Organic Leadership Awards

Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors determines the categories and criteria for each year’s awards. In 2019, OTA presented awards in the following three categories: 
 

Nominees are “game-changers” who have made significant contributions to growing the organic industry through leadership and action in areas such as consumer education and marketing, new market development, public relations, standards development, advocacy, and research.
 

Nominees are professional farmers* who have made significant contributions to support and advance organic agriculture and trade at the farm level, such as increasing the amount of land under organic management, expanding the number of farmers using organic practices, or advancing organic agriculture through farm policy advocacy, community education, or innovative land stewardship and technical practices. 

 

Nominees are emerging leaders who have distinguished themselves professionally for their pursuit, zeal or notable advancements to programs, initiatives, new categories, or product development that promotes the growth, sustainability, or influence of organic agriculture and trade. 

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Submit a Nomination               Past Honorees               OTA Annual Awards Celebration              Selection Procedure             

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General Criteria

In making an award, OTA considers individuals who have:

• Demonstrated skill, innovation, personal commitment, leadership and vision beyond the professional competence and requirements of the position for which s/he was employed.
• Achieved identifiable and lasting changes to promote and protect organic agriculture and trade.
• Inspired and persuaded others to act to advance the cause of organic agriculture and trade.

Nominations will only be accepted in writing and must use the questions on the nomination form to list the major contributions and activities of the nominee relating to the year’s award category and selection criteria. Nominations may not be made anonymously. Letters of endorsement to the nomination are encouraged.