though Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are also strong export markets. Within the last couple of years, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and India have also edged into the top 10 export destinations.

    The USDA has estimated that for each $1 invested in export market development, U.S. agricultural exports have increased by more than $24. The department is providing a total of $172.3 million through MAP for fiscal year 2025 to 70 Market Development Program Cooperators.

    OTA is showcasing American-produced organic products to a wide and diverse global audience this year, from the world’s biggest organic trade fair in Germany to trade shows and missions stretching across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

    The year’s activities have already kicked off in a big and successful way. OTA hosted its largest pavilion ever with 18 U.S. organic companies at Biofach in Nuremberg, Germany, in early February. Biofach is the world’s largest trade fair devoted to organic, attracting thousands of international visitors. Following Germany, OTA sponsored five organic brands to the sprawling Gulfood show in Dubai, the largest food and beverage trade show in the MidEast. Next it was the big 50th FoodEx in Tokyo, where OTA showcased six organic companies. Other 2025 trade promotion activities on the calendar are Food & Hotel Asia in Singapore, Thaifex in Bangkok, Anuga in Germany, and FiE in Paris.

    With this robust 2025 funding, OTA plans to continue its consumer promotion activities in Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong, along with launching new promotions in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

    The Regional Agricultural Promotional Program (RAPP) was launched in 2023 by USDA to diversify and expand market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products into new markets in parts of the world where the middle class is growing and the desire for high-quality food and farm products is increasing. Activities have focused on boosting U.S. organic exports to Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. The newest allocation includes the EU, where OTA is planning a new consumer promotion campaign, as well as support for its traditional trade promotion programming.

    RAPP funding allowed for OTA’s first engagement in Africa in 2024, where OTA sponsored four U.S. organic companies in a USDA Agriculture Trade Mission to Casablanca, Morocco to initially explore and open the markets of Morocco and West Africa for U.S. organic exports. This mission created key partnerships with local buyers, the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco, and other cooperators attending the mission. Participating companies learned more about this still niche market and consumer preferences, and took an important first step into exploring the region and creating future opportunities.

    OTA’s member companies provide the bulk of all U.S. organic exports. The market promotion activities administered by the association are open to the entire organic industry, however, not just members. For more information or to sign up for activities, visit OTA’s website.

    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 organic businesses and producers across the nation. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, brands, retailers and others. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.

  • US Organic Marketplace Posts Record Sales in 2023

    U.S. sales of certified organic products approached $70 billion in 2023, a new record for the sector. Dollar sales for the American organic marketplace hit $69.7 billion last year, up 3.4 percent, according to the 2024 Organic Industry Survey released by the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

    Despite stubborn price inflation seen throughout retail aisles, consumers remained clear-eyed about their priorities in the products they chose for themselves and their families, valuing health and sustainability, and seeking out the USDA Organic label. The organic marketplace recalibrated its supply chain and reconciled the cost of doing business in part with increased retail pricing. The industry continued to grow, with organic food sales in 2023 totaling $63.8 billion and sales of organic non-food products totaling $5.9 billion.

    “It is encouraging to see that organic is growing at basically the same rate as the total market. In the face of inflation and considering organic is already seen as a premium category, the current growth shows that consumers continue to choose organic amidst economic challenges and price increases. Although organic is now a maturing sector in the marketplace, we still have plenty of room to grow,” says Tom Chapman, co-CEO of OTA.

    Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of OTA, adds that to achieve this growth, “It is essential to educate consumers that choosing organic is a straightforward way to tackle some of the greatest challenges we face. Whether it’s accessing healthy foods, improving transparency in supply chains, mitigating climate change, supporting rural economic resilience, protecting natural resources, or realizing the multitude of other benefits, effectively communicating and delivering on these promises is the key to expanding organic’s share of our dinner plate.”

    In 2023, the increase in dollar sales in the organic market was driven more by pricing than unit sales. But that said, consumers boosted their purchases of many organic products. Increases in unit sales were reported for up to 40 percent of the products tracked in this year’s survey. The survey also showed that prices for many non-organic products climbed at a faster rate than organic products. This means the price gap between conventional and organic is closing, which should help fuel growth for organic products in 2024.

    The top organic sellers 

    Produce held its spot as the largest organic category in 2023, continuing to be the primary entry point for consumers into the organic market. Organic produce meets the consumer’s desire for clean, healthy food, and the importance of organic’s critical benefit of no toxic

    synthetic pesticides is easy to grasp when buying organic berries or carrots. In 2023, the category grew by 2.6 percent to $20.5 billion. Organic produce now accounts for more than 15 percent of total U.S. fruit and vegetable sales. Top sellers in the organic produce section were avocadoes, berries, apples, carrots, and packaged salads, and organic bananas saw stronger growth in 2023 than non-organic bananas.

    The second biggest-selling food category in the organic aisles was the grocery category with sales of $15.4 billion for a 4.1 percent growth. This new category represents many of the products previously grouped under breads and grains, condiments, and packaged and prepared foods. With 21 different subcategories, close to 40 percent of the sales in the grocery category were driven by the top three performers —in-store bakery and fresh breads with sales of $3.1 billion for a gain of almost 3 percent, dry breakfast goods up around 8 percent to $1.8 billion in sales, and baby food and formula at $1.5 billion for a hefty gain of nearly 11 percent.

