Organic Report Fall 2021 - Flipbook - Page 15
FEAT URE
New program pursues diversity, entrepreneurship for organic
I
n Loris, South Carolina, Kendrick Staley, a Black farmer,
model the work of the OSC J.E.D.I. Collaborative. These
set out to revive his family’s small farm. The farm had been industry peers and experts are leading this work for the
laying fallow for more than 10 years when he decided to
natural products industry to frame the business case for
move back from the city, and
embedding justice, equity,
resume the farms operations. From
diversity and inclusion into our
the beginning, he committed to
entire food ecosystem.
being environmentally sustainable.
Our Diversity and
He would not grow produce using
Entrepreneurship Program, which
pesticides or genetically modified
extends a complimentary two-year
seeds. He would use fundamental
membership to BIPOC-owned
farming principles and practices to
farms and businesses, is just one
maintain healthy soil. He explained
part of the trade association’s
all of this to me, without ever using
commitment to Justice, Equity,
the word “organic.”
Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
He had gotten the revived farm
within the organic industry. Our
registered and numbered with the
JEDI Statement and commitment
state, but organic certification was
were created from our experiences
still missing from the massive to-do
and the direct feedback of our
list of the small farmer. It was not
members.
until he was introduced to the
We decided to make a
Organic Trade Association’s Diversity
conscious
effort to ensure that our
South Carolina farmer Kendrick Staley
and Entrepreneurship program, that
successes in growing the organic
he began to consider the possibility
movement not only do not
of becoming “organic.”
unintentionally
perpetuate social
We have established a two-year
Many Black, Indigenous, and
inequalities, but create more diverse
engagement plan for our new members. allies. We understand that
People of Color (BIPOC) share that
sentiment. While organic practices
diversifying our membership to
Because we have raised more than
have long been a part of their
include food justice organizations
traditional farming, the term
and influencers will greatly amplify
$50,000 to support this work, we can
“organic” is not. In these
our voice and our work.
also provide up to $500 of in-kind
communities, the term appears to
Reaching our goals will be a vast
be laced in mistrust and out of their
and measured body of work. To
services to our new members in
reach. After taking a closer look at
ensure that we continue to stay on
the organic industry, its beliefs, its
track, we have established a council
transition or in establishing USDA
goals, and its benefits, Staley could
of our members. Our Diversity
Organic certification, such as consultant Council will help guide and
clearly see the alignment in a way
that he never had.
participate in many of our
services or coverage of Organic
His is not an isolated case. There
commitments. The council will have
are thousands more who had not
a diverse work plan, but its largest
certification fees.
been presented with a convincing
goal will consist of exploring
opportunity to explore joining the
establishing a foundation for the
organic movement. As a leader in the protection and
organic industry to further this work. The trade association
promotion of organic, the Organic Trade Association
also has many internal commitments geared towards creating
understands the social responsibility in helping shape a more
more diversity on our Board, within our staff, contractors, and
inclusive agricultural future for the good of the organic market speakers. There is great opportunity in this space, and our
and our communities.
trade association is committed to being a part of all the great
Our goals are geared towards building industry,
changes to come.
community, and individual capacity for collaborative
Stephanie Jerger is Vice President of Administration for the Organic
actions that empower all people to exercise the right to
Trade Association and staff liaison for its Diversity Council
healthy and sustainable food. Our efforts will continue to
*
Interested in supporting the Organic Trade Association Diversity and
Entrepreneurship Fund? Contact Cassandra Christine (cchristine@ota.com).
Organic Report • Fall 2021
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