The 2018 Montana Organic Association Conference will be a gathering of diverse but like-minded people who have dedicated themselves to living by organic standards that convey trust and transparency to the consumer. They will come together to share their stories, learn from each other and confront the many challenges that face them at this time in history. The Conference will present more than 40 speakers over the three-day conference. 

The Organic Trade Association's Farm Policy Director, Johanna Mirenda, will be speaking at the following sessions during the 2018 Montana Organic Association Conference. For more information, contact Johanna Mirenda. 

2018 Farm Bill Panel – What’s at Stake?, (During Lunch), Friday, 11:45 AM – 12:35 PM
Panelists: Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association;  Aaron Shier, Government Relations Representative, National Farmers Union; Alyssa Charney, Senior Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition;  Alison Vergeront, Agriculture Liaison & Field Representative for Senator Daines; Jesse Anderson, Agriculture Liaison for Senator Tester

Panelists will provide an update on 2018 Farm Bill negotiations. The House and Senate have both passed their respective drafts of the next farm bill and began working to negotiate the differences between the two bills, but the 2014 Farm Bill expired on September 30 without a new bill passed or an extension of current law. As farm bill negotiators continue to work to pass a new bill by the end of the year, there is a lot at stake for organic farmers and ranchers across the country. Panelists will include policy experts from the Organic Trade Association (OTA), National Farmers Union (NFU), and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), who will provide their analysis and insight regarding opportunities, challenges, and a path forward for the 2018 Farm Bill. The panel will also include presentations from the agriculture liaisons for Senator Daines and Senator Tester, who will speak to the importance of the next farm bill for Montana’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
 

Policy Updates and Emerging Programs that Matter to Montana Organic Farmers, Saturday, 8:00 AM – 9:50 AM (2 sessions)
Johanna Mirenda, Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association
Panelists include Doug Crabtree (Vilicus Farms), Kiki Hubbard (Organic Seed Alliance), and Anders Gurda (Pipeline Foods)

Organic Trade Association (OTA) staff and representatives of OTA member community groups will present the highlights of OTA’s current policy platform and priority initiatives. Panelists will share stories of how OTA’s policy agenda supports, and is shaped by, organic farmers. Featured topics will include: promoting organic priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill; overcoming challenges in organic grain supply chains; continuous improvement of organic seed usage; and strengthening organic animal welfare regulations.
 

Conference Information:

December 6-8, 2018

Mansfield Center

Great Falls, Montana 

The 44th Winter Fancy Food Show, organized by the Specialty Food Association, will take place January 13-15, 2019 in San Francisco. This show will feature 1,400+ exhibitors from around the globe promoting 80,000+ specialty foods and beverages.

The Organic Trade Association's Director of Industry Relations, Membership and Development, Cassandra Christine, will be attending to walk the show floor. If you'd like to connect with us at Winter Fancy, contact Cassandra Christine! 

Trade Show Information:

January 13-15, 2019

Mascone Center

San Francisco, CA

World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition featuring 1,450+ exhibitors and more than 100,000 attendees each year. Each year it is held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California,  starting on the second Tuesday of February. It has officially been designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as an affiliate of the Foreign Buyer Program, which encourages exportation of American made goods. 

The Organic Trade Association's Director of Industry Relations, Membership and Development, Cassandra Christine, will be attending to walk the show floor on Wednesday, February 13. If you'd like to connect with us at the World Ag Expo, contact Cassandra Christine!

Trade Show Information:

February 12-14, 2019

International Agri-Center

Tulare, California

Organicology 2019 will be taking place February 14 -16 in Portland, OR. With intensive training sessions, workshops, world class keynote speakers, amazing entertainment and networking, Organicology is a conference of its own class. Organicology seeks to bring all of the stakeholder groups to the table to not only develop skills in their own areas of activity but to gain exposure to the challenges and accomplishments of those in other areas of the trade and movement. Each day of Organicology offers different opportunities to learn.  Thursday is for intensives, Friday is for workshops and our Ark of Taste Dinner and concert, and Saturday is our Exhibitor Showcase.

The Organic Trade Association's Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions, Megan DeBates, will be leading the following session at the Conference. Date and time of this presentation is TBA, check back for updates! For more information, contact Megan DeBates.  

Farm Bill & Organic Policy in 2019
Federal policy plays a critical role in supporting organic production systems, and with the process underway for enacting and implementing a new farm bill, now is the time to focus in on how to defend and strengthen key programs and policies that benefit organic producers. Additionally, transitioning to organic production remains a key barrier to meet the expanding organic demand, and now is the time to identify policy opportunities to address this gap. This workshop will provide an update from Washington, DC on the 2018-19 Farm Bill process, and dig into policies ranging from working lands conservation and crop insurance to research, certification cost share, and enhanced enforcement against fraudulent organic imports.  Policy experts will provide an update regarding the long and winding path to the 2018-19 farm bill. Come learn about key strategies and opportunities for grassroots outreach to engage and mobilize around critical organic wins as the farm bill process moves forward (or, as we work to implement the 2018 farm bill). In addition to digging into the specific programs that matter for organic producers, if the 2018 Farm Bill has not yet been passed, we will walk through the “marker bills” that have been introduced to advance critical organic priorities. Finally, the 116th Congress will be in place in early 2019, so this workshop will also cover the new and returning members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, with an eye to members of the Organic Caucus who will be instrumental for championing our organic priorities throughout the farm bill writing and implementation process. This workshop will also involve feedback from the audience regarding policy needs and options.

