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Farmers Advisory Council

The Organic Trade Association's Farmers Advisory Council (FAC) provides the Organic Trade Association Board of Directors and staff with input from small- and medium-sized organic farmers, ranchers, and growers on matters pertinent to the advancement of organic agriculture, with a specific focus on OTA’s policy agenda. Established in 2013, FAC was designed to formalize and improve communication between OTA and organic producers. Through open dialogue, FAC gives organic farmers a voice to directly influence OTA’s policy and enables OTA to better represent the diversity of organic producers in its policy and advocacy.

  

 

The Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Council is one of the largest coalitions of organic farmers and organic farming organizations in the United States. It represents nearly 9,500 organic livestock, poultry, grain, and specialty crop producers.

Check out the Farmers Advisory Council's 2023 Annual Report         

 

  

Leadership

The Farmers Advisory Council is co-chaired by Doug Crabtree, Organic Farmer and OTA’s Board of Directors Farmer Seat, and Mike Menes, OTA's Board of Directors Community Relations Committee Vice Chair. FAC is supported by OTA's Government Affairs team with Legislative and Farm Policy Associate, Laura Holm, as the staff lead. The council is comprised of representatives from state and regional farming organizations representing organic, which enter into an agreement with OTA for the mutual benefit of strengthening the organic industry’s national public policy influence, and individual OTA farmer members who volunteer to participate.

Participating Organizations

The advisory council is comprised of active farmers of small- and medium-sized operations who serve as representatives of sector, state, and regional organic farming organizations.

logos of participating organizations

CCOF, Inc. (California Certified Organic Farmers)

CCOF is a full-service trade association governed by the CCOF, Inc. Board of Directors that actively works to expand the organic marketplace we all depend upon. CCOF is a nonprofit organization of organic farmers, processors, handlers, and retailers. Founded in 1973, CCOF is one of the nation’s largest and oldest organizations of third-party organic certification and is the only full-service certification agency and trade association. Additionally, CCOF is a founding member of the Advisory Council.
 

Florida Organic Growers 

Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established in 1987 that operates four programs: the Florida Farmers Market Association (FFMA), Education & Outreach, the USDA accredited certification body -Quality Certification Services and the Local Food and Agricultural Policy Program.As a grassroots organization, FOG promotes organic, regenerative, and sustainable agriculture and serves and works with more than 2,000 producers in the United States to carry out its mission. With a social media reach of over 15,000 followers, FOG is connecting and educating with the organic, regenerativeand sustainable food movement in Florida and beyond.

Georgia Organics

Established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Georgia Organics is an outgrowth of a growers' collaborative with roots dating to the 1970s. Georgia Organics champions organic agriculture and healthy families by empowering farmers to thrive, helping schools engage children in delicious and educational farm-to-school experiences, and making organic and local food accessible to all Georgians.
 

Montana Organic Association

The Montana Organic Association is the voice of Montana's organic community. MOA is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization that provides education, information, support, assistance, promotion, and representation for organic producers, processors, handlers, retailers, consumers, researchers, agricultural service providers, and other interested parties
 

National Latino Farmers & Ranchers 

The National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association (NLFR) is a membership 501(c)3 community-based organization committed to organize, engage and empower Latino farm and ranching advocacy groups, farmworkers transitioning into farm ownership, and, generally, small producers, throughout the United States and beyond. The association is committed to promote sustainable farm and ranching policy for the improvement of farming operations.

Oregon Tilth Certified Organic

Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit research and education membership organization dedicated to biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture. Oregon Tilth offers educational events throughout the state of Oregon, and provides organic certification services to organic growers, processors, and handlers internationally.
 

Organic Association of Kentucky 

The Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) is a non-profit organization serving farmers and community members across the state. OAK’s mission is to advance organic regenerative agriculture, to improve the health of the environment and our communities. OAK’s programs grow ecological resilience, economic viability and socially just futures for Kentucky farmers through educational, technical and market resources. OAK is a leading advocate, educator and technical assistance provider for organic agriculture, serving more than 440 members and 3,000 program participants annually.

Organic Egg Farmers of America

Formed in 2011, Organic Egg Farmers of America’s mission is to bring together various stakeholders dedicated to the production of eggs in compliance with the Organic Standards, and to create an environment of honesty and co-operation for the betterment of the industry as a whole.
 

Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative

Founded in 1988, CROPP is the nation’s largest and most successful organic farmer cooperative, with over 2,000 farmer members in 34 states in the U.S. and in Canada. CROPP has distinguished itself nationally as a leader of organic production, marketing, and farm policy.
 

Pennsylvania Certified Organic

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency that educates and certifies growers, processors and handlers of organic crops, wild crops, livestock and livestock products in the contiguous United States. PCO is also proud to be an accredited certifying agent for OPT Certified Grass-Fed Organic Certification, which is a separate program that builds upon the organic standards. Founded in 1985, PCO certifies approximately 1700 operations across the U.S.



Tilth Alliance of Washington

Tilth Alliance promotes ecologically sound, economically viable and socially equitable farming practices that improve the health of our communities and natural environment.

 

Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance

The mission of the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance is to preserve, protect, and ensure the sustainability and integrity of organic dairy farming across the West.

How to get involved

Interested organic farmers and organic farming sector, state, and regional organic farming organizations should contact Organic Trade Association Legislative and Farm Policy Associate Laura Holm.

Join us to Amplify the Voice of Farmers 

Farmers can join us in our efforts to promote and protect organic food and agriculture. We are working together to advance critical policy priorities that impact organic farmers, growers, and ranchers. 

  • Expand domestic acreage
  • Increase organic research
  • Improve oversight of organic imports
  • Protect organic standards

Farmstead Membership

Annual Reports

Hear from FAC's co-chair Adam Warthesen about our successes from 2022!

2023 FAC Annual Report  2022 FAC Annual Report 2021 FAC Annual Report 2020 FAC Annual Report 



2019 FAC Annual Report 2018 FAC Annual Report 2017 FAC Annual Report  

2016 FAC Annual Report 2015 FAC Annual Report 2014 FAC Annual Report

Resources

Operating FAC Guidelines

2023 Meetings and Events

Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 3 pm Eastern / 12 pm Pacific (virtual)

Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 3 pm Eastern / 12 pm Pacific (virtual)

Contact
Laura Holm

Legislative and Farm Policy Associate

(202) 539-1375