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.