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The 12 sessions in OTA's All Things Organic Conference Track at Expo East will feature some of the industry’s most successful companies, leading researchers, and key government officials. With thought-provoking debates, broad global overviews, detailed market reports, and deep analysis of legislation and standards, you’ll be sure to leave Baltimore with critical information on the issues that impact your organic business.
Browse the full conference schedule, or use the links below to jump to a particular day.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 22
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM :: Room 315 |
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Seed is one of organic's most precious resources. This session will examine seed through the strategic lenses of purity, variety and classical breeding techniques. |
Speakers:
- Kristina Hubbard, Seed Alliance Dr. William Tracy, University of Wisconsin
- John Foster, Earthbound Farm
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Moderator:
- Matthew Dillon, Seed Matters
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM :: Room 315 |
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Seed is one of organic's most precious resources. This session will examine seed through the strategic lenses of purity, variety and classical breeding techniques. |
Speakers:
- Kristina Hubbard, Seed Alliance
- Dr. William Tracy, University of Wisconsin
- John Foster, Earthbound Farm
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Moderator:
- Matthew Dillon, Seed Matters
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State of the Industry - Organic Market Overview |
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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Leaders from varied backgrounds will provide timely information on the size, growth of the organic marketplace, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead. |
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Speakers:
- Laura Batcha, Organic Trade Association
- Matthew Holmes, COTA
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Moderator:
- Sarah Bird, Annie's Homegrown
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Hot Topics in Organic: Organic Standards, Excluded Methods and Thresholds |
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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Don’t miss our expert panel as they discuss the latest on GMOs and organic, including the role GMO thresholds for could play in strengthening transparency and consumer trust. |
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Speakers:
- Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator – National Organic Program
- Michael Funk, Chair and Co-Founder – UNFI, Board President – The Non-GMO Project
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Moderator:
- Melissa Hughes, General Counsel – Organic Valley
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Organic Regulatory Update |
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM :: Room 315 |
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Featuring updates from NOP officials and members of the NOSB, as well as a certifier's perspective on how the evolving standards will be implemented. |
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Speakers:
- Miles McEvoy, National Organic Program
- Tracy Miedema, Earthbound Farm, National Organic Standards Board
- Leslie Zuck, Pennsylvania Certified Organic
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Moderator:
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Friday, September 23
Organic Research Track Session 1: Environmental Benefits : climate change and water quality and use |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM :: Room 314 |
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A panel of researchers will present their peer-reviewed research about organic's powerful environmental benefits. |
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Speakers:
- Dr. Michel Cavigelli, USDA-Agricultural Research Service
- Dr. Michelle Wander, University of Illinois
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Moderator:
- Ariane Lotti, Organic Farming Research Foundation
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Organic Research Track Session 2: Organic Yields and "Feeding the World" |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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Long-term research trials challenge the notion that conventional production methods are the only way to feed a growing population. |
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Speakers:
- Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute
- Dr. Ed Carr, University of South Carolina
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Moderator:
- Cathy Greene, USDA – Economic Research Service
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Organic Research Track Session 3: Health Benefits |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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Three independent, government-funded studies have identified a link between prenatal pesticide exposure and delayed cognitive development. |
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Speakers:
- Asa Bradman, University of California, Berkeley
- Dr. Dana Boyd Barr, Emory University
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Moderator:
- Sylvia Tawse, The Fresh Ideas Group
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Members Only: Organic Research Track Plenary Session: Translating Primary Research into Actionable Consumer Messages |
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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 This OTA-members-only session is the culmination of the Organic Research Track. In it, thought leaders and influencers will discuss the research we have heard and how they will transform the findings into actionable plans that move our industry forward.
Note: OTA's Annual Meeting will immediately follow the plenary session.
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Plenary Panelists :
- Jill Auburn, USDA – Office of Chief Scientist
- Ken Cook, Environmental Working Group
- Dr. Chensheng (Alex) Lu, Harvard School of Public Health
- Maxine Wolf, KIWI Magazine
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Moderator:
- Christine Bushway, Organic Trade Association
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Saturday, September 24
Organic Futures Market: Price Discovery & Demand Forecast |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM :: Room 315 |
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The United Nations predicts that poor harvests and demand from developing nations will continue to escalate global commodity prices. Historically, food inflation has led to political instability. Learn about how these factors affect the market, and what they will mean for the organic industry. |
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Speakers:
- Keeley James, Organic Futures Group
- Jim Bernau - USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
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Moderator:
- Kelly Shea, WhiteWave Foods
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Creating Breakout Growth for Organic with a Consolidated Industry Campaign |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM :: Room 314 |
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OTA is advancing a plan that will grow the organic market from 4% of total sales to 10%, 50% and beyond. We need your help to get there. Are you ready to do your part? |
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Speakers:
- Nathan Rice, Haberman
- Huw Bowles, UK Organic Trade Board
- Christine Bushway, Organic trade Association
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Moderator:
- Kim Dietz, Smucker Natural Foods
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Organic Retailing 101 |
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM :: Room 315 |
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New to the world of organic retail? Interested in the possibility of becoming certified? This session will teach you the basics, from merchandising to maximize organic sales to the steps to preserve organic integrity. |
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Speakers:
- Scott Nash, Mom's Organic Market
- Dale Kamibayashi, Alfalfa's Market
- Gwendolyn Wyard, Organic Trade Association
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Moderator:
- Angela Jagiello, Organic Trade Association
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Members Only: Amplify the Message: Organic. It’s Worth It |
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12:00 PM – 1:00PM :: Room 314 |
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Help us help you spread the organic message! OTA will host a members-only seminar to walk you through OTA’s consumer website to help with your organic outreach and education, and identify exclusive opportunities for members to contribute to and get positive exposure through it. |
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Speakers:
- Renee Kelly, Haberman
- Jennifer Rose, Organic Trade Association
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