OTA serves as the voice of the U.S. organic industry on Capitol Hill. OTA staff at our Washington D.C. headquarters actively engages in day-to-day organic advocacy in conversations with policymakers, organizes an annual Policy Conference, and arranges member meetings with governmental agencies.
OTA fosters strategic alliances. Most recently, OTA has established a Farmers Advisory Council to formalize and improve two-way communication between OTA and organic producers, giving organic farmers a voice to directly influence OTA’s policy work.
OTA encourages research on the benefits of organic agriculture and products through its affiliation with The Organic Center.
OTA facilitates potential game-changing initiatives. OTA’s original role to establish organic standards in North America has evolved over the years, but still includes actively take part in shaping policies to protect and improve organic practices. Currently, OTA is facilitating the exploration of a potential Organic Checkoff program to further research for organic agriculture and promote the attributes of organic products.
OTA collects and shares data on the North American organic industry and on organic consumers. This invaluable information helps illustrate the positive economic impact of organic agriculture and products, and the importance of consumer choice in the marketplace.
OTA facilitates international organic trade. A cooperator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Programs, OTA develops export-focused promotional activities for U.S. organic companies. It has also taken part in discussions to facilitate trade equivalency talks with other countries.