Organic Industry Event

The Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) will host the 2019 MOSES Organic Farming Conference February 21-23 in La Crosse, WI. This Conference is the largest event in the U.S. about organic and sustainable farming, offering 66 workshops over 6 sessions, inspiring keynotes, engaging roundtables, and a resource-packed exhibit hall with over 170 vendors. Organic University, day 1 of the conference, provides full-day courses that dig deeper into specific farming topics.

Melody Meyer, founder of Source Organic, will present the following sessions at the Conference on behalf of the Organic Trade Association. 

International Trade | Friday, February 22, 3:30pm

Speaker: Melody Meyer

The global organic marketplace is constantly shifting, making your farm products more or less desirable. Gain an understanding of the global marketplace and learn how to interpret its forecast so you can make better decisions about what to grow and market.

Organic Check-Off | Saturday, February 23, 8:30am

Speakers: Melody Meyer, Jim Riddle, Kathleen Delate

Since the USDA halted a mandatory organic check-off to fund research and promotion of organic, members of the organic sector are looking at a voluntary check-off program called GRO Organic. Learn about this option and hear different perspectives on the need for organic research, promotion, and consumer education. Weigh in with your own “big idea” to advance organic.

The Organic Center's Science Project Manager, Amber Sciligo, will be presenting the following session at the Conference:

Beyond Till vs No-Till | Saturday, February 23, 10:30am

Speaker: Amber Sciligo

Intensive agriculture practices have depleted our soils and accelerated climate change, but the good news is practices employed by organic farmers can rebuild soil. Learn about cutting-edge research on organic’s soil-building potential and strategies you can use on your farm to help mitigate climate change.

For more information, contact Adrienne Messe.

Conference Information: 

February 21-23, 2019

La Crosse Center

La Crosse, WI

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Organic Agriculture Research Forum will be taking place on February 16, 2019 in Portland, Oregon, in partnership with Organicology. The day-long forum will feature innovative presentations from researchers across all disciplines related to organic farming and food systems. The intent of the forum is to share the most current information with farmers, ranchers, extensionists, educators, agricultural professionals, and others interested in organic agriculture.

Jessica Shade, The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs, will be speaking at the Forum about The Organic Center's work with examining the impacts of organic on climate change. Jessica will speak on a climate change panel from 1:30pm-1:50pm discussing the real impact of organic agriculture on climate change, and adjusting LCA data to more fully account for organic systems.

For more information, contact Jessica Shade. 

Forum Information:

February 16, 2019

Hilton Portland Downtown

Portland, OR

The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Exposition & Conference (GOPEX) provides a forum to meet the rapidly changing needs of professionals who grow, distribute, pack and market organic produce. This international trade show and conference provides the ideal opportunity for organic produce professionals from around the world to network, exchange ideas, source new products and services, and do business with the industry's leading growers, distributors, packers, marketers and retailers.

The Organic Trade Association is organizing a keynote and two panel discussions at the Conference on February 1, 2019. More details on each session below, and for more information contact Angela Jagiello. 

Keynote Speaker - Shannon Allen 

8:45am - 9:45am

Shannon Allen is the creator of grown™ and a hardworking mom-on-the-go. She lives in Miami with her husband, Ray Allen, two-time NBA champion, and their five children. grown’s restaurant concept evolved after searching unsuccessfully for an organic, nutrient dense meal on-the-go for her children.

The Organic Center Presents: For Growers: Breeding for flavor

11:00am - 11:50am

Hear from cutting-edge researchers about what’s possible when seed breeders expand their focus beyond yield and transportability as primary desirable traits and begin selecting for other qualities, such as flavor, nutrition and resilience to weather and pest pressures. Discussion Leader: Amber Sciligo, Science Program Manager, The Organic Center

The Organic Center Presents: Combatting Citrus Greening Disease in Organic Systems

1:30pm - 2:20pm

Citrus Greening is a devastating disease affecting citrus around the world – though Florida citrus has been particularly hard hit. Infected trees are unable to extract the nutrients they need from soil, resulting in severely compromised yields and fruit that is unsuitable for sale. Until now, most of the protocols used to fight the spread of the disease have not been compliant with organic regulations. The Organic Center has collaborated with University of Florida researchers to publish a study that outlines a rigorous, multi-faceted approach to protecting citrus trees in organic systems. The paper is based on a review of existing literature, previously unpublished research and grower observations. Our panel of experts will discuss the effect Citrus Greening Disease has had on the Florida citrus industry (especially in organic), and will give a high-level overview of the paper’s findings. The discussion will be led by Amber Sciligo, PhD, Science Program Manager, The Organic Center. Panelists include: Marty Mesh, Organic Visionary, Found Florida Organic Growers, Ben McLean, Head of Research, Uncle Matt's Organic, Inc.

Conference Information:

January 31 - February 2, 2019

Diplomat Beach Resort

Hollywood, FL

“Growing Locally, Selling Globally” is the theme of USDA’s 95th Agricultural Outlook Forum. The Feb. 21-22 conference will feature sessions on global trade trends, innovations in agriculture, developments in animal and crop biotechnology and frontiers in conservation as well as the 2019 outlooks for food and commodity markets.