    Beverages were the third largest category for organic in 2023, posting $9.4 billion in sales, up 3.9 percent. As always, this category was a driver of innovation with functional beverages, whether for enhanced hydration or mental focus, playing a prominent role.  2023 also saw a surge in new organic non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails. On the flipside, organic wine sales were up 2.5 percent to $377 million, and organic liquor and cocktails, while still the smallest sector of beverages at $59 million, posted over 13 percent growth.

    Organic dairy and eggs, the fourth-largest category in the organic food market is another entry point for consumers who want clean, ethical sources of protein with lower environmental impacts. In 2023, organic dairy and egg sales were up 5.5 percent, reaching $8.2 billion. Organic dairy and eggs now account for over 8 percent of all dairy and egg sales. Milk and cream sales were up almost 5 percent to $4.2 billion, and the organic dairy alternative category grew almost 14 percent in 2023 to around $700 million.

    The rate of growth in the sales of the organic non-food categories was mixed. Personal care products saw the strongest growth in 2023 with sales reaching $1.3 billion up almost 7 percent, and sales of organic supplements were up over 4 percent to $2.1 billion. Organic fiber continues to be the largest segment of the U.S. organic non-food products, representing 40 percent of the category’s sales in 2023 of around $2.4 billion. Sales for organic fiber were essentially flat year-over-year, not due to lack of buyer interest but restricted more by supply chain issues.

    Organic remains a stand-out in a growing sea of labels 

    The number of claims and labels continued to expand in the retail aisles in 2023, but the organic seal stayed a stand-out with consumers. A growing consumer focus on personal and family health, sustainability, and a desire for clean products free from antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, and dyes kept shoppers turning to organic. More consumers are aware of the potential health benefits associated with organic foods, and many consumers, especially the Gen Z generation, are increasingly conscious of the ethical implications of their food choices and are looking for products that align with their values, such as animal welfare, fair trade, and support for organic farmers.

    Research is showing a consistent and growing interest in organic from Millennials and Gen Z. These generations grew up with organic and sustainability, and the health of people and planet, are all top-of-mind for these consumers. Industry experts see this as an opportunity for organic, with the sector well positioned to meet the product attributes and values sought by consumers today and for future generations. By 2030, the U.S. population will consist of a majority driven by Millennial, Gen Z and younger generations.

    But the future for organic is not without its challenges. The latest term adding confusion to the marketplace is “regenerative.” While regenerative labels are not necessarily top of mind for consumers yet, the attributes they claim to represent include soil health, animal and human welfare, and biodiversity — attributes already embodied by the USDA Organic seal. As new certifications develop around regenerative agriculture, there is concern of consumer confusion, making it all the more important to elevate organic education.

    Methodology 

    This year’s survey was conducted early in 2024 and was produced on behalf of the Organic Trade Association by Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). Numerous data sources were compiled to create as complete a picture as possible of the organic industry which consists largely of private companies. Inputs include but are not limited to point-of-sale data, expert interviews, annual report data, and in-depth direct survey data. Roughly 65 companies completed a significant portion of the in-depth survey.

    In an effort to better represent how products are marketed within the grocery aisles, newly arranged organic product categories are being presented in the 2024 report. Shelf stable and fresh products that have traditionally been part of the packaged and prepared foods, breads and grains, and condiments category are now largely part of the new grocery category. Fresh produce, the largest organic subcategory, is now a full-fledged category of its own, as frozen and canned produce is now in the grocery category.

    Executive summaries of the survey are available to the media upon request. The full report can be purchased; online orders can be placed on this page.

    The 2024 OTA Organic Industry Survey is available in full as a benefit to association members.

    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.

  • 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.

  • Organic Trade Association Hails Long-Awaited Organic Animal Welfare Rule

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) celebrated the strengthening of organic animal welfare standards by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), saying the long-awaited action by the department is a major win for producers and consumers who have steadily advocated for the more robust regulations.

    “The organic sector and organic consumers have been clamoring for stricter animal welfare standards for 20 years now, and the OTA and its members have spearheaded that fight,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “These new standards not only create a more level playing field for organic producers, but they ensure consumers that the organic meat, poultry, dairy and eggs they choose have been raised with plenty of access to the real outdoors, and in humane conditions.”

    The USDA on October 25 announced its final Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) regulation. The regulation creates clear standards for outdoor access for organic poultry including minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements, and further clarifies living conditions, healthcare, transportation, and slaughter practices to support animal welfare for all organic avian and mammalian livestock species. Most importantly, the rule clarifies that screened-in, enclosed porches do NOT qualify as sufficient outdoor space for organic chickens. Current organic poultry producers have up to five years to implement the new regulations.

    “Having clear, consistent and enforceable standards is paramount for the organic sector to not only maintain consumer trust but to ensure that farms and businesses of all sizes have a fair shot at competing in the marketplace by meeting a minimum set of requirements,” said Chapman. “The road to this final step has been long and often bumpy, and we thank all our members, allies and advocates for not giving up on our fight to strengthen organic.”

    Organic producers applaud the USDA action

    “This update to the organic standards could not come soon enough. For organic poultry it will ensure that the farmer, whenever possible, will let their chickens go outside, touch the ground, and frankly scratch around and act like chickens,” said Adam Warthesen, Senior Director of Government & Industry Affairs for organic dairy cooperative Organic Valley. “All organic poultry producers will need to provide real access to the outdoors and that is what certified organic represents. The new standards are a definite improvement over the current reality which has created competitive harm among farmers and not met consumers expectations for what it means to be an organic egg from an organic chicken.”

