The Organic Advisory Task Force (OATF) advises the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN) about policies and programs that will benefit Minnesota’s organic sector. By statute, the OATF must consist of:
- three organic farmers;
- one wholesaler or distributor of organic products;
- one representative of organic certification agencies;
- two organic processors;
- one representative from the U of MN Extension;
- one U of MN faculty member;
- one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;
- two public members;
- one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA);
- one retailer of organic products; and
- one organic consumer representative.
Meetings
The OATF meets at least twice a year at various locations around the state. For more information about meetings, copies of the minutes, or if you are interested in serving on the OATF, call the MDA Organic Program at 651-201-6012.
Next meeting:
To be determined.
Contact cassie.dahl@state.mn.us for details.
Members
All terms end June 30, 2024.
- Susan Burns
Representing: the Public
susan@susanburnsllc.com - Sharon Hannigan
Representing: Wholesaler or Distributor of Organic Products
sharonhannigan@mac.com - Bradley Heins
Representing: U of MN Faculty
hein0106@umn.edu - Katrina Heinze
Representing: Organic Consumers
katrinafheinze@gmail.com - Ben Hinueber
Representing: Organic Processors
benh@alseed.com - Carolyn Lane
Representing: Organic Certifiers
carolynlane101@gmail.com - Daniel Mahoney
Representing: USDA
daniel.mahoney@usda.gov - Rozalyn Maney
- Representing: the Public
maney.rozalyn@gmail.com - Jack McCann
Representing: Retailers of Organic Products
jack@tc.farm - Daniel Miller
Representing: Organic Farmers
dan@danbmiller.com - Carolyn Olson (Chair)
Representing: Nonprofit Organization Representing Organic Farmers
cofairviewfarm@gmail.com - David Schmidt
Representing: Organic Farmers
bluffvalleyfarm.inc@gmail.com - Marisa Schuh
Representing: U of MN Extension
mschuh@umn.edu - Chad Stannard
Representing: Organic Processors
cstannard@purisfoods.com - Karen Torjesen
Representing: Organic Farmers
karentorjesen@gmail.com
Staff
- Cassie Dahl, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
651-201-6134
cassie.dahl@state.mn.us - Tom Rothman, University of Minnesota
612-625-4743
trothman@umn.edu