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Honoring a Legacy of Leadership

From pioneering farmers and visionary entrepreneurs to dedicated advocates and changemakers, our past honorees represent the breadth and depth of the organic sector. Their work spans policy, research, business innovation, environmental stewardship, and social impact—collectively building a more resilient and equitable organic future.

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2025
  • Organic Champion: The Honorable Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture
  • Organic Lifetime Achievement: Albert Straus, Straus Family Creamery; and David Lively, Organically Grown Company  
  • Organic Farmers of the Year: Chris and Marcie Baugher, Baugher Ranch Organics
  • Organic Environmental Leadership: Charlotte Vallaeys, Principal, Vallaeys Consulting LLC    
  • Organic Trailblazer: Nicole Atchison, CEO, PURIS
  • Organic Social Impact: Tony Bedard, CEO, Frontier Co-op  

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2024
  • Organic Lifetime Achievement: George Siemon, Organic Valley
  • Organic Champion: The Honorable Jenny Lester Moffitt, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Organic Groundbreaker: Mac Ehrhardt, Albert Lea Seed
  • Organic Farmer of the Year: Larry Santos, Taylor Farming
  • Organic Climate Action: Renaud des Rosiers, Amy's Kitchen
  • Social Impact: Jyoti Stephens, Nature’s Path 

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2023

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2022
2020
  • Growing the Organic Community Award: Jim Wedeberg, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley
  • Rising Star Award: Meg Plucinski,  D&M Family Farm
  • Organic Farmer of the Year Award: Jeff Huckaby, Grimmway

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