    “Certified organic egg, dairy, and animal producers hold their operations to a higher standard of animal welfare than what is required, both because it’s the right thing to do and because it’s what our customers expect and deserve from us,” said Cameron Whitehead, Chief Operating Officer of organic egg producer Pete & Gerry’s Organics. “The organic industry has been fighting for this rule for more than six years and we’re pleased to see the USDA validate the expectations of organic consumers in a way that enables the industry to continue to prosper.”

    “The debate has always been about consumer confidence in the Organic seal. We are pleased that the USDA is committed to restoring that confidence and removing ambiguity of what producing an organic egg means,” said John Brunnquell, President & CEO of Egg Innovations, the midwestern organic, free-range, pasture-raised egg producer.

    “At Chino Valley, we have always believed that organic means more than just feed. The passing of this rule ensures one of the most important tenets of organic egg production, outdoor access, is guaranteed and meaningful for the hens that we care for. This is a huge win for the hens. This is a huge win for hundreds of small family farms across our great nation who prefer to farm this way. Thank you to USDA Secretary Vilsack for supporting the rule. Thank you, OTA, for your leadership. Thank you to the rest of the family farms that supported this rule.”  said Chris Nichols, CEO of organic egg producer Chino Valley Ranchers.

    “For over 35 years, Applegate Farms has been an advocate for the improvement of animal welfare. To that end, it is essential to us that the USDA maintain the integrity of the Organic standard, and consumer trust in it. We strongly support NOP’s efforts to create greater consistency in organic livestock practices with the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards. We celebrate a final rule that will strengthen organic animal welfare standards, better align organic producers and certifiers, and meet consumer expectations for organic livestock products,” said Carolyn Gahn, Senior Director, Mission & Advocacy for Applegate Farms.

    Closing the loopholes 

    Outdoor access is a core tenet for organic poultry and livestock production. USDA organic regulations require that all certified organic operations must give their animals “access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and direct sunlight”. But these regulations have not been consistently enforced, resulting in a few large poultry companies utilizing narrow, enclosed porches – usually with a cement floor – instead of true outdoor access.

    The result has been inconsistent animal welfare standards for organic chickens and an unlevel playing field for all the organic farmers who treat their birds right. The USDA has acknowledged that the inconsistent interpretation of regulations has caused competitive harm to the organic farmers already adhering to the most robust animal welfare standards.

    In 2010, USDA issued a final rule creating clear standards for grazing and access to pasture for organic dairy and cattle. The organic poultry sector called for similar clarifications.

    USDA released its final Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) regulation in early 2017, after 14 years of vetting and review by organic stakeholders and industry and government experts. OLPP clarified USDA’s organic animal welfare standards, with an emphasis on poultry. The implementation of that final rule, however, was delayed and blocked, and the rule was ultimately withdrawn. In the fall of 2017, OTA filed a lawsuit against the USDA for unlawfully delaying the implementation of the regulation and violating the Organic Foods Production Act.  Spurred on by the lawsuit and continuing advocacy from the organic sector and the public for stronger animal welfare standards, the current Administration proposed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) regulation last August, which is in line with the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule.

    The public has repeatedly and strongly expressed its support for tighter organic animal welfare rules. Publication of the OLPP proposed regulation in 2017, and the OLPS last year, have drawn solid support. The OLPS rule, in the latest example, was open for comment through November 10, 2022, and attracted overwhelming public support. Analysis showed that out of almost 40,000 posted comments, a huge 89 percent majority were in favor of the regulation being finalized and implemented.

    Shoppers flocking to organic 

    The organic market has posted steady growth for decades as consumers increasingly value the high organic standards, the environmentally-friendly organic farming practices, and the safe, healthy choice that organic provides for their families. Organic egg sales in the U.S. have more than tripled over the last ten years. So have the sales of organic poultry. Organic food sales in the United States in 2022 broke through $60 billion for the first time, hitting another high-level mark for the resilient organic sector. Total organic sales – including organic non-food products, were a record $67.6 billion, according to OTA’s 2023 Organic Industry Survey.

    Animal welfare has been shown to be an important consideration for consumers. Recent research commissioned by the Organic Trade Association shows that 75 percent of Americans are concerned about the treatment of animals by the meat and dairy industry. Animal welfare and outdoor access are core value propositions for organic shoppers, and they are willing to pay more for these benefits.  Organic buyers want to feel confident that the organic eggs and poultry they purchase and serve their families come from chickens that have access to pasture and the outdoors, fresh air and sunlight.

    The trust that consumers have in organic is well deserved. Organic agriculture is regulated by the most stringent and comprehensive set of rules governing any form of agriculture. Farmers voluntarily choose to go organic and to abide by these strict organic standards.  USDA, through its National Organic Program, sets the federal standards for all organic products certified to the USDA Organic label. However, organic standards once approved are not set in stone, and are under constant review in a public and transparent process to ensure that they reflect evolving understandings about soil, climate, health, and animal welfare.

    “The organic sector has always welcomed clear and fair standards under which to operate, and we are happy the government has at long last moved forward on this sound and much needed regulation,” said Chapman. “This is a victory for the entire organic sector – and for all organic consumers.

