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NEW PROGRAM PURSUES
DIVERSITY AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
FOR GROWING ORGANIC
By Stephanie Jerger
www.ota.com
In Loris, South Carolina, Kendrick Staley, a Black farmer, set out to revive his family’s small farm. The farm had been laying fallow for more than 10 years when he decided to move back from the city, and resume the farms operations. From the beginning, he committed
to being environmentally sustainable. He would not grow produce using pesticides or genetically modified seeds. He would use fundamental farming principles
and practices to maintain healthy soil. He explained all of this to me, without ever using the word “organic.”
He had gotten the revived farm registered and numbered with the state, but organic certification was still missing from the massive to-do list of the small farmer. It was not until he was introduced to the Organic Trade Association’s Diversity and Entrepreneurship program, that he began
to consider the possibility of becoming “organic.”
Many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) share that sentiment. While organic practices have long been a part of their traditional farming, the term “organic” is not. In these communities, the term appears to be laced in mistrust and out of their reach. After taking a closer look at the organic industry, its beliefs, its goals, and its benefits, Staley could clearly see the alignment in a way that he never had.
His is not an isolated case. There are thousands more who had not been presented with a convincing opportunity
to explore joining the organic movement. As a leader
in the protection and promotion of organic, the Organic Trade Association understands the social responsibility
in helping shape a more inclusive agricultural future for the good of the organic market and our communities.
Our goals are geared towards building industry, community, and individual capacity for collaborative actions that empower all people to exercise the right to healthy and sustainable food. Our efforts will continue to model the work of the One Step Closer J.E.D.I. Collaborative made up of industry peers and experts
leading work for the natural products industry to frame business case for embedding J--Justice, E--Equity, D-- Diversity and I--Inclusion into our entire food ecosystem.
Our Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program, which extends a complimentary two-year membership to BIPOC- owned farms and businesses, is just one part of the trade association’s commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion (JEDI) within the organic industry. Our JEDI Statement and commitment were created from our experiences and the direct feedback of our members.
We decided to make a conscious effort to ensure that our successes in growing the organic movement not only do not unintentionally perpetuate social inequalities, but create more diverse allies. We understand that diversifying our membership to include food justice organizations and influencers will greatly amplify our voice and our work.
We have established a two-year engagement plan for our new BIPOC members that focuses on meaningful engagement and retention. Because we have raised more than $50,000 from members to support this work, we can also provide up to $500 of in-kind services to our new BIPOC members in transition or in establishing USDA organic certification, such as consultant
services or coverage of organic certification fees.
Reaching these goals will be a vast and measured body
of work. To ensure that we continue to stay on track, we have established a council of our members. Our Diversity Council will help guide and participate in many of our commitments. The council will have a diverse work plan, but its largest goal will consist of exploring establishing a foundation for the organic industry to further this work. The trade association also has many internal commitments geared towards creating more diversity on our Board, within our staff, contractors, and speakers. There is great opportunity in this space, and our trade association is committed to being a part of all the great changes to come.
Stephanie Jerger is Vice President of Administration for the Organic Trade Association and staff liaison for its Diversity Council.
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