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41st National Forum Series — 2024 (Virtual)

Imperatives for a Sustainable Future

Reversing the existential crises of pesticide-induced illness, biodiversity collapse, and the climate emergency

Upcoming! Session 2: November 14, 2024, 1 - 2 PM Eastern (EST)
Including Roundtable: November 14, 2024, 2 - 3 PM Eastern (EST)

Session 1: October 30, 2024, 2 - 3 PM Eastern (EDT)
Including Roundtable: October 30, 2024, 3 - 4 PM Eastern (EDT)

Thank you for participating in this year's National Forum Series!

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

There is an increasing understanding that we must urgently face existential threats to health, biodiversity, and climate for which petrochemical-based pesticides and fertilizers, among other products, are major contributors—at the same time that solutions are currently available and operational. The threats are real and scientifically defined, and so are the solutions. The goal of the Forum is to contribute to the adoption of a holistic worldwide strategy to reverse the existential crises in the production of our food and the management of land and ecosystems.

The 41st National Forum, Imperatives for a Sustainable Future, offers us an opportunity to elevate our understanding of the petrochemical threats and the critical need to adopt practices and policies that eliminate one of the major sources of the problem, petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers. Among the significant changes that are taking place, but must occur at an accelerated pace, is the transition to organic land management, from agriculture, landscapes to playing fields, as part of a holistic strategy that recognizes the multidimensional nature of the problem and solution.

The two major imperatives for sustainability and a livable future are community and decision maker understanding of and action on:

The threats to human health and ecosystems and the dire consequences of inaction or measures that fall far short of what is necessary; and
The path forward to eliminate reliance on petrochemical-based products, including the constellation of toxic materials associated with chemical-intensive practices—from food production to the management of homes, gardens, parks, and schools.

Plan Now to Join Us as we come together to empower effective action and chart a path for a livable and sustainable future. You are part of the solution! Registration provides access to all sessions of the Forum.

Session 2: November 14, 2024, 1 PM Eastern (EST) [Click here or on the tab above to register]

Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, Keynote

Continuing the conversation, our featured speaker is the Alison S. Carlson Endowed Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and the director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, School of Medicine, at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Woodruff's work focuses on uncovering and addressing environmental determinants of disease and health inequities and has written groundbreaking material on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Dr. Woodruff’s research studies the harmful effects of chemicals and pollutants on health, pregnancy, and child development. She leads efforts to translate scientific information into actionable change in the clinic environment and through public policy. Previously, she has served as a senior scientist and policy advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Policy.

In a recent piece in The New England Journal of Medicine, Health Effects of Fossil Fuel–Derived Endocrine Disruptors, Dr. Woodruff highlights the urgent need to address the widespread chemical pollution stemming from the petrochemical industry, underscoring the dire implications for public health. She emphatically states, “We need to recognize the very real harm that petrochemicals are having on people’s health. Many of these fossil-fuel-based chemicals are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with hormonal systems, and they are part of the disturbing rise in disease.” 

Petrochemical exposure through air, water, food, and land is increasing and the health problems induced by endocrine disruptors require broader understanding among health care professionals and a more robust regulatory response, with recognition of disproportionate harm to people of color communities. In raising these issues, Dr. Woodruff is sounding the alarm to decarbonize and detoxify our economy with a precautionary approach.

Roundtable: Empowering Advocacy for Change with Science—From Local, State, and National, to International, 2 – 3 PM Eastern (EST)

The conversation will continue after Dr. Woodruff’s talk with a roundtable of remarkable people with a wealth of experience and insights into both the regulation of hazardous materials (including endocrine disrupting chemicals) and strategies for connecting science (and the power of those adversely affected) to decisions that eliminate hazards—recognizing disproportionate risk to people of color. Tapping the experiences of the panelists, this discussion brings together strategic thinking that supports efforts by individuals and organizations to transition away from petrochemicals from a range of perspectives and a broadening of coalition efforts.

Les Touart, PhD

Dr. Touart served as a senior biologist in what was then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Science Coordination and Policy (OSCP) in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), where he worked on endocrine-disrupting pesticide regulation and policy. After the passage of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, he served on the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC) subcommittee for screening and testing that developed the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), initially established and implemented by the agency. In the international arena, Dr. Touart served on the Endocrine Disruptor Testing and Assessment working group of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He also headed the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Program for endocrine disruptor method development. Dr. Touart brings deep scientific knowledge of endocrine-disrupting pesticides and an insider view and critique of current EPA policy and proposals. He brings his policy and scientific analysis to Beyond Pesticides, most recently evaluating EPA’s current policy proposal for modifying its approach to the implementation of EDSP—saying it “is an abrogation of [the agency’s] responsibilities” under pesticide, food safety, and safe drinking water law.

