How To Go Organic

[jennifer english]

 

 

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From: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group [mailto:SANE...@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU] On Behalf Of Beth Fraser
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 11:29 AM
To: SANE...@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU
Subject: [SANET-MG] Organic Trade Association announces new online resource

 

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) recently launched HowToGoOrganic.com, a web site for farmers and processors seeking to transition to organic agriculture. The web site is designed as a clearinghouse of North American resources for farmers and businesses interested in becoming organic or in creating new organic enterprises.

In North America, consumer demand for organic products exceeds the rate of organic production. The new web site will help encourage further domestic production by assembling in a single online resource the full range of available information for farmers and producers transitioning to organic.

"Last year, OTA’s Board President and I decided to respond to our members’ messages that they needed, and could sell, much more domestically grown organic product. And thus was born the idea to create this clearinghouse of resources on conversion to organic,” said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s Executive Director. Transitioning land to organic certification usually takes three years, and there is much research that each farmer has to undertake.

The site features two “Pathways for Organic,” one for farmers and one for processors, as well as a regional directory for the United States, and a searchable North American organic directory. The “Pathways” provide basic information on the process of going organic with links to key resources throughout North America. This unique resource is primarily designed for conventional farmers and processors who want to get started or are navigating the transition to organic production, but also provides valuable information for established organic farmers, producers, and processors.

The web site’s regional directories showcase transition resources unique to specific regions and states. Resource listings in the North American directory can be searched by topic and subtopic, by type of resource, or by state. The site also features profiles of farmers and businesses that have successfully become certified organic or that are working through the process.

The URL for the web site is HowToGoOrganic.com. Banner and box advertising are available for businesses wishing to promote their products through this unique resource. For information on advertising terms and rates, contact Beth Fraser at OTA (413-774-7511, Ext. 27; bfr...@ota.com).

To create the new web site, OTA contracted with Chris Hill Media (principals Chris Hill and Glenn Hughes), known in agricultural circles for its work on the NewFarm.org and the Organic Seed Alliance web pages.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the business association representing the organic agriculture industry in North America. Its nearly 1,600 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA encourages global sustainability through promoting and protecting the growth of diverse organic trade.

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Headquarters: P.O. Box 547, Greenfield, MA 01302 USA (413) 774-7511 * fax: (413)-774-6432 * www.ota.com
Canadian Office: 323 Chapel Street, Ottawa, On K1N 7Z2 * (613) 787-2003
Washington, DC Office: * (202) 338-2900

______________________________
Beth Fraser
Legislative & Grassroots Manager
P.O. Box 547
60 Wells Street
Greenfield, MA
(413) 774-7511 x. 27
bfr...@ota.com
http://www.ota.com

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