OTA holds election to get OTA Canada off the ground
OTA holds election to get OTA Canada off the ground
At the request of its Canadian members, the Organic Trade Association is expanding its efforts in Canada by establishing an OTA Canada division.
"This fulfills a long-term goal of OTA to create a stronger presence in Canada," Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director, said in a statement.
Ms. Wilcox noted that the association has always had members from Canada on its board and, in fact, was founded in part by Canadians. This move comes as Canada is preparing to issue its federal organic standards, which will require much attention from OTA.
OTA Canada will be an operating division of OTA, with a managing director reporting directly to OTA's executive director and an advisory committee to set strategic priorities and goals. The election for the first OTA Canada Advisory Committee will take place in the coming weeks. After the election, OTA, in consultation with the committee, will develop a job description for the OTA Canada managing director and begin strategic planning for the division.
Nine candidates are seeking six elected seats on the planned eight-member OTA Canada Advisory Committee. All eligible candidates are affiliated with OTA trade member companies based in Canada. The candidates are Debra Boyle of SunOpta Inc., Nancy Ciancibello of Plen Organics Inc., Hermann Grauer of Nature's Farm, Kelly Monaghan of Ash Street Enterprises, Michelle Neilson of McLean Meats Inc., Billy Potash of Cawston Cold Storage Ltd./Nature's First Fruit, Richard Steele of N2 Ingredients Inc., Rachel Swenson of Farmer Direct Co-Operative Ltd. and Donna Youngdahl of the Canadian Wheat Board.
In addition to the six elected positions, there will be one seat appointed by the elected members and the chair, filled by H?l?ne Bouvier, currently OTA's vice president for Canada.
Areas on which OTA envisions its OTA Canada office will focus include public policy and standards for the organic sector, consumer education, promotion of organic sector businesses, networking opportunities and events, public relations and marketing, and links with research-based organizations mandated to conduct research in the organic field.
As part of OTA's work in Canada, Ms. Wilcox and OTA's Canadian liaison, Stephanie Wells, will participate in the Try Healthy Forum, presented by Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Aug. 8-9 in Banff, AB.
Initiated by senior state and provincial agricultural officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico as part of the Tri-National Agriculture Accord, the Try Healthy Forum will discuss the challenges in North America's natural, organic and wellness markets, and connect buyers and sellers.
"This fulfills a long-term goal of OTA to create a stronger presence in Canada," Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director, said in a statement.
Ms. Wilcox noted that the association has always had members from Canada on its board and, in fact, was founded in part by Canadians. This move comes as Canada is preparing to issue its federal organic standards, which will require much attention from OTA.
OTA Canada will be an operating division of OTA, with a managing director reporting directly to OTA's executive director and an advisory committee to set strategic priorities and goals. The election for the first OTA Canada Advisory Committee will take place in the coming weeks. After the election, OTA, in consultation with the committee, will develop a job description for the OTA Canada managing director and begin strategic planning for the division.
Nine candidates are seeking six elected seats on the planned eight-member OTA Canada Advisory Committee. All eligible candidates are affiliated with OTA trade member companies based in Canada. The candidates are Debra Boyle of SunOpta Inc., Nancy Ciancibello of Plen Organics Inc., Hermann Grauer of Nature's Farm, Kelly Monaghan of Ash Street Enterprises, Michelle Neilson of McLean Meats Inc., Billy Potash of Cawston Cold Storage Ltd./Nature's First Fruit, Richard Steele of N2 Ingredients Inc., Rachel Swenson of Farmer Direct Co-Operative Ltd. and Donna Youngdahl of the Canadian Wheat Board.
In addition to the six elected positions, there will be one seat appointed by the elected members and the chair, filled by H?l?ne Bouvier, currently OTA's vice president for Canada.
Areas on which OTA envisions its OTA Canada office will focus include public policy and standards for the organic sector, consumer education, promotion of organic sector businesses, networking opportunities and events, public relations and marketing, and links with research-based organizations mandated to conduct research in the organic field.
As part of OTA's work in Canada, Ms. Wilcox and OTA's Canadian liaison, Stephanie Wells, will participate in the Try Healthy Forum, presented by Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Aug. 8-9 in Banff, AB.
Initiated by senior state and provincial agricultural officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico as part of the Tri-National Agriculture Accord, the Try Healthy Forum will discuss the challenges in North America's natural, organic and wellness markets, and connect buyers and sellers.
