Independent Organic Services was founded in 2011 by long time organic inspector and farmer Garth Kahl, together with his wife and business partner Angela Wartes. Having worked for many years as an organic inspector and later a program manager for a major US-based organic certifier, Garth realized that many producers and processors faced real challenges in achieving certification and needed someone to help them understand and navigate the process. For legal reasons, certifiers are prohibited from giving advice and help in the certification process, leaving many applicants feeling lost and frustrated.
Being small scale, certified organic farmers and ranchers themselves, Angela and Garth know what it’s like to fill out or update the “Organic System plan," what it’s like to get inspected, seek approval to use a material when facing a pest outbreak or sick animal and what it’s like to respond to a certifier's questions in the middle of a busy production season. At IOS we offer the benefit of our nearly 50 years of combined experience working as organic farmers, inspectors, and certification staff on 3 continents.
Being small scale, certified organic farmers and ranchers themselves, Angela and Garth know what it’s like to fill out or update the “Organic System plan," what it’s like to get inspected, seek approval to use a material when facing a pest outbreak or sick animal and what it’s like to respond to a certifier's questions in the middle of a busy production season. At IOS we offer the benefit of our nearly 50 years of combined experience working as organic farmers, inspectors, and certification staff on 3 continents.
Our Team
Angela Wartes
Angela has been an organic farmer for last 16 years, managing, Common Treasury Farm with her husband and business partner. They grow fiber flax and raise sheep for wool, along with blueberries, cattle, hogs and annual vegetables. Angela is the co-owner of Independent Organic Services, Inc. (consulting and contract inspection work). She has been an organic inspector for crops, processing and textiles since 2011.
From 2016-May 2020, Angela worked as the Fiber and Textile Coordinator at Oregon Tilth, managing their GOTS program and promoting organic certification for textiles in North America.
In 2017, Angela and Shannon Welsh (of PNW Fibershed) formed Fibrevolution LLC to rebuild the fiber flax industry in Oregon. Information on their work can be found at www.fibre-evolution.com.
Angela also serves as the vice-chair of the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Council and is an inspector member of the International Organic Inspectors Association. Most recently Angela joined the material production committee of Fibershed's Regional Fiber Manufacturing Initiative.
She attended College of the Atlantic for Human Ecology and Oregon State University for Merchandise Management (textile business) and Agricultural Sciences.
Angela has been an organic farmer for last 16 years, managing, Common Treasury Farm with her husband and business partner. They grow fiber flax and raise sheep for wool, along with blueberries, cattle, hogs and annual vegetables. Angela is the co-owner of Independent Organic Services, Inc. (consulting and contract inspection work). She has been an organic inspector for crops, processing and textiles since 2011.
From 2016-May 2020, Angela worked as the Fiber and Textile Coordinator at Oregon Tilth, managing their GOTS program and promoting organic certification for textiles in North America.
In 2017, Angela and Shannon Welsh (of PNW Fibershed) formed Fibrevolution LLC to rebuild the fiber flax industry in Oregon. Information on their work can be found at www.fibre-evolution.com.
Angela also serves as the vice-chair of the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Council and is an inspector member of the International Organic Inspectors Association. Most recently Angela joined the material production committee of Fibershed's Regional Fiber Manufacturing Initiative.
She attended College of the Atlantic for Human Ecology and Oregon State University for Merchandise Management (textile business) and Agricultural Sciences.
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Garth Kahl
Garth Kahl began his career in organics by studying Ecological Horticulture at the University of California Santa Cruz Farm and Garden Program, where he earned a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture in 1989. He went on to obtain a BS in Agriculture from Cornell University in 1992. After graduation he managed a commercial medicinal herb farm for two years, before starting his own farm and becoming an organic inspector in 1996. Since 1996 Garth has worked as an organic inspector, working on 3 continents, including inspections of crops, processing, wild harvest, livestock, apiculture, grower groups and textiles. He is accredited as an organic inspector in all scopes by the International Organic Inspectors Association, the world’s leading professional body for organic inspectors. From 2007 to 2011 he was the Latin American Program Manager and interim Farm Program Manager for Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, a major U.S. certifier. Here at IOS, Garth focuses primarily on processing, livestock and international customers, as well as organic inputs clients and our support services to accredited certifiers. He passions include pasture-based farm systems, apiculture, international development, distillation and brewing. When not in the office or on the road, he may be found halter training young calves or in the greenhouse tending to his beloved mini bell peppers and English cucumbers. |