Speaker

Laura Batcha is CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). OTA, an umbrella organization uniting more than 8,500 member companies across the entire supply chain, promotes and protects today’s $43 billion organic industry. Under her leadership, OTA has established its Farmers Advisory Council to improve communication with organic producers, brought back Sector Councils to build community among groups of members, and developed OTA’s voice in Washington through Organic PAC. She brings 20 years of direct experience as a certified organic producer and handler, and more than 10 years of hands-on experience in the private sector of the organic industry. Batcha is a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) appointed by USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office and a member of USDA’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). She also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Organic Center, an independent non-profit research and education organization operating under OTA’s administrative umbrella.