Dear OTA Members, Partners, and Organic Champions,
Last year marked a significant milestone: OTA turned 40 and together, we are stronger than ever. Whether you joined us this year or have been around from the beginning, it is true that organic starts with you!
We are proud to be with you, leading the organic movement forward, inspiring change, fueling growth, and expanding our vibrant membership community. This year, we achieved record growth of $71 Billion and experienced strong momentum, so there is a lot to celebrate. We also faced significant challenges and unpredictability throughout the year. Together, we held our ground, united by our mission to support and grow organic. 
From the outset, we’ve been driven to advocate for our members and lead with a united, cohesive voice. We have also prioritized the promotion of organic and the building of community. In 2025, our commitment to those three areas has been more important than ever. 
- We started 2025 working in coalition with other organizations to defend the value of the organic sector by successfully advocating for frozen OMD and TOPP grant funds to be released, retaining nearly $200 million in dedicated funding for organic. This was a big win, even if on the defensive side, and freed up funding for farmers, nonprofits and businesses to meet the growing demands of the organic marketplace.
- Finishing the year on a high note, in December we celebrated a major win with the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Domestic Organic Investment Act (DOIA). Designed to support the expansion of organic infrastructure and capacity, and reduce reliance on imports, this achievement was the culmination of two years of meaningful work (including our efforts on Advocacy Day).
- Held in September during Organic Week, our 2025 Advocacy Day was a resounding success with 154 meetings scheduled and more than 130 participants covering House and Senate meetings across 26 states. This included many Members who participated in meetings on the Hill for the first time.
- We hosted a "mini fly-in" in February with OTA Members to tell our story on Capitol Hill and advocate for organic.
- We opposed the rollback of the organic standards for mushrooms and pet food, arguing it would undermine stakeholder trust, bypass the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), and hurt both organic mushroom growers and pet food makers. To date, both standards are still effective.
- OTA secured $60 million in organic funding for the renewal of the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, Organic International Trade Tracking, and the Organic Data Initiative over the next five years. This was an important win as funding for these programs was lost in 2024.
- We publicly urged USDA to reinstate the Specialty Sugar Quota (SSQ), estimating this would impose $85 million in new tariff costs on organic starting in fiscal year 2026. We continue to fight for policies that support the organic sector.
- Organic is built on trust, and trust comes from a strong National Organic Program. During 2025, we also advocated successfully to maintain NOP’s budget without cuts and we were a strong voice calling for adequate staffing during the proposed USDA cuts and reorganization.
- Additionally, we consistently educate and seek to influence the administration’s trade policy as it impacts organic and we will continue these efforts in 2026.
- Together with The Organic Center and Organic Voices, the third annual “An Organic Night Out” at Expo West in March raised more than $1 Million for organic research and programming, while honoring industry leaders and innovators in nine categories.
- In September, OTA launched “The Seal Makes It Simple,” an integrated marketing and retail campaign highlighting the value and benefits of the USDA Organic Seal. Early results demonstrate the look and feel and educational messaging of the campaign are working, already reaching more than 36 million consumers across digital platforms and in stores. Together with Organic Voices and support from OTA members, the campaign will run through December 2026.
- Globally, we grew organic by supporting US exports with activities in more than 12 foreign markets. Together, we brought more than 45 US-based organic businesses to attend 7 trade shows and 2 trade missions across the globe. We also brought foreign buyers to the US for 3 reverse trade missions and conducted US organic consumer promotion in 3 foreign markets. We plan to expand our trade and promotion program in 2026.
Also in 2025, we secured expansion of the Equivalency Agreement with Japan to include exports of US alcoholic products while ensuring imports are treated consistently with our domestic requirements.
- Last year, Organic Week shifted from May to September in Washington, DC and we enjoyed another sold-out event with more than 50 percent of attendees joining for the first time.
Our annual gathering is a meaningful reminder of just how vibrant and inspiring the organic community is – from engaging with thought leaders across the industry, to making new connections through table tops and networking, to recognizing those among us for their extraordinary achievements.
- Connection and convening through the work of nine industry councils that hosted 31 meetings to support the dairy, dietary supplements, fiber, grains, marketing & communications, produce, SBA, sustainability, and wine sectors.
- Support for farmers in transitioning to organic, from cost share to technical assistance through our programs and federal funding.
- Stronger oversight to meet consumer demand, protect against fraud, and ensure the integrity of organic products.
- Improved infrastructure that addresses the farm-level, manufacturing, and market bottlenecks in organic.
- Organic education, including the environmental, economic, animal welfare, and social benefits of our integrated approach to production, to help sales of American organic products both domestically and abroad.
- Increased investment in organic research, especially that which supports farmers in the field as well as sustainability initiatives that expand the benefits of organic
As we kick off our fifth decade, we’re stepping into a new era of opportunity and action. With the strength of the OTA Board, our staff, and our growing membership, we have the people and purpose to grow organic while ensuring we manage the challenges along the way.
You can count on us to remain committed to strengthening our collective voice, fostering collaboration across the organic supply chain, and deepening connections within our community.
None of this would be possible without our Members - you are the heart and soul of OTA.
With appreciation, gratitude and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2026,
Matthew and Tom
