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Written by Jessy Beckett Parr on Monday, February 10, 2020

The organic industry is growing rapidly, and the beer industry is growing with it. In 2019, Anheuser-Busch launched the Contract for Change initiative that supports Idaho barley farmers who try organic production for the first time, providing price support through transition and a reliable market for the crop.

Join CCOF and OATS at one of our Organic Malt Barley Farmer Meetings and learn about organic production, the transition process, organic barley, and how the Contract for Change program can work for you. Everyone is welcome, whether you currently grow barley or are just…

Written by Jessy Beckett Parr on Monday, February 10, 2020
                                                                 30 years of Seeding Change: 1990-2020

OFRF is turning 30! 

OFRF's annual benefit luncheon helps provide grants that lead to innovation in the organic sector and supports OFRF's programs which foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming throughout the United States. 

Come network, celebrate, and hear from organic industry leaders while enjoying the best meal at Expo West!

OFRF's long-standing luscious benefit event features an all-organic menu created by celebrity chefs…

Written by Laura Mathias on Monday, February 3, 2020

NOP Honors CCOF

CCOF Certification Services was honored by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) with two awards at the Accredited Certifiers Association training in San Antonio, Texas this week.

CCOF received the Investing in INTEGRITY award, which recognizes CCOF for its contributions to the Organic INTEGRITY Database and recognizes CCOF…

Written by Jacob Guth on Monday, February 3, 2020

CCOF is excited to continue offering food safety certification by and for organic producers in the 2020 production season. Not only do we cover your organic crops and handling, but we can also audit your non-organic acreage alongside your organic or transitioning acreage while we’re out there. If given enough lead time, CCOF can even combine your organic and your food safety audits in one visit! 

CCOF has long been a trusted source for premier certifications, with competent, friendly local inspectors spread out over various regions and climates in North America. Our inspectors come…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, February 3, 2020

From January 22-25, the Ecological Farming Association brought together the organic community for a week of connection, learning, and celebration at the EcoFarm Conference. CCOF members and staff were active participants in the conference both as attendees and as workshop presenters and moderators, event hosts, and keynote speakers. As CCOF staff, we relish the opportunity to connect with our members and partner organizations in-person, and EcoFarm provides the perfect opportunity to do so. 

Farm Tours and Pre-Conference Gatherings

The events kicked off on Tuesday with a…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, February 3, 2020

The University of California system's first-ever institute for organic research and education will be established in the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources division (UC ANR) with a $500,000 endowment gift from Clif Bar & Company and $500,000 in matching funds from UC President Janet Napolitano.

The California Organic Institute will accelerate the development and adoption of effective tools and practices for organic farmers and those transitioning to organic by building on the capabilities of UC ANR's Cooperative Extension and Sustainable Agriculture…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, February 3, 2020

USDA reminds agricultural producers interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2020 general signup to enroll by February 28, 2020. This signup is available to farmers and private landowners who are either enrolling for the first time or re-enrolling for another 10- to 15-year term.

“This is the first opportunity for general sign-up since 2016, and we want producers and private landowners to know that we have just one month remaining,” Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “It is critical that they make their final determinations and submit offers…

Written by Josaphine Stevenson on Monday, January 27, 2020

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My name is Celsa Ortega and I am 32 years old. I am from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. Growing up in the mountain ranges with my grandparents, we harvested a ‘milpa’ and I quickly grew fond of my grandparents love and dedication for agriculture. I now have four children, three boys and one girl ranging from 13 to five years old. My family and I arrived in the Salinas Valley…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, January 27, 2020

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With wildfires and other natural disasters becoming more common, disaster preparedness is an important part of running a sustainable livestock operation. Join the CCOF Foundation on February 11 for a webinar that highlights best management practices that organic livestock operations can take to be prepared in the event of a disaster. This…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

_Before the Brave by Zack PiankoPhoto by Zack Piánko

In the face of climate catastrophes taking place worldwide, CCOF is leading the charge to create a climate-resilient California and United States. On February 18 and 19, CCOF will be joined by California State Senator Anna Caballero at the CCOF Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day, where we will release the CCOF…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

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The CCOF Foundation’s Farmers’ Marketing: Tools for Success project is aimed at helping growers who sell at farmers’ markets finetune their marketing to increase sales and revenue. The project offers both on-line and in-person workshops for farmers and resources on organic for farmers’ market managers.

Farmer Resources…

Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Fair Farm Colorado, a CCOF member based in Longmont, Colorado, is the first egg operation to be certified to the Laying Hen and Pullet standards of the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), a comprehensive farm animal welfare standards program. Fair Farm Colorado’s operation is certified to GAP’s Entire Life on Farm (Step 5+).

“Fair Farm just received GAP’s top animal welfare rating for a laying hen farm,” said Walt Pounds, Fair Farm’s founder and CEO. “We at Fair Farm Colorado are honored and excited to become the first egg operation to partner with the Global Animal Partnership,” he…

Written by Josaphine Stevenson on Monday, January 20, 2020

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My future career will be as an organic inspector and educator for the South East. I believe that the South East has the potential to be a major influence in the organic movement. The National Agricultural Statistics Services illustrates that in 2016, not one South Eastern state exceeded over 500 certified organic farms; six of these states having…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, January 13, 2020

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Photo provided by The CeresCourier.com

We root for farmers growing organic. We root for producers, packers, and shippers of organic. We root for getting organic in schools. And, we root for the policymakers who move organic agriculture to the forefront as a solution to climate change. Senator Anna Caballero has been a partner and champion…

Written by Adrian Fischer on Monday, January 13, 2020

Vote in your chapter election to ensure your business has a voice in CCOF governance! 

If you are in the CCOF Fresno-Tulare chapter, click here to vote now. It will only take a moment to cast your vote.

CCOF’s chapter system is a powerful tool to connect our members. Chapter leaders have the unique opportunity to leverage the collective power of CCOF’s staff and membership to advance organic in their region and beyond. Supported by CCOF staff, chapter leaders share their passion and experience by setting the agenda for meetings and driving networking, marketing, and…