Organic advocate receives Organic Trailblazer Award. Mike Dill, Organically Grown Company's (OGC) director of advocacy and sustainability, received the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) Organic Trailblazer Award during OTA's Organic Week in Washington, DC, last week. This award recognizes individuals forging new paths and creating meaningful impact in the organic industry. Dill's career in organic spans certification, advocacy, sustainability and produce trade, giving him a perspective that reaches from organic standards and policy to the practical realities facing growers and businesses. "I'm honored by this recognition, but no one blazes a trail alone," said Dill. "I'm fortunate to collaborate with farmers, businesses and mission-driven partners who challenge one another to strengthen organic agriculture and build a healthier, equitable and more resilient food system. It all comes down to partnerships: the coalitions and like-minded people working together to create lasting change." [Mike Dill] Dill has spent years building connections across the organic supply chain at the state and national levels. He currently chairs the Oregon Organic Coalition, serves as vice chair of OTA's Produce Sector Council and coordinates the Organic Produce Wholesalers Coalition. He also serves on the Organic Farming Research Foundation board, the Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture board, the Oregon Department of Agriculture board and USDA's Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. During Organic Week, Dill was also welcomed as a newly elected member of OTA's Board of Directors, where he will serve a three-year term. "Mike's leadership reflects the very best of organic values," said OGC's CEO Brenna Davis. "He leads with integrity, humility, curiosity and stewardship, consistently going beyond the boundaries of his formal role to strengthen trust, improve standards and support the evolution of organic agriculture. At a time when the organic sector faces increasing complexity and change, Mike is a steady, forward-looking force who helps others see possibility in the challenges."

Help your team sell organic with confidence. As an organic grocer, you do more than stock the shelves and replenish wet racks. You're an important link between organic farmers and the people who make choices about their food every day. To help you build confidence in that role, OGC is partnering with the Oregon Organic Coalition on September 23 from 9-11 AM for a FREE virtual training, Strengthening Organic Retail Through Merchandising, Education & Integrity. Designed for grocers, co-ops, produce teams, managers and other retail staff, this practical, packed two-hour session will give participants useful knowledge and tools they can bring right back to the store. Presenters include OGC's Jeff Fairchild, a retail produce pro with more than four decades of experience, and Mike Dill, a former organic certification inspector, turned advocacy and sustainability leader. They'll be joined by Gwendolyn Wyard, founder of Strengthening Organic Systems, and Mallory Cochrane, Executive Director of the Oregon Organic Coalition. They'll dig into what organic really means, from certification, labeling and maintaining organic integrity to working with small and mid-sized growers, effective merchandising and storytelling. They'll talk about how to answer the questions shoppers ask and help them understand why choosing organic matters. Whether you're new to organic or have been selling it for years, expect plenty of useful information, practical takeaways and fresh perspective. It's free, it's virtual, and registration is open now. Gather your team and join Organically Grown Company September 23, 9-11 AM.