Organic Week in Washington, D.C., is the Organic Trade Association’s signature event and the only one of its kind.

• It is a celebration of the organic supply chain. Everyone from small organic producers to major growers, from family-run organic operations to nationwide companies, from researchers and policy advocates to distributors and retailers will all come together to advance organic policy priorities.

• It is a week of education and advocacy. Join discussions on federal policy issues critical to our nation’s nearly $50 billion organic sector. Take action on issues at the forefront of organic food, agriculture and trade priorities. Make a difference in Washington, D.C., and bring tools to advance organic back to your home state.

• It is an unforgettable experience. Through keynote speeches by national thought leaders, inspiring moments from the business sector, and intimate networking opportunities, you will experience the impact of the organic sector in one powerful week.

Registration is now open for the 40th annual Provender Alliance Educational Conference to be held October 5-7 in Hood River, OR. The Organic Trade Association and The Organic Center will be present at this event. 

Gwendolyn Wyard, OTA's Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, and Nate Lewis, OTA's Farm Policy Director, will be giving a presentation titled "Shedding Light on the Controversial Shopping Basket." This session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on controversial organic issues including where each issue is at in the regulatory process and how shoppers can weigh in and make their voices heard. Topics will include hydroponics, animal welfare, aquaculture, natural flavors and GMO labeling. 

Dr. Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for the The Organic Center, will give a presentation titled "The Science Behind Organic: Recent Studies in Organic Research." This workshop will help to bridge the gap between science and the public by covering studies published in the last two years about the human health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture. 

For more details about the conference and to register, visit the Provender Alliance website.

The Organic Trade Association will host a seminar on organic equivalency in Switzerland. The Organic Center's Director of Science Programs Dr. Jessica Shade will present on the latest organic science. Following the seminar, OTA will host an all-organic pavilion featuring six OTA member companies at Sial Paris. To learn more contact OTA's Director of International Trade Monique Marez. 

Food 2.0: Investing in the Next Wave of Natural & Organic will take place June 7-9, 2016 at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Food manufacturers, companies & entrepreneurs, food service providers, distributors, food hubs, the investment community, consultants, lawyers and others will meet to assess the natural & organic food landscape and prospects.

OTA's Senior Director of Regulatory and Technical Affairs Gwendolyn Wyard will give a presentation on navigating the certification process, and will also sit on a panel discussing GMOs. To connect with OTA at the event, contact Gwendolyn.