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:
- three farmers using organic agriculture methods;
- one wholesaler or distributor of organic products;
- one representative of organic certification agencies;
- two organic processors;
- one representative from University of Minnesota Extension;
- one University of Minnesota faculty member;
- one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;
- two public members;
- one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture; and
- one retailer of organic products; and
- 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)
- Karen Couné, Resident of Shorewood, MN
Representing: the public
612-202-7201 ~ karen.coune@gmail.com
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Alex Dubish, USDA Farm Service Agency
Representing: USDA
USDA-FSA
651-602-7726 ~ alexander.dubish@mn.usda.gov
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Bradley Heins, U of MN West Central Research and Outreach Center
Representing: University of Minnesota Extension
320-589-1711 ~ hein0106@umn.edu
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Jackie Hoch, Hoch Orchard and Gardens
Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
507-643-6329 ~ jackie@hochorchard.com
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Robert King, U of MN, Dept. of Applied Economics
Representing: University of Minnesota faculty members
612-625-1273 ~ rking@umn.edu
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Mary McCallum, Resident of Saint Paul, MN
Representing: organic consumers
612.968.0558 ~ maryq@bitstream.net
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Michelle Menken, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association
Representing: organic certifying agencies
612-625-7766 ~ michelle.menken@mncia.org
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Wesley Moechnig, Moechnig Farm
Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
651-380-6882 ~ juwes2@hughes.net
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Mia Naseth-Phillips, Resident of Cottage Grove, MN
Representing: organic consumers
Phone: 651-675-9481
E-mail: orangemadeline@hotmail.com
Appointed: 4/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Elia Romano, Albert Lea Seed House
Representing: organic processors
507-373-3161 ~ elia@alseed.com
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Leonard Russo, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market
Representing: retailers of organic products
651.699.3536 ~ heartland5@qwestoffice.net
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Anthony Schiller, SunOpta, Inc.
Representing: organic processors
507-451-4724 ~ tony.schiller@sunopta.com
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Paul Sobocinski, Farmer
Representing: farmers using organic agriculture methods
507-342-2323 ~ sobopaul@redred.com
Appointed: 7/1/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2013
- Rhys Williams, Coop Partners Warehouse
Representing: wholesalers/distributors of organic products
651-644-7000 ~ rhystracy@gmail.com
Appointed: 9/15/2011 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
- Emily Zweber, Minnesota Farm Bureau Member
Representing: nonprofit organizations representing producers
9020 Prairie Street, Elko, MN 55020
651-341-0430 ~ ezweber@integra.net
Appointed: 9/1/2009 Term Ends: June 30, 2012
Updated: 3/30/2012
Task Force Staff
Next Meeting Date
- For information, call 651-201-6616
Task Force Meeting Minutes
2010
For meeting records from earlier years, contact Meg Moynihan at 651-201-6616
MDA Contact
Meg Moynihan, Organic & Diversification Specialist
Organic Production & Certification Program
651-201-6616 ~ Meg.Moynihan@state.mn.us
Ag Marketing & Development Division
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