This Organic Fibers in Focus: The Latest About Organic Fibers and Textile Standards webinar will be hosted by The Organic Trade Association’s Fiber Council. The Fiber Council works to strengthen and grow the organic fiber and textiles sector. The Council aims to create a cohesive voice across fiber categories within the association, advance the promotion and protection of the organic brand, and support the continued growth of the organic fiber sector.
This webinar will provide an overview of organic fiber production in the US and the standards available for textile certification that offer a variety of options! We will also provide updates on non-cotton natural fiber crops seeing a production renaissance.
Speakers include representatives from Global Organic Textile Standard, IND HEMP, North American Linen Association, OEKO-TEX® /Hohenstein, On the Mark Consulting, Oregon Tilth, Regenerative Organic Alliance, and Textile Exchange.
Speakers
Sandra Marquardt is the founder and president of On the Mark Consulting, which provides communications, research, and advocacy for the organic and sustainable sectors. She has extensive experience in the agricultural and environmental areas, with a particular focus on organic fiber and textiles production and processing. Sandra has spearheaded media relations campaigns, led policy initiatives at the global and national levels, authored in-depth reports on a variety of agricultural and environmental topics, and more. Most recently, she has authored reports about North American fiber flax production, global hemp production, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers on U.S. cotton.
Scott Rice has over 20 years of experience in the organic space, currently serving as OTA’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, where he is the lead on issues related to organic certification, accreditation, and material review. Prior to joining OTA, Scott was at the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program, where he worked on the many aspects of organic certification. Scott served as the certifier representative on the National Organic Standards Board, was chair of the Accredited Certifiers Association, and presently serves on the board of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).
La Rhea is the Co-Founder and former CEO of Textile Exchange and has spent over two decades transforming the textile industry through regenerative and organic practices. Now serving as a Board Member and Senior Advisor to the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), she continues to drive systemic change from farm to finished fiber. With a deep commitment to climate resilience, social equity, and ecological integrity, she works to build scalable solutions that honor the land, uplift farmers, and advance global sustainability.
Angela Wartes-Kahl is the Head of Farming for Coast Fibers, based in western Oregon. She has been an organic farmer since 2004, an organic consultant, and a co-owner of Independent Organic Services and Organic Integrity Cooperative. Angela is also co-founder of Fibrevolution and a board member of the Twisted Strait Fibers Cooperative in Washington state.
Ben Mead is the Managing Director of Hohenstein Institute America for which he is the company’s liaison with industry collaborations, government agencies, and trade associations. He also oversees U.S. OEKO-TEX® responsibilities. Previously, Ben consulted with various brands and industry associations, including Textile Exchange and AFIRM. He established partnerships with industry leaders and experts to increase industry engagement in green chemistry and sustainable textile processing. While with Nike, Ben helped develop a restricted substances program and was involved in the implementation of sustainable materials and water programs. Ben holds degrees in Chemistry and Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University and a certificate in Green Chemistry from the University of Washington.
Ryan Sitler has a bachelor of specialized studies in soil biology and urban planning. He began working in the organic certification industry, and after 15 years as an auditor and consultant, working with over 15 certification schemes, Ryan accepted the role of Representative in North America for the German based foundation, Global Standard. As the owner of both Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the new Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), Ryan has been able to continue his work in the field with voluntary sustainability standards.
Elizabeth Tigan is the Fiber & Textile Specialist for Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO). With over 20 years of experience in the organic sector she has worn many hats - from grocery buyer to dairy farmer and pasture specialist to shepherd and muck raker. Combining her true love of textiles and regulatory policies, she works hard to advocate for organic farmers and processors. Certifying to GOTS combines her desire to promote social justice and organic practices while protecting our environment. She looks forward to a time when there are regional organic fiber supply chains that are robust and able to support farmers and manufacturers.
Debra Guo brings over a decade of sustainability expertise in the fashion industry to her role as Cotton and Crops Lead at Textile Exchange, where she collaborates with key stakeholders to drive beneficial impacts on climate and nature in cotton production landscapes. Previously, she led the environmental sustainability strategy at Stella McCartney and was a sustainability and climate change consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, specializing in natural capital accounting for brands.
Morgan Tweet is the CEO of IND HEMP, one of the leading industrial hemp companies in the United States. A chemical engineer by training, she leads a vertically integrated business scaling hemp for food, feed, fiber, and industrial applications. Based in Montana, Morgan works at the intersection of agriculture, manufacturing, and policy to advance the fiber and grain sector and restore the crop’s full potential. She has worked closely with organic Montana farmers and sees hemp as a valuable rotation crop that supports regenerative, resilient farming systems. Morgan is also a ranch wife and mother of two, balancing entrepreneurship with life on a working ranch.