Janet Nudelman

Ms. Nudelman directs program and policy activities for the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP). BCPP is “a national organization working to eliminate toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures that lead to breast cancer.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer and cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. For non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. While there are varying statistics on the percentage of cancers caused by environmental factors, most agree that the vast majority of breast cancer cases are caused by toxicants, including endocrine disruptors. Ms. Nudelman is a co-founder and coordinates BCPP’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Under her leadership, BCPP’s advocacy efforts are playing an important role in making breast cancer prevention a priority in statehouses and the halls of Congress and have resulted in the passage of 20 local, state, and federal laws and regulations creating the nation’s first municipal precautionary principle ordinance and the first statewide biomonitoring program to measure the pollution in people; banning phthalates from kids toys, cosmetics and IV bags and tubing in California and championing a federal ban on phthalates in kids toys; and securing passage of California laws that requires ingredient disclosure. Ms. Nudelman draws on nearly 30 years of experience in the social change and women’s health arenas as a political organizer and advocate, and uses her astute political expertise to spearhead campaigns that result in significant policy and market-based change. 

Mily Treviño-Sauceda

Ms. Treviño-Sauceda is the executive director and co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Inc., the first national grassroots farmworker women's organization. She is the founder of the U.S. farmworker women’s movement. Born to a migrant family of ten children; she worked in agricultural fields since age eight and was a union organizer with the UFW since her teen years. In 1988, Mily co-founded “Mujeres Mexicanas” and in 1992, she co-founded Líderes Campesinas, a state-based grassroots organization for campesinas by campesinas—Executive Director for 12 years, now President Emeritus. Treviño-Sauceda has a Master’s degree in Social Sciences and sits on numerous state/national boards/advisory councils. She has earned multiple awards, including: “100 Heroines of the World,” 1998; “Sister of Fire” Award, 2003; and The Ford Foundation & NYU award “Leadership for a Changing World,” 2004. People Magazine recognized her twice, in 2006. Líderes Campesinas honored her 30+ years of distinguished leadership, in 2009 and 2018. Cesar Chavez Legacy Award, 2015 & 2018. A Laureate Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life, 2016, by the World Women Summit Foundation; Novo Foundation’s Fourth Cohort of the Movement to End Violence, 2017; the “Ingenuity Award: as Social Progress” by Smithsonian, 2018, and Best embodies the spirit and work as a Feminist of The Frederick Douglass list of 200, in 2019; Visionary Voice Award by NSVRC, 2019; and Trailblazer in Civil Rights honoree EEOC at their 60th Anniversary. As a plaintiff in a case pressing EPA to start regulating endocrine disruptors, Ms. Treviño-Sauceda, said, ”As farmworker women, the dangers posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides are a lived reality that threatens our health and the well-being of our families. While the EPA's commitment to implementing pesticide screenings is a vital step forward, more work is needed to ensure that harmful chemicals are removed entirely from our fields and communities.”

Amy Tamayo

Amy Tamayo is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico and has been passionate about supporting her community since her early childhood years, leading her to pursue public interest law at American University Washington College of Law. As the National Policy and Advocacy Director at Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Inc., she advocates alongside farmworker women in advancing their priorities in the areas of immigration, environmental justice and pesticides, workers' rights, and ending violence against women. A key area Amy has focused in at Alianza is raising awareness and advocating for reproductive health protections from harmful endocrine disruptors. Prior to joining Alianza, Amy was a Justice Catalyst legal fellow at Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, where she focused on challenging the gender and sex discrimination women face in the workplace.

Jay Feldman, Moderator

Jay is a co-founder and executive director of Beyond Pesticides, with a 40-year history of working with communities nationwide on toxics and organic policies and practices. Jay has successfully fought to remove from the market hazardous pesticides and helped draft pivotal local, state, and federal organic law, including the Agricultural Productivity Act, which established sustainable agriculture programs at USDA, and the Organic Foods Production Act, which created the USDA organic certified food label. In 2010, he was appointed by the Obama Administration to a 5-year appointment to the National Organic Standards Board, where he served as chair of the Crops Committee. He is a recipient of Rodale Institute’s Organic Pioneer Award, 2021. He has written extensively, testified before the U.S. Congress and state and local legislatures, been published in major newspapers, and appeared on national and local news networks and talk shows, while editing Beyond Pesticides’ quarterly journal Pesticides and You and Daily News.

