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August 4, 2008 -- NRCS STAC -- CCOF Policy Director, Claudia Reid, attended the Natural Resources Conservation Service State Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
July 29, 2008 -- CCOF Streamlines Organic Certification with On-Line Services Suite -- CCOF Certification Services introduced a range of online services for certified clients and applicants. The new digital documentation includes online certification applications, renewals and payment options as well as e-forms covering key areas of certification such as requests to add acreage, review input materials and expedited services.
July 22-24, 2008 -- LBAM RESEARCH CONFERENCE -- Claudia Reid, Policy Director, and Zea Sonnabend, CCOF Policy Advisor, attended the LBAM Research Conference in Foster City.
July 17-18, 2008 -- Napa Valley Organic Wine Growers Conference -- Viella Shipley , Director of Sales and Marketing and Eliabeth Whitlow, CCOF Regional Service Representative, educated wine growers about organic certification and wine.
July 12 , 2008 -- Doof-a-Palooza at Google Headquarters -- Viella Shipley , CCOF Director of Sales and Marketing, represented CCOF at DooF-a-Palooza. The event offered children and their favorite adults a unique opportunity to experience a live version of the DooF television show and learn about food through fun interactive events from growers, authors and chefs who share their knowledge and passion.
July 7, 2008 -- AG VISION -- CCOF submmited comments to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the State Board of Food and Agriculture for its California Agricultural Vision Process which launched a series of listening sessions that provided a forum for the agriculture industry and public to give their input into a California strategic agricultural vision. This vision will be used to guide public policy and investment priorities at the state and national level for the next 20 years. It will be a vision that affects everyone who produces, ships, processes, markets, eats, drinks or wears California agricultural products. Please read CCOF's comments.
June 24, 2008 -- IPC MEETS AG KAWAMURA -- CCOF, along with other members of the Invasive Pest Coalition, met with Secretary AG Kawamura to discuss ongoing concerns about the LBAM eradication program.
June 17, 2008 -- FIELD DAY -- CCOF's Policy Director, Claudia Reid, attended the UC Davis Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems Field Day, featuring research results comparing conventional, sustainable and organic systems for a variety of crops.
June 13, 2008 -- FARMSTAND LEGISLATION -- CCOF supports Assemblymember Dave Jones' bill, AB 2168, that would allow farmstands to sell fresh produce or eggs or other products made on or near the farm. This bill has much support from CCOF members.
June 11, 2008 -- New Leaf Employee Training -- Katie Peck, CCOF Grower Certification Specialist, spoke at an “Organic 101” employee training session at the recently opened New Leaf Market in Half Moon Bay. The presentation provided employees with background information on CCOF, an outline of the differences between organic and conventional agriculture, and a summary of the type of consumer questions about organic that employees can expect to receive.
June 1, 2008 -- Farm Bill Implementation -- Claudia Reid, Policy Director, attended a meeting hosted by Environmental Defense Fund to begin strategizing on 2008 Farm Bill Implementation.
May 30, 2008 -- Food Safety Roundtable -- Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, attended a meeting sponsored by the California State Grange, that brought together various players in the food safety arena. Also in attendance at this roundtable were three CCOF certified members – John McKeon of Earthbound Farm, Judith Redmond of Full Belly Farm and Stephen Bird of Celtic Gardens Organic Farm and Learning Center.
May 20-22, 2008 -- National Organic Standards Board --
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars, CCOF Handler Certification Supervisor, Jody Bergiel, CCOF Policy Advisor Zea Sonnabend, and Government Affairs Committee member David Will attended the National Organic Standards Board meeting in Washington, DC, in mid-May. Zea presented written comments about the Discussion Document from the Materials Working Group on the Definition of Materials, and all four presented verbal comments about a variety of issues that impact CCOF members.
May 13, 2008 -- Meet and Greet -- Peggy Miars, CCOF Executive Director and Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, met with Congressman Sam Farr's district representative, Alec Arago, to introduce Claudia in her new capacity, discuss food safety and Light Brown Apple Moth issues. The Congressman is quite interested in these two issues, and his staff have offered several useful suggestions for how to continue working together on common areas of concern for our constituents.
