• Nomination Criteria

    Please provide as much information about nominees as possible. Self nomination is allowed. Organizations may nominate. Nominating multiple individuals/organizations is encouraged. For agronomic and marketing categories the business must be certified organic.

  • Award Selection

    Award winners will be selected by Adjudication Committee, made up of Board Members, Staff and OCO members.

  • Agronomic Categories

    CRITERIA• • Continuous improvement: how does this producer strive to improve practice toward sustainability? What specific practices have they embraced beyond the minimum requirements of organic certification? • Additional contributions: what additional contributions has this producer made to organics? Do they volunteer? Have they taken interns or offered training/ extension to other producers? • Organic Ambassador: how is this producer an example to others in the community that organic is a viable and powerful option in agriculture? (could be through quiet example, could be through engaging others) • Business practices: what business practices set this producer apart- could be creative marketing, could be values-based business practices, etc.
  • What sets apart this nominee’s practice/ products?
  • What sets apart this nominee’s practice/ products?
  • What sets apart this nominee’s practice/ products?

  • Marketing Categories

    CRITERIA • Continuous improvement: how does this marketer strive to improve sustainability? What specific practices have they embraced that demonstrates this commitment? For example, do they have supplier policies re GMOS? Have they increased their organic offerings? Are they pursuing other sustainability measures? • Additional contributions: what additional contributions has this marketer made to organics? Are they publishing about organics? Have they created ad campaigns that raise the organic profile? Have they made use of social media? Do they offer workshops or training to customers? Are they collaborative? • Organic Ambassador: how is this marketer an example to others in the community that organic is a viable and powerful option? (could be through quiet example, could be through engaging others) • Business Practices: what steps does this marketer take within the business that sets them apart (additional certifications? What sustainability practice? Has the business made values-based choices that are exemplary, such as solar power, LEED certification, biodegradable or reusable packaging, minimal packaging, etc)
  • What sets apart this nominee’s practice/ products?
  • What sets apart this nominee’s practice/ service?
  • What sets apart this nominee’s retail environment/ program?
  • Did the nominee achieve a commendable fill rate? What additional supports did the supplier provide? How does this supplier rise above in customer service and teamwork?
  • What unique or memorable strategies or campaigns did the nominee deliver in 2011? How did the nominee leverage social media, traditional media, or new ideas to communicate with customers? How did the nominee's campaign improve the image of organics as a whole?

  • GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

  • please outline the innovation the person/ business is responsible for, and what the impact is on the sector of the innovation- innovation could be technical/ agronomic, could be with marketing, could be innovative business models…
  • please list major accomplishments, and state what the difference this person/ business’ achievements have made to the sector as a whole. These nominees have made a broad impact on the sector beyond success within their business or association.
  • Please give details on volunteerism (training, consumer education, research, regulatory, etc.) and outline the impact their work has had on the sector
  • Please include information on whether the educator is working with farmers in the sector, classroom learning and grade level, post-secondary environments, etc.

  • Contact Information