Organic Report Fall 2021 - Flipbook - Page 5
FRONT PIECE
Co nne ct i n g good i d eas an d
grea t pe opl e
T
he Organic Trade Association is abounding with
new ideas, outreach, and advocacy efforts.
Our cover article (Page 6) focuses on our new State
Organic Advocacy Network to share information and
coalesce around issues that support organic food and
farming. The network will connect great ideas and
successful programs, and help states take advantage of
work already done and lessons learned. It will track
organic advocacy activities in state capitals, provide
news about on-the-ground programs, and provide a
database of organic connections. Already, there are exciting steps forward with a
steering committee of seasoned organic champions guiding the new network.
We’ve undertaken a new program to encourage diversity and
entrepreneurship in order to grow organic and make it accessible to all (Page
15). The goals of our new Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program are to build
industry, community and individual capacity for collaborative actions to
empower everyone with the right to healthy and sustainable food. The program
is extending a complimentary two-year membership to Black, Indigenous and
People of Color-owned farms and businesses, and is just one part of our
commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
The Biden administration is proving to be a more supportive partner in our
efforts. A score card of the first six months of the Biden-Harris administration
(Page 19) shows progress for organic, and more to accomplish. The nomination
of Jenny Lester Moffitt to serve as Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory
Programs at USDA is a positive sign for organic, as is the intention to restore an
organic and sustainable agriculture policy advisor role within the department.
Other advocacy efforts continue around finalizing the bipartisan Continuous
Improvement and Accountability Organic Standards Act (Page 16), supporting
farmers to transition to organic agriculture (Page 21), and elevating organic’s
role in climate change policy (Page 23).
These bold ideas and policy initiatives would not be possible without the
Organic Trade Association’s many members and their dedication to our work. If
you’re a member, thanks, you make our mission possible! If you aren’t yet a
member, check us out and see what you’re missing!
Laura Batcha
Executive Director/CEO
Organic Trade Association
OTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kim Dietz • Firmenich Inc.
President
Paul Schiefer • Amy’s Kitchen
Vice President
Britt Lundgren • Stonyfield Farm
Secretary
Domenic Borrelli • Danone North America
Treasurer
Doug Crabtree • Vilicus Farms
Ben Diesl • Grimmway Farms
Matthew Dillon • Clif Bar & Company
Tracy Favre • Fig Hill Farm Comsulting
Avi Garbow • Patagonia
Kellee James • Mercaris
Bob Kaake • Slice of Kaake Consulting
David Lively • Organically Grown Company
Michael Menes • True Organic Products
Adam Warthesen •
CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley
Javier Zamora • JSM Organics
Contributors
Bob Anderson, Laura Batcha, Lisa Braun, Alexis
Carey, Cassandra Christine, Danielle Coté,
Megan DeBates, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Angela
Jagiello, Stephanie Jerger, Tia Loftsgard, Maggie
McNeil, Adrienne Messe, Johanna Mirenda,
Jessica Shade, Jane Sooby, Gwendolyn Wyard,
and Tessa Young.
Editor: Barbara Haumann
Design & Production: Lynne Rudié
Copyright © 2021, Organic Trade Association
The Organic Report is published by the Organic
Trade Association as a service to its members
and the organic community. Re-publication of
short excerpts is permitted without fee. Contact
OTA staff to arrange for use of longer material.
The material contained in this magazine is for
the information of the organic community.
Although the information is believed to be
correct, OTA disclaims all responsibility for any
damage or reliance on the information
contained in this publication, nor is the
appearance of advertisements a warranty,
endorsement or approval of the products or
services advertised.
The Organic Trade Association does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation or marital/family
status. Persons with disabilities, who require
alternative means for communication of
program information, should contact us at
info@ota.com.
ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION
Headquarters
Hall of The States, 444 N. Capitol St., NW
Suite 445A, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-403-8520
Locations
Brattleboro, VT • Santa Cruz, CA
Corvallis, OR
Web: www.ota.com • E-mail: info@ota.com
TheOrganicReport.com
Organic Report • Fall 2021
FSC LOGO
Here
5
