CCOF Foundation

Meet a CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer Grantee

As a child, Shelia Wambui lived in Kenya with her family, where they tended land, grew their own vegetables, and reared hundreds of chickens and a handful of pigs. She believes it is our responsibility to be ethical stewards for the environment and its inhabitants. Sheila values conscious farming practices because of their effect on all ecosystems. She notes that organic farming, by avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reduces harmful exposure to humans and waterways.

Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, Daily Harvest, American Farmland Trust, and CCOF Uplift Organic Transition at Expo West

CCOF hosted a panel discussion, “Transition to Organic: How Brands & Organizations Can Support Farmer Success,” at the Natural Products Expo West.

The USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, together with Daily Harvest CEO Ricky Silver, Ryan Laur from American Farmland Trust, and CCOF’s Jessy Beckett Parr spoke about creative strategies to support successful organic transition efforts through public and private partnerships. 

Meet a CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer Grantee

Connection is the heartbeat of Angie Oliva’s organic journey. “The food is medicine mantra is very important, along with the revitalization of small farm businesses through America. So, when I look at the needs of our nation, and I notice how we’re connected to food, it’s those things that really drive me to be a part of organic farming”. 

Future Organic Farmer’s Story of Organic Passion

Starting the journey into agriculture is no easy feat, and the fear of not knowing enough can be extremely nerve-racking. But for Finley Tevlin, 2023 Future Organic Farmer, this feeling fueled his passion and set him on a quest for knowledge. Tevlin writes, “I have found purpose in farming, and I want to do it for the rest of my life … in a way that supports farmers and ranchers who are growing food in a way that benefits their community and the planet.” Traveling catalyzed his curiosity for organic agriculture. During a cross-country bike trip, he discovered the prevalence of U.S.

Supporting Small-Scale BIPOC Farmers’ Transition to Organic

Supporting Small-Scale BIPOC Farmers’s Transition to Organic Conference Speakers. Left to Right: Yadira Mendiola (Queen of Vegetables and CCOF grantee), Adrian Fischer (Program Director, CCOF Foundation), Christina Guitierez Williams (Daily Harvest), Deborah Nares (American Farmland Trust)

CCOF was proud to partner with American Farmland Trust and Daily Harvest to hold a panel at EcoFarm on January 18 entitled Supporting Small-Scale BIPOC Farmers’ Transition to Organic

From Berrypicker to Organic Farmer—Meet Ismael Perez

Ismael Perez grew up in California’s Central Coast region, a prolific agricultural area that’s well known for producing the vast majority of the United States’ berries, lettuces, artichokes, and other fresh produce. As soon as he graduated high school, Ismael himself got involved in the berry industry by getting a summer job picking raspberries. That summer job rolled into more berrypicking summers, and eventually Ismael was given enough promotions that he was working every day of the week with time off only for attending school at San Jose State University.