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OMRI Welcomes New Technical Director
(July 7, 2015) OMRI is pleased to welcome Johanna Mirenda as the organization's new Technical Director, effective August 3. Johanna's responsibilities will include providing training and education, overseeing OMRI's policies and standards, and managing special projects including Technical Reports for the National Organic Program (NOP). The Technical Director also plays a leadership role as a member of OMRI's five-person Management Team.
According to Johanna, "I am thrilled to take on the role of Technical Director at OMRI, an organization that I have admired for many years. From my experience at a certification organization, I know first-hand how valuable OMRI's technical services are to the organic community. I look forward to working with OMRI's talented staff and upholding OMRI's gold standard of material review!"
Johanna's prior work includes six years of experience in the organic industry, focusing primarily on material review. Prior to joining OMRI, she served as the Policy Director for Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO), a USDA-accredited certification agency. There, Johanna managed the material review program and authored PCO's comments to the National Organic Standards Board. She has also been a member of OMRI's Livestock Review Panel and has facilitated trainings on material review issues for certifiers and the public.
Johanna holds a bachelor's degree in Horticultural Science with a minor in Biology from Pennsylvania State University, and is currently enrolled in a master's program in Sustainable Food Systems at Green Mountain College. She studied agriculture and ecology in Peru and New Zealand, and has several years of academic research experience in plant nutrition. Johanna works remotely from New Hampshire, where she lives with her husband Jason and their dog Moose.
OMRI's technical work has grown continuously over the past few years as the organization is in high demand for webinar and in-person training, and a large number of Technical Reports have been requested by the NOP. The Technical Director plays a key role in developing and communicating policies and providing technical support to certifiers and policy makers. OMRI is fortunate to have Johanna's experience and expertise to serve in this important role.
Contact: Amy Bradsher, Marketing Director
(541) 343-7600 ext. 106
