Washington D.C., Feb. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is currently accepting nominations for its annual prestigious Organic Leadership Awards, which recognize organic visionaries and entrepreneurs who have made a significant difference to organic agriculture, industry and trade. The association is seeking nominations for three awards: Growing the Organic Community, Organic Farmer of the Year Award, and Rising Star Award.
“Each year we look forward to honoring those who have led with valuable contributions to help grow and expand organic. It is exciting to recognize an outstanding farmer, where it all starts, and others along the organic spectrum who play an instrumental role to further the values and vision of our industry,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association.
The Growing the Organic Community Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to growing the organic sector via work in such areas as consumer education and marketing, new market development, public relations, standards development, advocacy, and research.
The Organic Farmer of the Year award recognizes a professional farmer who has made significant contributions to supporting and advancing organic agriculture and trade at the farm level. This may include increasing the amount of land under organic management, expanding the number of farmers using organic practices, or advancing organic agriculture through farm policy advocacy, community education or innovative land stewardship and technical practices.
The Rising Star award recognizes an emerging leader who has distinguished himself or herself professionally due to pursuit, zeal or notable advancements to programs, initiatives, new categories, or product development promoting the growth, sustainability or influence of organic agriculture and trade.
Candidates must have demonstrated skills, innovation, personal commitment, leadership and vision to grow organic agriculture or the organic sector. In addition, they must have achieved identifiable and lasting changes to promote and protect organic agriculture and trade, and have inspired others to advance the cause as well. The awards will be presented in the fall at Annual Awards Celebration during Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore. Selection criteria and nomination forms are available on our website. All nominations and letters of endorsement must be submitted by April 30.
The Organic Trade Association’s Annual Organic Leadership Award was established in 1997. Awardees are nominated by their peers and chosen unanimously by the association’s Board of Directors. A complete list of past honorees is featured on our website.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.
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