May 8, 2008 -- COPAC Meeting -- Jake Lewin, CCOF Certification Services Director, and Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, attended the California Organic Products Advisory Committee meeting in Sacramento. This committee advises the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture on issues relating to organic products. Topics covered at this meeting ranged from fertilizer issues, through investigation results and 2007 Farm Bill status. They also discussed the upcoming NOSB meeting, as well as other issues crucial to the sound running of organic businesses in California. Most attention was paid to a new inspection and audit program that the State Organic Program will begin implementing immediately.
April 30, 2008 -- State Board of Food and Agriculture -- Peggy Miars, CCOF Executive Director, presented public comments on behalf of CCOF to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. The Board is working with the Department of Food and Agriculture to create a visioning process for agriculture in California in the year 2030, and CCOF staff will work closely with our board and commiittee members to write our comments for this process. You can get involved by clicking on this link: CCOF Ag Vision
April 26-29, 2008 – All Things Organic -- CCOF attended All Things Organic in Chicago. The CCOF booth was busy and the CCOF 2008 Organic Directory proved popular with a large numbers of buyers looking to source organic products at the show.
April 21, 2008 – State Organic Program Training -- Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, attended CDFA State Organic Program organic training. This program, which is self-funded, has experienced a significant increase in its funding and will be ramping up its own inspections, with plans to do spot inspections on 100 additional organic registrants in 2008. In addition, they have authorized the County Agricultural Commissioners to do 700+ audits of organic registrants within the next year, and the training contained much useful information about the State Organic Program’s strategy and approach to these inspections and audits.
April 19-26, 2008 – Earth Day Activities - Helping consumers understand just what organic means and why they should purchase organic is a key goal of CCOF promotion activities. With this aim, CCOF took part in four Earth Day Events: at University of California Santa Cruz, in Sacramento, at Hewlett Packard in Cupertino and the last in downtown Santa Cruz.
April 10, 2008 – Dean's Advisory Council -- Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, attended the UC Davis Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). Claudia has served on this council for 2 years and has just been asked to extend her membership by 3 years, as a representative of CCOF. This council meets twice yearly to learn about UC Davis College issues such as budget cuts, research priorities, Cooperative Extension status, etc. This meeting included presentations by the new Vice President for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dan Dooley, by the UC Davis Foods for Health Institute, and by the UC Davis CAES Center for Produce Safety. This venue gives CCOF a great way to connect to some of the research that is being done at UC Davis on timely and important issues.
April 8, 2008 – Sustainable Agriculture Meeting -- CCOF offered its conference room for a meeting of environmental and sustainable agriculture organizations that used to meet routinely, 6 years ago or longer, to talk about “the movement.” This effort was spearheaded by Californians for Pesticide Reform and included participation by Ecological Farming Association, Pesticide Action Network, California Farm Link, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Californians for GE Free, California Coalition for Food and Farming. Also invited were Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The group shared major issues they were all working on and discussed a strategy for meeting frequently to discuss areas of common concern and develop an action plan around sustainable agriculture in California.
April 2 and 3, 2008 LBAM Meetings – Peggy Miars, CCOF Executive Director and Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, along with Paul Underhill, CCOF member of the Government Affairs Committee, met with the Administration, at their request, to discuss CCOF’s revocation of our support for CDFA’s aerial spray plans for LBAM eradication. This effort, contained in a press release dated March 10, 2008, has caused quite a stir, both positively and negatively, and CCOF continues to work with regulators, our colleagues, our members and the public to make our voice heard on behalf of organic. The next day, Claudia Reid met with 14 representatives from the regulatory community, including CDFA, OEHHA, DHS, DPH, DPR and USDA, to talk about a possible role for CCOF in this situation. We are seen by the regulators and by the NGO community as being trustworthy, and we occupy a unique niche that gives us the ability to broker good communication between groups that might not speak directly to each other without a great deal of encouragement and facilitation. For more information on what plans CCOF will implement to continue our efforts to mediate open, transparent communication and action that is the least harmful to crops, consumers and our members, please contact Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, at claudia@ccof.org.
March 21, 2008 – Invasive Pest Coalition -- Peggy Miars, CCOF Executive Director and Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy Director, attended a meeting of the recently formed Invasive Pest Coalition. This organization includes representatives of agricultural commodities that are impacted by invasive pests and diseases and plans to work with enforcement agencies on this serious problem. For now, the group is focusing on LBAM eradication efforts – both the successes and failures – and works to ensure open and inclusive communication and dialogue. Peggy serves on the Coalition’s Communications Committee and Claudia serves on the Coalition’s Legislative Committee.
