OTA Farmers Advisory Council 2014 Annual Report—Page 2

OTA Farmers Advisory Council 2014 Annual ReportWhen I was initially elected to serve the OTA Board of Directors, I wasn’t sure what to expect as a mid-sized farmer. I did, however, have a goal of serving on the Board in the designated farmer seat and having a hand in organizing and implementing the Farmer Advisory Council (FAC). With the help of OTA staff and the FAC co-chair, we did just that! Organizing across the country, across supply chains and time zones, we have had challenges, but in keeping with OTA’s value that farmers are the foundation of the organic industry, it was imperative for OTA to design a process to hear the voices of organic farmers. FAC has begun to bring those farmer voices to the OTA Board of Directors. By making strategic alliances with farmer-driven organizations, we are providing farmer ideas to the Board so that OTA can better serve the entire organic sector, from farm to plate. Meanwhile, it is OTA’s responsibility to bring timely industry information to the attention of FAC membership, thus establishing two-way communication, keeping all parties informed. As FAC continues to build in size and momentum, this council will become stronger and can better help OTA represent the organic farming community. During FAC’s kick-off meeting on July 26, 2013, organic farmers were asked to articulate challenges and opportunities they face. From that discussion, a self-directed work plan was developed reflecting the interests of the farmers and the needs of the greater OTA membership. We looked for overlap between the two and also added new items to OTA’s work plan, including FAC’s premier event, The Farmer Summit, held at the 2014 OTA Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. This summit brought farmers, processors and other industry leaders to the same table for open discussion and also brought farmers in direct contact with USDA officials so that USDA policies can better serve present and future organic farmers by proving services appropriate for organic farming operations. As the co-chair of FAC, it is with great appreciation to see the commitment OTA has shown for farmers and the Farmer Advisory Council through the hiring of Senior Crops and Livestock Specialist Nate Lewis. This dedicated OTA staff person will give FAC resources it needs to continue to organize and reach out to other farmer governed groups and OTA farmer members alike. The Farmer Advisory Council Annual Report that follows will be formally accepted into the minutes at the September 17, 2014, meeting of the OTA Board of Directors, and copies will be available for all members. Thank you for your continued support of OTA and the OTA Farmer Advisory Council. Perry Clutts OTA Board of Directors/FAC co-chair Pleasantview Farm, Circleville, OhioPage 1Page 3

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The Organic Trade Association (OTA) Farmers Advisory Council provides the OTA Board of
Directors and staff with input from small- to 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. One of OTA’s Core Values is the understanding that “organic farms are the foundation of the organic industry.” The OTA Farmers Advisory Council helps to realize this core value by giving voice to organic farmers to influence OTA’s policy and advocacy work.

The OTA Farmers Advisory Council is comprised of representatives of state and regional farming organizations representing organic that enter into an agreement with OTA for the mutual benefit of strengthening the organic industry’s national public policy influence. These strategic alliances enhance the capacity of the sector to grow and protect U.S. organic agriculture in the fast-changing political environment. The partners work together with OTA, while remaining independent organizations.

Learn more at ota.com.