Healthy soils are essential for resilient crop production and supporting our ecosystem. Unfortunately, soils in the United States are being degraded by unsustainable agricultural practices. Techniques used by organic farmers can help stop soil health degradation, or even restore soil health in previously degraded soils, because they replenish soil organic carbon and preserve underground biodiversity. However, the specific impacts of organic practices on soil health are not well understood.  Broad surveys of soil health comparing organic and conventional systems consistently show the benefits of organic farming, but rarely compare strategies within organic systems to understand where these benefits arise, or how they can be maximized. This webinar will look at new research on the benefits of organic farming to soil health and climate change mitigation, and specific organic soil-building practices to illuminate strategies that have the biggest impacts on soil health.

Presenters:

• Amber Sciligo, PhD, Associate Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center
• Kate Tully, PhD, Assistant Professor of Agroecology, University of Maryland

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*Open to all

Join us for our signature policymaking event, Organic Week in Washington, D.C. at the Intercontinental at the Wharf on D.C.'s waterfront from three days of advocacy and countless connections.

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JUNE 8-10, 2020 | INTERCONTINENTAL - AT THE WHARF ON D.C.’s WATERFRONT

THREE DAYS. ONE LOCATION. COUNTLESS CONNECTIONS.

We have to plan for a successful organic future and we need you involved! This is a critical time for the organic sector. The Organic Trade Association’s Organic Week in Washington, D.C. is all about the future of organic. Join us for 72-hours in the nation’s capital to work on solutions for the complex issues surrounding organic food and farming. We will focus on continuous improvement in organic, celebrate organic leaders, and lay the groundwork to advance organic policy priorities. 

This year the Organic Trade Association’s unprecedented partnership with Food Tank promises to bring to the forefront the complex issues surrounding organic food and farming. You’ll learn what’s really at stake and how to help shape decisions made in Washington that directly impact organic. Organic Week is a place of discovery, collaboration and advocacy for farmers to retailers and everyone in between looking for clarity on what’s happening now and how to prepare for the future.

THREE DAYS

Day 1 will have you rolling up your sleeves and finding solutions (Monday, June 8)
MEMBER DAY starts with a workshop on repairing the public-private partnership and advancing continuous improvement in organic. It’s been 30 years since Congress passed the law that established the national organic program. What should the future of organic look like for the next 30 years? A day of roundtable discussions and thought provoking breakouts will be finished off by a networking reception and celebratory dinner honoring our inspirational Leadership Award winners.

Day 2 will leave you inspired (Tuesday, June 9)
CONFERENCE DAY, in partnership with Food Tank, will deliver a powerful collaboration that promises to bring to the forefront the complex issues surrounding organic food and farming. It will facilitate open and thoughtful discussions by organic industry leaders, policy experts, organic farmers, retailers and everyone in between looking for clarity on what’s happening now, how to prepare for the future and how to continue advancing organic. This is the first Food Tank summit focused exclusively on organic agriculture.

Day 3 will have you on your feet (Wednesday, June 10)
ADVOCACY DAY is a meaningful way to lend your voice and help educate the nation’s top policymakers on the importance of organic. Members will work in small teams to attend hundreds of pre-scheduled meetings across Capitol Hill. We’ll toast a full day of advocating for organic with cocktails and appetizers, side by side with policy makers, during our Congressional Reception.

Monday’s Member Day workshops and Wednesday’s Advocacy Day meetings are offered exclusively to Organic Trade Association Members. To learn more about the many benefits of membership contact the Organic Trade Association.

ONE LOCATION

The InterContinental at the Wharf in Washington, D.C. is the Organic Week headquarters hotel where all activities will be based. Book our Residency Package to enhance your opportunities to meet with colleagues, share experiences and enjoy the convenience of one central location (that’s right, no Uber’s needed).

Ranked #1 on Conde Nast Traveler's best D.C. hotels, the InterContinental is located on the Potomac River with incredible views in D.C.’s recently revitalized Southwest waterfront promenade. Organic Week attendees will settle in to this beautiful location to learn together and work together.  You will be steps away from award winning restaurants and bars, recreational activities, a newly opened concert hall and D.C.’s original fish market. When you book the Organic Week Residency Package, you get luxurious accommodations and tremendous convenience. All workshops, meetings, and conference sessions will be held on-site, making it easy to return to your room for breaks (or work).

The Organic Week Residency Package gives you the VIP experience and full access to: Member Day Workshops + Leadership Awards Dinner + Annual Membership Meeting + Conference Day + Advocacy Day + Congressional Reception + 4 nights’ at the InterContinental + all organic food and beverage.

