The name “Javier Zamora” is well-known on the central coast of California. With his powerful voice, Zamora has never been shy about sharing his story of immigrating to the western United States and starting his own organic farming business with the support of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) and CCOF. With his business certified by CCOF since 2012, Zamora continues to give back to the community through mentorship, advocacy for organic, and of course, generous sharing of his operation’s flowers and strawberries.
Patagonia, a longtime CCOF Foundation Champion supporter, is “in the business to save our home planet.” Through a strategic marketing strategy, Patagonia often tells the stories of the people who steward our home planet in a way that will sustain life for future generations, namely through organic and regenerative farming methods. Having recently launched Regenerative Organic Certification™, and pursuing the plans set forth in our Roadmap to an Organic California (funded in part by Patagonia) CCOF acknowledges the collective opportunity to empower organic farmers and consumers across the world to invest in the health of our soil.
A recent Patagonia short film features CCOF member Javier Zamora alongside ALBA and other well-known leaders in the Salinas Valley organic farming movement. Starting with less than two acres in 2012, Zamora and his team now tend to more than 100 acres of organic farmland in Salinas. This story is important for Zamora and JSM Organics, but also has the potential to reach consumers and teach them about the humans doing the hard work of growing organic food. Watch the video on Patagonia’s YouTube channel. ALBA, a celebrated incubator farm for soon-to-be-organic farmers, is currently partnering with CCOF to support former grantees like Zamora who are launching their own organic farming businesses. Learn more about the grant opportunity on CCOF’s website.
The CCOF Foundation is thrilled to have Patagonia as a continued supporter of our programs to advance organic farming, regenerate our soils and the health of our communities, and protect the future of our natural resources and environment.