Join us to learn about the issues defining organic during regularly scheduled monthly webinars.
The Organic Trade Association is your source for organic industry news and information. With its expert staff, board and member communities, the Organic Trade Association and The Organic Center are uniquely positioned to keep you informed on the regulatory, scientific, and business conversations at the heart of organic. Most Webinars are offered free to members as a trade association benefit. Learn more about our previously completed webinars.
If your organization is not a member or you are unsure about your organization's membership status, please email Danielle Cote.
Organic 101 for the Produce Community
March 18, 2020 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern
New to the organic industry? Join us to learn the basics of what the organic label does (and doesn't) mean, how it is enforced, and why it is the gold standard for food around the world. This session will examine the full supply chain – from farming, to post-harvest handling and transportation to retail receiving and merchandising. We will discuss organic regulations, as well as best practices that have been proven most successful with retailers and shoppers.
- Presenters:
- Brian Dey, Sr. Merchandiser & Natural Stores Coordinator, Four Seasons Produce
- Mike Dill, Food Safety & Compliance Manager, Organically Grown Company
- Logan Petrey, Grower, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic
- Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association
Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registration: $149
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Board of Directors Election Webinar: Meet the Candidates
March 31, 2020 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members – representing more than 9,500 organic businesses throughout all portions of the supply chain. Board elections are a unique opportunity for our members to decide – one vote per member organization – the future leaders of the organization. Join us for this interactive Webinar to learn more about the process, and meet the candidates vying for the five open seats. Learn more about the 2020 slate on February 26 when we announce it in the News Flash.
- Presenters:
- Laura Batcha, Executive Director / CEO, Organic Trade Association
- Ben Diesl, VP of Quality Assurance, Grimmway Farms / Cal-Organic
Available to OTA members only
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Legislative Watch: A Recap of 2019 Achievements, and a Look Ahead to 2020
Recording available on demand
It was a busy year for organic in Washington. It was a busy year for organic in Washington. Our Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions, Megan DeBates, was joined by Britt Lundgren of Stonyfield Farm and Aaron Schier of National Farmers Union, where they discussed important legislative advancements for organic over the last year, provide Farm Bill implementation updates, and explore other hot button issues important to the world of agriculture policy including climate change, international trade, and agriculture labor reform.
- Presenters:
- Megan DeBates, Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions, Organic Trade Association
- Britt Lundgren, Director of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, Stonyfield Farm, Inc.
- Aaron Shier, Government Relations Representative, National Farmers Union
Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registration: $149
REGISTER
New Rules: Requirements for Use of Organic Flavors
Recording available on demand
New requirements for use of organic flavors in certified organic processed foods became effective on December 27, 2019. In this session, attendees will get a first look at new industry guidance from Organic Trade Association. Learn how the regulatory change came about, how commercially availability is defined, and gain an understanding of the process and documentation necessary to comply with the new requirements.
- Presenters:
- Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, Organic Trade Association
- Kim Dietz, Business Development DIrector, Organics, Extracts, and Sustainability, Firmenich, Inc.
- Alexis Randolph, Senior Technical Manager, Quality Assurance International (QAI)
- Jeff Rakity, Senior VP Organic Sales, Brookside Flavors
Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registration: $149
REGISTER
Organic 101
Recording available on demand
New to the organic industry? Join us to learn the basics of what the organic label does (and doesn’t) mean, how it is enforced, and why it is the gold standard for food the world around.
- Presenters:
- Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy DIrector, Organic Trade Association
- Mike Dill, Food Safety & Compliance Manager, Organically Grown Company
- Ann Marie Hourigan, Quality Standards Principal Advisor for Agricultural Programs, Whole Foods Market
- Nate Powell-Palm, Farmer/Rancher, Cold Springs Organics
Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registration: $149
REGISTER
Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions
Recording available on demand
Following an extensive pilot project to detect and prevent fraud in the global organic supply chain, Organic Trade Association has launched a comprehensive program and toolkit for the organic community. Learn about the best practices in fraud prevention to keep your supply chain strong from seed to shelf in this recorded webinar.
- Presenters:
- Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, Organic Trade Association
- Dr. John Spink, Director and Associate Professor of the Food Fraud Initiative at Michigan State University
Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registration: $149
REGISTER
Retail Intel: Best Labeling Practices for Organic Non-Food Products
Recording available on demand
Shoppers trust retailers to offer high quality products with strong organic integrity. Labeling requirements are very different when it comes to non-food organic products such as fiber, personal care and household cleaners. Don’t get lost in the gray area! Gwendolyn Wyard and Angela Jagiello helped break down the labeling landscape and help you to know what to look for to assure you are providing a full complement of trusted of organic products throughout your shop.
- Presenters:
- Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs, Organic Trade Association
- Angela Jagiello, Director of Education and Insights, Organic Trade Association
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Citrus Greening Disease - the Quest for an Organic Management Solution
Recording available on demand
Citrus Greening is a devastating disease affecting citrus around the world – though Florida citrus has been particularly hard hit. Infected trees are unable to extract the nutrients they need from soil, resulting in severely compromised yields and fruit that is unsuitable for sale. Until now, most of the protocols used to fight the spread of the disease have not been compliant with organic regulations. The Organic Center has collaborated with University of Florida researchers to publish a study that outlines a rigorous, multi-faceted approach to protecting citrus trees in organic systems. The paper is based on a review of existing literature, previously unpublished research and grower observations. Our panel of experts will discuss the effect Citrus Greening Disease has had on the Florida citrus industry (especially in organic), and will give a high-level overview of the paper’s findings.
- Presenters:
- Amber Sciligo, PhD, Science Program Manager, The Organic Center
- Ellen Cochrane, MS, University of Florida
Available on demand to all
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The Benefits of Organic Dairy
Recording available on demand
Learn about a new study published in Public Health Nutrition, by Emory University, in collaboration with The Organic Center, which shows that choosing organic is an easy way to avoid pesticide, antibiotic, and synthetic growth hormone residues in milk. Researchers tested conventional and organic milk from store shelves across 9 regions of the U.S. and found that a majority of conventional milk samples tested positive for residues of antibiotics and currently used controversial pesticides, while organic milk tested clean.
- Presenter:
- Jessica Shade, PhD, Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center
Available on demand to all
REGISTER
The Biodiversity Calculator - A Simple Tool for Tracking & Managing Biodiversity for NOP Compliance
Recording available on demand
Biodiversity is critical for healthy, functioning organic farms, and is central to the NOP Guidance on Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation. However, the burden of designing and implementing biodiversity plans still falls on the farmer. This workshop will highlight a new, farmer-friendly tool that can aid farmers in technical decisions to increase on-farm biodiversity and comply with the new guidance.
- Presenters:
- Jessica Shade, PhD, Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center
- John E. Quinn, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, Furman University
Available on demand for all
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Webinar Key:
Organic Trade Association programming
The Organic Center programming
International programming