The Organic Center is combining efforts with the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and relocating its headquarters from Boulder, Colo., to Washington, D.C., effective Sept. 1. The Organic Center will remain an independent non-profit 501(c) (3), but now will be under the administrative auspices of OTA.

“The center will continue to conduct credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming, and communicate those benefits to the public,” says Mark Retzloff, board chair for The Organic Center. “By combining efforts under one administrative umbrella, we will gain overhead efficiencies and improve access to government and foundation grants. Our enhanced collaboration with allied groups in D.C. will stimulate greater research and increased information to the public to convince them of the benefits of organic.”

During the transition, The Organic Center will be governed by an interim board comprised of five OTA board members and four Organic Center board members. This board will appoint an independent Board of Trustees to govern the center going forward, and re-establish its cross-disciplinary Scientific Advisory Board.

In addition, Christine Bushway, OTA’s executive director, will assume leadership responsibilities for the center in partnership with its independent Board of Trustees.