Progress 09/01/21 to 08/28/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Conference planning, organization and execution engaged a diverse combination of educators, industry leaders, scientists, government staff/policymakers, farmers and artists. Because plastic touches all markets and all sectors at some point in the food and fiber supply chain, we were able to develop a conference that was aimed at all markets and sectors, and all food system stakeholders including consumers. We of course had a target of organic stakeholders, but were not exclusive. We also narrowed our scope to the food systems and therefore the fiber sector was less included than we would have preferred. JEDI- In order to comprehensively identify the ways in which plastic is used as important tools, define challenges assosciated with plastic reduction, and develop a roadmap solutions, we intentionally attempted to increase diversity and inclusion in our audience and speakers. We put significant effort into finding speakers that were not from the majority demographic and in the end out of 22 speakers we had: 5 BIPOC 12 Female Identifying 5 BIPOC-Female Identifying 8 farmers and Farmer representatives 1 Artist Farmer scholarships were open to all farmers, but we actively recruited farmers from BIPOC backgrounds and those that were economically and socially disadvantaged. We fundraised additional money from the industry in order to offer a total of 27 farmer scholarships. Of those 27, we had: 21 BIPOC 14 Female Identifying 11 BIPOC-Female Identifying The diversity of attendees was recognized by staff, new attendees and those who regularly attend confluences. This diversity was noted in a positive way in the formal evaluation of the event and also in comments shared throughout the event e.g. "Hosting 27 scholarship participants is a huge win for our OTA community and the larger organic movement! These participants were thrilled to be invited and engaged in our event, and all other participants were excited to meet them and learn about their businesses and unique perspectives. These attendees help to spark new dialogues within the industry which will continue to help us reach new audiences and meet everyone's needs more equitably."-OTA staff member The partners who helped us identify farmers to bring with our scholarships were: National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Black Farmers Index Alabama A&M Small Farms Research Center National Young Farmers Coalition CCOF Georgia Organics Farmworker Association of Florida Kentucky Agriculture Development Advocacy University of District of Columbia We had a total of 150 people register for the conference event and 135 who attended. Speakers and their affiliations Session 1: What is the role of plastic in our food system? Cynthia Barstow, Protect Our Breasts / Sustainability Marketing UMass Isenberg School Dr. Lisa Erdle, 5Gyres Alejandra Warren, Plastic Free Future Dr. Dana Nettles, Dr. Nettles Natural Beauty Session 2: Use of Plastics in Organic Dr. Carol Miles, Washington State University Extension Dr. David Gonthier, University of Kentucky Camille Herrera, Driscoll's Renaud des Rosiers, Amy's (also Board Member, Biodegradable Products Institute) Dr. Kelly Nelson, USDA ERS and Adjunct Professor, John Hopkins University Jason Cleaver, Columbia Basin Onion Session 3: Organic Regulations and Plastics Katherine DiMatteo, DiMatteo Consulting Chris Anderson, Sustainable Strategies - Advisors in Food & Agriculture Dr. Lisa Erdle, 5Gyres Kyla Smith, Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) and NOSB Board member Session 4: The Future of Non-Input Synthetics, Recycling and Plastic-Alternatives Jazmine Mejia-Meunoz, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation Rhodes Yepsen, Biodegradable Products Institute Cynthia Minet, MFA, Moorpark College Mitch Ratcliffe, Earth911 Session 5: Innovations in Plastic Alternatives: Lightning Session Mike Dill, Organically Grown Company, Coordinator- Organic Produce Wholesalers Coalition Lindsey McCoy, Plaine Products John McKeon, Earthbound Farms Lisa de Lima, MOM's Organic Market Andrew Stephens, USDA- Foreign Ag Service Alejandra Warren, Plastic Free Future Advisory board members and affiliations Producers and Industry Joan & Drew Norman, One Straw Farm LLC, Maryland Javier Zamora, JSM Organics, California Perry Clutts, Pleasantview Farm, Ohio David Vetter, Grain Place Foods, Inc., Nebraska Dr. Dana Nettles, Dr. Nettles Natural Beauty, Alabama Megan Miller, Coconut Bliss Paul Schiefer, Amy's Kitchen Inc. Katie Clark, Happy Family / Danone Dr. Kaia Shivers, NYU/Black Farmers Index Amara Brown, Black Farmers Index Katherine DiMatteo, DiMatteo Consulting Mandy Makinen, National Co-op Grocers Researchers & Policy Houston Wilson, UC Organic Agriculture Institute Alexis Racelis, University of Texas Rio Grande, Center for Sustainable Agricultre and Rural Advancement Jane Sooby, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Kyla