OTA Hosted Event

The Organic Center is collaborating with the USDA ERS, California State University, Fresno, and Purdue University on a virtual conference series and hackathon examining agricultural technology (AgTech) in organic.

The conferences will examine potential opportunities for technology to support the organic sector, pitfalls when it comes to access and equity in AgTech, historical and current examples of AgTech exacerbating the pre-existing structures of racism in the food system, and methods for analyzing AgTech’s fit within organic ideals.

The two conferences will be virtual, followed by a hackathon, in collaboration with the Gathering for Open Ag Technology (GOAT), which will take place at the MOSES annual meeting with regional hubs throughout the US.

Feel free to participate in the virtual conferences even if you are not able to attend the hackathon! Register Now

Location: Virtual

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, OREI project # 2020-51300-32185.

Congress recently introduced the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act, important bipartisan legislation that will shape the future of our industry. Learn more about how our congressional champions in Washington, D.C. fight for us by becoming part of Organic PAC.

 

By signing up to be a part of Organic PAC you will learn about upcoming events like our virtual Oktoberfest beer tasting and trivia night hosted by Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery and Organic PAC. This event is taking place on October 28 from 3-5pm PT / 6-8 p.m. ET. If you sign up to learn more you could be enjoying award winning organic beer and pretzels baked by a Michelin star restaurant!

Events like these include important legislative updates, the ability to network with your organic colleagues, and fun entertainment – like organic trivia. Sign up.

About Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery: In addition to making great, local beer the acclaimed Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery is one of the only female-owned and operated certified organic breweries in the country. Join founder and owner Emily Thomas for a beer tasting and learn more about her story and how she’s supporting her local community through organic beer.

 

About Manresa: A three star Michelin restaurant founded by David Kinch in Los Gatos, California Manresa serves up contemporary cuisine inspired by the California Coast. Kinch, a New York Times best-selling author, Emmy award winner and executive chef launched Manresa Bread in 2013 at the Palo Alto farmer’s market.  

 

About Organic PAC: Organic PAC provides financial assistance to candidates for Congress who are, or who can be, influential in protecting or promoting organic agriculture and trade. The bipartisan Organic PAC helps educate and elect candidates so that organic isn’t left behind. Organic PAC and the Organic Trade Association must obtain the prior approval of our member companies in order to solicit contributions from certain individuals affiliated with our member companies (i. e., the "restricted class," which includes a corporation's executive personnel and their families, and shareholders and their families). A member company may not approve solicitations by another trade association for the same calendar year. Please sign this form to grant Organic PAC and the Organic Trade Association that prior approval.

Are your organic products international travelers? If not, Organic Trade Association can provide the tools you need to get export savvy. Log on to this 45-minute briefing to learn about upcoming trainings that will provide those new to exporting the knowledge and logistical expertise to conduct business abroad with confidence. We’ll share a suite of tools designed to give U.S. organic producers visibility into key export markets. Finally, you’ll be able to take your newfound knowledge for a spin: hear about OTA’s 2022 export activities planned for U.S. companies in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the U.A.E. We are recruiting now for our early Spring opportunities. This webinar is open to all U.S. organic companies who are interested in international markets, and export opportunities for their products.

• Esteemed Panelists:
• Alexis Carey, Associate Director of International Programs | Organic Trade Association
• Victoria Nwasike, President/CEO | Goldencrest Global

Open to all

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You may think your family’s food shopping decisions don’t have much of an impact. But when it comes to the positive impact of choosing organic dairy products, think again! Choosing organic means saying no to synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and drugs – especially antibiotics. And when you combine the impact of your organic ice cream with the organic yogurt used at your favorite diner, and the milk boxes in your child’s school lunch program, the use of organic dairy drastically reduces the amount of chemicals on our farms, and in our foods. Join us to explore a new tool for calculating the positive impacts of choosing organic dairy. And, learn how you can use the tool to advocate for changes to school lunch and other programs in your area.

• Esteemed Presenters:
• Megan DeBates, Vice President of Government Affairs | Organic Trade Association
• Jessica Shade, Ph.D., Director of Science Programs | The Organic Center (moderator)
• More to be announced soon!

Open to all

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Every five years, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) reviews each material on organic’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances to either confirm it continues to meet the criteria for inclusion in organic production, or determine it is no longer eligible and will “sunset” from the list. In reviewing each material, the Board considers public comments, along with any new information about the substance’s impact to human and environmental health, or new alternatives to its use. At its Fall 2021 meeting, the NOSB is set to vote on the continued allowance of 30 materials currently used in organic crop and livestock production, as well as in the processing and handling of organic products.



Join OTA’s Regulatory Affairs team for an introduction to the National List and the sunset review process. We’ll also hear more about each of the materials scheduled to sunset this fall, and how organic stakeholders can give feedback on these materials and their importance in organic production.

• Presenters:
• Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director
• Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs

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