Organic Industry Event

Aroostook Organic Grain Promotion Day will be held November 11th at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center in Presque Isle, Maine. It will include a market overview, buyer introductions, opportunities for networking, and information about going organic, including infrastructure challenges and transition markets. Marni Karlin, OTA's Vice President of Government Affairs will be speaking about OTA's newly-formed Grain, Pulse and Oilseed Council . For more information, please contact Marni.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association & Northwest Horticultural Expo will be held December 7-9 in Yakima, WA. OTA's Senior Crops and Livestock Specialist, Nate Lewis, will be giving an update on the Organic Check-off  on December 8. Contact Nate to learn more. 

The Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Conference will be held November 18-19 in Kennewick, WA. OTA's Senior Crops and Livestock Specialist, Nate Lewis, will be speaking on National Policy and Regulatory Issues and participating on a panel: Market Opportunities for Organic Production in the Pacific Northwest on November 18. Contact Nate to learn more. 

The 10th Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit taking place this week in Minneapolis will include a one-day Organic and Non-GMO Forum. OTA will be participating, and will speak during two sessions. The first will be on “Organic & Non-GMO Dairy & Livestock: Challenges in Feed Supply and Production Practices.” In the second, OTA will take part in a panel discussion on “Can Industry Work Together to Support Farmers’ Right to Choose?” Nathanial Lewis will be representing OTA at the Forum.

The Juice Products Association Fall Business Meeting will be held in Chicago, IL from October 18-20. OTA's Vice President of Government Affiars Marni Karlin will be speaking. Please contact Marni if you're interested in connecting!

Supply Side West will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 5-9. SupplySide West is all about the exploration, discovery, innovation and marketing strategy around the development of finished consumer goods that drive the global business economy. 

OTA's Senior Director of Regulatory & Technical Affairs Gwendolyn Wyard will speak on a panel "GMOs and Supply Considerations" on October 8 from 9-11:00 a.m. at Level 3, Jasmine E.

Consumers and retailers alike are interested in non-GMO products, but suppliers and manufacturers have issues to address in terms of supply chain traceability and communication. In this two-hour panel discussion, we will address key issues around non-GMO ingredient sourcing and finished product development, including achieving compliance with variances related to sourcing inputs, what it takes to be compliant with non-GMO standards in North America, and verification considerations.

The Esca Bona Conference will be held in Austin, TX from October 26-28. What is Esca Bona? It's Latin for Good Food, and a gathering of good food’s renegades, challenging them to put on their game face and get their hands dirty to help overcome the monumental challenges we face in building a good food future for all. OTA's Membership Director Derek Mulhern will be in attendance to connect with OTA members. If you're interested in meeting with Derek, please contact him!

The Produce Marketing Association 2015 Fresh Summit is in Atlanta, GA from October 22-25. OTA's Membership Director Derek Mulhern will be in attendance to connect with OTA members. If you're in attendance and would like to learn more about membership with OTA, please contact Derek.