From soil health and supply chain collaboration to the importance of farmer voices, organic food systems call for shared responsibility, meaningful investments, and tasty and affordable climate-smart ingredients.

The past, present, and future of organic agriculture were reflected on and celebrated during “The Roots of Organic: From Soil to Shelf,” an all-day Summit at Climate Week NYC presented in partnership with Organic Trade Association, Organic Valley, Once Upon a Farm, Handsome Brook Farms, Stonyfield, and Amy’s Kitchen, and in collaboration with Organic Voices, Lundberg Family Farms, Tradin Organic, and Rodale Institute.

“The organic movement didn’t grow because of one certification,” says Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank. “It grew because people built relationships that allowed ideas to spread.”

Watch the livestream recording on Food Tank’s YouTube channel.

“The farmers are the true roots of this movement,” says Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association.

The organic agriculture moment was built by farmers who believed deeply in sustainability and took risks to build consumer trust, he said—and organic farmers must be recognized for their contributions to the sector’s future, too. This means giving farmers resources to adapt and ensuring their voices and expertise are centered.

“How do we make sure that farmers are at the table for all of these major milestones?” asks Organic Valley CEO Shawna Nelson. “Organic farmers, I find, are the most innovative. They’re willing to continuously improve; they’re willing to look at the solutions.”

Critically, these solutions have to be financially viable, especially given a difficult economic environment for the farming sector, panelists said. Strategies like stronger supply-chain collaboration can help farmers achieve sustainability goals without taking on increased cost burdens, panelists said. At the same time, financial support tools like accessible technical assistance and cash incentives for low-emissions practices can also help farmers adopt the sustainable practices they believe deeply in.

Read the full article about farmers' role in organic food systems at Food Tank.