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By René Hardwick, National Onion Association Director of Public and Industry Relations
The National Onion Association (NOA) is not only made up of members, but history. After three long years, the National Onion Association’s history book, “Layers of Progress: Over a Century of Advocacy,” is complete.
If you want to see how the organization evolved, starting in 1913 evolving into modern times, you’ll want this book. It’s like a history book on steroids, with great pictures throughout the years.
We hope this book sparks interest in what makes the NOA special to its membership. Without many members’ hard work and steadfast industry interest in longevity, we wouldn’t have the association we have today.
There are many in the industry today who have let their memberships lapse or who have decided to not pay into the association. We’d encourage all to take a second look. The NOA is first and foremost an onion industry organization. Our leadership takes the onion message to the hallowed halls of Congress annually and is a steady steward of the industry’s needs and wants and delivers it to our nation’s policymakers. Our leadership listens to members’ concerns and advocates for the industry’s interests. We need all the membership we can get to face some serious issues ahead of us all: a potential ban of chlorpyrifos and other important pesticides, international trade, trucking and onion movement, and immigration reform.
Members can get involved in the organization’s next 100 years by being a part of the organization’s many committees. Members can be a part of the industry export committee, or membership, promotions or legislative committees. This history book was born in the organization’s history committee, made up of longstanding members of NOA.
Members who are listed as the main contacts for member organizations will receive a book along with their membership directory and certificate.
The NOA would like to thank those who put so much effort into its creation, including our history committee, Kim Reddin, our former public and industry relations director, and the many donors who helped fund this project:
• Jean Hoshiko
• Ag-Pak
• Acme Bag Company
• Champion Seed (now known as Seedway)
• Decade Products
• Garner-Lanfeld Packaging
• South Georgia Equipment
• Ed Flake Brokerage
• Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Growers Association
• Malheur County Onion Growers Association
Reddin spent the last two and a half years combing through existing work and chronicling the NOA’s most recent history, as well as inserting photography through the years into this edition. Members who would like to purchase additional copies may do so. Books cost $30, which includes shipping. You can order them by calling Courtney Herbst at (970) 353-5895 or emailing cherbst@onions-usa.org.
