Organic Advisory Task Force

Enabling Legislation

Minnesota  Statute 31.94 (c) – A  Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force shall advise the commissioner and the University of Minnesota on policies and programs that will improve organic agriculture in Minnesota, including how available resources can most effectively be used for outreach, education, research, and technical assistance that meet the needs of the organic agriculture community. The task force must consist of the following residents of the state: 

1. three farmers using organic agriculture methods;
2. one wholesaler or distributor of organic products;
3. one representative of organic certification agencies;
4. two organic processors;
5. one representative from University of Minnesota Extension;
6. one University of Minnesota faculty member;
7. one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;
8. two public members;
9. one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture; and
10. one retailer of organic products; and 
11. one organic consumer representative.

The commissioner, in consultation with the director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; the dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension; and the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences shall appoint members to serve staggered two-year terms.

Compensation and removal of members are governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6. The task force must meet at least twice each year and expires on June 30, 2013.

Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force Appointments (sunset 6/30/13)

• Sharon Hannigan, Consultant
  Representing: wholesalers/distributors of organic products
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Bradley Heins, UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center
  Representing: University of Minnesota Extension
  hein0106@umn.edu  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Jackie Hoch, Hoch Orchard and Gardens
  Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
  jackie@hochorchard.com  
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Robert King, U of M, Dept. of Applied Economics
  Representing: University of Minnesota faculty members
  rking@umn.edu  
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Dennis Lutteke, Lutteke Organics
  Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Mary McCallum, Resident of Saint Paul, MN
  Representing: the public
  maryq@bitstream.net  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Michelle Menken, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association
  Representing: organic certifying agencies
  michelle.menken@mncia.org  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Mia Naseth-Phillips, Resident of Cottage Grove, MN
  Representing: organic consumers
  orangemadeline@hotmail.com  
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Carolyn Olson, Lyon County Farm Bureau
  Representing: nonprofit organizations representing producers
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Anna Parker, USDA Risk Management Agency
  Representing: United States Department of Agriculture
  anna.parker@rma.usda.gov
  Appointed: 10/5/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Elia Romano, Albert Lea Seed House
  Representing: organic processors
  elia@alseed.com  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Katherine Roseth, Lakewinds Natural Foods
  Representing: the public
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Leonard Russo, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market
  Representing: retailers of organic products
  heartland5@qwestoffice.net  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Anthony Schiller, SunOpta, Inc.
  Representing: organic processors
  tony.schiller@sunopta.com  
  Appointed: 8/10/2012 Term ends: June 30, 2013
• Paul Sobocinski,
  Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
  sobopaul@redred.com  
  Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term ends: June 30, 2013

Updated: 8/9/2012

Task Force Staff

• Meg Moynihan for Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  651-201-6616
  Meg.moynihan@state.mn.us
• John Byrnes for University of Minnesota
  612-625-4743
  byrnes@umn.edu

Next Meeting Date

• June 24, 2013 in Chaska

Task Force Meeting Minutes

• June 18, 2012 Minutes (PDF: 238 KB / 4 pages)
• March 5, 2012 Minutes (PDF: 481 KB / 6 pages)

2011

• January 13, 2011 Minutes (PDF: 776 KB / 6 pages)
• April 1, 2011 Minutes (PDF: 861 KB / 6 pages)
• July 15, 2011 Minutes (PDF: 829 KB / 8 pages)

For meeting records from earlier years, contact Meg Moynihan at 651-201-6616  

MDA Contact

Meg Moynihan, Principal Administrator
Organic Production & Certification Program
Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us or 651-201-6616

Ag Marketing & Development Division