COUNTLESS CONNECTIONS

Organic Week in Washington D.C. is a one of a kind opportunity to gain strategic insights, new advocacy tools and valuable personal connections. There will be countless opportunities for connecting with attendees and sponsors whether at the rooftop pool, the hotel bar, or during our exclusive networking breakfasts.
Join us for the event that unites the entire organic sector to take action on issues at the forefront of organic food, agriculture and trade priorities.

Registration is OPEN. Interested in sponsorship? Contact Cassandra Christine, Organic Trade Association's Director of Industry Relations, to learn more about Organic Week 2020 sponsorship opportunities. 

A growing body of science shows that organic farming supports more biodiversity and can bring in more income than conventional farming, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of using organic practices. What is less understood is how these benefits are affected by the farming landscape around organic operations. Join Amber Sciligo, Associate Director of Science Programs at The Organic Center, who will be joined by two of the senior authors of a recently published meta-analysis, where you can learn about more about the study’s findings and these benefits from organic practices. 

Presenters: 

• Amber Sciligo, PhD, Associate Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center
• David W. Crowder, PhD, Associate Professor of Entomology, Washington State University
• Olivia M. Smith, MS, PhD Candidate in Entomology, Washington State University

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*Open to all

 SIAL Canada has been postponed due to COVID-19 and will now take place August 5-7, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. SIAL Canada is now the only event of its scale in Canada, with more than 1,000 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries hosting over 18,500 buyers from Canada, the U.S., and 60 other countries. SIAL Canada is the only national trade show that offers a complete range of food products under one roof to meet your customers’ expectations. Whether you work in the retail, catering or food processing industry, or you’re simply looking for new and innovative products or regional specialties from around the world, you’ll find exactly what you need right here.

Organic Trade Association will be hosting a pavilion of U.S. organic companies at the show in 2020! The registration fee for new exhibitors is $600, and $800 for return participants. Because we have limited space at this event, each application is subject to approval. Participation is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note only processed product / ingredient suppliers will be accepted for this show. Register here! Contact Organic Trade Association's International Trade Manager, Alexis Carey, for additional information. 

Your registration fee includes:

(1) round trip economy flight to Montreal (booked through an Organic Trade Association travel agent),
(1) single hotel room for the duration of the activity,
(1) 1m table top counter display within the Organic Trade Association booth in the USA pavilion,
Logo screening and other marketing materials,
and (1) group dinner and buyer dinner support.
Please note that all other expenses, such as meals, samples, shipping costs, and the cost to and from the airport, are at the participants' own expense.

Organic Trade Association Pavilion Exhibit Information: 

SIAL Canada
Location: Montreal, Canada
Show site: Palais des congres de Montreal
Show Dates:  April 15th - April 17th
Arrive in Montreal: April 13th
Departure: April 17th or 18th

The Organic World Congress (OWC) is taking place September 21-27, 2020 in Rennes, France. 

The organic sector assembles to host the Organic World Congress (OWC), the world’s largest organic gathering, every three years. Drawing from the motto, ‘From its Roots, Organic Inspires Life‘, OWC 2020 will aim to provide organic and likeminded stakeholders working toward sustainable agriculture, value chains, and consumption with an opportunity to exchange their knowledge, innovations, and experiences. The congress offers momentum and inspiration to all who take part and is seen as a leading event for the global organic sector.

Organic Trade Association staff will be attending the Organic World Congress, as well as participating in some of the sessions. Check back soon for more details on 2020 session topics! 

For more informatoin, contact Angela Jagiello, Organic Trade Association's Director of Education & Insights. 

SIAL Paris is taking place October 18-22, 2020 in Paris, France. SIAL Paris is the worlds largest food innovation exhibition. 

Organic Trade Assocation will be hosting a pavilion of 8 U.S. organic companies at SIAL Paris 2020. The registration fee new exhibitors is $600 and for $1,000 for returning exhibitors. Because we have limited space at this event, each application is subject to approval. Participation is based on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to new exhibitors. Contact Alexis Carey, Organic Trade Association's International Trade Manager, if you are interested in participating! 

The participation fee includes:

(1) round trip economy flight to Paris (booked through an Organic Trade Association travel agent),
(1) single hotel room for the duration of the activity,
(1) 1m table top counter display within the Organic Trade Association booth in the USA pavilion,
Logo screening and other marketing materials,
An interpreter shared among exhibitors
(1) group dinner and buyer dinner support.
Please note that all other expenses, such as meals, samples, shipping costs, and the cost to and from the airport, are at your own cost.

SIAL Paris Information:
Location: Paris, France
Show site: Parc de expositions Paris Nord Villepinte
Show Dates:  October 18th - October 22nd
Arrive in Paris: October 16th or 17th
Depart Paris: October 23rd