Steve Ela

(he/him)

NOSB Specialist

steve@elafamilyfarms.com

Since 2022, Steve Ela has been the NOSB Specialist at the National Organic Coalition (NOC), working closely with NOC members and the National Organic Standards Board to promote organic integrity and prevent the use of toxic materials in organic agriculture. Alongside his role at the NOC, Steve is the owner and manager of Ela Family Farms and Silver Spruce Orchards, a 100-acre certified organic fruit farm in Hotchkiss, Colorado.

Steve holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Geology, and an M.S. in Soil Science with a minor in Water Resources. His expertise has positioned him as a leader in the organic farming community. He served on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), including two years as its chair. Additionally, he has been the President and board member of the Organic Farming Research Foundation and chaired the Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference. His leadership extends to having served as a board member and chair of the Western Colorado Horticultural Society, as well as having served on the Colorado Agricultural Commission and as Board member and chair of the Valley Organic Growers Association. He currently serves as President of Leroux Creek Water Users Association.

Steve's contributions to research are well recognized. He has collaborated with universities on numerous on-farm research initiatives and played a pivotal role as lead organizer for the first and second National Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposiums.

Steve Etka

(he/him)

Policy Director

steveetka@gmail.com

Steve Etka is the founder and owner of Etka Consulting, a government relations firm focused on agriculture and food policy reform. Based in Washington, D.C., Steve represents several federal policy-related coalitions, including serving as the Policy Director for the National Organic Coalition. In this role, he collaborates closely with coalition members to advocate for organic farming, providing education to policymakers and pushing for regulatory and legislative reforms, particularly in Farm Bill legislation. Steve's work involves actively monitoring Capitol Hill, organizing strategic advocacy efforts, and coordinating meetings and briefings to advance organic agriculture's priorities.

Before launching Etka Consulting, Steve spent over five years working for U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), where he served as Deputy Legislative Director. During his tenure, he specialized in issues related to agriculture, environmental policy, transportation, and appropriations, gaining invaluable experience in legislative strategy and policymaking.

Steve earned his degree from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1987. He currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his husband Troy.

Alice Runde

(she/her)

Operations Director

alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org

Alice oversees the daily operations of the National Organic Coalition, including bookkeeping, communications, event planning, and racial equity initiatives, working closely with the NOC team. With a strong background in nonprofit operations and project management, she holds a B.S. in Agronomy and an M.S. in Agricultural Development. Alice resides in Northeast Iowa with her husband, two toddlers, two dogs, a cat, and horses.