Organic Industry Event

November 17-19, 2024 Montgomery, Alabama

The Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) is a forum committed to a world that values and promotes equal opportunity equitable access to information and technology for sustainable development of communities and natural resources. The conference began in 1942 mainly with Tuskegee University and local and state support and participation. It is now national in scope including representatives from the national land grant community, and from the state, federal, and private sectors.

Dr. Amber Sciligo, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs will be in attendance. 

September 10-12, 2024 Budapest, Hungary

European Organic Congress attendees will discover the most relevant updates and get insights from high-level speakers with versatile backgrounds, exchange with policymakers & other experts, get to know the organic sector players in the country of the congress & beyond, and taste local & organic food with a full-day excursion tour to an organic farm.

Dr. Amber Sciligo, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs will be in attendance. Tom Chapman, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association will be speaking during the Market review: Trade Opportunities and barriers for organic in the international markets session -a high-level discussion on the current trade opportunities for organic featuring international trade experts. 

August 14-16, 2024

The Dana on Mission Bay

1710 W Mission Bay Dr

San Diego, CA 92109

APRC is a recycling networking forum bringing plastic recyclers, brokers, farmers, nurseries, agricultural plastic manufacturers and government officials together to discuss the solutions to landfilling an open burning of waste agricultural plastics.

Dr. Amber Sciligo, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs, will be presenting a poster that shows how The Organic Center is taking a systems approach to helping the organic industry reduce its plastic use.

July 26-31 Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal

Dr. Amber Sciligo, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs will be attending the Organic Districts World Congress and Drylands Organic Agriculture Network (DOAN) where she will present an introduction to the Drylands Organic Agriculture Network. The network's gatherings focus on enhancing knowledge sharing about organic farming in drylands, highlighting how organic practices can bolster resilience in these environments. The discussions will cover the challenges faced by organic farmers in drylands worldwide, along with potential solutions. 

July 15-18, 224

Saint Paul RiverCentre 175 Kellogg Blvd Saint Paul, MN 55102

The INFRA annual conference is a gathering of independent natural food retailers, vendors, and partners serving hundreds of communities across the country to connect and engage for inspiration, education and fun. Attendees will hear insights and trends from featured speakers, panelists and education sessions and indulge in delicious and innovative offerings from both familiar and emerging brands at their highly anticipated tabletop buying show. There will also be dedicated networking events designed to foster meaningful connections and opportunities for collaboration.

Contact Cassandra Christine if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

August 25-28, 2024

Colorado Convention Center 700 14th Street Denver, CO 80202

Newtopia Now celebrates and empowers one of the key foundations of the entire natural and organic products industry: retailers. In fact, this thrilling new event was literally designed to best serve the diverse needs of retailers in what is an increasingly competitive marketplace. It offers myriad opportunities for meaningful connections with brands and other vital stakeholders. It showcases the most forward-thinking innovation in the industry today. And Newtopia Now invites retailers to dive deep into their industry, with educational sessions geared toward cutting-edge best practices, exploring meaningful trends and much more. 

Stop by the OTA booth (#3012) to discuss all things organic!

Join OTA Co-CEO Matthew Dillon for the Cultivating Change: Retail Practices for Supporting Sustainable Brands & Agriculture session on August 26, from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm. 

This session equips you with the knowledge and strategies to more effectively champion sustainable agriculture practices. We'll explore best practices for partnering with brands that prioritize regenerative agriculture, organic farming, and sustainable packaging. Gain valuable insights into how to translate these practices into clear messaging that resonates with your customers and moves mission-aligned products off your store shelves. Discover the leading retail initiatives focused on fostering a more sustainable food system—and learn how to apply these practices to your store.

Moderator: Anthony Corsaro, Co-founder Regen Coalition, Creator/Co-Host ReGen Brands

Panelists:

• Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO Organic Trade Association
• Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director, Regenerative Organic Alliance,
• Elizabeth, Candelaro, Chief Strategy Officer, Mad Agriculture
• Courtney Pineau, Executive Director, The Climate Collaborative
• Ryan Pintado-Vertner, Founder, Smoketown LLC

August 2 – 4

Northampton, MA

We the Land! is a gathering for Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, SWANA & PoC Earth Workers, Land Stewards & Farmers. This conference is rooted in the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust’s vision to advance land and food sovereignty in the Northeast region through permanent & secure land tenure for PoC farmers and land stewards in a sacred manner that honors our ancestors’ dreams ~ for regenerative farming, human habitat, ceremony, native species ecosystem restoration and cultural preservation.

Stephanie Jerger, OTA's Vice President of Operations, will be facilitating a 90-minute workshop,  "What's organic got to do with me?" In this workshop, we’ll explore organic growing and certification. What does it take? What does it cost? What supports exist? Is it worth it for me? Make an informed decision about whether organic practices or certifications are the best choice for you.

Are you a business in organic produce or looking for a plethora of organic produce products? The Organic Produce Summit is the only event dedicated exclusively to bringing together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retail and buying organizations from across the globe. OPS 2024 will be held at Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California from July 10-11, this summit will include a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers, a gala opening night reception, and a sold-out trade show floor featuring over 170 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from across North America and around the globe. 

Join OTA staff for this great event! The following staff will be in attendance: Adrienne Messe, OTA Director of Events, Cassandra Christine, OTA Director of Industry Relations, Membership, and Development, Scott Rice, Sr. Director, Regulatory Affairs, and OTA Co-CEOs Tom Chapman and Matthew Dillon.

Contact Cassandra Christine if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

More information here.

June 23-25, 2024

New York City, NY

Registration Discount for OTA Members!

The Summer Fancy Food Show is the specialty food industry’s premier product discovery event, taking place June 23-25, 2024, in NYC. 30,000 people took part in the 2023 Summer Show, including 2,174 exhibitors representing 62 countries and more than 40 product categories.

The Specialty Food Association is offering OTA Members discounted rates for registration to attend. Manufacturers receive 25% off regular pricing and 50% off for retailers, foodservice, distributors, importers, students/faculty, brokers, investors. Use code OTAS24 to register to attend Summer Fancy!

Adrienne Messe, OTA Director of Events, will be presenting an exciting session during Summer Fancy:​​

Organic Insights: Unveiling the 2024 Industry Report

Tuesday, June 25 | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | Big Idea Stage

Join us for an exclusive first look at the 2024 Organic Industry Survey, presented by the Organic Trade Association. The latest insights explore the significant economic impact of organic agriculture and products, and this timely session will uncover leading trends driving the organic industry forward. Professionals in both retail and foodservice will gain invaluable insights into consumer preferences and behaviors along with essential data to guide strategic decisions and seize opportunities in the thriving organic market.

Contact Adrienne Messe if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

April 24-27, 2024 | McAllen, TX

The Texas Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Conference +  RGV Food Summit is organized on behalf of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement in partnership with the National Center for Appropriate Technology and the Institute of Ecology, Scholarship, and Health. 

The Texas Hispanic Farmer and Rancher Conference (TxHFRC), April 24-25, brings together the farming and ranching community, agribusinesses, and advocates of sustainable agriculture for two days of farm tours, workshops, and networking events focused on equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs. This summit, April 26-27, focuses on closing the gaps within the food system through two days of workshops, speaker panels, and movie screenings with fireside chats to help all stakeholders envision an inclusive and resilient local food system for the Rio Grande Valley, TX.

Amber Sciligo, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs will be speaking on the resources available to farmers interested in transitioning to organic. 

Contact Amber Sciligo if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.