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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

December 2021

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Organic Food Safety Listening Session at Organic Grower Summit

Organic Food Safety Listening Session at Organic Grower Summit

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - 8:30am to Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 5:45pm

The Organic Center is partnering with Organic Grower Summit, taking place Dec 1-2, 2021, to discuss incongruities between the National Organic Program (NOP) requirements buyer and third-party food safety requirements. The session, titled “Organic Food Safety Listening Session,” is scheduled for Dec 2 at 8 am PT, and is part of a USDA-funded project to address tensions between organic certification and food safety requirements. Join The Organic Center to add your voice to the dialogue.

8:30am to 5:45pm
 
 
 
 
Organic Confluences Conference: Connecting Organic and AgTech

Organic Confluences Conference: Connecting Organic and AgTech

Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 12:00pm to 5:00pm

The Organic Center is collaborating with the USDA ERS, California State University, Fresno, and Purdue University on a virtual conference series and hackathon examining agricultural technology (AgTech) in organic.

The conferences will examine potential opportunities for technology to support the organic sector, pitfalls when it comes to access and equity in AgTech, historical and current examples of AgTech exacerbating the pre-existing structures of racism in the food system, and methods for analyzing AgTech’s fit within organic ideals.

The two conferences will be virtual, followed by a hackathon, in collaboration with the Gathering for Open Ag Technology (GOAT), which will take place at the MOSES annual meeting with regional hubs throughout the US.

Feel free to participate in the virtual conferences even if you are not able to attend the hackathon! Register Now.

Location: Virtual

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, AFRI project #2020-67021-33116.

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- 12:00pm to 5:00pm
 
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Webinar: Black Farmer Justice: Past, Present, and Future

Webinar: Black Farmer Justice: Past, Present, and Future

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Black farmers have a rich history and promising future in the United States, even though the Black history of agriculture is often reduced to slavery and cotton plantations. In Farming While Black (2018), Leah Penniman argues that justice for Black people, farmers and otherwise, requires learning about Black histories of agriculture, creating new experiences in the natural world, and getting in touch with our food systems. With a panel of Black scholars, farmers, and activists, in this webinar we explore what justice for Black farmers is today, what it has been in the past, and what it can be in the future.

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Maya Allen, PhD Candidate in Botony | The University of New Mexico
  • Teona Williams, PhD Candidate in History | Yale University
  • Ashley Gripper, PhD Candidate in Environmental Epidemiology | Harvard University
  • Laquanda Dobson, Chef and Farming Activist
  • Jayson Porter, PhD candidate in History | Northwestern University & Social Justice Intern | The Organic Center (Discussion Leader)

Open for All

REGISTER

This Webinar will be recorded and shared on demand. Register to receive access to the resources and recording after the webinar.

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- 1:00pm to 2:00pm
 
 
 
 
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Future of Organic Workshop: National & DC coalition partners & organizations

Future of Organic Workshop: National & DC coalition partners & organizations

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 10:00am to 3:00pm

It has been 30 years since the Organic Foods Production Act was signed into law and while the organic sector has made many advancements, there is still much to be done to ensure the continued success of the organic movement and truly achieve the gold standard in food systems. The Organic Trade Association and the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University led by Dr. Kathleen Merrigan are embarking on a partnership to bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders that are vested in the continued success and growth of organic. 

This workshop is scheduled in person in Washington, D.C. for national & DC coalition partners & organizations.

* We are actively committed to safely gathering as an organic community for our in-person workshop in Washington, D.C. Our team is actively monitoring the evolving conditions. All protocols will be taken to ensure the safety of participants from COVID-19, and events and scheduling will remain as flexible as necessary to maintain a healthy and safe event. 

Apply to Join

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- 10:00am to 3:00pm
 
 
 
 
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OTA Calendar