Organic Industry Gears up for September Organic Harvest Month

September 2000 marks the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) ninth annual
"Organic Harvest Month" celebration designed to focus attention on the
benefits and practices of organic agriculture and to encourage consumers to
increase their use of certified organic products.

As a result, various retailers, organizations, food co-ops, farm groups,
and communities around the country are planning special celebrations during
September to celebrate Organic Harvest Month. These are seen as an ideal
way to share information with consumers on what organic stands for and what
organic products are available.

The main message OTA wishes to convey is that "organic" refers to the way
agricultural productsincluding foods and fibers such as cottonare grown and
processed. OTA notes that "organic" stands for a commitment to an
agricultural system that strives for a balance with nature, using methods
and materials of low impact to the environment. Organic production systems
are designed to replenish and maintain soil fertility, eliminate the use of
toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and build a
biologically diverse agriculture.

"When consumers choose organic products, they're voting for a more vibrant
planet," according to Katherine DiMatteo, OTA's executive director.

Events to mark the celebration range from in-store promotions of various
organic products, organic tasting parties, "meet the farmer" events
including farm tours, and community harvest festivals. In communities where
there is no organized event, OTA suggests that consumers visit their local
farmers' market to look for organic products. A list of farmers' markets is
provided on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing
Service's web site (www.ams.usda.gov).

In conjunction with the September celebrations, OTA has developed the
following list of "Five Easy Ways to Celebrate Organic Harvest Month" to
share with consumers.

Five Easy Ways to Celebrate Organic Harvest Month

1. PREPARE one meal with as many organic ingredients as possible.
Don't forget to serve the organic beverage of your choice with your meal
and enjoy an organic dessert. (It is a celebration.)

2. GO SHOPPING and fill one grocery bag with all organic products.
Remember, organic isn't just in the produce aisle, it's in the frozen
section, in the health and beauty department, and it appears everywhere
between dairy and canned goods. If you can't find organic items in your
store, talk to your grocer to find out about bringing some in.

3. WEAR organic cotton clothing, available in everything from socks to
sweaters. Enjoy the comfort and style while you support agriculture that
builds healthy soils and protects the environment.

4. INDULGE yourself. Take a long bath in water scented with organic
oils. Nibble on rich organic chocolate. Sip organic wine, beer or even a
martini made with organic vodka. Buy yourself a bouquet of organically
grown flowers. Cuddle in a towel or robe made from organic cotton.

5. SAY THANK YOU to an organic grower or producer because they're the
ones who bring organic food and fiber products to the tables and stores all
across North America. Grab a friend and go to your local farmers market
where you can buy organic products directly from a certified organic grower
and say "Thanks!"

OTA is a membership-based business association representing the organic
industry in North America. Anyone who would like to obtain more information
about organic agriculture can visit OTA's web site (www.ota.com).

Events during Organic Harvest Month September 2000

Here is a partial list of events or celebrations occurring during September
where you can learn more about organic agriculture and products. But there
are countless other events where you can celebrate "organic"perhaps at your
local food cooperative or local farmers' market. Remember to take time
during September to enjoy the "fruits" of organic agriculture. These
"fruits" may be fresh produce (fruits and vegetables)or even clothing made
from organically grown fiber.

·The Organic Trade Association and Taste For Life Magazine have
worked together to create a special insert focusing on organic for
inclusion in the September issue of Taste For Life. This will be
distributed nationally to more than 800 natural product chains, health food
stores, and food cooperatives.
·Rainbow Blossom's two natural food stores in Louisville, Kentucky,
Saturday, Sept. 16. Tastings, drawings and samplings. Contact: Bryony
Smith, 800-448-8075, ext. 13, or 502-896-0189.
·Berkeley Natural Grocery in Berkeley, CA, and El Cerrito Natural
Grocery in El Cerrito, CA, are both celebrating that they now carry only
100 percent organic fresh produce.
·Spectrum Organic Products is offering a special two-pack organic
product promotion. Consumers can buy a bottle of organic olive oil and
receive a bottle of organic balsamic vinegar free.
·Community Food Co-op in Bellingham, Washington, also has indicated
it will mark the event.

Sept. 10: Epicurean Tomato Fete. Wheatleigh Hotel, Lenox, MA. Contact:
Eastern native Seed Conservancy, 413-229-8316.

Sept. 12: 12th Annual Feast of Fields, "Celebrating the Organic Harvest
with Chefs and Farmers." Albion Hills Conservation Area, Bolton, Ontario,
Canada. Contact: 905-859-3609.

Sept. 12-14: Ag Expo 2000 at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. Woodstock,
Ontario,Canada. Contact: 800-563-5441.

Sept. 13: Wisconsin Farmstead Dairy Field Day. Buckwheat Acres Goat Dairy,
Three Lakes, WI. Contact: 800-942-2474.

Sept. 14-15: Frontier Farmfest Series 2000Organic Herb Grower Days.
Frontier Natural Products Coop Organic Research Farm, Norway, IA. Contact:
319-227-7996, ext. 3115.

Sept. 16: An Evening with Joan Dye Gussow. Stratford Ecological Center,
Columbus, OH. Contact: The Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association,
614-421-2022.

Sept. 16: Organic Harvest Month celebration. Rainbow Blossom's two natural
foods stores, Louisville, KY. Contact: Bryony Smith, 800-448-8075, ext. 13,
or 502-896-0189.

Sept. 17: Farm Aid Concert 2000. Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA. Performers
will include Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp. Details:
www.farmaid.com/event.

Sept. 17: California Organic Festival. Oak Park in Santa Barbara, CA.
Hours: 11 a.m. 5 p.m.

Sept. 21-24: Natural Products Expo East. Baltimore, MD. Contact: New Hope
Communications, 303-939-8440.

Sept. 21: OTA's Annual Meeting and the OTA Annual Dinner, celebrating OTA's
15-year anniversary. Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with Natural Products
Expo East. Contact: Laura Stravino, 413-774-7511, ext. 23.

Sept. 22: Field Day on open-pollinated corn research and the Wisconsin
Integrated Cropping Systems Trial. Elkhorn, WI. Contact: 262-642-3303.

Sept. 22-23: Festive Earth Eco-Trade Show. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Contact: 416-469-2977.

Sept. 22-24: Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Common Ground Country Fair.
Unity, ME. Contact: 207-622-3118.

Sept. 22-24: Urban-Rural Food Systems Conference. Michael Fields
Agricultural Institute, East Troy, WI. Contact: 262-642-3303.

Sept. 22-25: "The Restaurant of the Future: Traditional Food, Global
Technology and Culture" conference, organized by the Joe Baum Forum on the
Future and the Chefs Collaborative. Culinary Institute of America, Hyde
Park, NY. Contact: 914-452-2230.

Sept. 24: Gala event to celebrate SPOKE's organic cross-country tour in
Canada. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Contact: Chris Gooderham, 416-445-2798
(www.ecoexplorer.com).

Sept. 26-28: Spacifically 2000 Conference and Exposition for Spa Industry
Executives. Los Angeles, CA. Contact: 914-232-3929.

Sept. 28-30: Value-Added Agriculture Co-op Forum coordinated by the
National Farmers Union. Minneapolis, MN. Contact: 303-338-2537.