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Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, May 23, 2022

CCOF-sponsored bills AB 1870 and AB 2499 are headed to the California Assembly floor this week. Ask your assemblymember to vote “yes” on AB 1870 and AB 2499. Click here to find out who your assemblymember is.

AB 1870, authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone, supports California food processors by streamlining the registration process and creating more transparency in the Department of Public Health’s oversight of organic processors. 

AB 2499, authored by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, creates an Organic Transition Program to provide underserved farmers with financial and…

Written by Larissa Hernandez on Monday, May 16, 2022

"I am proud to be a field worker’s daughter …. I am one of nine children; my father was a bracero." Agriculture has always been a part of Magdalena Vigil Garcia’s life—it is her past, present, and future. Vigil’s history and family heritage introduced her to farming initially, and as a graduate of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association’s Farmer Education Course…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, May 16, 2022

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, CCOF hosted California State Senator Eggman and Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for an important discussion around organic transition.

We were joined by more than 30 leaders from organic farms, businesses, and partner organizations for a farm tour, lunch, and discussion about all that it takes to become certified organic. The event took place…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, May 9, 2022

In honor of National Agriculture Week, longtime CCOF Foundation supporter AgroThrive partnered with its home gardening community to support up-and-coming farmers with a donation of more than 300 gallons of its unique liquid organic fertilizer. Between March 21 and 28, for every purchase of liquid organic fertilizer made on AgroThrive.com, the company donated the same amount to the organic farmers…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, May 9, 2022

Last month, the CCOF Foundation hosted its third virtual teatime. Organic industry leaders, CCOF Foundation supporters, and farmers alike joined us via Zoom to hear from organic regenerative farmer Jared Siverling of Siverling Centennial Farms in Bloomer, Wisconsin. Jared and his wife Vanessa have spent the last five years transitioning the Siverling multigenerational farm from conventional…

Written by kta on Monday, May 9, 2022

Are you familiar with the USDA National Organic Program’s proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule? This pending regulation will significantly change the organic regulations. After the rule is enacted, operations buying, selling, trading, or facilitating sales of organic products will be required to gain certification.

The current organic regulations require operations that process, package, or label organic products to maintain certification. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is now proposing that operations that buy, sell, trade, or facilitate organic sales…

Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, May 2, 2022

Both bills sponsored by CCOF were passed out of the California Assembly Agriculture Committee at the hearing on April 27th. 

AB 1870, which is authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone, was voted out with 10 ayes, 0 noes. This bill supports California food processors by streamlining the registration process and creating more transparency in the Department of Public Health’s oversight of organic processors. No one has registered opposition to AB 1870.

AB 2499, which is authored by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, was voted out with 8 ayes, 0 noes. This bill creates an Organic…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, May 2, 2022

In 2018, the CCOF Foundation hosted an intimate lunch at Natural Products Expo East. About six blocks from the trade show floor in Baltimore, a quiet but confident teenage girl stood in front of longtime organic industry professionals and told them her story. That girl was Shannon Good, who received a grant from the CCOF Foundation to support her studies in organic agriculture. Adults, many of whom…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, April 25, 2022

If you operate a certified organic farm growing vegetables, fruit, or nuts, or are considering organic certification for your farm, then we would be grateful if you would answer our short 10-minute survey on third-party food safety certification. The survey is funded by the USDA, and all responses are anonymous.

To complete the online survey, please go to our secure website at wsu.edu.

We have heard that organic farmers may face unique challenges in meeting both National Organic Program standards and third-party food safety requirements.

Our goal with…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, April 25, 2022

Join the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in Florida on May 13 for a workshop that reviews what it takes to be a USDA-certified organic farmer.

The two-part workshop will start with a classroom session introducing participants to organic regulations from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Lecanto, Florida. Then, in the afternoon, tour Danley Family Farm, a livestock operation in Floral City, Florida, where participants will walk the farm with an organic inspector and learn firsthand about the organic inspection process. Through a “mock inspection,” participants will learn…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, April 18, 2022

 

CCOF Foundation Visionary supporter Driscoll’s recently announced new partners to advance their sustainability goals pertaining to field plastic. Driscoll’s announced the launch of their Agricultural Plastics Innovation Challenge, an initiative that aims to stimulate new recycling processes and the development of alternatives to commonly used field plastics. 

Think Beyond Plastic works…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, April 11, 2022

Prima Wawona has continued its investment in organic with its support of the CCOF Foundation as a Champion-level supporter in 2022. 

Prima Wawona, one of the nation’s leading organic stone fruit producers, has supported our 501(c)(3) charitable arm, the CCOF Foundation, in advancing organic through education and grantmaking. Headquartered in California’s Central…

Written by Larissa Hernandez on Monday, April 11, 2022

CCOF Future Organic Farmers grantee Jason Racine plans to use his formal education to bring into full bloom his goal of creating an inspiring, diverse, community-centered farm. Products will range from annual rotating vegetables and cut flowers to kiwi vines, fruit trees, and even mushrooms! Racine aims to complete his food science and technology degree, with minors in horticulture and…

Written by Larissa Hernandez on Monday, April 11, 2022

  

As of January 2022, California has begun implementing SB 1383, a new state law that tackles the climate crisis by recycling and composting food and yard waste around the state. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane in California. Organic waste contributes 20 percent of that methane. By composting organic materials like food waste, the state aims to curb climate pollutants…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, April 11, 2022

Nearly every state in the United States has a cottage food law that allows for the sale of low-risk foods produced in a home kitchen. However, these laws vary widely between states. Differences include types of products that can be made and sold, annual sales limits, and how or where the food can be sold. Join us for a webinar on April 27 that will cover the specifics of the cottage food laws in California and Washington states. Dr. Erin DiCaprio from the University of California, Davis and Dr. Stephanie Smith from Washington State University will review details on cottage food…