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OTA Hosted Event

VIRTUAL Fly-In for Climate Action

Monday, September 21, 2020 - 9:00am to Friday, October 2, 2020 - 5:00pm

 

The Organic Trade Association's Virtual Fly-in for Climate Action is taking place September 21 - October 2, 2020!

The threat that climate change poses to our world, our ecosystem and our health demands bold policy solutions, and, as the devastating impacts of a warming Earth mount, the push for the development of robust and comprehensive federal climate policy is gaining traction. Organic agriculture can be a part of the solution and help tackle climate change through its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, store away huge amounts of carbon, and enable farmers to be resilient in an evolving climate.

Join the Organic Trade Association’s first virtual fly-in for climate action this fall. Over the course of two weeks, we will meet with dozens of House and Senate lawmakers and their staff and advocate for climate action before they break for an extended recess through election day. You will work in small teams with other Organic Trade Association members to attend a handful of pre-scheduled virtual meetings with federal lawmakers and their staff. These meetings will be scheduled to occur over the course of two weeks September 21-October 2. Thanks to our generous sponsors, registration for the event is FREE but you must be an Organic Trade Association member to participate. Not yet a member? Contact us to learn more about the many benefits of membership and gain full access to our events.

Meeting space is limited so you must register soon to secure your spot. Unlike our annual in-person advocacy day during Organic Week DC, this event is solely dedicated to the issue of climate change and only a handful of meetings with key lawmakers selected by OTA will be scheduled. 

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WEBINAR: Weathering the Economic Storm

Thursday, September 3, 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm

While many organic businesses have seen record demand during the COVID-19 crisis, others – particularly smaller companies, and those operating outside major categories – have struggled as retailers doubled down on entrenched brands, and shoppers all but ceased browsing. Our panel of experts will discuss the evolving market dynamics, provide guidance and explore solutions for entrepreneurial businesses. We will also share an update on available stimulus options for organic small companies. 

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Megan DeBates, Director of Legislative Affairs & Coalitions | Organic Trade Association
  • Gary Hirshberg, Founder | Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute
  • Jeff Crumpton, Manager of Retailer Reporting Solutions | SPINS
  • Michael Wall, Director of Farmer Services | Georgia Organics 
  • Angela Jagiello, Director of Education & Insights | Organic Trade Association (discussion leader)

REGISTER

Complimentary to OTA members 

Not-yet member registrations: $149

This webinar will be recorded. Register to be updated when the recording is available. 

Registration closes at 2 pm Eastern. If you register after 2 pm, we will provide you access to view the recording within 24 hours of its completion. 

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VIRTUAL Processed Products Trade Mission

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 10:00am to Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 11:00pm

The Organic Trade Association is excited to announce its first set of Virtual Trade Missions. Our second virtual trade event will be held over two days, and will feature organic buyers from across Asia, Europe, and the U.A.E. These virtual meetings will take place over the course of two days as follows:

Tuesday, September 22 | 10:00am-2:00pm ET (with European and U.A.E. buyers)

Wednesday, September 23 | 7:00pm - 11:00pm ET (with Asia buyers)

OTA will arrange 1 on 1 virtual meetings for you with buyers from these countries that are interested in your products. OTA does not guarantee the number of meetings you will have during this activity. To participate in these meetings, you will need to fill out the supplier information requested in this registration form, download or access Adobe Connect, and agree to be present online for the duration of your meetings (though they may not take up the entire 4-hour block). Registration is $75.00 per company for OTA to register you with the online platform and schedule meetings for you with interested companies. You will receive buyer profiles of the participating companies including contact information prior to your meetings. You must agree to fill out an evaluation form following the activity, which will be emailed to you right after the event. 

REGISTER HERE - Registration will close after August 14th. 

For all USDA MAP programs, all of the products you promote must be USDA certified organic, produced in the USA, and made of 51% or more of U.S. based ingredients either by value (cost of the ingredients) or volume (against overall weight of the product).  This is the federal USDA regulation for participation and part of declaration you agree to when signing up for Organic Trade Association activities.  All supplier participants must complete Organic Trade Association’s online evaluation following the activity and a 6 month follow-up evaluation. All participants must also agree to be available online for the entire meeting window. 

For any questions please contact Alexis Carey, Organic Trade Association's International Trade Manager. 

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Virtual Produce Trade Mission

Tuesday, September 1, 2020 - 7:00pm to 11:00pm

The Organic Trade Association is excited to announce its first set of Virtual Trade Missions! 

Our first virtual trade event will be held on September 1st, from 7:00pm - 11:00pm ET, and will feature organic produce buyers from across Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

OTA will arrange 1 on 1 virtual meetings for you with buyers from these countries that are interested in your products. OTA does not guarantee the number of meetings you will have during this activity.To participate in these meetings, you will need to fill out your supplier information in the online registration form, download or access Adobe Connect, and agree to be present online for the duration of your meetings (though they may not take up the entire 4-hour block). Registration is $75.00 per company for OTA to register you with the online platform and schedule meetings for you with interested companies. You will receive buyer profiles of the participating companies including contact information prior to your meetings. You must agree to fill out an evaluation form following the activity, which will be emailed to you right after the event.

REGISTER HERE - Registration will close after August 14th. 