    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 over 10,000 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.

  • Organic Trade Association Wins 2023 Power of Associations Silver Award

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to announce it has received a Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful and impactful Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program.

    The OTA Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program is an integral part of the trade association’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Initiative, established in 2021, with the mission to ensure that social inequalities are not unintentionally perpetuated as the association works to expand organic.

    “We are incredibly proud of our Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program, and we are honored to receive this recognition from the ASAE,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “We have a responsibility to help shape a more inclusive agricultural future for the good of the organic market and our communities, and through the JEDI initiative and the Diversity & Entrepreneurship Program, we are striving to diversify the organic space by providing resources to historically underserved business owners, which will ultimately make organic products more accessible.”

    “Congratulations to the Organic Trade Association for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.”

    Promoting a diverse, inclusive organic industry 

    Recognizing there are many barriers to organic certification that have historically prevented minority-owned businesses from entering the organic industry, OTA’s JEDI Initiative promotes diversity and inclusivity across the supply chain and industry sectors. The Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program helps BIPOC and women-owned businesses overcome the barriers to entering the organic market, and thereby create a thriving and inclusive organic industry.

    Fifty-two companies selling almost $3 million worth of organic products are participating in the Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program. The program offers a 2-year membership to OTA, and helps the diverse businesses become certified organic, receive the premium on their product, and be successful in their business. It enables valuable connections to other organic stakeholders and experts and provides access to critical technical and market resources.

    Mojave Mallows is one of the companies in OTA’s program. Located in Joshua Tree, California, in the Mojave Desert, the business was founded by two sisters, Stephanie and Wendy Chan. The former Girl Scouts have long been huge fans of the infamous S’More, that tasty decadent concoction of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers that is always delicious but best when made over a campfire.

    Also committed to healthy sustainable food, the Chan sisters set out in 2021 to create a clean organic marshmallow. They joined OTA’s Diversity and Entrepreneurship program a year ago and, supported by the technical assistance and resources made available through the program, became the first certified organic marshmallow brand in March 2023. Mojave Mallows products, all packaged in sustainable packaging, are now available online and through specialty stores.

    “As a new business, you have so many things competing for your time and investment. Organic certification is almost a luxury, not something we could have achieved as an early stage business without the guidance and support from the OTA,” said Stephanie Chan, CEO of Mojave Mallows. “No one had ever manufactured an organic marshmallow before, and I had so many questions about every step of the process. But the OTA was always there with an answer. OTA Vice President of Administration Stephanie Jerger’s kindness has made a real difference in our company, and in the greater community of minority-led CPG businesses.”

    About the ASAE award 

    The ASAE is the leading organization for association management, representing organizations and individual association professionals. It currently has more than 47,000 members, with more than 1,750 through organization memberships.

    ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize the associations’ economic and societal contributions locally, nationally and globally. ASAE will celebrate The Power of Associations Award winners during its annual Summit Awards Dinner on September 28, 2023, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

    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 over 10,000 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.

  • Organic Trade Association Elects New President

    The Organic Trade Association is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors and president. Taking the helm of the association’s incoming 2023-24 Board will be Tracy Favre, Vice President of Sustainability for Live Operations at Handsome Brook Farms, LLC.  Joining Favre on the member-elected Board will be 14 organic industry veterans and experts representing the wide breadth of the organic agriculture, food, and fiber sectors.

    Favre has been involved in natural resource management and the organic sphere for over 30 years. From 2012 – 2017, she served on the National Organic Standards Board, ending her tenure there as board chair. She has worked as an independent organic inspector and served as the Global Director for the international organic certification company Quality Assurance International. Favre is a longtime active and involved member of the Organic Trade Association and is passionate about the intersection of good, healthy food and sustainable livelihoods.

    “I’m honored to be serving as the incoming OTA Board president,” said Favre. “The organic industry is at a pivotable point in its growth.  The Organic Trade Association is uniquely positioned to advocate for our membership, and I’m looking forward to helping support those efforts.”

    “We heartily welcome our new Board president and Board, and look forward to working with these dedicated volunteer leaders to keep moving organic forward,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of the trade association. “Our new Board is an extremely committed and accomplished group of visionary organic leaders who will work together with members and staff to achieve OTA’s mission of growing and protecting organic.”

    The Organic Trade Association Board of Directors consists of 15 people, each of whom serves a term of three years. A Board member cannot serve more than three consecutive terms. OTA Board members are elected by OTA trade members each year.

    As part of OTA’s democratic election process, each trade member company regardless of size receives one vote in the spring election. The seated Directors serve the interests of the whole association and are accountable to the membership in determining the strategic direction and setting the budget for OTA priorities.

    OTA’s 2023-24 Board of Directors includes two new incoming members: Heidi Diestel, President of Sales & Marketing at Diestel Family Ranch in California, and Ed Fish, Vice President and General Manager of Varietal Solutions at Bay State Milling, a leader in specialty and organic flour and grain milling.

    Other Board officers are Adam Warthesen (Director of Government and Industry Affairs for Organic Valley), Vice President; Britt Lundgren (Senior Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs at Stonyfield), Secretary; and Domenic Borrelli (President of Premium Dairy for Danone North America) as Treasurer.

