Wisconsin Organic Agriculture Advisory Council

On February 16, 2007, Secretary Rod Nilsestuen announced members of a new council to provide leadership and vision for the future of organic agriculture in Wisconsin. The 12-member Organic Agriculture Advisory Council draws on the diverse talents and perspectives of leaders from across the state.

“When Governor Doyle says ‘Grow Wisconsin Agriculture,’ a growing number of farms and agricultural businesses think organic,” Nilsestuen said. “Now is the time to position Wisconsin as the undisputed national leader in the growing and dynamic organic sector.”

Wisconsin leads the nation in organic dairy production and boasts more than 700 certified organic farms and 150 businesses certified to process organic products.

With the goal of supporting and promoting the development of organic agriculture in Wisconsin, the council reflects the breadth of organic activity in the state. Members include certified organic farmers, organic business professionals, and representatives of non-profits, the organic certification industry and consumers.

Members appointed to the council are:
• Michael Hansen, Organic Farmer, Milladore - co-chair
• Harriet Behar, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services – co-chair
• Margaret Bert-Mittelstadt, Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative
• Paulette Bradley, Wisconsin Organic Marketing Alliance Cooperative
• Tricia Bross, Organic Farmer, Rio
• David Engel, Organic Farmer, Soldiers Grove
• Rich Lange, Organic Farmer, Platteville
• Christine Mason, Standard Process, Inc.
• Jerry McGeorge, Organic Valley
• Jim Munsch, Organic Farmer, Coon Valley
• Bonnie Wideman, Midwest Organic Services Association
• Bob Wills, Cedar Grove Cheese

“Our goal is to build strong relationships with agriculture, food processing and consumer organizations to move in a direction that enhances organic food production, family farms and rural communities,” Co-Chair Harriet Behar said.

The Wisconsin Organic Agriculture Advisory Council met for the first time on Feb. 6 and will be meeting several times during the next three months. The new council is complemented by an interagency team led by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection that will work with the council to build Wisconsin’s organic agriculture sector.

For more information, contact Laura Paine, DATCP, 608-224-5120.
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