For all USDA MAP programs, all of the products you promote must be USDA certified organic, produced in the USA, and made of 51% or more of U.S. based ingredients either by value (cost of the ingredients) or volume (against overall weight of the product).  This is the federal USDA regulation for participation and part of declaration you agree to when signing up for Organic Trade Association activities.  All supplier participants must complete Organic Trade Association’s onsite evaluation and a 6 month follow-up evaluation.

For any questions, please contact Alexis Carey, Organic Trade Association's International Trade Manager. 

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WEBINAR: U.S. Climate Policy & Organic Agriculture

Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm
The second in Organic Trade Association’s summer Webinar series on climate change will begin with a scientific grounding in the connections between organic practices and associated increases in soil carbon, and reductions in nitrogen pollution. From there, members of the trade association’s Board of Directors will share news about the Board’s recent work on policy principles to support organic as a key to mitigating climate change. Panelists will discuss legislation introduced in the U.S. House and Senate that prioritizes agricultural solutions, as well as a new report from the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
  • Esteemed Presenters:
  • Megan DeBates, Organic Trade Association (discussion leader)
  • Britt Lundgren, Stonyfield Organic
  • Avi Garbow, Patagonia Works
  • Jessica Shade, Ph.D., The Organic Center

Complimentary to OTA members

Not-yet member registrations: $149

REGISTER NOW

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WEBINAR: Organic & Climate – Breakthrough Progress in the EU

Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 11:00am to 12:15pm

As part of its effort to become climate neutral by 2050, the EU's Green Deal calls for 25% of Europe's agriculture to be transitioned to organic (nearly triple the current area) by 2030. Join us to learn more about this bold effort to create a fair, healthy and environmentally beneficial food system. We'll discuss how leaders in the organic movement were able to successfully advocate for organic's inclusion in this sweeping program. And we’ll hear from organic industry participants in the farming and processing/trade sector about priorities for specific action plans to implement and achieve the sustainability targets set out in the Green Deal’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies.

  • Esteemed Participants:
  • Ariane Lotti, Tenuta San Carlo Organic Farm
  • Silvia Schmidt, IFOAM Organics Europe 
  • Alexander Beck, Association of Organic Food Manufacturers eV (AoL)\
  • Johanna Mirenda, Organic Trade Association (Discussion Leader)

REGISTER NOW

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WEBINAR - COVID-19 and the Shifting Retail Landscape

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm

With a full quarter of results to draw from since the COVID-19 crisis began, we will take a look at how the retail landscape has changed. Where is the supply chain holding together, and where is it challenged? Which products and categories hold greater appeal with shoppers at this time? How have buying patterns changed since the initial panic purchasing began, and as a result of social distancing measures in stores?

Presenters & Moderator: 

  • Ryan Koory, Director of Economics, Mercaris
  • Steve Lutz, Senior Vice President, Category Partners
  • Erin Raese, Vice President of Marketing, SPINS
  • Angela Jagiello, Director of Education & Insights, Organic Trade Association (Moderator)

 

 

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WEBINAR - Labor Issues and COVID-19

Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm

 

Labor is one of the key inputs for the entire organic supply chain, beginning with the workers in the fields, continuing through the people working in packing, processing, distribution and retail. Given the current operating reality of COVID-19, learn how industry leaders are pivoting to practices that care for and protect their employees while ensuring a safe, available food supply. We'll also hear about labor availability, and receive an update on the processing of H2A visas.

Presenters:

  • John McKeon, Director of Organic Integrity and Compliance, Taylor Farms
  • Melissa R. O’Rourke, Attorney; Farm & Agribusiness Management Specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 
  • Craig Regelbrugge, Sr. Vice President, Advocacy and Research, AmericanHort 
  • Mike Resch, EVP of Administration and General Counsel, Amy’s Kitchen 
  • Matt Rogers, General Manager and Co-Founder, AgSocio

 

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WEBINAR: Organic Inspectors During COVID-19: Challenges & Solutions

Thursday, May 7, 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm

As the outbreak of the COVID-19 creates organic supply chain disruptions, so does the need for continuity of organic inspection operations. In this webinar, you will learn about the unique challenges of the organic sector and how the Organic Trade Association, the Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) are working together to ensure organic compliance and the integrity of the organic supply chain. Participants will learn about the best practices and inspection tools that are being used to conduct inspections and verify compliance while travel restrictions are in place. In addition, certified operators will learn how to best prepare for an on-site or remote audit.

SPEAKERS:

  • Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, OTA
  • Marni Karlin, Karlin Strategic Consulting, Principal
  • Garth Kahl, Independent Organic Services, Inc.; IOIA Inspector



Q&A with EXPERT PANELISTS:

  • Connie Karr, Certification Director, OTCO; ACA Board Chair
  • Brenda Book, Organic Program Manager, WSDA
  • Beth Rota, Policy and Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Certification Services; ACA Board Member
  • Lois Christie, Christie Organic Consultants; IOIA Board Chair
  • Garth Kahl, Independent Organic Services, Inc.; IOIA Inspector

 

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Organic Trade Association Spring Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

The Organic Trade Association Spring Board Meeting will take place on May 13, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST, and will be held as a phone conference.

The OTA Board of Directors typically meets as a full Board at least four times a year, two or three in-person meetings and one or two via teleconference. Each Board member serves on one of the three committees: Executive, Community Relations, or Governance.  Each committee typically meets once per month.

For more information, contact Stephanie Jerger.

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