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The Organic Concepts Consulting Team
 Patti Bursten Deutsch
Patti Bursten Deutsch, President, directs the company in creating and implementing effective strategies for organic program success based on nearly 20 years of experience in the organic food industry. Considered an audit expert within the profession, Patti's skill stems from her background as an organic inspector and technical reviewer for several of the leading organic certifiers, and as an independent consultant for organic compliance. She is well-versed in the practical realities of organic farming, having entered the profession as a field and marketing manager for certified organic farms specializing in herbs and mixed vegetables.
Patti's commitment to organics began in 1986 when she began studying organic farming at The Evergreen State College in Washington State. She went on to acquire organic inspector training and professional experience in a wide variety of operations including farms, livestock, fiber, aquaculture, retail and processing. In addition, Patti has been trained in Field Crop Scouting, Integrated Pest Management, Food Plant Sanitation and Hygiene, HACCP and as an ISO Lead Auditor.
Having witnessed the growth of organics from a myriad of positions within the industry, Patti predicts that "organic food will take a more prominent role in the market place as people become aware of the environmental impacts of their choices." She writes, "I enjoy helping people understand organic regulations and navigate through the often confusing text and ambiguous meaning." In her spare time, Patti has served on several committees for the International Organic Inspectors Association. She currently owns and operates an organic dairy farm in Wisconsin.
Stanley Lawrence Edwards
Stanley Lawrence Edwards provides the highest quality organic compliance services for his clients, grounded in over 10 years of experience in organic certification. Stanley served as vice-chair and board member of the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) from 1999-2003. As an IOIA Trainer and independent consultant, Stanley lectures and teaches nationally about organic standards and has written several articles on organic production and certification standards. His expertise in organic food production, handling methods and international organic standards has been honed through his work as an organic inspector and application reviewer for several of the leading organic certifiers.
Stanley worked on several organic farms, then graduated from Colorado State University in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science in International Agronomy and minor in Human Nutrition. After graduating, he immersed himself in the organic certification specialty through numerous IOIA trainings covering a wide range of operations including farms, processors, livestock, grower groups, dairy, and apiculture. His training extends beyond organic certification to include ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. Stanley is fluent in French and Spanish, complementing his proficiency with international organic standards such as EU and Quebec Regional Standards. He is also well-versed in the Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS).
Stanley enjoys enhancing clients’ experiences with his creative skills and technological savvy. Stanley writes, “Being an organic consultant allows me to express my passion for organics and to share this with my clients.”
 Rick Martinez
Rick Martinez has been a prominent figure in the organic certification field since its inception, when he helped craft the original organic regulations that govern the industry today. Fluent in Spanish and English, Rick brings with him almost 30 years of experience providing organic inspection, consulting and training services to countless farms, processing facilities, governmental and non-governmental entities as well as US and international certification agencies in over 30 countries around the world. He has lead and taught numerous organic inspector trainings in the US, Latin America and Asia.
Rick served two terms as Board President of the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) in the 1990s. In addition, Rick has been an organic farmer in the Tampa, Florida area for over 25 years, having started his own sprouting and specialty greens business in 1979, then founded the Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in 1995, an educational nonprofit community-based farm. Combining his extensive farming background with a degree in engineering, years of experience in complex food processing systems and his extensive worldwide connections throughout the organic industry, Rick offers clients an expert understanding of and sensitivity to the history and practice of organic certification today.
Rick’s dedication to his work runs deep. He writes, “I’m in this business because I’m dedicated to the health of future generations and our planet as a whole. I am honored to work with such an excellent client base and I find it extremely exciting and rewarding to watch the growth in the food sector and help promote the growth of a sustainable and environmentally-friendly food production system.”
 Krista Wanser
Krista Wanser has over 10 years of experience developing, managing and auditing quality system programs for all types of accreditation bodies, certification agencies and food processing facilities. In the organic industry, Krista consults and conducts audits for several of the leading organic certification agencies in the US, Asia, South America and Europe. Krista also specializes in quality system programs for food safety, forestry and environmental claims. She is a lead auditor for food safety teams in the United States.
Krista graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in auditing. Krista is a RAB ISO 9000 Lead Auditor and RAB Quality Systems Manager . Krista's expertise lies in quality development, quality management, internal and external auditing, and audit training on a wide range of standards including ISO 65, USDA National Organic Program (NOP), International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, Japan Agricultural Services - Ministry of Agriculture (JAS-MAFF), Forestry and Fisheries, EUREPGAP, Forest Stewardship Council, Food Safety, CAAQ, Environmental Claims, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
For Krista, success lies in client satisfaction. She writes, “My most gratifying moments are when clients pass their inspections or launch a new quality system program. With the recent growth of the organic food sector, I am thrilled to see more and more businesses seeking and finding success for their products with our help.” |
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