Press Releases

After nine years of successfully leading The Organic Center (TOC) as Director of Science Programs, Jessica Shade, Ph.D., has accepted a position with the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) as National Program Leader. At NIFA, Dr. Shade's experience will be put to great use in supporting innovative programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.    

In response to the New York Times article, "That Organic T-Shirt May Not Be As Organic As You Think," published February 13, 2022, the Organic Trade Association issued the following statement:

Today, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a “public listening session, with request for comment, regarding upcoming standards development activities, including feedback about spe

WASHINGTON, DC – (View in Spanish here) Today, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and National Latino Farmers and Ranchers (NLFR) are pleased to announce a new strategic alliance that will help both organizations strengthen their impact on national public policy.

January 6, 2022, WASHINGTON, DC – The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today published the recommendations of the national Northeast Dairy Taskforce, of which OTA is an active participant.

After a robust year of trade events held largely behind computer screens, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is gearing up for a busy 2022 of in-person events and opportunities to show off US organic products abroad. As the nation’s only organic-focused trade association, OTA has been the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) go-to partner for promoting organic products internationally for nea

On October 19, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) kicked off its three-day biannual public meeting via live webinar. For each NOSB meeting, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) carries out an extensive process of membership engagement to capture how proposals will impact certified organic farmers and handlers. OTA submitted 

In response to the Biden Administration’s publication of a revised Build Back Better framework that centers climate change action, clean energy, and equity, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) issued the following statement: 

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced today the launch of a nationwide search for a new CEO and Executive Director. After more than a decade of service to OTA and the organic community, current CEO Laura Batcha plans to step down in spring 2022. 

Today, the Organic Trade Association announced the names of their 2021 Organic Leadership Award honorees: five visionaries who have advanced organic by promoting the industry’s climate change mitigation practices, investing in social responsibility initiatives, leading organic transition programs, and keeping the organic community safe during COVID-19.