The Organic Trade Association (OTA) recently appointed Christine Bushway as its new executive director. OTA is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America with a mission to promote and protect the growth of organic trade, to benefit the environment, farmers the public and the economy.

Bushway graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Life Science and Agriculture. Her career has been spent working in the food and agriculture industries. She has held leadership positions including agricultural trade association chief executive officer and chief Washington lobbyist representing the egg industry. She has also served as a spokesperson on television, radio and in print on issues ranging from nutrition to food contamination and production.

She has been a business owner, expanding her consulting business to a full service advertising, public relations and marketing strategies agency focused on food and agriculture clients and issues. Her clients have included the American Egg Board, the Pennsylvania Beef Council, Radlo Foods, the New England Brown Egg Council, Great River Cooperative, Texas Peanut Producers, Penn Ag Industries Association, the New Hampshire Apple Growers and the New Hampshire Audubon Society. Most recently, she served as director of state programs for the American Egg Board to enhance national promotion of the Incredible Edible Egg consumer awareness campaign.

Wholesome Sweeteners recently announced that since 2005 its fair trade certified programs have raised more than $1 million in fair trade income for the sugar cane farmers and beekeepers it works with in Malawi, Costa Rica, Paraguay and Mexico. The program is a collaborative effort involving farmers and cooperatives, TransFair USA and the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation, importers and consumers. Fair trade certified guarantees that the farmers’ cooperatives that supply Wholesome’s sugar are paid fairly and directly. It means that growers can compete with factory farms, send their kids to school, develop the quality of their crops, practice sustainable agriculture, and build thriving communities.

“Their commitment to fair trade certified has empowered manufacturers and consumers to choose ingredients that help make a better life for farmers in the developing world,” said Cate Baril, director of business development for TransFairUSA.

Inc. Magazine recently listed Marroquin Organic International as number 2210 on its annual ranking of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Grace Marroquin, president and CEO, said, “This award is proof to me that the organic industry is not only a vital, growing part of our daily lives, it is also a sustainable, successful economic path.”

Marroquin started the firm in 1991, with a clear focus that the business will provide a benefit to the environment for future generations. This award recognizes a financial success, which is a welcome sign that the organic industry is thriving.

Lundberg Family Farms was recently named a 2008 “Top Small Workplace” by Winning Workplace, a non-profit group, and The Wall Street Journal. The award is presented to 15 small workplaces across North America, culled from 35 finalists and more than 850 nominees. Lundberg Family Farms takes great care to see that its 198 employees get everything they need to be their best. An on-site wellness committee organizes fitness events and free, fresh produce is available on a daily basis. Tuition for staff is supplemented by the company, and they reward the good grades of employees’ children.