Main Menu New

Task Forces

Task Forces make recommendations to the Organic Trade Association on policy issues, association programs, and special projects. The Organic Trade Association has many active task forces with dozens of members working on everything from commenting on FDA's Food Safety Rule revisions to analyzing Mexico’s Operating Guidelines for Organic Agriculture. OTA announces new task forces and opportunities to get involved in the weekly News Flash e-newsletter for members. Contact Violet Batcha to subscribe today.
no
0
400px
none

Blue

Main color: 
#1eb9d2
184
Time
1
right
bottom
400px
30px
/sites/default/files/styles/apb_slideshow/public/apb/slideshow/member%20communtiies%20-%20task%20force%20pic_0.png?itok=LWyh2Q4B
/sites/default/files/styles/apb_image_gallery_thumb/public/apb/slideshow/member%20communtiies%20-%20task%20force%20pic_0.png?itok=zkEHdMsN
#ffffff
0.85
1
no
0
#ffffff
0.25
1
no
1
0

All of our Task Forces are time-bound (not necessarily short-term), task-charged, and outcome-focused groups with specific mandate statements.

Convened
1
center
center
400px
30px
/sites/default/files/styles/apb_slideshow/public/apb/slideshow/13.PNG?itok=tKwL39xI
/sites/default/files/styles/apb_image_gallery_thumb/public/apb/slideshow/13.PNG?itok=GhCkYPPL
#ffffff
0.85
1
no
0
#ffffff
0.25
1
no
1
0

Task forces can be convened by the Board, staff, or members (e.g., through Member Forums or Sector Councils) in order to recommend a course of action or accomplish a specific objective.

Form
3
left
center
800px
30px
#ffffff
1
1
no
0
1
1
no
1
0

Task Forces form to:  

  • gather input on specific programs, issues, new initiatives, or overall strategic planning 

  • convene an advisory group that would recommend a course of action to either the board or staff 

  • consider a narrow subject within a broader topic area 

  • focus attention and recommend service for a particular sector of the organic industry      

  • accomplish a specified project/task, as needed, using OTA and/or participants volunteer time. 

Active Task Forces
yes

Green Lemon

Main color: 
#acce48
Hover: 
#d7f286
Active: 
#005751
Title: 
#004e49
Title Hover: 
#004e49
Title Active: 
#acce48
94
2023 Farm Bill Task Force

The mandate of the Farm Bill Task Force is to facilitate and assist OTA members in building relationships with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate to achieve success on the OTA priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Peter Mihalick, Senior Director of Government Affairs, and Laura Holm, Government Affairs Associate.

SIgn up for this Task Force

Organic Feedstuff Trade Relief Task Force

The Organic Trade Association’s Organic Feedstuff Trade Relief Task Force has a mandate to research, develop and secure trade disruption relief payments for livestock producers dependent on organic feedstuffs use and financial hardship endured. Criteria to participate in this task force includes contributing financially to secure consultative services and prior experience in policy and advocacy with a strong commercial attachment to or interest in organic livestock production and markets. 

Click to join

Sugar Supply Task Force

The mandate of this task force is to decide on and implement a strategy to either 1) raise the US tariff rate quota for organic sugar, 2) create an organic Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ), or 3) implement both options, if they are compatible. In addition, the Sugar Supply Task Force may decide to discuss relief via amendments to the coming Farm Bill or other strategies to be determined. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Sarah Gorman, International Trade Manager.

     Click to join

 

Intermittent Task Forces
yes

Blue and Green

Main color: 
#1eb9d2
Hover: 
#4edaf0
Active: 
#006760
Title: 
#ffffff
Title Hover: 
#ffffff
Title Active: 
#acce48
95
Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Task Force

The mandate of the task force is to facilitate a conversation from OTA members on repairing the public-private partnership between USDA and the organic industry and generate strategic thinking for how organic will evolve within this partnership over the next decade and beyond. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Peter Mihalick, Senior Director of Government Affairs.

EU-UK Trade Task Force

This task force will serve as a platform to voice and discuss issues regarding the changing regulations, and plan next steps for those involved in the EU market. The work will also address the impacts to UK-Brexit and organic trade. The group also serves as an advisory body on work related to our E.U. TASC funding. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Sarah Gorman, International Trade Manager.

     Click to join

Mexico Trade Task Force

The mandate of this task force is to monitor, analyze, and discuss existing and emerging issues from organic trade discussions and issue resolutions between the United States and Mexico. The task force will provide input to FAS, NOP, and USTR on the industry's perspective on trade issues, technical talks, Mexico’s recently implemented organic regulations, and market potential. Task force members will also provide industry support and concerns regarding the potential opportunities and challenges that will be created by entering an organic equivalency arrangement with Mexico. Additionally, the task force will provide issue assessments regarding organic seed treatments in support of OTA / FAS / APHIS work on this issue. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Sarah Gorman, International Trade Manager.

     Click to join

Residues Task Force

The mandate of the Residues Task Force is to continue the Organic Trade Association's strong support of periodic residue testing as a critical tool to monitor compliance with the organic regulations and address challenges relating to unavoidable residual environmental contamination (UREC) and concentration factors. Work on this Task Force is facilitated by Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director.

     Click to join

Resources
no
column-1
30px

Task Force Policies and Procedures Task Force Roles and Responsibilities Submit Task Force Request Form Online

Contact
Associate Director, Education, Technology, and Member Engagement
(202) 403-8646