FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Contact: Maggie Eason, Ceason@LeadingHarvest.org
Hansen will oversee the nonprofit’s certification and education programs to support Leading Harvest’s global implementation.
Leading Harvest, a U.S. nonprofit advancing sustainable agriculture and food production through its unique universal Farmland Management Standard, announced today that it has named Scott Hansen as the organization’s director of standards and education.
Hansen joins Leading Harvest with deep experience in auditing sustainability standards and indicators for certification programs, including: responsible forestry, climate, environmental claims, food and agriculture, and sustainable seafood. As the director of standards and education, Hansen will serve as the chief steward of the Leading Harvest certification program and suite of standards to all constituents across the food value chain, domestic and global.
“I am pleased to announce the addition of Scott Hansen to our growing team,” said Leading Harvest President and CEO Kenny Fahey. “Scott’s passion for natural resources management and his broad experience in auditing and auditor training will be a tremendous asset to the development and maintenance of our certification and education programs globally.”
Prior to Leading Harvest, Hansen managed the performance and training of auditors for SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety. He has managed environmental certification programs for other industry leaders, including Midwest Hardwood Corporation and Rainforest Alliance where he served as a Senior Auditor and coordinated the training and development of auditors across the globe. In addition, Hansen was the co-owner of Grow Anthology, a sustainable skateboard company that produced FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified skateboards in the U.S.
“Leading Harvest is setting the standard in sustainability, created by and for all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain,” said Scott Hansen, Leading Harvest’s director of education and standards. “I am thrilled to join their team and to work alongside farmers, farm managers, and companies across the value chain to advance agricultural sustainability from the ground up.”
Scott graduated from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a degree in Natural Resource Management. He is a Certified Social Compliance Auditor, has created an accredited ISO 19011 lead auditor training course, and is an auditor for various supply chain standards.
Leading Harvest’s Farmland Management Standard is the first scalable, industry-wide solution to urgent issues facing us – from climate change and biodiversity to the resilience of our cropland’s soil and community. The rapid adoption of the Standard underscores the enormous global interest in sustainable farmland.
A photo of Scott Hansen can be found here. More information about Leading Harvest, the Farmland Management Standard, and how to join can be found at www.LeadingHarvest.org.
About Leading Harvest
Leading Harvest is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing adoption of sustainability practices in agriculture. It was formally organized in 2020 by and for all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain—from farmland owners to companies to communities. The organization provides assurance programs comprised of standards, audit procedures, training and education, and reporting and claim offerings that are optimized for flexibility, scalability, and impact.
