Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

The Organic Trade Association celebrated the launch of its new Organic PAC, a Political Action Committee dedicated to advancing organic agriculture and trade, by hosting a fundraiser in Washington, DC, for the re-election of Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), the first organic farmer elected to Congress. The event, held in conjunction with OTA’s Policy Conference and Hill Days, also raised $11,475 for the Organic PAC.

“We continue to get less money allocated to organic research and the National Organic Program relative to organic’s percentage of the overall market and farm business, however, we continue to make progress and receive support from USDA and Congress,” said Thomas Harding, President of Agrisystems International and a member of the Organic PAC committee.

“The purpose of the Organic PAC is nonpartisan; it is to raise funds and promote the needs and objectives of the organic community across both sides of the aisle, including supporting candidates in local, state and national elections,” Harding said.

To donate to the Organic PAC, contact Laura Batcha, lbatcha@ota.com.