    Other Board members are Doug Crabtree of Vilicus Farms (Owner), David Lively of Organically Grown Company (Pioneer Emeritus), Paul Schiefer of Amy’s Kitchen (President), Matthew Dillon of Risk to Reliance Strategy (Founder and Owner), Ann Marie Hourigan of Whole Foods Market (Quality Standards Principal Advisor), Mike Menes of True Organic Products (Vice President of Food Safety & Technology), Johanna Phillips of Ecocert (Technical Director), Kellee James of Mercaris (Founder and CEO), and Daniella Velazquez de León of Organics Unlimited (General Manager).

    New mission and vision unveiled

    More than 150 OTA members from across the country attended the trade association’s virtual membership meeting on June 28 during which the Board was announced and Chapman, Favre and other Board officers and task force and committee leaders highlighted successes of the past year and priorities going forward. Chapman and Favre unveiled OTA’s new mission and vision statements approved by Board members earlier this year:

    • The OTA mission: Grow and protect organic with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.”
    • The OTA vision: “A world where ORGANIC is the foundation of agriculture resulting in a healthy and resilient future for all people, animals, businesses, and the planet.”

    “The Board has identified a mission and vision that are inclusive and aspirational, ones that emphasize a healthy and resilient future,” said Chapman. “We want the results of our work at OTA to benefit all people, animals, businesses, and the planet.”

    “Our vision describes a world where organic principles and practices are accessible, celebrated, and widely adopted and embrace organic agriculture’s potential to address many pressing challenges today, from improving public health to mitigating climate change,” said Favre. “We want to encourage farmers, businesses, and others to join us in pursuing a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable world with organic at its foundation.”

    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 over 10,000 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.

  • Organic Trade Association Awarded Lead Role in USDA Organic Partnership Program

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has been selected as a national partner for the U.S. Agriculture Department’s (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program, a key component of USDA’s broad multi-agency drive to expand organic agriculture by providing more direct support and technical assistance to producers across the United States. Rodale Institute, long a recognized leader in research and technical expertise on organic agriculture, will be the core partner to OTA.

    As the Lead Cooperator for this project, the trade association will manage and oversee activities throughout the country that support market development for organic products, facilitate the matching of organic producers and suppliers, and educate handlers in effective ways of dealing with organic products.

    The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a critical part of USDA’s $300 million Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) announced last year to help foster organic agriculture and make much-needed technical assistance available to transitioning and existing organic farmers. OTI is the largest single investment in organic agriculture ever made by the USDA. In announcing the program, USDA said its aim is to “build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers” and reverse a trend of slow growth in farmers transitioning to organic, open opportunities for new and beginning organic farmers, and expand consumer access to organic foods.

    Through TOPP, USDA and its partnering organizations will provide locally-based farmer training and education in six regions throughout the country. The national-level TOPP agreements will supplement and collaborate with this regional work, providing nationally-focused coordination and services.

    “OTA is honored to be named national partner for USDA in this important program,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of the trade association. “Supporting market development and access for transitioning and organic producers and handlers is vital for the long-term success of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative. By leveraging our experience and in-depth knowledge of organic, industry network, and collaborative approach, we know we can contribute to the success of the USDA TOPP initiative, and having Rodale as our core partner ensures even greater outcomes for the program.”

    “Consumer demand for organic products has been growing rapidly in the United States, but domestic production and handling capacity have not kept pace.” said Jeff Tkach, CEO of Rodale Institute. “Through this national partnership with the USDA and the Organic Trade Association, Rodale Institute, the global leader in organic agricultural research, education, and direct farmer support programs, will teach producers how to successfully adopt certified organic handling and processing practices. The Institute’s innovative organic consulting division will also provide on-the-ground training and market development assistance to producers across the nation. If one thing is clear, it’s that this critical and in-demand partnership will lead to better outcomes for both producers and consumers of organic agriculture in the United States.”

    Among the various activities that OTA, Rodale and other partners will develop are:

    • Technical assistance and workshops at the national and regional levels on the various aspects of developing markets for organic products, including educating and empowering farmers and handlers by addressing market trends, marketing and business strategies, and other relevant topics to help them succeed in the organic marketplace;
    • Strategies to connect organic producers with buyers, including the organization of in-person buyer/seller events and hosted buyer tours of regional areas that will provide a forum for networking and interaction, as well as listing participants in online clearinghouses and databases that allow for targeted searching;
    • The Handler Transition Training/Education program which will provide comprehensive training materials and educational resources to support handlers in effectively managing organic products, looking at such handling concerns as labeling, contamination prevention, storage, fraud prevention plans and more.

    “USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative takes real steps to build the next generation of organic producers and strengthen organic supply chains,” said Chapman. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support this major program and to help organic continue its forward path.”

    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 over 10,000 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.

  • Plastic and Organic Ag: How to Break the Connection

    Plastic is everywhere. Since the invention of plastic in the 1950s, its use has exploded throughout the world. Plastic is used in construction, cars, furniture, toys, textiles, medical devices, countless household products, and throughout our agriculture and food system. It’s been a miracle product, as well as a scourge on our environment and sometimes even our health.

    The production of plastic contributes high quantities of pollutants to the environment, with one pound of plastic creating three pounds of carbon dioxide during manufacturing, which disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. Society’s overuse of plastic causes chemical leaching into soils and waterways, and the poisoning of wildlife on land and in water. With only a small proportion of plastic being recycled, most plastics end up in waste systems, permeating our soils, or flowing through waterways into oceans. And in addition to the environmental risks, the health of our bodies can be compromised in a wide variety of ways by the thousands of chemicals used to make plastic.

