2024 OLC Program Year in Review
2024 was a busy year for the Organic Land Care Program. Our goals for the year were to improve benefits to and communication with our accredited professionals and strengthen partnerships with like-minded organizations. To that end, we accomplished the following projects:
- Developed a new program logo and AOLCP badge to update our brand and mark the beginning of the program’s second quarter-century. The new logo will support the Organic Land Care Program’s marketing, outreach, and branding.
- Launched a new website to provide more and better program information to our current AOLCPs; make it easier for professionals to find classes, sign up for training, and learn about our program; and help interested community members learn about the benefits of hiring an AOLCP.
- Launched a new Organic Land Care Guide and Map to help direct customers to AOLCP-run organic businesses.
- Created new organic land care marketing materials to help AOLCPs market their organic business. These materials feature the new OLC logo and AOLCP badge and can be customized with an AOLCP’s business name and logo.
- Strengthened and expanded partnerships to support AOLCPs, grow our network, and spread the word on organic land care. Among our key achievements in this area:
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- Worked with Phipps Conservatory to share our partnership and training model with other botanic gardens
- Supported Maui Nui Marine Resource Council in implementing a Reef-Friendly Landscaping Certification Program
- Collaborated with ReWild Your Campus to bring more institutional grounds keepers into our accreditation program
- Partnered with the Ecological Landscape Alliance to share benefits and training resources among our member groups
- Expanded AOLCP access to continuing education by strengthening relationships with like-minded organizations, including ELA, New Directions in the American Landscape, Native Gardens of Blue Hill, and others.
2025 looks to be another big year for the program. As we continue to support and train Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals, we are planning two major projects for the year.
We are currently laying the groundwork for an update of the Standards for Organic Land Care. First published in 2001, the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care remain the only iFoam recognized standards for organic land care and have provided the framework for our Organic Land Care Accreditation course since their inception. The 2025 7th Edition will provide a thorough review and updates to this important document.
In 2025, we will also undertake a full review of the Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care to review and revise the curriculum and create new avenues for delivering the training, both virtually and in-person.