In September 1998, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Dan Wyant created the Michigan Organic Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee was charged with developing a strategic plan; serving as a framework for advancing a system of production, processing and marketing products of organic agriculture in Michigan.

It consists of 15 members who represent a broad cross section of the Michigan organic industry:

	Merrill Clark of Cassopolis, grower and co-owner of Roseland Farms;
	Melinda Curtis of Keego Harbor, radio broadcaster and journalist;
	Robert Fogg of Leslie, cash crop farmer and co-owner of Fogg's Organic Market;
	Shirley Hampshire of Kingston, grower and co-owner of Hampshire Farms and Bakery;
	Paul Keiser of Marne, manager of New Harmony Community Farm;
	Jeff Kourofsky of Okemos, co-owner of Purity Foods;
	Peter Murray of Ann Arbor, director of operations/certification, Clean Clothes, Inc.;
	Carol Osborne of Detroit, consumer and East Michigan Environmental Action Council member;
	L. Ernest Otter III of Livonia, consumer and organic food processing consultant, Pestco, Inc.;
	Sally Page of Cass City, consumer and member of the Thumb Chapter of the Organic Growers of Michigan;
	Michael Potter of Clinton, Chief Executive Officer of Eden Foods;
	Gene Purdum of Williamston, grower and President of the Lifeline Chapter of the Organic Growers of Michigan;
	Ed Zimba of Deford, grower and organic milk producer;
	Ex-officio member from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Greg Mund of Fremont;
	Ex-officio member from Michigan State University Extension, Dan Rossman of Ithaca;
	Ex-officio alternate member from Michigan State University Extension, Susan Smalley of East Lansing.

Since being appointed, the Committee has met monthly, gathering information from the Michigan organic industry, agencies, commodity groups, and Michigan State University. These meetings included an intensive two-day strategic planning session. They also met with the organic industry during a session of Agriculture and Natural Resources Week to gather input and share preliminary recommendations. This plan includes background information, a position statement, two key recommendations and related action items. It was designed to: 

	introduce several concepts, ideas, and recommendations to MDA and the organic industry and
	initiate dialogue with MDA and the organic industry about these concepts and ideas.

The readers of this plan are invited to offer written suggestions for improvement. Comments can be directed to any Committee member.