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is partnering with The Organic Center (TOC) to present the 2023 Organic Confluences: Reducing Plastics Along the Entire Organic Supply Chain on May 9 and 10 in the nation’s capital to convene scientists, industry experts and organic stakeholders from across the supply chain to strategize on how to break the plastic cycle and reduce plastic use from the farm to the table.

    The Organic Confluences sessions are part of OTA’s 2023 Organic Week in Washington, D.C. The sessions will take place throughout the day on Tuesday and the morning of Conference Day on Wednesday. Registration for Organic Week and Organic Confluences is open here.

    “The organic sector’s use of plastics is a key concern for everyone involved in the organic food system – from the organic farmer to the organic retailer,” said Dr. Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “The use of synthetics such as plastics is at odds with traditional organic values, but plastic is used for critical tools that serve important functions. For instance, farmers can replace herbicide and pesticide sprays, and reduce water consumption with tools like plastic mulch and drip tape. Available alternatives to plastic that also meet the National Organic Program’s standards just aren’t there yet. Our conference is gathering individuals from every aspect of organic because finding a solution to this critical issue requires input and collaboration across the sector. This isn’t just organic’s problem to solve, but we can be leaders on the path to change.”

    The food chain uses lots of plastic. Farmers use it for row covers, in mulch, irrigation tubing, nursery containers and more.  Distributors use it to pack and ship food. Plastic packaging has proliferated in grocery stores for everything from fresh produce to take-out containers from the deli.

    Plastic is essential on many organic farms. Sheets of plastic are commonly used as a form of mulch to control weeds and conserve water. But most of this plastic usually ends up in a landfill, and many organic farmers are searching for a better and more environmentally-friendly way. That’s where biodegradable plastic mulches come in. Plastic mulch made of polyethylene is the most widely used plastic mulch because it is easy to manufacture, durable and affordable. But it is not biodegradable. Biodegradable plastic mulches have been developed, but are still open to questions about how completely they break down, and if their use in organic would comply with organic standards.

    Off the farm, organic distributors and retailers are searching for safe and cost-efficient alternative packaging to plastic. The issue of BPA (Bisphenol A) in plastic packaging and whether it should be allowed in certified organic packaging has long been under discussion at the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). While several independent companies and farmers have developed suitable packaging substitutes for plastic, a cohesive strategy and framework for plastic alternatives has not been developed and this remains an NOSB research priority.

    “Because of the multifaceted nature of the issue of reducing plastic use in organic production, processing, and distribution, effective discussions investigating strategies for plastic alternatives and organic regulations of plastic use require input and collaboration across the organic sector. I’m excited to have representatives from the whole supply chain in the same room having this discussion together, instead of tackling each component separately, as is typically done,” said Sciligo.

    The Organic Center’s conference will address the challenges of plastic from the perspective of waste, climate change, and environmental and human health. It will bring together scientists with farmers, retailers, processors, distributors and policymakers. Farmers will be able to share their needs, priorities and experiences with plastic and alternatives; researchers and plastic-alternative innovators can offer potential solutions; and policy experts can guide the discussion in the context of current National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and future NOP direction.

    “Our long-term goal is to increase the sustainability of organic production by reducing the use of plastic across the entire organic food chain. Our overall objective is to expand communication and collaboration across the diverse organic sector with policymakers and researchers at the table so that the industry can reimagine plastic use in organic production,” said Sciligo.

    The full agenda for this insightful and important event can be found here. Register here to learn how your business can reduce plastics and create a more sustainable future for organic.

    About The Organic Center

    The Organic Center’s mission is to convene credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental impacts of organic food and farming and to communicate the findings to the public. The Center is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) research and education organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association.

    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 over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.

  • Organic Produce Members Team Up with New National Produce Council

    The American organic produce sector is big and complex. It accounts for more sales than any other organic sector, and its production regions stretch across the United States reaping a dizzying array of fruits and vegetables. The issues facing organic produce growers, processors and distributors are equally wide-ranging: food safety, labor issues, labeling/packaging issues, climate change.
     
    Driven by the desire for the sector to collaboratively work together to address its most urgent challenges, inspired by the success of other sector councils at the Organic Trade Association, and wanting to take advantage of the association’s deep knowledge and expertise in organic, leading produce members initiated a drive earlier this year that has resulted in the trade association’s Board of Directors’ official approval to establish an Organic Produce Council.

    “We whole-heartedly welcome the formation of this sector council and look forward to problem-solving and collaborating with our colleagues throughout the organic produce supply chain,” said Board member Ben Diesl of Grimmway Farms. “This council will give Organic Trade Association member companies that are involved in the organic industry an organized opportunity to benefit from the association’s expertise, to network with diverse stakeholders and to influence the overall agenda of the association. We invite other produce members to join.”
     
    “The new Produce Council, as with all of our sector councils, will be supported by the Organic Trade Association’s expert staff,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the trade association. “Our staff has deep expertise in organic standards, food safety, farm policy, government advocacy and international marketing. Today’s organic produce sector is robust and thriving, but it faces many challenges. We are thrilled that our produce members are coming together and tapping into their association’s bank of knowledge to help them deal with those challenges.”
     
