The Organic Trade Association has been recognizing organic leaders who inspire and innovate for over 20 years when the first Leadership Award was given to Senator Patrick Leahy for his work developing the national organic standards. Since then a diverse group of honorees have been nominated by their peers and confirmed unanimously by OTA’s Board of Directors. Awards are presented each Fall during OTA’s Annual Awards Gala as part of Natural Products Expo East. Check out the incredible group of honorees below and learn more about their impressive contributions to furthering organic by clicking on their names to read their bios.
2022
![]() Timeless Seeds Organic Groundbreaker |
![]() April Joy Farm Organic Farmer of the Year |
![]() CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley Organic Climate Action |
![]() Eat the Change Social Impact |
![]() Clif Bar & Company Community Service |
2021
![]() Clif Bar & Company Community Service |
![]() Stonyfield Climate Action |
![]() Organics Unlimited Organic Pioneer |
![]() Cyclone Farms Organic Famer of the Year |
2020
![]() Wedeberg Farm / CROPP Cooperative Growing Organic Community |
![]() D&M Family Farm Rising Star |
![]() Grimmway Farms and Cal-Organic Farm Farmer of the Year |
2019
![]() JV Farms Organic Organic Farmer of the Year |
![]() Organic Agsystems Consulting Growing Organic Community |
![]() Cold Springs Organics Rising Star |
2018
![]() International Organic Inspectors Association Growing Organic Industry Award |
![]() JSM Organics Rising Star Award |
![]() Alexandre EcoDairy Farm Organic Farmer of the Year Award |
2017
![]() Sustainable Strategies—Advisers in Food and Agriculture Growing the Organic Industry |
![]() To Your Health Sprouted Flour Rising Star |
![]() LaRocca Vineyards Organic Farmer of the Year |
2016
![]() Grain Place Foods Growing the Organic Industry |
Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative Farmer of the Year |
![]() Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods Rising Star |
2015
![]() Lehigh Valley Organic Growers Growing the Organic Industry |
![]() Elevation Burger Rising Star |
![]() Uncle Matt's Organic Organic Farmer of the Year |
2014
![]() Vilicus Farms Organic Farmer of the Year Award |
![]() Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Growing the Organic Industry Award |
![]() Naturpedic Organic Mattresses Rising Star Award |
2013
![]() Nature’s Path Foods Growing the Organic Industry Award |
![]() Stemilt Growers Organic Farmer of the Year Award |
![]() Archi’s Acres/VSAT Rising Star Award |
2012
![]() CCOF Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
![]() Stonyfield Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
2011
![]() UNFI Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
![]() USDA Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2010
![]() Organic Valley Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
![]() Kamut Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2009
![]() Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
![]() Lundberg Family Farms Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2008
![]() Stormy Mountain Ranch Organic Farming Leadership Award |
![]() Earthbound Farm Organic Leadership Award |
2007
![]() Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo Organic Farming Leadership Award |
![]() Seeds of Change Organic Leadership Award |
2006
![]() Organic Trade Association Outstanding Individual Achievement |
2005
![]() Quality Assurance International (QAI) Special Pioneer Award |
![]() Pepper Farms Organic Agriculture Award |
2004
![]() Growers International Organic Agriculture Award |
![]() Nora's/Asia Nora's Special Pioneer Award |
2003
![]() Rodale Institute Special Pioneer Award |
2002
![]() Maggie’s Organics/Clean Clothes, Inc. Special Pioneer Award |
![]() Oak Manor Farms Organic Agriculture Award |
![]() Horizon Organic Dairy Outstanding Individual Achievement Award |
![]() Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Legislative and Regulatory Award |
2001
![]() Petaluma Poultry (posthumously) Special Pioneer Award |
![]() Wolf & Associates Outstanding Individual Achievement Award |
2000
![]() Agricultural Marketing Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Leadership Award |
1999
![]() Arrowhead Mills Organic Leadership Award |
1998
![]() Walnut Acres Organic Leadership Award |
1997
![]() United States Senate Organic Leadership Award |