The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to nurture safe, healthy, just, and ecologically sustainable farms, food systems, and communities by bringing people together for education, alliance building, advocacy, and celebration. EcoFarm Conference features over 70 workshops, intensives, keynote speakers, an exhibitor marketplace, seed swap, awards banquet, live entertainment, mixers, and organic culinary fare. Workshops cover practical and cutting edge information on crop production, livestock, soil health, marketing, distribution, and farming and food system issues. As the oldest and largest organic farming conference in the West, EcoFarm is a prime networking and educational hub for farmers, ranchers, distributors, retailers, activists, researchers, and educators. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard. 

The Organic Trade Association will be presenting in the following sessions at the Conference:

Organic Integrity in a Global Marketplace

Thursday, Jan. 25 - 8:30am Location: Chapel

Incredible growth in the organic marketplace is driving demand for organic crops sourced from around the world. The influx of organic imports is presenting new enforcement challenges and in 2017 the Washington Post highlighted some cases of fraud. While fraud is the exception, not the norm, any gap in oversight must be quickly addressed to protect organic producers and consumers. Join this session to learn how the National Organic Standards Board, organic certifiers and other stakeholders are working to establish new processes and best practices that will ensure the integrity of the global organic supply chain.

Speakers: Gwendolyn Wyard (OTA), Scott Rice (WSDA Organic), Jake Lewin (CCOF)

A Farm Bill For an Organic Future

Thursday, Jan. 25 - 3:30pm Location: Heather

Farm Bill is coming, and it will affect you! The Farm Bill is a defining piece of federal legislation that will frame the next five years of agriculture, conservation, social welfare, and other programs. Join organic policy experts to learn about this critical legislation and how organic advocates are working to build better policies and financial support for organic farmers and consumers in California and beyond. The session will highlight how farmers can get engaged by attending farmer fly-ins in D.C., meeting with elected representatives, and more.

Speakers: Laura Batcha (OTA), Kelly Damewood (CCOF), Brise Tencer (OFRF)

Meeting Information: 

January 24-27, 2018

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds 

Pacific Grove, CA

The Organic Trade Association will share the latest organic trade trends and export activity results for efforts in EU and Asia in an international trade webinar August 17 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Organic Trade Association member Ekowarehouse will give a non-U.S. global organic trade perspective, and introduce the Ekowarehouse platform and how it benefits both organic suppliers and buyers. In addition, Organic Trade Association member Magnis Group will discuss virtual employee options and optimizing social media for brand representation in Europe. Register to participate or contact Monique Marez for more information.

Are you ready for Expo East 2017? The Organic Trade Association will hold a special webinar entitled “What you need to succeed in organic: Regulatory 101” on Thursday, August 10, at 2 p.m EST.  The free webinar is open to all organic stakeholders, focusing on key issues for the best trade show experience. Join Organic Trade Association staffers Gwendolyn Wyard (Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs) and Monique Marez (Director of International Trade) as they discuss industry topics such as regulatory issues, international programs and trade show basics. Learn how the Organic Trade Association is working with businesses across the industry and how you can be trade-show ready for Expo East 2017. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard.

Register