Oregon Tilth Inc

TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE BIOLOGICALLY SOUND AND SOCIALLY EQUITABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND CERTIFICATION.

THE OREGON TILTH CERTIFIED ORGANIC (OTCO) PROGRAM: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ORGANIC CERTIFICATION TO OVER 2200 GROWERS, PROCESSORS AND HANDLERS, THROUGHOUT THE U.S AND MEXICO. THE OTCO PROGRAM ENSURES ORGANIC INTEGRITY THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN, FROM THE FARM TO THE TABLE. OTCO PROVIDES A SYSTEM THAT COMBINES STRICT PRODUCTION STANDARDS, THIRD-PARTY INSPECTIONS, AND STRONG ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS TO PROTECT THE PRODUCERS AND BUYERS OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ITS FUNDING FROM FEES CHARGED FOR ANNUAL CERTIFICATION SERVICES.

ORGANIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: THROUGH EDUCATION PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION EXPANDS FOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES THAT INCREASE RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES AND BUILD HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS HELPS BUILD THE FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE AND STRENGTHEN THE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. LONG-STANDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE A JOINT STAFF POSITION WITH THE USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, WHICH OFFER TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ORGANIC FARMERS; AND WORKING WITH OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY TO INFORM RESEARCH, TRAINING AND TOOLS FOR ORGANIC AND COMMUNITY-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS. IN 2021, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN ITS ADAPTATIONS TO THE MASSIVE DISRUPTIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY DELIVERING SERVICES AND CONVENING COMMUNITY VIA ONLINE PLATFORMS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED PROVIDING REMOTE CERTIFICATION INSPECTIONS FOR MOST OF THE YEAR. IT WAS A KEY ORGANIZER OF THE ACCREDITED CERTIFIERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL TRAINING, WITH OVER 400 ATTENDEES ENGAGED DURING FIVE DAYS OF ONLINE SESSIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTED THE NATIONAL FARM VIABILITY CONFERENCE, WITH OVER 700 ATTENDEES ENGAGED DURING FOUR WEEKS OF ONLINE SESSIONS. THE ORGANIZATION EXITED ITS LEASE FOR THE CORVALLIS OFFICE HEADQUARTERS, SOLIDIFYING ITS COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING A REMOTE, GEOGRAPHICALLY DISPERSED WORKFORCE. THIS HELPED FACILITATE CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT, INCLUDING HIRING MORE DIVERSE STAFF INTO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.THE ORGANIZATION WORKS IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AT BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IN 2021, THE ORGANIZATION COORDINATED WITH ADVOCACY PARTNERS TO ENGAGE LEGISLATORS AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS THROUGH ONLINE MEETINGS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS. BY ACCESSING DIVERSE LEVELS OF POLICYMAKERS, THE ORGANIZATION HELPED PUT A FACE AND PLACE ON THE ORGANIC COMMUNITY TO SHAPE HOW PUBLIC POLICY CAN TRANSLATE INTO COMMITMENTS THAT ADVANCE ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, GROW ORGANIC TRADE AND MARKETS, AND OFFER DIRECT RELIEF ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO CONTINUED PANDEMIC AND CLIMATE CHANGE DISRUPTIONS.