The U.S. organic sector stayed on its upward trajectory in 2016, gaining new market share and shattering records, as consumers across the United States ate and used more organic products than ever before, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2017 Organic Industry Survey.

Organic sales in the U.S. totaled approximately $47 billion in 2016, reflecting new sales of almost $3.7 billion from the previous year.

From infant formula to organic chicken stock, check out new organic products from Winter 2017.

The single most effective way you can address the range of critical issues facing your organic business is by joining the Organic Trade Association. OTA has promoted and protected the organic business community for thirty years. We have the strategic know-how to effectively address issues, both large and small, that impact your bottom line. Welcome to the new OTA members who have joined us in 2016.

White House Garden Tour during #OrganicWeekDC

The Organic Trade Association brought its Board of Directors and representatives from The Organic Center and the Organic Political Action Committee (PAC) Boards on a tour of the White House Garden in conjunction with OTA’s 2016 Policy Conference in D.C. in May.

The organic sector is thriving. We need more farmers, research, and consumer education to keep it that way. GRO Organic check-off will help organic continue to grow. Nearly 1,400 organic stakeholders publicly support the GRO Organic Check-Off. Be sure to weigh-in this fall when the public comment period opens up in the Federal Register! Your voice counts!

In 1993, a group of farmers on the high plains of Texas planted thousands of acres of organic and transitional cotton. After finding a very underdeveloped market with only one or two potential customers, they formed the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC).

With no paid staff, the organization worked out of co-founder Jimmy Wedel’s home trying to develop a totally unknown market. 

Twenty-three years later, the farmers who make up TOCMC are receiving OTA’s Farmer of the Year Organic Leadership Award.

 One of OTA’s strongest assets as an organization is the diversity and breadth of its membership.