    Organic produce sales hold the top position in the U.S. marketplace. In 2019, organic fruit and vegetable sales reached $18 billion, as the category continued to be the star of the organic sector. Organic produce currently makes up almost a third of all organic food sales, and organic fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned and dried, have now captured 15 percent of the total fruits and vegetable market in the U.S.
     
    The produce sector has been profoundly tested by COVID-19 as it has struggled to keep its workers in the fields, plants and trucks safe, and at the same time meet exploding demand. Wanting to hear how the pandemic was affecting their businesses, Organic Trade Association’s Farm Policy Director Johanna Mirenda and Diesl of Grimmway Farms earlier this year convened produce members for a COVID-19 listening session. Everything from how to keep workers safely socially distanced and maintain planting and harvesting schedules to keeping processing lines filled and store deliveries on time were discussed.

    Working together to address challenges

    “Our members taking part in this discussion found it very valuable to connect with other of our produce members” said Mirenda, who is staff liaison for the new council. “Since then, individual members have come forward with other organic produce issues–such as food safety–that could serve as work plan projects for the new council to take on.” The interest from members was significant enough that the trade association hosted an exploratory meeting in early September to highlight the opportunity for a new sector council among all Organic Trade Association produce members. Nearly two dozen members attended. 
     
    Produce stakeholders said that besides food safety, they are interested in working together, with the support of the trade association’s regulatory and legislative staff, to advance outcomes relating to other key issues in organic produce, such as: implementing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new rule on strengthening organic enforcement, guaranteeing workforce safety and availability, supporting development of organic seeds and planting stock, and identifying tools for measuring and promoting biodiversity. Establishing organic labeling and packaging best practices, adapting to and mitigating climate change and developing resources on market data and research information were also identified as key needs.
     
    Members also indicated the following priorities for their engagement:

    • Amplifying the needs of the produce community within the trade association
    • Developing and sharing information resources among those in the organic produce industry
    • Learning about emerging regulatory issues that impact organic produce
    • Networking with other organic produce businesses across the value chain
    • Creating opportunities for leadership development opportunities

    Sector Councils within the trade association build community among groups of like members to provide ongoing opportunities for networking, leadership development, education, information development, and sharing. They are not policy-setting groups. The trade association previously has established such entities as its Farmers Advisory Council, Dairy Council, Dietary Supplements Council, Fiber Council, Grains Council, and Retailer Council.
     
    Initial companies signing up for this council include Ag. Valles del Sur SpA, Awe Sum Organics, Bolthouse Farms, Bridges Organic Produce, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, Charlie’s Produce, Columbia Marketing International/CMI Orchards, Duncan Family Farm, Earl’s Organic Produce, Heath & Lejeune, Homegrown Organic Farms, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, Munger Farms, Naturesweet, Naturipe, Organically Grown Company, Organic Produce Network, Page’s Organics, Taylor Farms, Thermiculture Management, Vitalis Organic Seeds and Wholesum Family Farms.
     
    The first meeting of the council is scheduled for December 8.
     
    Other members of the trade association in this sector are encouraged to join. The council’s membership will be diverse. The technical scope of membership for the council will be very inclusive – vegetables, fruit, mushroom, herbs, tree nuts, floriculture and other horticultural crops.
     
    For more information on the council, contact Johanna Mirenda.

    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 over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. 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. The Organic Trade Association does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can contact us at info@ota.com.

  • Organic Ag Takes on Climate Change

    The threat that climate change poses to our world, our ecosystem and our health demands bold policy solutions, and, as the devastating impacts of a warming Earth mount, the push for the development of robust and comprehensive federal climate policy is gaining traction. Organic agriculture can be a part of the solution and help tackle climate change through its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, store away huge amounts of carbon, and enable farmers to be resilient in an evolving climate.

    The Organic Trade Association on Thursday released a major report on organic and its ability to mitigate climate change, identifying policy opportunities to elevate the role of organic in the climate change discussion, support organic farmers and encourage transition to organic farming. Reflecting close dialogue with organic stakeholders and the association’s membership, the white paper, “Advancing Organic to Mitigate Climate Change,”  incorporates the key principles identified by the Organic Trade Association Board of Directors to achieve meaningful climate policy solutions.

    The trade association also recently announced the launch of a Climate Task Force, open to all Organic Trade Association members. The task force will amplify the Organic Trade Association’s voice in climate policy discussions by advocating for policies that address the association’s core principles and sharing recommendations with lawmakers and key stakeholders.

    “Our climate crisis is real, is immediate, and affects us all. It is clear that urgent action is needed to help us mitigate and adapt to this crisis,” said Avi Garbow, Organic Trade Association Board member and Environmental Advocate for Patagonia Works. “While the nation’s conventional agricultural sector’s emissions and practices contribute to our worsening climate, there is a time-tested climate solution that regenerates our soils, nourishes our communities, and safeguards our environment from harmful synthetic chemicals: organic agriculture.”

    Garbow, a nationally recognized environmental leader who served as the General Counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency from 2013-2017, added, ”The Organic Trade Association, through the work of its members, the Climate Task Force and its research and analysis, will ensure that organic is well-positioned to play a leading and cost-effective role in stemming and ultimately reversing the effects of our changing climate.”

