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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

May 2021

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VIRTUAL Trade Mission to Australia & New Zealand

VIRTUAL Trade Mission to Australia & New Zealand

Monday, May 10, 2021 - 9:00am to Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 5:00pm

Organic Trade Association will be hosting a Virtual Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand, taking place May 10-12, 2021, for a limited group of U.S. organic companies interested in expanding in those markets. If you are interested in participating, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager. 

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9:00am to 5:00pm
 
 
 
 
VIRTUAL American Spice Trade Association

VIRTUAL American Spice Trade Association

Monday, May 10, 2021 - 9:00pm to Thursday, May 13, 2021 - 5:00pm

The American Spice Trade Association, the voice of the U.S. spice industry in the global market, is hosting their conferenece online May 10-13, 2021. 

Gwendolyn Wyard, Organic Trade Association's Vice President, Regulatory & Technical Affairs, will be a featured expert in the "Ask the Export - Organic Regulations, EMA" session taking place Thursday, May 13, 2021, 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. EST. This “Ask the Expert” session is an informal opportunity for members to raise questions and discussion topics of interest on organic regulations. Come prepared with specific questions on organics.

9:00pm to 5:00pm
 
SFTA Council Dialogue for UN Food Systems Summit

SFTA Council Dialogue for UN Food Systems Summit

Monday, May 10, 2021 - 2:00pm

The Organic Trade Association’s Sustainable Food Trade Action (SFTA) Council is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and will be helping to bring diverse views to the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit by organizing the Independent Dialogue outlined below. This event, taking place virtually May 10th 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST, will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to look at the ways organic can be part of the solution. Paul Schiefer, Sr. Director of Sustainability at Amy's Kitchen & Chair of OTA's Sustainable Food Trade Action Council, will lead the conversation. Six small breakout discussions will take place to ensure a deep dive into separate issues. Facilitators of these breakout groups will be members of the SFTA Council:



Organic as a solution to meet increasing demands from consumers and global markets, to address environmental pressures, and to achieve the UN sustainable development goals.

1. Feeding the world -- Olga Borquez, Wholesum Family Farms

2. Human health and wellbeing – Kevin Lee, Dr. Bronner’s

3. Climate action – Britt Lundgren, Stonyfield Farm

4. Socially responsible economic growth -- Tracy Favre, Fig Hill Farm Consulting

5. International trade – Emily Musgrave, Driscoll’s

6. Innovation – Matt Landi, Awe Sum Organics



Join us and be a part of the solution. We are allocating seats for 60 diverse stakeholders that will include organic farmers, scientists, food manufacturers, organic fiber, nutritionists, international players, and more. Register now, we might not be able to accommodate everyone who expresses interest, we will start a waitlist once we reach 60 attendees.



By registering for this event you are committing to being available to attend and be an active contributor in this conversation on May 10th from 2:00-4:30 p.m. EST. If you’re interested in participating in this important dialogue but unavailable to attend on May 10th, please contact Adrienne Messe to stay informed of the outcomes.

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- 2:00pm
 
 
 
 
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Expo West Organic Day

Expo West Organic Day

Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - 2:00pm

Natural Products Expo West will be all virtual this year. Organic Day takes place Tuesday, May 25, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific/ 1 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern. 

Registration for the all virtual Expo West is complimentary for qualifying business types.


The Organic Center’s Virtual #OrganicBenefit Event

Join The Organic Center on May 26 at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET for our Organic Benefit Premiere from the comfort of your office, couch or kitchen. The premiere will feature organic recipe tutorial videos by Chef Megan Mitchell, the latest research behind organic food and farming from Dr. Jessica Shade, and an opportunity to dig deeper into your organic education! This premiere is open to all and there is no cost to participate. To join us at the premiere on May 26, simply grab your favorite organic beverage, follow this link, and settle in for a fun celebration of the (in)credible science behind organic. The Organic Center is also hosting a Twitter Party during the premiere, so be sure to participate (and encourage your consumer networks to join in) for a chance to win amazing organic giveaways from generous sponsors! 


Organic Education at Expo West

Surveying the Organic Landscape (10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern) A 15-minute keynote from Organic Trade Association CEO/Executive Director Laura Batcha will bring in topline 2021 market data, and touch on how climate, pandemic, and social issues intersect with organic. We will also discuss the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic initiative.

 

The Organic Center Presents: Impacts of Pesticides on Communities of Color (10:15 - 11 a.m. Pacific / 1:15 - 2 p.m. Eastern) Join Jessica Shade, The Organic Center’s Director of Science Programs, for an important conversation about the outsized and often hidden toll of the use of agricultural pesticides on communities of color. The discussion will incorporate a diversity of perspectives from those working directly in agriculture, and scientists examining the human and environmental effects of its practices. Panelists include Jade M. Algarín from USDA, Earcine Evans from Francis Flowers and Herbs, Brian Williams from Mississippi State University, and Javier Zamora from JSM Organics.



