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CCOF Press Releases
Press Release
March 2, 2011
For Immediate Release |
Contact:
Robin Boyle
CCOF Director of Marketing, Member Services and Development
(831) 423-2263, ext. 27
rboyle@ccof.org
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Organic Trade Association and CCOF Announce Strategic Alliance
Two associations sign MOU to strengthen organic industry's national influence
(March 2, 2011) Washington, D.C. and Santa Cruz, CA - The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and California Certified Organic Farmers Inc. (CCOF) have formed a strategic alliance to strengthen the organic industry's national public policy effectiveness to benefit the entire organic sector.
Christine Bushway, OTA's Executive Director and CEO, and Will Daniels, Chair of CCOF's Board of Directors, are pleased with the member benefits this union will provide.
"This important collaboration enhances the resources and capacity needed to grow and protect U.S. organic agriculture in the current fast-changing political environment," Bushway and Daniels explained. "As the two leading organic agriculture and trade associations in the United States, we will work together, while remaining independent organizations to leverage the collective reach of our diverse memberships."
OTA will collaborate with CCOF Inc. to increase the representation of organic producers in federal legislative advocacy. As part of the agreement, OTA recognizes CCOF Inc. as a member of OTA's new Producers Advisory Council. OTA's Producers Advisory Council provides OTA with input from organic farmers, ranchers, and growers on matters pertinent to the advancement of organic agriculture. OTA, with a permanent Washington, D.C., office, advocates for the organic industry on the national level. OTA has pledged to support CCOF on its policy positions and political advocacy to protect and encourage organic food and agriculture in the state of California.
With over 470,000 acres in certified organic production, California is the nation's leading state for organic agriculture. "Now, OTA will bring the voice of over 6,500 organic businesses, more than 2,500 from California alone, to official Washington. Together we will advance organic", added Bushway.
Domestic National Organic Program standards, areas covered under CCOF Certification Services, LLC accreditation, are excluded from the agreement.
About OTA
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
About CCOF
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies, educates, advocates and promotes organic through:
• A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers.
• Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
• Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.
CCOF certifies more than 2,160 organic operations in 34 states and four countries and serves over 350 supporting members - consumers, suppliers, businesses and individuals - interested in supporting its work.
More information: About CCOF, CCOF History, CCOF Fact Sheets and Statistics.
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