Objective

The objective of the Humic Products Trade Association (HPTA) is to become the “standard of excellence” in the humic trade. HPTA will achieve these objectives by establishing professional standards for its members as well as standards for certifying humic products.

Purpose

The purpose of the Humic Products Trade Association is to promote commercial trade of Humic Products thru scientific cooperation while addressing regulatory issues.

The Association will engage in the following activities to accomplish its mission:

(a) Encourage education and training on all levels of our membership in the areas of science, technology, marketing, and regulatory issues;

(b) Cooperate on common commercial and regulatory issues to advance the humic products industry and expand acceptance of quality humic products that conform to established standards;

(c) Provide guidelines and assistance in registration of humic products with State and Federal Agencies.

(d ) Encourage the advancement of technology for producing humic products by standardizing analytical methods and reference materials;

(e) Provide Networking opportunities for individuals and companies engaged in the Humic Products Industry.

Benefits of Membership

• Membership in the Humic Products Trade Association demonstrates that you care enough about your business, your industry, and your clients’ needs to participate in an industry association to raise the level of professionalism in our industry  HPTA gives you access to other professionals, industry and market information, product and market ideas, and a network of professional resources uniquely available thru HPTA all designed to promote the commercial trade of humic products. Members will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge through education, access to technological advancements, access to HPTA technical database, access to industry professionals, and representation at government functions that impact the regulation of the humic materials.
• HPTA is the only professional organization working with government regulators to advance the acceptance of humic substances as environmentally safe and effective products in agriculture, turf, livestock, pet food and human nutrition.
• Membership in HPTA allows you to help shape our industry as root issues which limit the potential of humic products are addressed.  Your membership allows you the opportunity to shape the industry as you will be voting on priorities, standards, definitions and regulatory issues.

Membership

Membership in the Humic Products Trade Association is open to any person, company or organization with an interest in promoting the commercial trade of humic substances and who agree to abide by the HPTA Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics

The Humic Products Trade Association has incorporated a Code of Ethics into its Bylaws; therefore the HPTA is obligated to conduct all of its affairs in a transparent manner, giving all members open access to the association’s meetings, records and business. The HPTA has no right to any of its member’s trade secrets, customer lists, or proprietary information.

Members must conform to all the regulatory requirements of their respective federal, state and local governments and must conduct business transactions in a fair and truthful manner with their vendors and customers. Members in good standing may identify themselves as a Humic Products Trade Association member in their advertising and marketing materials.

To view our Code of Ethics please download the document here.

How to Join

Please click here for more information on how to join. We are available by email at info@humictrade.org.

History

On April 8, 2010, representatives of humic manufactures, marketers, and scientists, met in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to form an association for the purpose of promoting the trade of humic products. Present were; Steve Azzarello, Daman Walia, Dr. William Zimmer, Merv Fischer, Edwin Liem, Ed Straw, John Lown, Lawrence Mayhew, Dr. Norbert Chirase, Don Ford, Michael Suttle, Michael White, Cherie Harms, Russell Taylor, Bruce Reid, Dan Olk, and Craig Dick.

After electing officers and a board of directors, various volunteer committees were formed for the purpose of creating a plan of business for the proposed association. On May 13, 2010, the Humic Products Trade Association, Inc. (HPTA) filed articles of incorporation as a non-profit Wisconsin corporation.

Within four months of its inception, HPTA contracted EarthFax Engineering to help develop a standardized analysis for humic and fulvic acids based on the protocols supplied by the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS). Representatives were sent to the semi-annual meetings of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for the purpose of changing the regulatory restrictions on the use of humic products.

Bylaws

To view our Bylaws please download the document here.

Board Members elected in 2020 to service for the term 2021-2022:

• President: Russell Taylor, Live Earth Products
• Vice President: Lyndon Smith, Bio Huma Netics, Inc.
• Secretary Treasurer: Cherie Harms, Leonardite Products
• At Large Board Member: David Chinn, Monty’s Plant Food Co.
• At Large Board Member: P. Mark Turner,  The Catalyst Product Group
• Ex – Officio/Science Advisor:  Dr. Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Univ. of Colorado / Boulder

Committee Chairs:

• Science Committee Chair – Dr. Richard Lamar
• Marketing Committee Chair –Cherie Harms
• AAPFCO Liaison – David Chinn
• AAFCO Liaison – Russell Taylor