Organic Learning Salons (11 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific / 2 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern) Organic experts will host networking rooms with a focus. Have a question, or a topic you’d like to discuss with organic industry colleagues? Drop in for a half hour of conversation and connection.  

  • Organic Compliance & Fraud Prevention (with Gwendolyn Wyard and Adrienne Messe)
  • What’s New and Next in Fiber? (with Michael Twer and Angela Wartes-Kahl)
  • What is your Organic Brand’s Sustainability Plan? (with Lisa Braun)
  • What you need to know about changes to Organic Equivalence Arrangements (with Alexis Carey)
  • The Science Behind Organic (with Amber Sciligo)

Foreign Buyers’ Mission Meetings

The Organic Trade Association will again partner with Food Export Midwest to bring a diverse set of buyers to Expo West from around the world. We will be organizing 1 on 1 meetings for U.S. organic companies with buyers from a variety of foreign markets. Meetings will take place either in person or virtually. For more information on this Buyers Mission and OTA's other international activities contact Alexis Carey.


What’s new with organic? Visit our virtual booth to learn more!

Be sure to visit our booth in the Natural Products Expo West Spark Change Virtual Exhibits! Whether you are interested in discussing critical issues facing your organic business, checking out OTA’s global trade resources to help you expand your business overseas, or understanding what we're doing to elevate the footprint of organic on Capitol Hill, our knowledgeable staff is eager to connect with you. Contact Adrienne Messe to set up a meeting with us!

- 2:00pm
 
The Organic Center Virtual Benefit

The Organic Center Virtual Benefit

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 - 4:00pm

The Organic Center will hold the largest ever virtual organic celebration on May 26, 2021 to showcase the latest science on the environmental and health benefits of organic farming, food and products.

Organic industry leaders and consumers will come together for the virtual event to celebrate the (in)credible science behind organic. The celebration will feature inspiring keynote speeches, informative research updates and organic recipe tutorials with influencer watch parties, raffle prizes, and ways to support sponsor companies and engage in the work of The Organic Center.

“The Organic Center is committed to the pursuit and achievement of sound science for the public good. Its research empowers consumers and helps strengthen and expand sustainable farming to make organic even better by tackling critical issues like soil health, biodiversity and how organic can positively impact the environment and human health,” said Bob Kaake, Organic & Natural Technical Director at General Mills and member of The Organic Center’s Board of Trustees.

Kaake added: “By leading with science, The Organic Center is at the forefront showing how organic agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change. Please support The Organic Center so it can continue to provide ‘(In)credible Science, Credibly Sourced.’”

The virtual benefit will include live and pre-recorded program elements that feature the latest science on the environmental and health benefits of organic farming, food and products. With no cost to attend the event, the consumer audience is expected to be large and diverse.

Dr. Tyrone Hayes, groundbreaking biologist and activist, will be one of a handful of inspirational keynote speakers. Fan-favorite celebrity Chef Megan Mitchell will create video tutorials with custom recipes created from sponsor products. The virtual menu will be shared in advance so attendees can follow along from home.

The event will be held during Natural Products Expo West, and will be hosted on New Hope Network’s Natural Products Expo Virtual platform, which will also be the digital site for the organic and natural products community to access other virtual components of Natural Products Expo West. The Organic Center’s annual celebration has for 15 years been one of the most highly anticipated events at Expo, and is the single biggest fundraising event for The Organic Center.

“We are very excited about our new venue for our benefit in 2021, and the potential to tell organic’s amazing story to a bigger audience than ever before,” said Dr. Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to do things in new ways, and it’s made organic, and the research on organic, even more important.”

“At Organic Valley, we know the world needs more organic food. Research from The Organic Center shows the benefits of organic food and farming, and is essential to debunking myths and maintaining trust in the Organic seal. As a TOC board member, I believe funding this research is critical. The Organic Center continues to conduct and support innovative research on organic animal care, climate-smart farming practices, and more,” stressed Logan Peterman, Agricultural Data Scientist for Organic Valley and trustee for The Organic Center.

Current sponsors for the 2021 event are Albert Lea Seed House, Aurora Organic Dairy, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, Danone, Firmenich, Lundberg Family Farms, New Hope Network, Organic Valley, Presence Marketing, Rogue Creamery and Whole Foods Market.

There are six levels of sponsorship available. Contributions support The Organic Center’s work and allow it to continue to be THE trusted resource for scientific reporting on agriculture and food. For details on how to be one of the benefits sponsors, contact Douglas Korb.

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OTA Calendar