Introduction and Purpose
An Organic Leadership Award is the association’s highest honor. The award is given annually to an individual, inside or outside the organic industry, who has shown leadership and vision in furthering the goals of the organic movement. Traditionally, the award is presented at OTA’s Annual Awards Dinner.
General Criteria
OTA represents businesses across the organic supply chain—from farm to retail— and addresses all things organic, including food, fiber/textiles, personal care products, and new sectors as they develop. Nominees selected are current leaders in the organic movement, or recognized nationally for work in or relating to organic agriculture and trade.
In making an award, OTA has generally considered individuals who have:
- Demonstrated skill, innovation, personal commitment, leadership and vision beyond the professional competence and requirements of the position for which s/he was employed.
- Achieved identifiable and lasting changes to promote and protect organic agriculture and trade.
- Inspired and persuaded others to act to advance the cause of organic agriculture and trade.
Nominations will only be accepted in writing and must use the questions on the nomination form to list the major contributions and activities of the nominee relating to the year’s award category and selection criteria (not to exceed 10 typewritten pages.) Nominations may not be made anonymously. Letters of endorsement to the nomination are encouraged.
2008 Award Categories and Selection Criteria
For 2008, OTA is accepting nominations for two Organic Leadership awards.
Nominees for OTA’s Organic Leadership Award (General) should be individuals who have made significant contributions to the organic industry. Consideration will be given to individuals whose achievements focus on any one or more of a number of areas such as vision and innovation, marketing and promotion, standards development, political advocacy, etc. Download Nomination Form(word document).
Nominees for OTA’s Organic Farming Leadership Award should be professional farmers who have demonstrated innovative techniques to advance organic agriculture and/or who have made significant contributions to support and advance the organic industry. Download Nomination Form (word document).
Nominations/Selection Procedure
1. The OTA Board of Directors shall determine the category and criteria for each year’s award.
2. Nominations may be made by individuals or organizations, using the nomination submission form provided by OTA.
3. Consideration will be given only to nominations that address the criteria and questions on the nomination submission form.
4. Nominations or endorsements received after submission deadline shall not be permitted.
5. Nominations shall be reviewed by the Board’s Community Relations Committee, which will then recommend the award recipient(s) to the Board for approval.
2008 Award Timeline
October 2007 – OTA announces the award category and criteria and issues a call for nominations
February 1, 2007 – all nominations due
By March 21, 2008 – selection made (announcement may be announced earlier, or embargoed until a later date, but recipient will be notified)
April 28, 2008 – OTA’s Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at All Things Organic™ in Chicago, IL.
