Learn about revolutionary farming and social practices being implemented in gardens around the world. As we grow more aware of where our teas come from and how they are produced, it is becoming increasingly possible to hold producers accountable for sustainable farming and just social practices.

Speakers: Linda Appel Lipsius, Chief Operating Officer and Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Teatulia

By the end of this workshop you will be able to:

1. Recognize how a new tea garden is started.
2. Understand how to cultivate tea in a 100% natural way.
3. Understand how to give back to the people and the land and incorporate this into your business model.
4. Identify new growing regions, and challenges and opportunities in these regions.
5. Understand sustainable packaging, carrying the goodness all the way to the cup.

Linda Appel Lipsius is managing the launch of Tetulia in the United States and the United Kingdom. Prior to working with KKTE, Mrs. Lipsius was a Vice President with Orange Glo International (OGI) where she launched OxiClean, Kaboom, Orange Glo and Orange Clean in the US, UK, Germany, France, Ireland, Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea. Utilizing multiple channels of distribution, reached through innovative marketing and PR programs, the brands quickly rose to market-leading positions. Prior to Orange Glo, Mrs. Lipsius directed marketing campaigns for Roche Laboratories’ leading brands at Young & Rubicam. Linda earned her BA from Columbia University and MBA in finance from New York University.

Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed is the Director of the Kazi and Kazi Tea Estate, Ltd. (KKTE) as well as the Director and CEO of Organics and Education for Gemcon Group in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At KKTE, Dr. Ahmed has helped establish the guiding organic values and policies that allowed KKTE to emerge as the first successful organic tea estate in Bangladesh. He personally oversaw the international SGS Organic and USDA Organic certification processes. After launching Kazi & Kazi Tea as the first organic brand in the local market, he is now leading plans for Tetulia to become the first branded Bangladeshi tea for international export. Dr. Ahmed is also leading the founding of an innovative co-operative affiliate with over 1,000 members. Dr. Ahmed received Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. in literature from Brown, Washington and New York Universities, respectively.