Aug 16, 2023

Organic Seed Alliance seeks executive director

The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), Port Townsend, Washington, has started a nationwide search for a new executive director as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The alliance, an agroecological nonprofit delivering research, education, and advocacy programs to meet farmers’ seed needs, was founded in 2003.

“Working with seed and the people who grow it has been an honor and an inspiration,” Cara Loriz, the current executive director who joined the OSA in 2016, said in a news release. “Organic Seed Alliance is at an exciting juncture as we celebrate 20 years of good seed work and evolve with a newly launched strategic plan.

“I’m optimistic that new leadership will catalyze the groundwork laid and grow new opportunities to fulfill the promise and potential of organic seed,” said Loriz, who plans to retire this fall.

OSA’s work promotes an abundant and diverse supply of organic seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled and diverse communities of seed stewards. The OSA serves growers working with seed across the U.S. through three program areas:

• Collaborative research on crop improvement and seed production for organic systems.
• Education on the agronomic, economic, and socio-political elements of seed work.
• Legal and cultural advocacy toward policies that support organic agriculture and farmers’ rights to save seed.

OSA is seeking a professional passionate about its mission with demonstrated experience in thoughtful, highly collaborative organizational leadership. The executive director will bring creativity and forward-thinking as they help shape the next growth phase of the alliance and integrate a new strategic plan into daily action through OSA programs, according to the release. The new leader must be committed to advancing equity and accountability goals and initiatives, and be able to guide collaborative decision making with an experienced team.

OSA is working with 501 Commons, a nonprofit consulting service based in Seattle to support a strategic and inclusive national search process.

“OSA is excited to work with 501 Commons to begin its search for an experienced new leader,” Emily Rose Haga, alliance board president, said in the release. “We’re looking for someone who can continue to grow a legacy of research, education, and advocacy resources that serve the community of organic farmers, seed companies, and plant breeders.”

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Pacific on Sept. 12. For the job description, application details and more information, visit the OSA’s website.