OMRI Founding President Bill Wolf Receives Organic Trade Association's Organic Leadership Award for Individual Achievement May 31, 2001 For immediate release Contact: Kathleen Downey OMRI Executive Director 541-343-7600 541-343-8971 fax AUSTIN, TEXAS--Bill Wolf, founding president of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), was awarded the 2001 Organic Leadership Award for Individual Achievement by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) at the association's first-ever All Things Organic trade show here on May 19. Wolf accepted the award with a look back at his early years as an organic farmer and a call for continuing discussion and action, noting the threat of genetically modified organisms to the integrity of organics and the need to "keep farmers in organic" by thoughtfully addressing growth and consolidation issues. The organic industry has experienced double-digit growth throughout the last ten years and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the food industry. Wolf has more than 30 years of experience in successful organic and value-added production and brand development, as well as organic advocacy and service. He is currently president of Wolf & Associates, providing strategic management support, repositioning and profitability analysis in the organic industry, and of Thorvin, Inc., an organic seaweed supplier. Wolf helped found OMRI in 1996 and continues to serve as president of its board of directors. He served on the board of directors of OTA from 1989 to 1998, and as OTA president in 1992 and 1993. Wolf is also founder and past president of the Necessary Trading Company, and co-authored the best-selling Rodale's Chemical-Free Lawn And Garden (Rodale Press, 1991). OTA's Organic Leadership Award honors leadership and vision in furthering the goals of organic agriculture. Previous recipients include Kathleen Merrigan, former head of the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA and environmental representative to the National Organic Standards Board, and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt), who was instrumental in the passage of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. In 2001, OTA's board of directors expanded the awards to include multiple categories, including the prestigious Individual Achievement sector. OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to benefit the organic community and the general public. Its principle public service is to provide professional, independent, and transparent review of materials and compatible processes allowed to produce, process, and handle organic food and fiber. OMRI's work is overseen by a 15-person board of directors representing all sectors of the organic community, an expert advisory council and professional review panels. Contact OMRI at Box 11558, Eugene, OR 97440 USA, 541-343-7600, fax 541-343-8971, info@omri.org, www.omri.org.