We recently hosted an online celebration of the 2022 organic leadership awards, ensuring all winners and organic trailblazers could attend as travel restrictions made it difficult for many to be a part of live award ceremony in Vancouver, BC.
The leadership awards recognize individuals and companies for their commitment and dedication to organic. It was an honour to celebrate these organic leaders and hear how their impacts have contributed to organic innovation.
During our online celebration, we had the pleasure of recognizing and celebrating the 2022 Eco-Scholar award winners and honourable mentions. Eco-Scholar awards recognize four students whose passion and ideas create an impact on organic innovation. These students received prizes for their impactful research and work being done for organic.
“It is with great joy that we were able to meet in person to award this year’s amazing organic leaders. This group of individuals have done so much to advance the organic sector that we can’t thank them enough for their dedication and commitment.” -Tia Loftsgard
Our gracious sponsors, Procert and Nature’s Path, both members of COTA, were again recognized for their commitment and dedication to the organic industry.
Below is a list of winners with wonderful quotes of appreciation.
Congratulations to the award recipients:
Organic Champion of the Year – Dag Falck
“Organic is really all about love, it usually starts with a parents love for their child and also a desire to take care of oneself but love really starts in the soil. It protects and nurtures the life in the soil, those now famous microorganisms that are responsible for the health of our food, planet, and climate.” -Dag Falck
Organic Supplier of the Year – UNFI Canada
“I’m really so very proud to see UNFI Canada recognized as organic supplier of the year, but our journey doesn’t end today. We remain committed to building a brighter future by delivering greater food choices to help feed a healthy future. By embracing innovation and sustainability we continue to produce and provide more organic and healthier food options to more Canadians.” -Stacey Kravitz, UNFI Canada
Outstanding Leadership in Organic Science – Jean Duval, Ph.D.
“I am amazed when in the last 40 years organic went from a marginal type of agriculture, not taken very seriously, to a respected approach to feeding the humans of this planet. The crucial role of biology, ecology and agriculture cannot be ignored anymore.” -Jean Duval, PhD
Organic Innovator of the Year – Nuts For Cheese
“Organic practices are so important to us as a company for the same reasons as they are important to me as a consumer. So many people want to eat healthy high-quality food and want to know where their food is coming from and how it was produced and there are countless reasons to choose certified organic products.” -Margaret Coons, Nuts For Cheese
Organic Farmer of the Year – Upland Organics
“We would like to thank COTA for all the important work that you do. Advocating for our industry both domestically and internationally develops markets for us to sell our products into. This allows us to focus on our farm and grow high quality products in a way that isn't just sustainable, it's regenerating our soils, our waterways, and our communities.” -Cody Straza, Upland Organics
Organic Retailer of the Year – Jo Anne’s Place Health Foods
The following students are the 2022 Eco-Scholar winners:
Emily Laage, Dalhousie University
“I have had the opportunity to learn so much and one of the biggest takeaways I have learned is the people in this space are just such a pleasure to work with. Organic producers are so eager to promote organic to promote what they're working on and so eager to be a part of the research I am doing.” -Emily Laage
Ryan Johnson, University Of Waterloo
“My work with farmers has been very inspirational and I can see how much energy and time and passion these unsung heroes are pouring into the soil and it deserves to be recognized.” -Ryan Johnson
Olivia Willoughby, University Of Guelph
“My project is looking at how we can breed sheep for resistance to parasites which is really exciting for sheep producers because it means that they're going to be able to graze their sheep on pasture which is a recognized regenerative sustainable practice.” -Olivia Willoughby
Tanya Broschinski, University Of Guelph
The following students are the 2022 Eco-Scholar honourable mentions:
Noa Bridson, University of British Columbia
Kyr Lightburn, University of Guelph
Brooke Rice, Concordia University
Jenna Aldus, University of British Columbia
We are honoured to have contributed a donation towards these students' textbooks. Congratulations go out to all the winners and honourable mentions for their dedication and contribution to organic!
To view the YouTube video of the 2022 Online Organic Celebration and leadership awards, click here.
To read more about the Organic Celebration & Leadership Awards held in Vancouver, click here.