John Foster

The Sustainability Council consists of sustainably minded businesses committed to strengthening the organic sector’s voice in work relating to sustainability and climate and boost the sector’s efforts to create an environmentally friendly, sustainable food system. The non-profit Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA), which ceased operations on the last day of 2020, was formed in 2008 with a mission to support the organic food trade in creating and implementing innovative, sustainable… Show more

The Sustainability Council consists of sustainably minded businesses committed to strengthening the organic sector’s voice in work relating to sustainability and climate and boost the sector’s efforts to create an environmentally friendly, sustainable food system. The non-profit Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA), which ceased operations on the last day of 2020, was formed in 2008 with a mission to support the organic food trade in creating and implementing innovative, sustainable practices across the organic supply chain, from farm to retail. In January 2021, SFTA consolidated with the Organic Trade Association to form the Sustainable Food Trade Action Council. Of the 52 Council Member companies, 38 are former SFTA members and an additional 14 OTA members joined the cohort in 2021. In November 2022, The SFTA Council merged with the Climate Change Task Force and the National Retailer Sustainability Initiatives Task Force and updated the combined group's name to the OTA Sustainability Council, reflecting the integrated approach OTA and its membership wanted to highlight in taking action on the initiatives of all three groups. Show less

Organic Seed Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances ethical seed solutions to meet food and farming needs in a changing world. Our work ensures an abundant and diverse supply of ecologically grown seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled and diverse communities of seed stewards. To advance this mission, we serve growers working with seed across the US at any scale through participatory research, practical education, policy advocacy, and network development. We prioritize partnerships with… Show more

Organic Seed Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances ethical seed solutions to meet food and farming needs in a changing world. Our work ensures an abundant and diverse supply of ecologically grown seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled and diverse communities of seed stewards. To advance this mission, we serve growers working with seed across the US at any scale through participatory research, practical education, policy advocacy, and network development. We prioritize partnerships with organizations and individuals aligned with our values, and we convene spaces where divergent viewpoints can be expressed and explored. In all our work, we ally ourselves with and embrace opportunities to amplify movements for community sovereignty, racial equity, and social justice.

OSA’s programs are woven of technical expertise, rigorous methods, practical experience, and deep reverence for seed work. We are in awe of the processes of life, and root our organizational systems in the wisdom of ecology. We continually seek input from growers working with seed, ensuring that we are directed by, and accountable to, the people we serve.

Each year, OSA educates thousands of farmers and other agricultural community members through on-farm and online events and resources. Our research program involves organic plant breeding and seed production research, and our advocacy efforts focus on policies that strengthen organic seed systems. Our most recent State of Organic Seed report (2022) is part of an ongoing project to monitor the status of organic seed nationally and provides a roadmap for increasing the diversity, quality, and integrity of organic seed available to US farmers.

OSA grew out of Abundant Life Seed Foundation. In 2003, a tragic fire resulted in the loss of Abundant Life Seed Foundation’s extensive seed collection. At that time, the BOD launched OSA as a separate organization to support the organic seed movement. The Abundant Life Seed Foundation business was sold. Show less

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a Federal Advisory Board was established by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA. The NOSB considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The NOSB also has special responsibilities related to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
As Chair of the Crops and Handling Subcommittees, I… Show more

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a Federal Advisory Board was established by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA. The NOSB considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The NOSB also has special responsibilities related to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
As Chair of the Crops and Handling Subcommittees, I managed Subcommittee workloads and work plans for four years. Additionally I served two years as the Board Vice-Chair managing subcommittee succession, work plan alignment, coordination of Executive Board work items, and assisted the Chair prioritizing agenda items, NOP staff communications, and scheduling, in addition to guiding multiple material reviews, subcommittee proposals, and policy guidance development. Show less

The Advisory Committee reviews and advises on Climate Neutral Certified standard used by over 300 brands to assess and create alignment with other global standards and evolving definitions.

The California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) advises the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Secretary on issues related to organic standards and enforcement, and on support for organic agriculture in California through education, outreach, technical assistance, and other industry activities. Appointed by the Secretary, committee members represent organic stakeholders, including farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, and accredited certifying agencies.

The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is an international nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed® products are allowed for use in certified organic operations under the USDA National Organic Program. The OMRI Canada program also lists products for use under the Canadian Organic Standards, and the OMRI Mexico program lists products for use under the Mexican Organic Products Law. OMRI's funding… Show more

The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is an international nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed® products are allowed for use in certified organic operations under the USDA National Organic Program. The OMRI Canada program also lists products for use under the Canadian Organic Standards, and the OMRI Mexico program lists products for use under the Mexican Organic Products Law. OMRI's funding comes from a variety of sources, including sales of publications, grants, donations and subscriptions. Mainly, however, the organization generates income through fees collected for the review of products intended for use in organic production or processing.

A professional staff runs the organization's various programs and administration out of the Eugene, Oregon office. The OMRI staff is governed by a Board of Directors, which is broadly representative of the organic industry. Board members represent certifiers, farmers, input suppliers, processors, handlers, consumer organizations, and animal welfare and environmental groups. The OMRI Advisory Council is composed of independent, professional experts from industry, academia, and public interest groups in the organic community. The Advisory Council makes policies and standards recommendations to the Board of Directors. OMRI Review Panels make the final decision as to whether a product should be OMRI Listed. Five external Review Panels make decisions for Crops, Livestock, Processing and Handling, and for all products reviewed under Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards and Mexican Organic Products Law (LPO) standards. OMRI also maintains an internal Review Panel made up of qualified staff. Show less

The International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) is the professional organization of organic inspectors and offers training and networking world-wide for crop, livestock, and processing inspectors.

IOIA collaborates within the organic sector with governmental agencies including the USDA National Organic Program, certification agencies, and other nonprofit educational entities, to ensure quality inspections, quality inspectors, and organic integrity.