Nicole Rakobitsch, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley2022 : Organic Climate Action The Organic Climate Action Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing organic solutions to mitigate climate change. This year’s award goes to Nicole Rakobitsch, Director of Sustainability for CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley. Nicole is a leader in the climate-smart agriculture community and has spearheaded significant sustainability projects at Organic Valley and with its farmer members. Nicole joined the Organic Valley team in 2012 as a sustainability coordinator after working with farmers for almost a decade on soil and water conservation planning and design in her home state of New York. Early on Nicole led a project that resulted in Organic Valley’s facilities being powered with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2019. Her team in 2021 partnered with a credit union to launch the Powering the Good Loan Fund to provide the best loan terms for Organic Valley farmers wanting to cut their reliance on fossil fuels with renewable energy. Her team most recently applied for a USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grant and was awarded $25 million. This grant will allow the co-op to invest in 1,200 new climate-smart practices on more than 500 member-farms over the next 5 years. “I began my career working with farmers to design and implement conservation practices. I saw first-hand that farmers are stewards of the earth and discovered that organic farming has the potential to protect and even restore the earth.” say Nicole. “Farmers are interested in making improvements that better the earth...It is our role to help facilitate that change by providing educational, technical and financial resources. We can have a major positive impact on the earth when farmers are given the tools they need to succeed in conservation and climate-smart farming." |
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Advocacy
Advocacy
We serve as the unifying voice of the U.S. organic industry on Capitol Hill, and we advance our mission to promote and protect organic agriculture and trade through legislative and regulatory advocacy.
As the only trade association working on behalf of the organic sector, we build and retain meaningful relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, USDA’s National Organic Program, NOSB, and the FDA on food and farming policy.
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Membership
Membership
We bring farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and others together to promote and protect the growing organic sector.
We represent our members to government on sector needs, market development and promotion, and strong organic standards and regulations. Members also receive the latest information and quick answers on organic regulations and standards in the U.S. and around the world.
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Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Our insightful and comprehensive data reports on the U.S. organic industry illustrate the positive economic impact of organic agriculture and products, and the importance of consumer choice in the marketplace.
Whether you're looking for the size of the organic market, organic industry trends or insights into the organic consumer, we are here to help.
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International Trade
International Trade
We bring the U.S. organic industry to developing markets around the world through our U.S. Organic Worldwide programs.
As a cooperator with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Programs, we create new opportunities for organic products through international promotions, organic exporter education, business to business connections, and trade negotiations.
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Programs & Events
Programs & Events
From our signature policymaking event, Organic Week in Washington, D.C., to a full roster of education and networking events at the Natural Products Expos, join us for association business, member meetings, and social and networking events.
If you’re looking for high-level networking opportunities, exciting venues to showcase your brand, and a guaranteed good time with an always-organic menu, then join us for any of our many activities throughout the year.
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Resources
Resources
We educate influencers and consumers about the benefits organic practices and products. This includes having an expansive social media presence, as well as actively engaging with the press to share facts about organic methods, benefits, and milestones.
Check out our expansive collection of informative resources that explain what organic is, and why it is definitely worth it.
- Organic 101
- How is organic food grown?
- How are animals raised organically?
- How is organic food processed?
- Organic for your Home and Body
- Organic Standards
- Organic Verification and Certification
- Labeling Organic Products
- The Value of Organic
- Health Benefits of Organic
- Environmental Benefits of Organic
- Organic and GMOs
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About OTA
About OTA
We are your connected community of organic innovators and pioneers. Our path forward is organic.
As the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America, we are the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Our Board of Directors is democratically elected by our members.
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- Organic Center Virtual Benefit
- Organic PAC Fundraisers
- EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
- Organic Education Webinars
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- Research and Promotion
- Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS)
- Resources
- Organic 101
- How is organic food grown?
- How are animals raised organically?
- How is organic food processed?
- Organic for your Home and Body
- Organic Standards
- Organic Verification and Certification
- Labeling Organic Products
- The Value of Organic
- Health Benefits of Organic
- Environmental Benefits of Organic
- Organic and GMOs
- Downloads & Toolkits
- Diversity Resource Library
- Organic Opportunity Communications Toolkit
- Good Organic Retail Practices (GORP) Guide
- "Not in Organic" Toolkit
- Organic Myth-Busting Resources
- Organic 101 Brochure + Social Graphics
- About OTA
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- News Center
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- Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment
- Annual Report
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Award Honorees
Organic Leadership Awards
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- Find.Organic Business Directory
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- Types of Membership
- Apply Online
- Market Analysis
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- Programs & Events
- EVENTS
- Organic Industry Events Calendar
- Organic at Expo West
- Organic Week in Washington, D.C.
- Organic at Expo East
- Organic Center Virtual Benefit
- Organic PAC Fundraisers
- EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
- Organic Education Webinars
- Organic Fraud Prevention Guide
- Research and Promotion
- Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS)
- Resources
- Organic 101
- How is organic food grown?
- How are animals raised organically?
- How is organic food processed?
- Organic for your Home and Body
- Organic Standards
- Organic Verification and Certification
- Labeling Organic Products
- The Value of Organic
- Health Benefits of Organic
- Environmental Benefits of Organic
- Organic and GMOs
- Downloads & Toolkits
- Diversity Resource Library
- Organic Opportunity Communications Toolkit
- Good Organic Retail Practices (GORP) Guide
- "Not in Organic" Toolkit
- Organic Myth-Busting Resources
- Organic 101 Brochure + Social Graphics
- About OTA
- Our Work
- Our Mission and Vision
- News Center
- Bold Steps Initiatives to Advance Organic
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment
- Annual Report
- Bylaws
- The Organic Center
- Ways to Support
- Our Leadership
- Board of Directors
- Member Councils, Task Forces and Forums
- Organic Political Action Committee
- Organic Leadership Awards
- OTA Staff
- Join the Team
Add your voice to shape the future of organic food and farming.
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