sept-2017

64 65 various farming sectors.Each organization appoints one producer for each 500members it represents to serve as its voice in the advisorycouncil’s discussions. In addition to the organizational representatives, organic farmer members of theOTAmayvolunteer to participate in the council. “The recent addition of GeorgiaOrganics and the Pennsylvania CertifiedOrganic to our FarmersAdvisory Council brought almost another 1,200 certified organicproducers in 15 states into our tent. “We have two categories of membership: TradeMembers gov- ern the association.OnlyNorth American-based (U.S.,Canada andMexico) businesses or organizations engaged in the production,distribution,certi- fication,or promotion of certified organicproducts and the services required to produce themare eligible for TradeMembership.Trademembers receivemember benefits and one vote. “AssociateMembers include businesses,organiza- tions,and individuals who are not eligible for Trade Membership but who are supportive of principles consistent with those of organic agriculture.Businesses and organi- zations THE ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION without an office inNorthAmerica and thosewho receive no direct sales from the organic industryare onlyeligible for associatemembership.Associate members receivemember benefits but do not have voting privileges. “The association also has a special membership cat- egory for small-scale organic farmers.The Farmstead Membership enables smaller organic farmers who have current membershipwith one of the participat- ing organizations belonging to our FarmersAdvisory Council to obtain a full membershipwith all associated benefits for aminimal fee. “We communicate often and openlywith our members.We publish a three-times-a-year,four-color featuremagazine that addresses news and issues affecting the organic sector.We provide aweeklyNews Flash e-newsletter giving the latest news and items its members need to know.Regular member-wide letters fromme,as the CEO/Executive Director,take on topics of vital interest or importance.Special news blasts, frequent press releases that have awide distribution, sector interest-communications (such as Government Affairs,or International Trade) also are key in keeping members informed.We are active on Social Media, with a Facebookpage and aTwitter account,and our staff often tweets live fromevents such as theNational Organic Standards Board.TheOrganicTradeAssocia- tion hosts education and informational webinars...and somuchmore! BVM: What is the size of theAssociation’s staff?What are their main priorities? Batcha: There are 22 people on staff at theOrganic TradeAssociation,with an additional two persons at