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Episode 41: Organic Trade Association Matthew Dillon - What Is The Organic Trade Association?

Release Date: 03/11/2026

Episode 42: Uncle Matt's Organic Ben McLean - What Is The Story of Uncle Matt's Organic?

Food For You and the Planet

Ben McLean III is a 4th generation citrus grower and Head of Research at Uncle Matt’s Organic. Ben McLean III is a 4th generation Citrus grower born in Clermont, Florida, where he grew up working in his family’s Citrus business. Ben attended the University of Florida where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science in 1988, and a Master’s degree in Horticultural Science in 1991. Ben has been involved in Citrus production research since his graduation in 1991 and has collaborated with numerous University scientists during his career focused on the interaction of...

Episode 41: Organic Trade Association Matthew Dillon - What Is The Organic Trade Association?

Food For You and the Planet

Matthew Dillon is the co-CEO of The Organic Trade Association. Matthew was raised in an agricultural family and community in Nebraska and has held diverse roles in organic food and farming, working from seed to shelf. He headed Abundant Life Seed, one of the first certified seed companies in the U.S. and founded Organic Seed Alliance. He worked for over ten years at Clif Bar & Company in several roles including Vice President of Impact and Government Affairs. He most recently served as Chief Sustainability Officer for organic poultry producer Farmer Focus. As co-CEO for OTA, Matthew...

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Food For You and the Planet

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Food For You and the Planet

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Food For You and the Planet

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Episode 37: American Farmland Trust Tim Fink - How Can We Preserve American Farmland?

Food For You and the Planet

Tim Fink is the Vice President of Policy at the American Farmland Trust. Tim develops the American Farmland Trust’s overall policy direction and strategies and coordinates federal and relevant state policy work in close collaboration with American Farmland Trust national initiative leaders, regional directors, and partners. Before joining AFT, Tim was the director of research and policy analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, where he advocated for increases in USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, fundraised for the National Academies'...

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Food For You and the Planet

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Food For You and the Planet

Arthur Haines is a Senior Research Botanist at The Native Plant Trust. Arthur is a plant biologist specializing in the taxonomy and identification of New England tracheophytes. He is the senior research botanist for Native Plant Trust and author of Flora Novae Angliae published by New England Wild Flower Society and Yale University Press, and several other books, including Flora of Maine, A New Path, and Ancestral Plants (a two-volume set on edible, medicinal, and useful plants). In addition to his work studying advancement in plant systematics, Arthur is an administrator for the Go...

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Food For You and the Planet

Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association. Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her...

Episode 33: Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Sally McGee - What Is The Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition?

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Sally McGee is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives at the Nature Conservancy and Leader of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition. Sally McGee works for the Nature Conservancy where she is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives for the Global Aquaculture Program. Her areas of focus include the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, Sustaining Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), and projects focused on seaweed cultivation. Sally also developed, owned, and operated an oyster farm, Sixpenny Oysters, in Noank, Connecticut. Previously, Sally was TNC’s...

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Matthew Dillon is the co-CEO of The Organic Trade Association.

Matthew was raised in an agricultural family and community in Nebraska and has held diverse roles in organic food and farming, working from seed to shelf. He headed Abundant Life Seed, one of the first certified seed companies in the U.S. and founded Organic Seed Alliance. He worked for over ten years at Clif Bar & Company in several roles including Vice President of Impact and Government Affairs. He most recently served as Chief Sustainability Officer for organic poultry producer Farmer Focus. As co-CEO for OTA, Matthew oversees the organization’s public relations, policy agenda, member engagement and fundraising.

TOPICS EXPLORED

0:00 – 0:20 – Introduction

0:20 – 1:15 – Matthew Dillon’s bio

1:15 – 3:04 – What is the Organic Trade Association?

3:04 – 4:57 – How did the Organic Trade Association get started and how has it evolved over the years?

4:57 – 9:09 – Why is organic agriculture important?

9:09 – 15:23 – Why should small and medium farms become USDA certified organic and what are some of the challenges they face?

15:23 – 18:04 – Can you tell me about the Organic Trade Association’s role as a National Partner for the U.S. Agriculture Department’s (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and how it helps farms transition to organic practices?

18:04 – 26:56 – What are some of the challenges related to domestic and international organic agriculture?

26:56 – 32:12 – What are some of the key findings of the 2026 Organic Trade Association Organic Market report including market trends and global trade dynamics?

32:12 – 40:36 – How is the regenerative agriculture movement similar or different from the organic agriculture movement?

40:36 – 43:13 – What are some of the biggest things the Organic Trade Association is working on this year, and how can people become involved?

43:13 – 46:20 – What do you see as the future of the organic agriculture movement?

46:20 – 47:16 – Things to share and wrap up

ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION:

https://ota.com/

RESOURCES

Organic 101: https://ota.com/organic-101

Organic Trade Association Resources: https://ota.com/resources

Organic Trade Association Membership: https://ota.com/membership

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