RAMP Project Competitors

UC Santa Cruz was founded in 1965 as the movement away from the conservative '50s was in full swing and America was experiencing a transformation. The founding faculty, administrators, and students embraced and embodied this change. They were open and revolutionary in their thinking—more than mere radicals, they dared to imagine a living and learning environment that would foster a community whose passion came from a deep sense of social justice. And it shows. UC Santa Cruz’s many accomplishments include: • The first to map the human genome and make it publicly available—for free, forever • Key contributors to the discovery of the Higgs Boson • The birthplace of organic farming • The center of the Dickens Universe • A graduate gaming program that is one of the top 10 in the country • Ranked second in the world for its research impact This university is not to be underestimated. The campus's unique character is reflected in its students' bold choice to elect the fabled Banana Slug as its mascot—with their determined bearing and bright personality, it's hard to ignore Banana Slugs wherever they may roam. And Banana Slug alumni are everywhere—a network 100,000-plus-strong, comprised of respected scientists, journalists, social activists, political and business leaders, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, change-makers, and much more. Banana Slugs are changing the world.

Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit growing the organic movement through rigorous, solutions-based research, farmer training, and consumer education. Through organic leadership, we improve the health and well-being of people and the planet.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. Focusing exclusively on organic agriculture and products, OTA stays on top of the issues that affect organic trade and takes action as necessary on behalf of its members, connecting them to market trends and industry news, regulatory and legislative advocacy, and consumer education, marketing and public relations resources. OTA's mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace. Our mission sets the stage for work on behalf of the diverse organic business community we serve. OTA represents businesses across the organic supply chain and addresses all things organic: food, fiber and textiles, personal care and pet products, and new sectors as they develop. Since its inception in 1985, OTA has been a key player in shaping both the regulatory and market environment for organic products. OTA works to develop markets for organic products, protect the integrity of organic standards, and foster consumer confidence in the organic label. Organic Trade Association: OTA.com Organic business directory: TheOrganicPages.com Directory of U.S. organic exporters: USOrganicProducts.com Global Organic Trade Resource Guide: GlobalOrganicTrade.com U.S. consumer education: OrganicItsWorthIt.org Organic Check-off: GROorganic.net Canadian consumer education: OrganicBioloqique.ca