Amber Sciligo, PhD | Director of Science Programs | The Organic Center
Dr. Amber Sciligo is the director of science programs at The Organic Center where she directs projects associated with communicating and conducting research related to organic agriculture. During her tenure at The Organic Center, Dr. Sciligo has worked closely with researchers, industry, farmers, and policymakers to identify organic research needs, and she has collaborated on a diverse range of research programs with her most recent collaborations including projects aimed at:
- Mitigating climate change
- Increasing the accessibility of equitable agricultural technology aimed at supporting the organic supply chain
- Reducing incongruities in National Organic Program standards and third party food safety requirements
- Tackling challenges associated with inadvertent pesticide contamination across the organic supply chain
- Incorporating livestock into vegetable cropping systems
Dr. Sciligo heads The Organic Center’s grant writing program and FFAR funding partnership which offers organic research funding and prizes for outstanding organic extension efforts. She also leads the center’s signature conference event, Organic Confluences, which brings together policy makers, researchers, farmers, industry members, and other non-profits to address and overcome challenges faced by the organic sector. Dr. Sciligo brings the organic voice to communities at international, national, and local levels by serving on boards and advisory committees for ISOFAR, FFAR and the Organic Association of Kentucky, the state in which she resides. Dr. Sciligo received her PhD at Lincoln University, New Zealand in ecology and evolution with a specialty in plant/insect interactions, specifically pollination services to plants. Her extensive postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley included several interdisciplinary projects related to the impacts of farm diversification within the organic system on a range of ecosystem services from biodiversity, pollination, natural pest control, soil health, and climate change mitigation, as well as the livelihoods of farmers. The main goals of her work have been to inform research and policies to include the needs of agroecological farmers so that their businesses can thrive, while preserving the land for future farming.
Brise Tencer | Executive Director | Organic Farming Research Foundation
OFRF's Executive Director Brise Tencer, M.A., brings over 25 years of leadership experience working on organic food policy, farming, and research issues. For the last decade, she has served as the Executive Director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation overseeing the organization's research, education, and farmer-focused advocacy. She has worked to advance public support of organic farmers and increase public investment in organic research. Ms. Tencer led policy and advocacy efforts for the organization from 2000 to 2006. During this time, she helped initiate the Organic Agricultural Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives secured language in the Agriculture Risk Management Act of 2000, which said that organic farming was considered a “good farming practice”, that enabled organic producers to be eligible to participate in federal crop insurance programs for the first time.
Ms. Tencer previously served as Director of Policy and Programs for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) where she managed a team responsible for government affairs, grower education program, events, coordination of regional chapters of members, and ran a small grant-making program. From 2007 to 2011, Ms. Tencer served as Washington representative and senior lobbyist for the Union of Concerned Scientists' Food, Agriculture, and Environment Program. There she developed legislative and regulatory campaigns on a range of agricultural issues, including organic, research policy, and food safety. Ms. Tencer served as Vice President of the Board of the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides and as a Board member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Ms. Tencer holds a B.A. in Community Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and received a Certificate in Conflict Resolution and an M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Gordon Merrick | Senior Policy & Programs Manager | Organic Farming Research Foundation
Mallory Krieger | Executive Director | Organic Agronomy Training Service
Mallory Krieger is the National Program Director for OATS | the Organic Agronomy Training Service. She is committed to driving environmental improvement and farm resiliency in agriculture. With more than 10 years’ experience in the organic industry, she has served as an organic educator, consultant, and inspector. She has extensive experience developing educational programs for organic and regenerative farmers and ag. advisors. In addition to her consulting work, Mallory owns and manages a farm in Fishhook, Illinois.