Organic Trade Association Board Member David Lively of Organically Grown Company is organizing an Organic Trade Association social at Organicology on Friday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m.

But What has the Organic Trade Association Done for Me Lately?
Ever wonder exactly what the Organic Trade Association (OTA) does, or how its efforts benefit you?  Or maybe you are one of those of the opinion that the OTA’s activities only serve the needs of “the big boys” and not the historic trade and the organic grower base? Here is a chance to sharpen you awareness of the many challenges facing the organic movement and trade, and learn how our most significant national organization takes them on. This event, sponsored by OTA members from the fresh produce sector, will feature OTA Executive Director Laura Batcha in a Q&A session covering the broad range of concerns and activities that occupy the OTA’s staff and members on a daily basis. The setting is casual and the refreshments first rate. This event is open to both members and non-members. Please join us for an enlightening discussion!

Conference Information:

February 14-16, 2019

Hilton Portland Downtown

Portland, OR

“Growing Locally, Selling Globally” is the theme of USDA’s 95th Agricultural Outlook Forum. The Feb. 21-22 conference will feature sessions on global trade trends, innovations in agriculture, developments in animal and crop biotechnology and frontiers in conservation as well as the 2019 outlooks for food and commodity markets.

Conference Information:

February 21-22, 2019

Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel 

Arlington, VA

FOODEX JAPAN is the Asia's largest exhibition dedicated on food and drink across Japan and the whole world, taking place March 3-8 in Tokyo.  Over the 4 days of the exhibition, about 85,000 buyers from food service, distribution, and trading companies are expected to attend. Attention will be given to the expansion of business opportunities domestically and internationally upon the activation of the TPP. Numerous buyers will also be attending from abroad, and business talks will be held with domestic and international manufacturers.

The Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion at the show for U.S. organic companies. If you are interested in participating, contact OTA's International Trade Manager, Alexis Carey!

Trade Show Information:

March 3-8, 2019

Venue - Makuhari Messe

Tokyo, Japan

Organic Week in Washington, D.C., is the Organic Trade Association’s signature event and the only one of its kind. Save the date for Organic Week 2019 taking place May 20-23! 

It is a celebration of the organic supply chain. Small organic producers to major growers, family-run organic operations to nationwide companies, researchers and policy advocates to distributors and retailers will all come together to advance organic policy priorities.

It is a week of education and advocacy. Join discussions on federal policy issues critical to our nation’s nearly $50 billion organic sector. Take action on issues at the forefront of organic food, agriculture and trade priorities. Make a difference in Washington, D.C., and bring tools to advance organic back to your home state.

It is an unforgettable experience. Through keynote speeches by national thought leaders, inspiring moments from the business sector, and intimate networking opportunities, you will experience the impact of the organic sector in one powerful week.

The Annual OTA Board Retreat Meeting will be taking place in Monterey, CA on July 8-9, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST.

The Organic Trade Association Board will be in Monterey for the Organic Produce Summit, taking place July 10-11, 2019. 

For more information, contact Stephanie Jerger. 

Meeting Information:

July 8-9, 2019 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST

Monterey, CA

Natural Products Expo East continues to be the East Coast's leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, attracting over 28,000 industry professionals and 1,900 exhibits to the Baltimore Convention Center, September 11-14, 2019. 

The Organic Trade Association will be exhibiting and will organize the All Things Organic Conference education sessions as well as host international buyers meetings and organic stakeholder meetings at the show.

Save the date for the Organic Trade Association's Annual Membership Meeting and Leadership Awards Celebration hosted in conjunction with Expo East, taking place on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. 

Check back soon for updates on all of these events taking place at Expo East 2019. More info available on the Organic at Expo East page of our website. 

Trade Show Information: 

September 11-14, 2019

Baltimore Convention Center

Baltimore, MD 

Anuga, taking place October 5-9, 2019 in Cologne, Germany, is the largest trade fair in the world and the most important industry meeting point. In 2017, there were 7,405 exhibitors and around 165,000 visitors at the show. With ten trade shows, an informative event program and the largest participation of exhibitors, 2019 is shaping up to be the number one event again.

The Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion at the show for U.S. organic companies. If you are interested in participating, contact OTA's International Trade Manager, Alexis Carey! 

Trade Show Information:

October 5-9, 2019

Cologne, Germany