IFOAM Organics Europe at the American Organic Week 

From 11-19 May, IFOAM Organics Europe’s President, Jan Plagge and Director, Eduardo Cuoco were in the US at the Organic Week. Besides attending and speaking at this event, they reconnected with the American organic movement and had dense agenda. 

Connecting with a pioneer: The Rodale Institute 

During their stay our President and Director called on the Rodale Institute, a Pennsylvania-based non-profit institution working on organic farming research since its founding in 1947. Together with CEO Jeff Tkach, and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Andrew Smith they inspected the long-term Farming Systems Trial, which has been researching organic and conventional farming practices over the past 43 years. 

The trial’s data showcased how organic yields can match conventional ones and that an organic manure system is the most profitable one. They also exchanged on organic and regenerative organic agriculture, and how it can transform the food system. 

Sharing an EU perspective at the American Organic Week 

On the first day of the Organic Week, our President and Director meet with key stakeholders in the North American organic sector, such as the University of Wisconsin, Whole Foods Market, and the Canada Organic Trade Association.  

On day 1, our President Jan Plagge spoke at the Organic Week on Organic export opportunities & challenges together with Sarah Gorman (Organic Trade Association), Chris Anderson (Sustainable Strategies Advisor), and Tia Loftsgard (Canada Organic Trade Association). During his speech, Mr Plagge highlighted the importance of good trade and equivalency agreements to favour the import and export of organic products and the development of organic markets. Later they attended an award ceremony recognising leading individuals in organic for their work in developing USA organic. 

On day 2, our Director Eduardo Cuoco inspired the audience on Ambitious Goals: Learning from Europe’s Organic Action Plan providing an overview of the EU’s strategy and policies set in place to reach the EU Green Deal & EU Farm to Fork’s objective of 25% agricultural land under organic management by 2030. He discussed the “push and pull” measures to boost both production and consumption and took stock of where the EU is at and what the challenges are ahead.  

Jan Plagge also took the time to interview Bob and Chris Anderson, two of the first organic farmers in the US who have had an important influence on organic initiatives in the states.  

We hope this visit will lay the basis for stronger overseas cooperation and build a shared vision for organic.