Organic Industry Event

OTA will host 14 companies in the U.S. Pavilion and lead educational sessions at BioFach 2016, February 10-13 in Nuremberg, Germany. An all-organic trade show, BioFach offers the chance to showcase products to a worldwide audience of buyers and brokers. Sign-ups are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Monique Marez, OTA’s Associate Director for International Trade, to learn more.

USDA’s 92nd Agricultural Outlook Forum will be held February 25-26, 2016 in Arlington, Virginia. USDA’s outlook forum is attended by thousands of agricultural stakeholders—producers, policymakers, and agricultural officials—from around the world. The theme for this year's forum is "Transforming Agriculture: Blending Technology and Tradition." The challenges and opportunities for agriculture and rural America are changing. In 2015, American farmers persevered in the face of drought and an unprecedented animal disease outbreak. Demographics are also changing in rural America and across farm households. Meanwhile, technology is rapidly opening new applications for producers and throughout the marketing chain, and new markets are emerging for U.S. agricultural products. USDA continues to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity and provide support for America's farming families, and that mission will form the basis for the 92nd Agricultural Outlook Forum.

OTA’s CEO/Executive Director Laura Batcha will moderate the following session as part of the "Transforming the Rural Economy" track:

“The Outlook for Organic Agriculture”  
Thursday, February 25, 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
As organic agriculture has grown and become a mainstream part of American agriculture, the need for market information and market outlook has also grown. USDA is increasing its support for organic market news and organic market outlook. This session highlights the outlook for organic producers and the challenges of supplying organic consumer markets. 

To connect with OTA at the forum, please contact Laura.

Recognizing the increasing complexity and diversity of U.S. agriculture, in 2011 USDA established the Committee on Biotechnology and 21^st Century Agriculture, commonly referred to as AC 21, to address managing important issues concerning agricultural coexistence. The committee will meet December 14th and 15th, 2015. The 22 committee members serving on AC 21 include OTA’s Executive Director/CEO Laura Batcha, and OTA members Lynn Clarkson of Clarkson Grain Company, Michael Funk of UNFI, Melissa Hughes of CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley and OTA’s Board President, and Mary-Howell Martens of Lakeview Organic Grain LLC.

Herbruck's Organic Seminar will take place March 9-10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in conjunction with Michigan Organic Food and Farming Association meetings. Nate Lewis, OTA's Senior Crop and Livestock Specialist, will present on organic markets, certification, and regulatory policy updates. To connect with OTA at the seminar, please contact Nate.

The Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service Organic Farming Conference takes place in the La Crosse Center Arena in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Attending the conference provides an opportunity to learn ways to improve your farm, discover new resources and tools, make connections and find support. 

The Organic Center and the Organic Trade Association will hold a Manure Safety Discussion Session in collaboration with the University of California, Davis. The session will be led by The Organic Center’s Science Advisory Board Member Dr. Riki Sorge, a professor at the University of Minnesota. This discussion group will address the challenges associated with manure and animal rotational grazing, and will be part of a national effort to address issues surrounding animal-based soil amendments and animal rotational grazing.  Listening sessions are being conducted regionally, with the results being collected in a white-paper that will help shape a long-term research plan addressing the most pressing needs of the organic community.  We encourage you to attend the session on Friday, February 26, from 11:00-11:45 a.m. to share your thoughts and knowledge about research needs for and current use of manure in organic farming. For more information about the discussion group, visit the MOSES Conference Expert Roundtable page.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont will host its Winter Conference at the University of Vermont, Burlington. NOFA Vermont brings 34 years of conference history to the cutting edge of the local, organic food movement. Join 1,200 attendees by participating in this year's conference. Connect with the dynamic, growing community of organic farmers, homesteaders, gardeners, and consumers. The NOFA Vermont Winter Conference is a perfect opportunity for businesses and nonprofits alike to reach a receptive, targeted audience while supporting the growth of this vital movement.
Nate Lewis, OTA's Senior Crop and Livestock Specialist, will be facilitating a stakeholder listening session on The Organic Center's OREI Grant on Manure Safety. To connect with OTA at the conference, please contact Nate.