Career Development Awards for Organic Inspection Training
Andrew Rutherford Award
IOIA accepts applications for the annual Andrew Rutherford Career Development Award, which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored organic inspector training course during the following year. Both prospective and experienced inspectors are eligible to apply for the Rutherford Award. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and potential as judged by the IOIA Awards Committee. Applicants can choose to attend any IOIA-sponsored training. The award pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses.
The late Andrew Rutherford was a farmer, organic inspector, and organic agriculture researcher from southern Saskatchewan. He served on IOIA's initial steering committee and then several years as a Founding Board Member.
Organic Community Initiative Award
IOIA also offers an annual Organic Community Initiative Award (OCI Award), which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored basic organic inspector training during the following year. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and their potential to have a positive impact on their regional organic community. The Organic Community Initiative Award is only open to applicants from outside of the US or Canada. Applicants can choose to attend any basic IOIA-sponsored training. The award pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses.
OCIA Travel Fund
The OCI Award Travel Fund is supported entirely by donations and has helped award recipients from South Korea, India, Mexico, and other countries travel to training.
Click here to donate to the OCI Award Travel Fund.
Your Support is Greatly Appreciated!
IOIA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit educational association, your donations are tax-deductible in the US to the full extent allowed.
Career Development Award Recipients
2025 Andrew Rutherford Award Recipient
Moetaz Mahdy, Egypt
Moetaz has extensive experience in quality control, farm management, and organic standards, and serves as a consultant to diverse organizations. He seeks advanced training to deepen knowledge of organic regulations and auditing, expand his professional network, and create inspector training systems. His goal is to help farmers and businesses achieve certification and advance sustainable, global organic practices across diverse agricultural contexts.
2025 Organic Community Initiative Award Recipient
Ricardo Tapia, Mexico
Ricardo coordinates over 50 producers at Mercado el 100, ensuring compliance with organic standards. As an organic inspector, he verifies production units, advises producers, and promotes sustainable, ethical, and traceable practices. Over the next five years, he plans to expand the producer network and sustainable markets. The OCI award will help enable him to share these practices across Latin America and support emerging organic producers regionally.
Application Deadline
The application process will open on June 1.
The Deadline for returning applications is October 1.
The 2025-2026 round is now closed.
Award recipients are notified by December 15.
Para el español, chasque aqui.
Queries can be emailed to: CDawards@ioia.net
Rutherford Career Development Award Application
Organic Community Initiative Award Application