BIOFACH AMERICA

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I feared the worst. At Expo West in California, I am representing IFOAM - Organics International and here to offer support the organic movement in very turbulent times in the U.S. There is no question that there is both anxiety and a good deal of political chaos that is difficult to navigate in. The National Organic Program itself is threatened like so many areas, and grants for market development, new farm practices and research are all frozen. Despite this there is plenty of fire in the organic movement! And at back to back sessions on market development and policy “Engage and collaborate!” was a strong common thread in the organic movement’s recipe for success in both market and policy. In the Policy ecosystem, Matthew Dillon, co-CEO OTA & Adam Warthesen Organic Valley described digging in, building coalitions, mobilizing farmers & food companies in lobby work, finding champions and navigating in a new political reality. They appealed to brands & farmers to engage in organic organisations, and that organic groups stand together in collective action. OTA has launched a State Organic Network, sharing best practices in state level support for organic. Some new arguments become more central: ✔  That organic is a VOLUNTARY shift for farmers ✔  Organic is not either or. Not a part of any polarization ✔   Organic is the original Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement “getting pesticides out of food, dropping food additives…..” focusing on healthy soil giving healthy food for healthy people ✔  Organic is about better livelihoods for farmers ✔  Organic is a pathway to making American farming more self sufficient In the market ecosystem, Tom Chapman, co-CEO Organic Trade Association, and Heidi Diestel of Diestel Turkey Ranch shared market insights: ✔ Organic continues to move forward ✔  USDA organic is the most trusted food label, outpacing humane, regenerative, fair trade etc. ✔  As in many nations, a new survey finds that consumers find individual claims (animal welfare, no GMOs, no pesticides) more important than “organic” even though organic delivers on all these issues! ✔   But when the question is what they are willing to pay more for, organic scores well above individual claims. “Trust and value” is higher. ✔   Good news: new figures show GenX & Millennials with a stronger trust & willingness to pay for organic than baby boomers. In just 4 years, their buying power will exceed baby boomers. ✔  There is much to gain in communicating organic as “one stop shopping” for a whole basket of values. “Good for you, for your family, good for your community and for the planet,“ as Tom said. Combining ego & eco motivations. ✔  There was also great interest in improving & communicating nutrient density in organic products as a “moonshot" for organics. Heidi has data for higher protein levels in their organic turkey. For Tom, organic has a great potential here because we have full traceability. All in all an oplifting double session!

The first panel Organic & Natural Health Association 10th Annual Conference with AP Lewis Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage explores global sustainability initiatives! 🌍 Jennifer Taylor IFOAM - Organics International Alexis Baden-Mayer Organic Consumers Association Carrie Balkcom American Grassfed Association Deb Ferbrache BIOFACH AMERICA and Douglas Horn #ONHealth2025

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🎤 You're looking for an opportunity to talk about important topics related to the Organic Industry such as: 🌱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 & 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 Mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration, reduced synthetic inputs, and ecosystem restoration    🌱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗨𝗦 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆/𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 USDA Organic and other certification processes, including compliance with labeling and production standards    🌱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 Insights into organic food demand, marketing strategies    🌱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 Examples: Latest advancements in organic crop varieties, natural pest control methods, soil health    🌱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 Regenerative agriculture, water conservation, and biodiversity enhancement that align with organic principles    You're hoping to reach a big audience that consists both of experts and other interested parties, that are familiar with the field? Then this is your cue to become a Speaker at BIOFACH AMERICA 2025 where we can provide you a valuable stage for your contents. Submit your application through this link: https://lnkd.in/dwhFheV6 until January 31 and tell us about what you would like to present. We'll notify you no later than March 1 about your spot on the schedule. Looking forward to your input! #BIOFACHAMERICA #speakersubmission #callforspeakers #organic