Organic is on the agenda on Friday February 22 at 2:45pm. Catherine Greene, Senior Agricultural Economist, ERS-USDA,will present the U.S. Outlook for Organic Agriculture, discussing consumer demand for organic food, and examine market trends and outlook for U.S. organic grains, dairy, poultry and specialty crops. Click here to review the full Forum agenda. 

Conference Information:

February 21-22, 2019

Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel 

Arlington, VA

The 2018 Iowa Organic Conference is taking place November 18-19, 2018 in Iowa City. The theme of the 2018 Conference is Building Soils and Society: Assuring Sustainability through Organic Farming. Click here for a full schedule of presentations.

Megan DeBates, the Organic Trade Association's Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions, alongside Roz Lehman from the Iowa Organic Association, will be presenting an Organic Trade and Farm Bill Update at the Conference on Monday, November 19 from 10:30am - 12:00pm. For more information, contact Megan DeBates. 

Conference Information: 

November 18-19, 2018

Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa 

The 2018 Montana Organic Association Conference will be a gathering of diverse but like-minded people who have dedicated themselves to living by organic standards that convey trust and transparency to the consumer. They will come together to share their stories, learn from each other and confront the many challenges that face them at this time in history. The Conference will present more than 40 speakers over the three-day conference. 

The Organic Trade Association's Farm Policy Director, Johanna Mirenda, will be speaking at the following sessions during the 2018 Montana Organic Association Conference. For more information, contact Johanna Mirenda. 

2018 Farm Bill Panel – What’s at Stake?, (During Lunch), Friday, 11:45 AM – 12:35 PM

Panelists: Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association;  Aaron Shier, Government Relations Representative, National Farmers Union; Alyssa Charney, Senior Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition;  Alison Vergeront, Agriculture Liaison & Field Representative for Senator Daines; Jesse Anderson, Agriculture Liaison for Senator Tester

Panelists will provide an update on 2018 Farm Bill negotiations. The House and Senate have both passed their respective drafts of the next farm bill and began working to negotiate the differences between the two bills, but the 2014 Farm Bill expired on September 30 without a new bill passed or an extension of current law. As farm bill negotiators continue to work to pass a new bill by the end of the year, there is a lot at stake for organic farmers and ranchers across the country. Panelists will include policy experts from the Organic Trade Association (OTA), National Farmers Union (NFU), and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), who will provide their analysis and insight regarding opportunities, challenges, and a path forward for the 2018 Farm Bill. The panel will also include presentations from the agriculture liaisons for Senator Daines and Senator Tester, who will speak to the importance of the next farm bill for Montana’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

 

Policy Updates and Emerging Programs that Matter to Montana Organic Farmers, Saturday, 8:00 AM – 9:50 AM (2 sessions)

Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association

Panelists include Doug Crabtree (Vilicus Farms), Kiki Hubbard (Organic Seed Alliance), and Anders Gurda (Pipeline Foods)

Organic Trade Association (OTA) staff and representatives of OTA member community groups will present the highlights of OTA’s current policy platform and priority initiatives. Panelists will share stories of how OTA’s policy agenda supports, and is shaped by, organic farmers. Featured topics will include: promoting organic priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill; overcoming challenges in organic grain supply chains; continuous improvement of organic seed usage; and strengthening organic animal welfare regulations.

 

Conference Information:

December 6-8, 2018

Mansfield Center

Great Falls, Montana 

The next edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit will feature plant-based foods, sustainable ingredients, and green marketing. The ninth North American edition of this executive summit will take place January 16-17, 2019 in San Francisco. With growing interest in plant-based alternatives to livestock products, the summit discusses the future direction of plant-based foods. 

Plant-based alternatives to meat & dairy products are gaining popularity, with some arguing the future of sustainable foods is intricately linked to such products. What is future outlook for vegan & plant-based foods? What are opportunities in the North American market? These questions will be addressed in the upcoming Sustainable Foods Summit.

Representing Organic Trade Association at the Summit, Melody Meyer will speak January 16th about how organic businesses are striving for continuous improvement. Meyer will provide a market update, and discuss a number of fronts in which the label – already the gold standard for agricultural stewardship and processing standards the world around – continues to innovate in areas of soil health, climate change mitigation and other sustainability measures, and private sector initiatives that push the trade forward, including those that create and assure supply chain integrity.

The panel is titled "Going Beyond Organic: Regenerative Agriculture". The panel will be lead by Jeff Moyer, Executive Director of Rodale Institute, and takes place Wednesday January 16 from 10:10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. For more information, contact Angela Jagiello.

Summit Information:

January 16-17, 2019

Hotel San Francisco Financial District

San Francisco, CA

Anuga, taking place October 5-9, 2019 in Cologne, Germany, is the largest trade fair in the world and the most important industry meeting point. In 2017, there were 7,405 exhibitors and around 165,000 visitors at the show. With ten trade shows, an informative event program and the largest participation of exhibitors, 2019 is shaping up to be the number one event again.

The Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion at the show for U.S. organic companies. If you are interested in participating or connecting at the show, contact OTA's International Trade Manager, Alexis Carey! 

Trade Show Information:

October 5-9, 2019

Cologne, Germany