USA: OTA Policy Conference features Ag Secretary Vilsack

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle will be featured speakers at the Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days set to draw a record number of industry representatives from 6 to 7 April 2011. The conference, organized by OTA and supported by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), has as its theme “Advance Organic Together,” focusing on the value of organic agriculture in providing jobs, supporting rural livelihoods and advancing an entrepreneurial spirit. (Picture: OTA 2010 Organic Policy Conference)

“In the current climate of budget cuts and groundwork for the next Farm Bill, OTA’s Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days will play a critical role in connecting organic farmers and other representatives of the organic sector with policy makers in Washington, specifically Secretary Vilsack and those who serve on congressional agriculture and appropriations committees. They also will provide the opportunity to share the vision and impact that organic agriculture brings to our economy,” according to Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director and CEO.

Secretary Vilsack will speak to attendees on the first day of the policy conference. Among the key Congressional leaders who will speak will be Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, who serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and chairs the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture with jurisdiction over organic agriculture. In her position, she plays a critical role to the continued growth of the organic industry by overseeing organic’s place in the next Farm Bill and communicating the importance of the organic industry to the full Agriculture Committee. Also among the speakers will be Congressman Sam Farr a long-time advocate for organic agriculture and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. A list of speakers and their bios are posted online.

During the conference, Senator Sherrod Brown will receive OTA’s 2011 Public Servant Award. Senator Brown is chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Among conference participants will be certified organic farmers hosted by OFRF through its Organic Farmers Action Network (OFAN). During their Hill visits, the farmers will report on the positive economic impact organic farming delivers in rural America.
 

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