September is Organic Month, and what better way to celebrate than to support the people who grow our organic food?
When farmers go organic, entire communities benefit.
In addition to producing nutritious food for consumers, organic farming practices protect air, water, and soil from harmful synthetic pesticides; they protect farmworkers and their children from dangerous chemical exposure; and they help ensure viable farmland through sustainable practices. Learn more about the many benefits of organic and consider supporting your local organic farmers by donating to the CCOF Foundation!
The CCOF Foundation advances organic agriculture by supporting farming communities at many levels. We offer three categories of financial grants in order to uplift organic professionals at every stage in their careers. Our Future Organic Farmers grant gives $5,000 scholarships to students and early career farmers for organic-focused studies in college or vocational programs. This grant invests in upcoming organic farmers, ensuring nutritious organic food for generations to come.
Our Organic Transition program gives three-year grants of $10,000 a year to farmers transitioning their land to organic production. This grant lowers the financial barrier of investing more money while completing the necessary three years’ transition requirement to become certified organic. We’re removing barriers so organic farming can be more accessible to all.
Our Hardship Assistance Fund gives up to $20,000 in direct financial assistance to organic farmers and processors recovering from disasters. As fires, floods, and extreme weather continue to increase, this fund is more important than ever in preserving our precious organic farms even when disasters hit.
Your support makes these programs possible!
Your financial support in any amount helps sustain and expand the incredible community of people who grow organic.
- For $50, you can help a beginning farmer buy a fruit tree for an organic orchard.
- For $500, you can buy 100 pounds of alfalfa seed to plant in an organic dairy pasture.
- For $750, you can help a micro or small-scale farmer buy a Quick-Cut greens harvester for those baby greens we all love.
- For $1,000, you can help a farmer invest in regenerative, soil-health boosting practices like large-scale composting.
- For $5,000, you can help a farmer move towards a career in organic agriculture and away from harmful pesticide exposure. $5,000 funds an organic agriculture student’s studies for one year, including education, transportation, equipment, and even starting their farm.
- For $7,000, you can reduce food waste by helping a small-scale farmer buy a walk-in cooler unit to keep their produce fresh after harvesting.
- For $10,000, you can help an organic farmer regenerate the land through transition practices like cover-cropping and rotational grazing. $10,000 supports a farmer through one year of the transitional period before they can begin labeling their products fully organic and earning higher prices.