Smith, Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) Jennifer Tucker, National Organic Program, USDA Lindsay Haines, USDA, NRCS Changes/Problems:1. We needed more funding As we began to develop the programming (after the workflow delay from COVID), we quickly realized that our original budget would not be enough to recruit the caliber and quantity of speakers we needed to cover such a broad topic. Perhaps in response to the changing economy, or perhaps there have been societal shifts in work-life balance since COVID, but whatever the reason, people, including academics who often cover their own expenses, were reluctant to travel and to present without all travel expenses covered, and many requested additional honorariums. We ran out of funds quickly just for speakers and needed still to provide scholarships to farmers. We were able to fundraise an additional $80,000 cash and product donations (organic cotton tote bags) from industry sponsors. These donations largely helped us cover speaker fees and travel for 22 speakers, and 27 farmer scholarships. The funds also helped contribute more to the venue and AV expenses that were shared by our co-host organization, The Organic Trade Association. This helped ensure that we were able to select the best venue that was appropriate for our confluences. 2. We lost staff capacity and had a major leadership change which slowed progress on the programming. Changes in staffing significantly impacted the speed of our progress in developing the program and selected speakers. Nonetheless, we still were able to put together a very impactful and successful event. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Opportunities for professional development were made available to all conference speakers and attendees, especially those who were engaged in the breakout session and discussion. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Social media Newsletters for TOC and OTA eOrganic report Sharing website in additional conversations/collaborations What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1) Discuss impacts of agricultural plastic use from the perspective of waste, climate change, and environmental/human health Major activities completed:Hosted a session titled "How plastic moves through our food system and environment."This session showcased the role of plastic in our food system,how it can escape the supply chain and move through the environment and our bodies. Detrimental impacts of plastic pollution and exposure to plastic chemicals were highlighted, underscoring why we should care about reducing plastic along the organic supply chain and beyond. Key outcomes:A change in knowledge.Feedback from attendees was that this session was the most impactful session with many people saying they didn't know the extent of the problem of making and using plastic. The environmental justice presentation received the most positive feedback. Goal 2) Discuss agronomic, processing, and distribution challenges that are currently addressed with plastics, and highlight innovative solutions to plastic use and waste from the field to the table Major activities completed:Hosted the following sessions: "Use of Plastics in Organic" examined the use of plastics throughout the supply chain, highlighting challenges that organic stakeholders face that are currently addressed with plastic-based tools. "The Future of Non-Input Synthetics, Recycling and Plastic-Alternatives in Organic"explored the need for a future framework in discussions around non-input use of synthetic, recycling, and plastic alternatives in organic. "Innovations in Plastic Alternatives."Rapid, 5-min. presentations highlighted case studieswherestakeholdershave used novel alternatives to plastic andoffer hopeful solutions for future plastic reduction 4) Key outcomes:A change in knowledge.Between the educational sessions and the breakout discussion, many people learned about a use for plastic that they may not have known about. Feedback from several attendees expressed their appreciation for having so many different kinds of stakeholders in the room to reduce silos and conversations that typically run in circles within their own groups. Goal 3) Host policy updates and analyses to set the stage for the current state of plastic alternatives and NOP allowances Major activities completed:Hosted a session titled "Organic Regulations and Plastics: Policies, Pathways, and Challenges."This panel included updates from NOP regulators on the current status of plastic regulation in general and specifically for organic, and discussions about the complexities of regulating plastic use in organic. Key outcomes:A change in knowledge. During this session, we heard from several elders in the industry who were actively participating in the community before, during, and after the Organic Production Act was developed and passed. They shared their experience with rulemaking and where plastic fell into these conversations. Many of the younger audience members did not know this history. Others were not aware of recent and upcoming potential changes in policies that conflict with plastic and plastic alternatives. Goal 4) Collaboratively build a roadmap that reimagines plastic use across the supply chain Major activities completed: We hosted a breakout session and discussion addressing the following questions: Data collected: 1. Does plastic provide any critical, additional tools that haven't been highlighted yet? Many uses of plastic from the field to the table were identified. 