Creating Organic Cohesiveness. One need is to bring
those within the organic community—both industry and
nonprofits—together to represent the unique needs of the
organic movement. To do this, a group, tentatively called
the Organic Community Council, has been created that includes The Organic Center, NOC, The Non-GMO Project,
CFS and OFRF as well as OTA and several organic busi-nesses. The Council recognizes that while the industry and
NGO community have different purposes, neither group’s
interests are strictly
exclusive. Building
on shared goals,
the hope is to create an infrastructure for cross-sector decision
making, collaborative strategy development and
effective conflict
resolution mechanisms. Currently
efforts are focused
on key areas including policy,
legal, contamination prevention,
grassroots awareness and
organic/sustain-able community
building.
“We see this
group as the hub
of a wheel with
spokes going out
to different efforts.
“We’ve had meetings with
CEOs throughout the
organic sector. We’ve had
meetings with CEOs of food
companies that are not from
the organic sector. We’ve
had meetings with farmer
groups, religious groups and
others. And there’s plenty
more of these meetings
ahead, because what
everybody needs to realize
is that we’ve got to speak
with one voice—and this is
not just the organic sector;
this is anybody who
believes that consumers
should have the right to
choose the kinds of foods
that we’re eating.”
—Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm
Rather than trying
to support 20 great ideas all going on at once started by several different groups, we would like to use the strength of
this Council to focus on five ideas that we can all get behind
and support,” says Missy Hughes, Organic Valley’s director
of government affairs and one of the Council’s facilitators.
Speaking With One Voice. In addition to building internal infrastructure in the organic community, there is also a
need to develop a strong voice of organic consumers—one
that can speak loud enough that our government officials
listen. “It hit us in the face over the past year that organic
doesn’t have a big enough citizen’s voice in Washington,”
says Nancy Hirshberg, VP of strategic initiatives for Stony-
Organic certi;cation
is a;ordable...
When the USDA pays up
to $750 of your costs.
All Certi;ed Organic
Operations Are Eligible!
Organic Certi;cation Cost Share Programs
National Organic Program
Steps to get your 2011
reimbursement
1. Contact your State’s Department of
Agriculture
2. Complete a one-page form
3. Receive a check for up to 75% of your
certi;cation costs
Learn more
www.ams.usda.gov/NOPCostSharing
Questions
Betsy Rakola, Program Manager
202-720-3252 | Betsy.Rakola@ams.usda.gov
Agricultural Marketing Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
