OMRI Board Welcomes New Member

(January 13, 2022) Leslie Touzeau, of Quality Certification Services (QCS), has joined OMRI as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, OMRI relies on its board to oversee policy and standards, and provide overall governance for the organization. The board is made up of volunteer stakeholders from across the organic industry, including certifiers, farmers, processors, consumer and public interest groups, and input suppliers. This arrangement ensures independence and impartiality in decision-making by bringing together a wide array of perspectives. OMRI board members may serve up to four consecutive two-year terms.

Born and raised in Missouri, Leslie obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Missouri, where her research explored the barriers of entry for young, black farmers in the Midwest and Southeast. Leslie brings to the board over 10 years of experience in organic agriculture, first as a certified organic vegetable and livestock producer, then as a researcher, grant writer and educator. She is currently the Material Review Manager for Quality Certification Services (QCS) based in Florida.

Leslie has a track record of being an advocate for organic producers. She founded a chapter of the National Young Farmers Coalition in Missouri, served on the Farmer Rancher Grant Review Committee for North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and currently represents QCS producers at National Organic Standards Board meetings.

Founded in 1997 by organic certifiers and stakeholders, OMRI provides an independent review of input products to determine which inputs are allowed for organic use. Over the past two decades, the organization has grown to over 9,000 OMRI Listed® products, reviewed to the U.S. National Organic Program standards, the Canada Organic Regime standards, and the Mexico Organic Products Law.

Contact: Roger Plant, Marketing Manager
rogerp@omri.org