The Organic Trade Association has honored Albert Straus, founder of Straus Family Creamery and a second-generation organic dairy farmer, with its Organic Lifetime Achievement Award.
A pioneer in organic dairy and sustainable agriculture, Straus has led efforts to advance carbon-neutral dairy farming models that are shaping the future of organic food and farming. 
Straus has spent more than 30 years producing award-winning organic dairy products while driving change in the food system through ecological practices, farmer viability and climate innovation.
In 1994, he transitioned his family’s Straus Dairy Farm in Northern California to become the first certified organic dairy west of the Mississippi River. That same year, he founded Straus Family Creamery, the nation’s first 100-percent certified organic creamery.
Today, Straus Dairy Farm is developing a replicable carbon-neutral organic dairy model, with the goal of reaching net-neutral emissions across all 13 Straus Family Creamery supplying farms by 2030.
Straus also was among the earliest California dairy farmers to install a methane digester and the first to implement a carbon farm plan on a U.S. dairy.
“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Straus said. “My lifelong mission is to create a replicable organic dairy farming model that sustains family farms, fosters the next generation of farmers and revitalizes rural communities – all made possible by producing high-quality, delicious organic products that nourish people and positively impact our planet.”
His leadership has drawn international recognition, including being named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business.”
The Organic Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those who have dedicated their careers to advancing organic agriculture and trade through vision, solutions and leadership.
This year, Straus was honored alongside David Lively of Organically Grown Company. Other honorees included Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and leaders from Frontier Co-op, Baugher Ranch Organics, PURIS and Vallaeys Consulting.
“Albert’s pioneering vision has helped build the foundation for today’s organic dairy movement,” said Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “His leadership in sustainability and climate innovation is inspiring not only within the organic sector but for agriculture at large.”
The recognition took place Sept. 15 at the OTA’s Organic Week 2025 Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C., an annual event celebrating those driving growth in the organic sector and strengthening its impact on people and the planet.
About the Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. It represents organic businesses and producers across the U.S., including growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, brands and retailers. The association’s mission is to promote and protect organic with a unifying voice that serves and engages members from farm to marketplace.