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.
2024
 Organic Valley Organic Lifetime Achievement |
 Albert Lea Seed Organic Groundbreaker |
 Taylor Farming Organic Farmer of the Year |
 Amy's Kitchen Organic Climate Action |
 Nature’s Path Social Impact |
2023
 Eat the Change Social Impact |
 Clif Bar & Company Community Service |
 Timeless Seeds Organic Groundbreaker |
 April Joy Farm Organic Farmer of the Year |
 CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley Organic Climate Action |
2022
 Organics Unlimited Organic Pioneer |
 Cyclone Farms Organic Famer of the Year |
 Clif Bar & Company Community Service |
 Stonyfield Climate Action |
2021
 Wedeberg Farm / CROPP Cooperative Growing Organic Community |
 D&M Family Farm Rising Star |
 Grimmway Farms and Cal-Organic Farm Farmer of the Year |
2020
 JV Farms Organic Organic Farmer of the Year |
 Organic Agsystems Consulting Growing Organic Community |
 Cold Springs Organics Rising Star |
2019
 JSM Organics Rising Star Award |
 Alexandre EcoDairy Farm Organic Farmer of the Year Award |
 International Organic Inspectors Association Growing Organic Industry Award |
2018
 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 |
2017
 Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative Farmer of the Year |
 Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods Rising Star |
 Grain Place Foods Growing the Organic Industry |
2016
 Lehigh Valley Organic Growers Growing the Organic Industry |
 Elevation Burger Rising Star |
 Uncle Matt's Organic Organic Farmer of the Year |
2015
 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 |
2014
 Nature’s Path Foods Growing the Organic Industry Award |
 Stemilt Growers Organic Farmer of the Year Award |
 Archi’s Acres/VSAT Rising Star Award |
2013
 Stonyfield Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
 CCOF Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2012
 UNFI Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
 USDA Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2011
 Organic Valley Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing the Organic Industry |
 Kamut Organic Leadership Award for Achievement in Growing Organic Agriculture |
2010
 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 |
2009
 Stormy Mountain Ranch Organic Farming Leadership Award |
 Earthbound Farm Organic Leadership Award |
2008
 Seeds of Change Organic Leadership Award |
2007
 Organic Trade Association Outstanding Individual Achievement |
2006
 Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo Organic Farming Leadership Award |
 Quality Assurance International (QAI) Special Pioneer Award |
 Pepper Farms Organic Agriculture Award |
2005
 Growers International Organic Agriculture Award |
 Nora's/Asia Nora's Special Pioneer Award |
2004
 Rodale Institute Special Pioneer Award |
2003
 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 |
2002
 Petaluma Poultry (posthumously) Special Pioneer Award |
 Wolf & Associates Outstanding Individual Achievement Award |
2001
 Agricultural Marketing Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Leadership Award |
 Walnut Acres Organic Leadership Award |
2000
 Arrowhead Mills Organic Leadership Award |
1999
 United States Senate Organic Leadership Award |