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The OTA Calendar is full of events that are either organized or attended by OTA. We are pleased to organize and support dozens of events that advance organic agriculture and trade throughout the year. Some of these are signature OTA events hosted for members, while others are regional, national, or international conferences where OTA staff are featured keynotes and panelists. Whether we’re bringing the latest news and trends about the organic industry to diverse audiences, sponsoring business networking gatherings, or hosting listening sessions to gather feedback from the sector, you can count on OTA to be part of the action. 

OTA Hosted Event

July 2021

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WEBINAR: Managing Soil Amendments for Food Safety and Soil Health

WEBINAR: Managing Soil Amendments for Food Safety and Soil Health

Thursday, July 15, 2021 - 2:00pm

Join The Organic Center on Thursday, July 15, 2021 - 2:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Pacific, for a Webinar on Managing Soil Amendments for Food Safety and Soil Health

Soil amendment use is one option among a number of management practices that growers have to support plant growth and build healthy soils. Some soil amendments are biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and they are primarily used as a nutrient source and to build up organic matter in the soil. However, the use of BSAAO in produce production can present a microbial food safety risk by introducing human pathogens into the soil as well as the broader farm environment. This two-part webinar series will outline benefits and risk reduction practices when using manure, compost, and other BSAAO often used on produce farms. The relationship between these BSAAO recommendations and the requirements in the National Organic Program, Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, and third-party Good Agricultural Practices audits will also be explored. Both webinars will include a Q&A session at the end.  

As the first presentation in a two-part series, this session will introduce how the use of BSAAO improves soil health. Research on pathogen survival in BSAAO-amended soils will be presented, as well as how growers can minimize the risks of using untreated soil amendments through proper application, storage, handling, and recordkeeping practices. Other common practices will be introduced, including rotational grazing.

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Donna Pahl Clements, M.S., Product Safety Alliance's Southwest Regional Extension Associate | Cornell University
  • Elizabeth A. Bihn, Ph.D., Senior Extension Associate, Department of Food Science | Cornell University
  • Amber Sciligo, Ph.D., Associate Director of Science Programs | The Organic Center (Discussion Leader)

Open to all. This Webinar will be recorded and shared on demand approximately 2 business days following the presentation.

REGISTER NOW

 

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- 2:00pm
 
 
 
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WEBINAR: Science-Based Composting Practices

WEBINAR: Science-Based Composting Practices

Friday, July 23, 2021 - 12:00pm

Join The Organic Center on Friday, July 23, 2021 - 12:00 pm Eastern / 9:00 am Pacific for a Webinar on Science-Based Composting Practices. 

Soil amendment use is one option among a number of management practices that growers have to support plant growth and build healthy soils. Some soil amendments are biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and they are primarily used as a nutrient source and to build up organic matter in the soil. However, the use of BSAAO in produce production can present a microbial food safety risk by introducing human pathogens into the soil as well as the broader farm environment. This two-part webinar series will outline benefits and risk reduction practices when using manure, compost, and other BSAAO often used on produce farms. The relationship between these BSAAO recommendations and the requirements in the National Organic Program, Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, and third-party Good Agricultural Practices audits will also be explored. Both webinars will include a Q&A session at the end.  

The second presentation in the series will highlight science-based composting practices that growers can use to minimize microbial food safety risks while reaping the soil health and production benefits from the use of BSAAO. A discussion will follow about the treatment status and documentation requirements for other common BSAAO such as vermicompost, fish emulsion, and pelletized poultry litter.

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Donna Pahl Clements, M.S., Product Safety Alliance's Southwest Regional Extension Associate | Cornell University
  • Elizabeth A. Bihn, Ph.D., Senior Extension Associate, Department of Food Science | Cornell University
  • Amber Sciligo, Ph.D., Associate Director of Science Programs | The Organic Center (Discussion Leader)

Open to all. This Webinar will be recorded and shared on demand approximately 2 business days following the presentation.

REGISTER NOW

 

Event Type: 
- 12:00pm
 
 
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OTA Calendar