Farmers are some of the world’s greatest planners. Every season, every crop, every decision is rooted in faith — faith that the soil will provide, that rain will come, and that the harvest will sustain. Sometimes planning stretches two, five, or even ten years ahead. Farming itself is an act of trust in and hope for the future.
It’s no surprise then that succession planning often weighs heavily on farmers’ minds. Who will care for the land when our hands can no longer till the soil? Which next-generation farmer will step in with the same dedication to feeding communities and protecting the earth?
Estate planning carries similar questions. While it may feel uncomfortable to think about, it also offers a powerful opportunity: the chance to extend our life’s work and values beyond ourselves. More and more members of the organic community are choosing to include the CCOF Foundation in their wills and trusts, helping ensure that future generations of farmers can thrive.
A Legacy Rooted in Love for the Land
Jim Cockrell, widower of longtime CCOF staff member Becky Blythe, shared why he chose to honor both the CCOF Foundation’s and Becky’s legacy by writing the CCOF Foundation into his own will:
“My wife Becky and I shared a love of nature. One of our greatest values was protecting a healthy planet for the benefit of our son and for generations to come. Becky loved her work at CCOF because of her ‘CCOF family’ and their mission to advance organic food production. Including the CCOF Foundation in her estate plan was simple, and her gift helped launch the CCOF Foundation Endowment. It feels good knowing that the Foundation’s mission of advancing organic will always have support as part of her legacy.” – Jim Cockrell
Becky’s generous gift of $100,000 became the seed for the CCOF Foundation Endowment, ensuring that organic farmers will have support in perpetuity. In his own estate planning, Jim, too, has decided to take the bold step of writing the CCOF Foundation into his will and trust. This move demonstrates acknowledgement that our work carries on long after we can, and we can ensure a lasting impact by choosing a nonprofit whose values align with our own.
Why the Endowment Matters
The CCOF Foundation has always been rooted in community. What began in 1973 around a kitchen table has grown into a thriving network of thousands of organic producers across North America, united by a common goal: clean, healthy food and a thriving planet.
Today, inspired by Becky Blythe’s legacy, the Foundation is leading a bold $10 million campaign to grow the CCOF Endowment and strengthen the programs that farmers depend on. These include:
- Scholarships for future organic farmers
- Disaster relief for those facing hardship
- Services and guidance for farmers transitioning land to organic
- Education and training through the Organic Training Institute
With nearly $7 million already awarded in grants and more than 170,000 acres transitioned to organic, the Foundation is building a future where organic is the norm.
Join Us in Planting the Future
An endowed gift to the CCOF Foundation ensures that organic farmers — today and tomorrow — receive the support they need to steward the land. Including the Foundation in your estate plan is simple, and it leaves a lasting mark: a legacy of healthy soil, strong farmers, and thriving communities.
If you’d like to learn more about how to include the CCOF Foundation in your will or trust, please contact waray@ccof.org or make a donation directly online at www.ccof.org/donate. Together, we can plant the seeds for a future where organic is the norm.
