|
Untitled document
From the Director's Desk - June 2008
The amount of work that has been accomplished at OSA this winter and spring has been astonishing! We emerged from 2007 a little lean on program funding, but fortunately due to contributions from private donors we were able to put our heads down and focus on laying strong foundations for the future, which is precisely what our strategic plan called for. Two of the most notable accomplishments we are proud to share with you all are the formation of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association and the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative.
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) was formed as a 501(c)(3) membership organization that develops, protects and promotes the organic seed trade and its growers, and assures that the organic community has access to excellent quality organic seed, free of contaminants and adapted to the diverse needs of local organic agriculture. OSGATA will allow seed growers and others involved in the seed trade to address issues of mutual concern on business and policy levels. We hope that this will be a venue in which we can resolve differences and create strategies to improve the seed trade on a national level.
The overarching goals of OSGATA’s first year are to develop the association’s organizational, legal and administrative foundations, build membership, prioritize key program deliverables that serve the mission and membership, and develop recognition in the market place and political sphere. OSA’s role is to provide technical assistance for the incubation of OSGATA for a period of three years. Matthew Dillon is the primary service provider for this work with additional support coming from Dan Hobbs.
To date OSGATA has been engaged in two key program areas: Board President Frank Morton is working with The Non-GMO Project as a member of their Seed Advisory Committee which will make recommendations regarding seed-related issues, and to act as a liaison between The Non-GMO Project and other groups and organizations concerned with the preservation of a non-GMO seed supply. Secondly, OSGATA established a Seed Rule Committee to develop and deliver recommendations to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). OSGATA farmer-member Woody Deryckx traveled to Baltimore in May 2008 to testify before the NOSB on the need for organic seed usage and development. You can stay up to date with OSGATA by visiting www.osgata.org and we encourage you to join to increase OSGATA’s impact on policy-related issues. Everyone interested in seeds, farming, and/or eating is welcome to become a member of OSGATA.
OSA also helped incorporate the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative (FFSC). FFSC was set-up as producer-owned marketing cooperative with membership classes for both individuals and producer groups. The majority of members are expected to be mixed produce and seed farms. The cooperative is designed to complement their existing operations through production contracting with seed companies, selling seeds directly to other farmers, and providing support services, such as seed analysis, printing and ordering supplies. Through these activities it is expected that FFSC will expand market share, reduce unnecessary competition between growers, and absorb many administrative functions associated with marketing and sales. Founding members are Maud Powell of Wolf Gulch Farm in Oregon, Rich Pecoraro and Shanan Olson of Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce in Colorado, Lawrence Holmes Cresset Farm in Colorado, and Brian Campbell of Uprising Organics in Washington. Additional members will be sought as the cooperative initiates operations in 2009.
 OSA will play a similar role with FFSC as with OSGATA—that is technical assistance, capacity building and securing financing in the early years of operations. To date, significant activities have involved the preparation of incorporation documents, the first draft of a business plan, submission of a Value Added Producer Grant, and the first draft of a logo (see inset). For more information about FFSC please contact OSA staff.
Incorporation support for Family Farmers Seed Cooperative and Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association was provided by Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation and their legal counsel Chuck Hollum.
We thank you for your continued support of OSA and our sister organizations. The work we do with our farmer and professional partners towards creating an integrated alternative and sustainable model of seed development, production and ownership is directly related to your contributions, encouragement, and input.
Dan Hobbs, Executive Director
|
