Spring 2022 ORGANIC REPORT 42 organic farmers received adequate support in federal COVID relief efforts. In June, FAC hosted a listening session for USDA leadership on priorities for future investment in support of organic transition. Members have started offering insights on critical issues such as agricultural workforce safety, organic certification cost-share, crop insurance, and conservation programs, which will help shape OTA’s farm bill platform development in 2022. X With nearly 50 member organizations participating on our Fiber Council, members attended quarterly meetings that kept everyone connected through roundtable updates celebrating the successes and challenges members faced across the supply chain. These updates always result in great discussions, sharing, and networking—at a social distance! In February, the Council co-hosted an information-rich webinar with The Organic Center presenting research into the environmental footprint of organic cotton funded by Fiber Council members in 2019 undertaken in collaboration with Iowa State University. X In July, six members co-hosted an Organic Textile Twitter Party with Organic Voices, reaching thousands of consumers and influencers. Members continue to prioritize research, education, and communication, which this year included updating their Organic Cotton Fact Sheet with the latest production and market data, and collaborating with the Dietary Supplements Council on a one-pager on organic hemp production published at OTA.com/hemp. The council continues to add new members every year from across the supply chain, with ambitious goals for 2022 membership and work. X Members of the Grain, Pulse, and Oilseed Council represent the entire supply chain from growers to processors to manufacturers. This past year, they elected and seated new officers who collectively represent the organic grain sector from seed to feed to food. Over the year, they received technical policy briefings on critical international trade issues impacting the U.S. supply of organic soybean meal. They also engaged in a series of roundtable discussions on business and industry updates, inspirational organic moments, and impacts from COVID-19 on grain production and supply chain issues. Following the election of new officers for the council, they are finalizing efforts for another aspiring 2022 work plan. XAs a community of diverse stakeholders across the organic produce value chain, the Produce Council had an exciting first full year of work in 2021. Members prioritized technical policy briefings on regulatory and legislative issues during meetings, including briefings on a petition to prohibit ammonia extract, USDA’s plans for an organic transition program, and outcomes on the latest hydroponics lawsuit. Like many other sectors, they engaged in a roundtable discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on production and supply chain issues, such as accessibility of farmworkers to PPE and vaccines, and other workforce safety priorities. In November they hosted a listening session for researchers from the University of Rhode Island and The Organic Center on food safety incongruities between NOP standards and third-party food safety requirements. A member survey identified that their geographic footprint reaches every U.S. state and nearly every continent, which will help identify opportunities for member recruitment and to promote council diversity and representation. X Our Retailer Council re-wrote the Good Organic Retail Practices (GORP) guide on how to sell organic products in 2021—first published by the trade more than 15 years ago. In addition to updates to regulations around how organic products should be handled and marketed at retail, the updated GORP guide contains new guidance for non-food organic products, as well as for online retailers. In August, the council hosted a webinar for members and prospects on GMOs, learning about the novel genetic technologies emerging that are transforming the food production industry. Council members anticipate releasing the revised GORP guide in 2022 and look forward to getting this vital information out to retailers across the country. X The Sustainable Food Trade Action Council consists of more than 50 sustainably minded businesses committed to strengthening the organic sector’s voice in work relating to sustainability and climate, and boosting the sector’s efforts to create an environmentally friendly, sustainable food system. In January 2021, the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA) consolidated with OTA to form the Sustainable Food Trade Action Council (SFTAC). Fourteen OTA members have joined this past year. In May, this newly formed council organized a UN Independent Dialogue on organic as a solution. The event was hosted by seven council members and brought more than 50 diverse stakeholders to look at the ways organic can help address hunger, poverty, climate change, and inequality. Throughout the year, members continued engagement in COMPASS Modules and Sustainability Reporting, tools that SFTA developed for organic businesses to build, measure and refine their sustainability programs. The council’s work in 2022 will prioritize continued advocacy, networking and thought leadership, education and communication, strategic partnerships, and more. With unique aims that guide their work, members of each council connected virtually to meet their ambitious work plans in another year filled with uncertainty. Whether a council had over 50 members represented at a meeting or fewer than 20, they gathered to share their time, passion, triumphs, and struggles while advocating for growth within their organic sector. If you have not yet, we encourage you to connect with your fellow organic advocates and ensure your voice is not on mute in 2022. Member communities are an invaluable opportunity for networking, education, and leadership at OTA and we need you at the table! Learn more about each at OTA.com/MemberCommunities. Member Communities
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