    Organic Priorities in the Climate Change Fight
    Organic agriculture provides a critical opportunity to mitigate climate change and at the same time create economic, environmental and health benefits for all those involved in our food system–from the grower and the processor, to the distributor and the consumer. But although public and private initiatives to support organic as a climate mitigation tool exist, stronger federal support is needed for organic to reach its full potential to fight against climate change.

    The Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors early this year determined that organic had to be elevated in the climate change policy discussions that are increasingly taking place in the halls of Congress, in government offices, in corporate boardrooms. The Board also agreed that the Organic Trade Association, as the leading voice in the nation for the organic sector, should spearhead the effort to advance organic as a solution to climate change and to protect organic from the risk of climate change. A climate task force consisting of seven Board members was formed with the goal of developing principles for good climate policy to guide organic’s engagement in climate policy discussions.

    In June at the association’s annual meeting, the Board unanimously endorsed ten principles for climate policy. 

    The Organic Trade Association will engage in smart climate policy solutions that:

    1. Advance organic agriculture. Any policy that addresses the role of climate change in food and agriculture should advance the opportunity for organic to be a climate change solution, allow organic to be successful, and not undermine organic.

    2. Are science-based, data-driven and verifiable. Policy solutions should be based on and supported by science and data, with strong verification measures to meaningfully reduce agriculture’s impact on climate change.

    3. Focus on outcomes and continuous improvement. Policies should reward the outcomes of good agricultural practices and enable a system of continuous improvement that achieves specific positive outcomes over time.

    4. Promote soil health and carbon sequestration.  Improving soil health is an important and central component in addressing agriculture’s role in climate change. Policies should include provisions for advancing soil health and carbon sequestration. .

    5. Lower the use of fossil-fuel based chemicals. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are a key source of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Climate policies should minimize the use of and eliminate the dependency on fossil-fuel based inputs, especially synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

    6. Provide solutions for mitigation and adaptation. Policies should provide the resources to not only mitigate the impacts of climate change but also help the agricultural sector adapt to a changing climate. 

    7. Incentivize farmers and businesses. Farmers should not have to bear the brunt when making transformational changes. Public and private sector programs should provide tools and resources to achieve outcomes through market-based incentives or financial payments that encourage conservation practices or ecosystem services.

    8. Decarbonize the economy. Policies that increase greenhouse gas emissions or rollback progress in decarbonizing the economy and reducing emissions should be opposed.

    9. Foster agricultural diversity and innovation. Climate policies should foster diversity and innovation in farming systems, and provide incentives for increasing diversity in cropping systems.

    10. Address equity and inclusion. Policies should address the environmental and economic inequities caused by climate change, and include ways to support disadvantaged communities in adapting to climate change.

    “Among the many threats posed by the climate crisis, perhaps the greatest is the potential it has to impact food production.  The good news is that organic farmers are already focused on building soil health and eliminating the use of synthetic fertilizers, two steps that can help agriculture shift from being a source of greenhouse gas emissions to being a net sink,” said Britt Lundgren, Director of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture at Stonyfield Farm and member of the association’s Board. “At Stonyfield we are excited to be working with the Organic Trade Association’s Climate Change Task Force on advancing organic agriculture as a climate change solution. The climate change principles adopted by the association provide a roadmap for how federal policy can support climate mitigation and adaptation in agriculture.”

    Recommendations to Support Organic’s Battle on Climate Change
    Incorporating the Organic Trade Association’s guiding principles to fight climate change, the new white paper offers specific recommendations for policymakers to support organic farmers and encourage transition to organic farming as a key strategy for climate change mitigation.

    “As a company that has made organic food for over 30 years, Amy’s has witnessed firsthand the inherent benefits of organic agriculture on the health of the planet. The Organic Trade Association’s Climate Change White Paper, through scientific research, provides a practical set of policy recommendations to make organic agriculture a bigger and more meaningful part of the climate change solution. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this important work,” said Paul Schiefer, Senior Director of Sustainability at Amy’s Kitchen and member of the association’s Board of Directors.

    Specific policy recommendations in the white paper include:

    •Elevating organic as a key voice in climate-smart agricultural policy;

    •Establishing a national program to support transitioning organic farmers by reducing financial risks, improving market infrastructure development and increasing access to land;

    •Developing a competitive grant program to provide technical services to organic and transitioning farmers to create better access to information about organic production methods that sequester greenhouse gases and improve crop yields;

    •Creating a federal Healthy Soils pilot program, based on existing programs at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the California Healthy Soils Initiative.

    “Extreme weather variability, caused by climate change, is the greatest challenge facing farmers,” said Doug Crabtree, Montana organic farmer and member of the Organic Trade Association Board of Directors. “The (over)use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers is agriculture’s most egregious contribution to climate change. Organic farmers demonstrate that farming systems can be productive, profitable and a significant part of the solution to climate change by avoiding synthetic nitrogen, building soil organic matter and sequestering carbon in the soil. I am proud that our trade association is taking the lead on illustrating the key role of organic food and farming in managing climate change.”

    “U.S. communities, economies and ecosystems are under threat from climate change,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. “Federal policies can help advance organic as a key solution by encouraging the adoption of organic practices and maximizing benefits for mitigating climate change. The Organic Trade Association and our members stand ready to engage and support federal lawmakers in advancing these recommendations.”

    To download the white paper and for more information on the association’s new Climate Task Force see OTA.com/climate.

    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 over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. 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.