The Organic Center Appoints Director of Science Programs

The Organic Center has named Jessica Shade to the newly created position of director of science programs. In her new role, Shade will manage ongoing science programs and related communicated activities for the nonprofit affiliate science center within the Washington, D.C., office of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). She will also lead research project formulation and management, grant writing, and report writing, as well as assemble and coordinate the center’s scientific advisory panel.

Previously the director of the diversity mentorship program at the University of California at Berkeley, Shade (left) is an environmental scientist with experience in developing, conducting, monitoring and supervising conservation research, a record of successful science communication, and outreach program development knowledge.

“In her career thus far, she has demonstrated a wide level of talents and accomplishments, including grant procurement for environmental science and conservation efforts, strong communication skills, management of outreach programs, and collaborations with a wide variety of public institutions to increase effective communication of technical environmental science,” noted Christine Bushway, CEO and executive director of Brattleboro, Vt.-based OTA.

Added Bushway, “We envision that her skills will help strengthen, grow and lead a collaborative vision for the advancement of evidenced-based scientific knowledge for organic food and farming.”

The Organic Center’s mission is to gather credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming, and communicate those benefits to the public.