Session 1: October 30, 2024, 2 - 3 PM Eastern (EDT), including Q&A [Click here or the tab above to view the recording]

Felix zu Löwenstein, PhD, Keynote

We begin the Forum Series with an agronomist who has been farming organically on his family farm in Germany since the 1990’s, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience that informs the technical information that transformational change requires. In Dr. Löwenstein's book Food Crash: Why Organic Is the Only Way Forward, just released in the United States by Acres USA, the case is made that organic land management with “ecological intensification” provides society with a social good, as opposed to chemical-intensive (conventional) practices that have externalized health and environmental costs. The book’s thesis on the organic imperative is rooted in the facts about the adverse impacts of chemical-intensive industrial agriculture on human health, food sovereignty, the environment, animal welfare, soil erosion, and soil health.

With it being widely understood that reducing greenhouse gases must be accompanied by the drawdown of atmospheric carbon, the author explains the importance of eliminating petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers, and the essential role of soil in sequestering carbon. The history of the failed Green Revolution and continuing efforts of multinational chemical/seed companies to advance monoculture farming systems, genetically engineered seeds, and dependency on synthetic fertilizers is juxtaposed with the success of diversified organic production practices, which utilize on-farm composting, the natural cycling of nutrients, and rotations with leguminous plants such as clover, alfalfa, and beans. Most importantly, Dr. Löwenstein is focused on “What To Do,” taking urgent action with at least three objectives: (1) require cost of harm to internalized to the polluter, (2) incentivize organic production and consumption with tax policy, and (3) elevate consumer knowledge and awareness about the personal and societal benefits of organic.

Dr. Löwenstein’s passion for organic transition has grown from his life as an agricultural scientist, farmer, international agricultural aid worker, and leader in Germany’s association of organic food producers and organic research.

Roundtable: Transitioning to Universal Adoption of Organic Land Management, 3 - 4 PM Eastern (EDT)

The conversation will continue after Dr. Löwenstein’s talk with a roundtable among organic farmers, marketing experts, policy advocates, and the Forum audience, as we explore strategies underway to scale up organic land management to become universally adopted in the next decade. The roundtable discussants bring a wealth of experience in building the organic movement to confront the existential health, biodiversity, and climate crises of our time.

Alan Lewis

Alan navigates government affairs and food and agriculture policy for Natural Grocers, a Colorado-based health food chain founded in 1955 with over 170 stores in 21 states. At the international, federal, state, and local level, Alan engages on food, agriculture, nutrition, community vitality, biotechnology, cannabis, trade, and health issues. Alan has been a board member or advisor to numerous organizations, including the Organic and Natural Health Association, Real Organic Project, Retail Advisory Committee of the American Grassfed Association, Farm Policy Committee of the Organic Farmers Association, and various committees of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. He is a fearless communicator of critical issues health, environment, agricultural economics that intersect with the organic marketplace.

Linley Dixon, PhD

Linley farms organic vegetables in Southwest Colorado. She holds a doctorate in Plant Pathology from the University of Florida and a Masters in Soil Science from West Virginia University in organic farming systems. She held a 2-year post-doctorate with the USDA’s Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory in plant fungal interactions. In 2018, she began the pilot program for the Real Organic Project (ROP) certification program and is now the co-director with Vermont organic farmer Dave Chapman. ROP is a farmer-led “add-on” organic certification that certifies farms just as the organic movement intended. The organization fosters healthy soils, pasture livestock, ensures protections for workers, and is committed to “whole farm” organic principles across all certified agricultural enterprises. ROP provides the transparency that is often lacking in the marketplace and educates eaters about the farming practices that provide for a healthy future. They have partnered with the international organic certification agency Naturland to unite the organic movement worldwide under one label and movement for higher organic integrity.

Colehour Bondera

Colehour is a farmer on his farm in Honaunau, Hawaii and a board member of Beyond Pesticides. He grows certified organic 100% Kona coffee and cacao. He focuses on building healthy soil and developing ground cover as part of this steep hillside agriculture on the edge of the Mauna Loa volcano. He is president emeritus of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association (KCFA), with nearly ten years of work with coffee farmers groups. He has focused on farmer educational workshops and legislative protection for the Origin Identity of 100% Kona coffee. To that end, he serves as chair of the KCFA Geographical Identity Committee; as a board member of American Origin Products at the national level; and as North American Vice President of oriGIn which is based in Geneva, Switzerland. He served on the National Organic Standards Board from January 2011 until January 2016.

Jay Feldman, Moderator

Joined by special guest and Beyond Pesticides board member Chip Osborne, a nationally renowned organic turfgrass expert and a professional horticulturist with 50 years of experience as a professional horticulturist. He has 25 years of experience in creating safe, sustainable, and healthy athletic fields and landscapes. He is the Founder and President of Osborne Organics (Cape Neddick, ME) and the Founder of the Organic Landscape Association. One of the main focus areas for Chip is developing education surrounding organic land care so that people in both the public and private sectors can understand what it takes to make it successful.