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Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association
OSGATA membership form OSGATA webpage Organic Seed Alliance, as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a focus on education and research, cannot perform the functions of lobbying and policy work. Instead, OSA has elected to found and incubate a new organization that will allow seed growers and others involved in the seed trade to address issues of mutual concern on business and policy levels. We hope that this will be a venue in which we can resolve differences and create strategies to improve the seed trade on a national level.
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Alliance (OSGATA) develops, protects and promotes the organic seed trade and its growers, and assures that the organic community has access to excellent quality organic seed, free of contaminants and adapted to the diverse needs of local organic agriculture.
Background: The creation of a healthy organic seed trade is paramount to the success of the National Organic Program (NOP). Organic farmers require quality organic seed in order to meet NOP guidelines, but more importantly, to maximize the overall integrity and success of their organic system. At the onset of the organic rule (October, 2002), a clear lack of organic seed quantity and quality required the NOP to develop an exemption for the use of organic seed. While the exemption is necessary at present, no farmer should lack the seed best suited for their production and market. Additionally, organic seed systems face risks from transgenic contamination, with many unanswered questions and concerns such as who should be responsible for testing organic seed for the presence of contamination. The promotion and development of a vibrant organic seed trade will result in the manifestation of seed systems suited to the ecological, economic, local, and sustainable challenges and needs of organic farming.
To apply for membership in OSGATA, please print, complete, and mail the OSGATA membership form.
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