reduced energy use.
• Link the organic label with other
labels. Many people fear that coupling the organic label with other
labels will diminish its value. We
cannot go it alone any longer. It is
time to link the organic food label
with other labels such as fair trade,
energy use and local food claims. As
the German Foundation for
Ecology & Agriculture reports, “Fair
trade relationships are a basis and
an important link between worldwide food security and the future
development of organic agriculture
and food culture.”
The organic label was the first marketplace achievement for sustainablity.
By working together we can strengthen all of our triple bottom line efforts
for a just and sustainable future. This
new strength would also make “
green-washing” of products much more evident.
R. Mark Davis, a consummate strategist, manager and
thought leader, plays a vital role in helping organizations
actualize goals, discover unrecognized opportunities, optimize leadership and develop strategic initiatives. He is the
former COO of the Earth Conservation Corps, a national
environmental learning organization and most recently
served as CEO of The Organic Center. Currently, he is president of SRL
Partners, a sustainability, social responsibility and leadership consultancy. A
recognized leader and coach, Davis offers his expertise to forward-thinking
organizations worldwide. You can reach him at rmd@srlpartners.com.
All of Us are the Future
As leaders in the organic sector we
face pressures to constantly reinvent
our products to keep up with the latest
fads and make the numbers. But people are looking for authentic leaders
who are genuine, transparent, trustworthy and who make decisions based
on higher ideals of what organic can
do for society and the environment.
How these challenges are met is a
collective responsibility and will determine our future. Will we remain on
the cutting edge and help drive the
sustainability movement? Or will we
relinquish this role to the global food
system and be passed off as a fad.
I (and believe I can safely say, “we”)
believe that the organic sector is an
indispensable partner in building a
healthy, diverse, inclusive, cohesive and
sustainable society that cares about all
of its people. We are on a miraculous
journey and need to show the world
that the origins of authentic leadership
are alive, well and innovating for the
benefit of all.
