The Organic Trade Association honored eight individuals for their longstanding commitment to advancing the organic movement during its Sept. 15 annual leadership awards event. Held at OTA’s annual Organic Week conference, the award ceremony recognized leaders for driving and sustaining the growth of the organic industry on farms and in their communities, while prioritizing the benefits to people and the planet.
The distinguished 2025 Organic Leadership Award Honorees are:
- Organic Champion: Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture
- Organic Lifetime Achievement: Albert Straus, Straus Family Creamery; and David Lively, Organically Grown Company
- Organic Farmers of the Year: Chris and Marcie Baugher, Baugher Ranch Organics
- Organic Environmental Leadership: Charlotte Vallaeys, Principal, Vallaeys Consulting LLC
- Organic Trailblazer: Nicole Atchison, CEO, Puris
- Organic Social Impact: Tony Bedard, CEO, Frontier Co-op
“This esteemed list is a testament to the inspirational leadership and innovation abundant in the organic industry, and we are extremely grateful for the unwavering passion and commitment of these award recipients,” says Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of OTA, in a news release. “We are proud to celebrate their significant achievements and look forward to their future contributions to drive the organic movement.”
David Lively, Organic Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes trade association members who have dedicated their careers to the furtherance of organic agriculture and trade by providing a broad vision, successful solutions and the labor and leadership required to bring the mission into reality.
David Lively became involved in organic agriculture in 1979, after being convinced that the best place to effect social change was in the dirt at the farm level. With this in mind, he first became a partner with his brother, Tom, in Thistle-Brook, a joint venture on a third-generation farm where they and partners grew as many as 20 acres of mixed vegetables, the largest fresh-market organic farm in Oregon at that time.
During the same time, Lively participated in the restructuring of Organically Grown Company, as the non-profit morphed into a for-profit agricultural marketing cooperative. In 1984, he became an employee of OGC, and in the 41 years since, he has held numerous roles, currently serving the organization as Pioneer Emeritus.
During his career, Lively has led and supported numerous industry organizations, including the creation of the Sustainable Food Trade Association, the Organic Produce Wholesalers Coalition, and the Organicology Conference. He has served on the boards of the Center for Applied Agricultural Research, OGC, Oregon Tilth, the Sustainable Food Trade Association, Organic Seed Alliance, Oregon Organic Coalition, and the Organic Trade Association.
“This recognition is an amazing validation of the time and effort spent thinking about and performing the work that builds our movement and trade,” Lively says. “Our community continues to serve as a wonderful and rewarding place to have put one’s visions of spirit and wholeness into play.”
Chris and Marcie Baugher, Organic Farmers of the Year
The Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award honors individuals who have significantly contributed to supporting and advancing organic agriculture and trade at the farm level.
For more than 40 years, Chris and Marcie Baugher, proprietors behind Baugher Ranch Organics in Northern California, have been leaders in organic farming, processing and advocacy, significantly contributing to the evolution and growth of the organic almond industry. Pioneers in transitioning to organic farming in 1984, the Baughers built a legacy of resilience and commitment to ethical farming practices and have become a beacon of organic excellence.
