The Organic Trade Association's Farmers Advisory Council (FAC) provides the Organic Trade Association Board of Directors and staff with input from small- and medium-sized organic farmers, ranchers, and growers on matters pertinent to the advancement of organic agriculture, with a specific focus on OTA’s policy agenda. Established in 2013, FAC was designed to formalize and improve communication between OTA and organic producers. Through open dialogue, FAC gives organic farmers a voice to directly influence OTA’s policy and enables OTA to better represent the diversity of organic producers in its policy and advocacy.
The Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Council is one of the largest coalitions of organic farmers and organic farming organizations in the United States. It represents nearly 9,500 organic livestock, poultry, grain, and specialty crop producers.
Leadership
Laura Holm as the staff lead. The council is comprised of representatives from state and regional farming organizations representing organic, which enter into an agreement with OTA for the mutual benefit of strengthening the organic industry’s national public policy influence, and individual OTA farmer members who volunteer to participate.
Participating organizations
CCOF, Inc. (California Certified Organic Farmers)
Florida Organic Growers
Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established in 1987 that operates four programs: the Florida Farmers Market Association (FFMA), Education & Outreach, the USDA accredited certification body -Quality Certification Services and the Local Food and Agricultural Policy Program.As a grassroots organization, FOG promotes organic, regenerative, and sustainable agriculture and serves and works with more than 2,000 producers in the United States to carry out its mission. With a social media reach of over 15,000 followers, FOG is connecting and educating with the organic, regenerativeand sustainable food movement in Florida and beyond.
Georgia Organics
Montana Organic Association
National Latino Farmers & Ranchers
The National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association (NLFR) is a membership 501(c)3 community-based organization committed to organize, engage and empower Latino farm and ranching advocacy groups, farmworkers transitioning into farm ownership, and, generally, small producers, throughout the United States and beyond. The association is committed to promote sustainable farm and ranching policy for the improvement of farming operations.
Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
Organic Association of Kentucky
The Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) is a non-profit organization serving farmers and community members across the state. OAK’s mission is to advance organic regenerative agriculture, to improve the health of the environment and our communities. OAK’s programs grow ecological resilience, economic viability and socially just futures for Kentucky farmers through educational, technical and market resources. OAK is a leading advocate, educator and technical assistance provider for organic agriculture, serving more than 440 members and 3,000 program participants annually.
Organic Egg Farmers of America
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative
Pennsylvania Certified Organic
Tilth Alliance of Washington
Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
How to get involved
Join us to Amplify the Voice of Farmers
Farmers can join us in our efforts to promote and protect organic food and agriculture. We are working together to advance critical policy priorities that impact organic farmers, growers, and ranchers.
- Expand domestic acreage
- Increase organic research
- Improve oversight of organic imports
- Protect organic standards
Annual Reports
2021 FAC Annual Report 2020 FAC Annual Report 2019 FAC Annual Report 2018 FAC Annual Report
2017 FAC Annual Report 2016 FAC Annual Report 2015 FAC Annual Report 2014 FAC Annual Report
Resources
2023 Meetings and Events
Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 3 pm Eastern / 12 pm Pacific (virtual)
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 3 pm Eastern / 12 pm Pacific (virtual)
Contact
Legislative and Farm Policy Associate
(202) 403-8658