2. What are thebiggestchallenges you have faced or have witnessed in trying to reduce plastic in your area of the supply chain? Cost and feasibility of implementing substitutes Lack of research on the impacts of the substitutes (e.g. hidden effects of biodegradable plastic) Conflicts of substitute use and organic policy (e.g. biodegradables in organic compost disqualifying compost as organic compliant; no commercially available biodegradable mulch meets organic standards, SOE is increasing the need for tamper-evident plastic packaging to reduce potential of fraud) Substitutes do not as effectively fulfill the function of the plastic tool Innovation of substitutes is taking too long In some parts of the supply chain, there are concerns that non-plastic tools increase food safety risks Recycling options are much more limited than most people realize 3.What should the top research priorities be to help reduce plastic use? Broad recommendations for research development Large-scale, complete supply chain assessment of what plastic tools currently exist, where are there alternatives, what are the pros and cons to the alternatives, what are the human health and environmental impacts of the plastic tool and its alternative (as defined by current research). From this we can gauge knowledge gaps and identify low-hanging fruits where an easy substitution will make a big difference, and where harder solutions need a better roadmap to substitution identified. More diversified inputs (ideas) and experiences from farmers (small +bipoc) Cross-industry collaboration to set top priorities together More funding to support plastic reduction research (make this a priority for NIFA programs including AFRI, SCRI, not just organic funding programs) Better synced research and extension Topical research recommendations More research into safe substitutes Index of toxicity Hemp fiber as an alternative component of biodegradable products Organic weed and pest control to reduce reliance on plastic as effective control tool Assessment of recycle programs and opportunities for circular economy More research that links plastic use in the field and along the supply chain to toxins, public & environmental health, and opportunities for innovation Research on the effectiveness of substitutes for maintaining the integrity of products 4. What strategies should be taken at a high-level to reduce plastic? Public education to educateabout the plastic crisis (health impacts, environmental impacts, etc.) Highlight stories of those communities that are directly impacted and make companies accountable Use education and a positive approach of why it is a better choice vs fear mongering Disincentivize the creation of plastic by taxing plastic manufacturers, while using those funds to help remove/recycle plastics, and more importantly R&D of better alternative materials. Make companies take responsibility for their own pollution and plastic use- not shift responsibilities to consumer Optimize packaging vs. Product ratio (e.g. bigger package sizes in stores like quart versus pint clamshells etc.) Regulate where the functionality of plastic pros outweighs cons i.e. single use vs medical use Partnerships between like-minded partners to go to government together to share their experiences to push for policy change More recycling programs that are better, but more importantly, we need to reduce single-use which will require retailer involvement and consumer behavior changes Key outcomes:A change in knowledge. The breakout and discussion sessions allowed different sectors of the supply chain to learn about others' experiences and needs and collaboratively set priorities and develop next steps to start making change. Other Accomplishments we would like to highlight are: 1. We reduced plastic at our event in the following ways: Name tags (printed on seed paper with metal pins) Tableware was either glass or made from plastic-free, compostable materials We organized for all our compostable waste to be picked up from the hotel by a local green waste management company We used linen-free tables reducing plastic from polyester fabric Reduced signage Digital program 2. We surveyed attendees and got an overwhelmingly positive response. Overall,97.4% learned something new (Strongly agree/Agree), 94.9% plan to share what they learned with others in their network (Strongly Agree/Agree), and66.7%plan to incorporate learnings into action changes within their organization.
Publications
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