March 12, 2008 – Assembly Committee on Agriculture -- Informational hearing on LBAM and LGMA. Claudia Reid and Paul Underhill attended this hearing, with Paul testifying on behalf of CCOF. These 2 issues are quite controversial and time consuming, and they are very important to CCOF members and to our consumers. CCOF continues to work with regulators, consumer groups and others to ensure that our food is safe and as free of pests as possible.
July 17, 2007 - Food Fight 2007: The Farm Bill, Local Foods, and the Fate of Wild Nature
A Wild Farm Alliance Event - Presenting Three Perspectives on National and Global Forces Shaping our Food System, Santa Cruz, CA
CCOF co-sponsored this free, local event focusing on food and farm politics. Speakers included Daniel Imhoff, author of Food Fight: a Citizen's Guide to the Food and Farm Bill, Jo Ann Baumgartner, Director of Wild Farm Alliance, and Mark Lipson, Policy Director for the Organic Farming Research Foundation. This community event was also a book signing for Imhoff and Baumgartner's newly published book, Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature: Essays in Conservation-Based Agriculture. May 18, 2007 - CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Santa Cruz, CA
May 19, 2007 - CCOF, Inc. Board Meeting, Santa Cruz, CA
May 14-18, 2007 - CCOF and IOIA Co-Sponsor Organic Inspector Training, Sonoma, CA,
CCOF certification staff attended the IOIA (Independent Organic Inspectors Association) and CCOF cosponsored Basic Organic Crop and Livestock Inspector Trainings at the Westerbeke Conference Center in Sonoma, California. Find more information at http://www.ioia.net, or contact IOIA at 406-436-2031. May 11-13, 2007 - Whole Earth Festival, Davis, CA
CCOF staff participated in this community event as exhibitors, promoting organic agriculture and ecological sustainability hand in hand. More information can be found at http://wef.ucdavis.edu. May 6-8, 2007 - All Things Organic, Chicago, IL.
CCOF staff attended the largest organic trade show in the nation, where several of CCOF certified members participate in the "CCOF Pavilion." All Things Organic is always a great opportunity to network with our members, as well as individuals in all sectors of the organic movement.
April 25, 2007 - AB 541 Assembly Agriculture Committee, Sacramento, CA,
AB 541 was tabled in a hearing of the Assembly Agriculture Committee after passing out of the Judiciary Committee two weeks prior. AB 541 is still alive and will be heard again in January, 2008. Our deepest thanks to those who worked tirelessly on this bill in addition to CCOF: the Center for Food Safety, Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, Assemblymember Huffman and staff, and many, many more. Background information can be found at www.gepolicyalliance.org. April 10, 2007 - AB 541 Assembly Judiciary Committee Hearing, Sacramento, CA,
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars was one of two to testify at the hearing. AB 541, known as the Food and Farm Protection Act, was created by the GE Policy Project. AB 541 aims to protect California's farmers from GE contamination, liability, and financial losses that result from GE contamination. AB 541 passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee and moved to the Assembly Agriculture Committee. March 15-17, 2007 - National Organic Dairy Conference, Fortuna, CA,
CCOF staff attended this first annual organic dairy conference in order to meet and greet our organic dairy members and clients at the CCOF Exhibitor Booth, networking and spreading the word about organic certification in the fastest growing sector of organics. March 8-10, 2007 - Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim, CA,
CCOF staff promoted our members while making new contacts within the natural products industry at the CCOF Exhibitor Booth. CCOF Certification Services Director, Jake Lewin, spoke at the session titled "Organic Certification, Ask the Experts."
February 27, 2007 - Michael Pollan and John Makey Debate, UC Berkeley, CA
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars and CCOF's new Director of Sales and Marketing, Viella Shipley, attended the talk to network on behalf of CCOF members. February 16 and 17, 2007 -The 2007 CCOF Annual Meeting, Madera, CA
Held in sunny Madera, CA, and hosted by the CCOF Fresno-Tulare Chapter, the 2007 Annual Meeting and Farm Tour provided the ideal setting for CCOF members to network, attend educational sessions, and learn more about how CCOF works hard each day to promote and represent our members.
February 17, 2007 - CCOF, Inc Board Meeting, Madera, CA,
February 15-18, 2007 - BioFach Conference, Nuremberg, Germany
CCOF Certification Services Director, Jake Lewin, attended the 2007 BioFach Conference in Germany to represent our clients and members within the international organic industry. Main topics of importance include, attempting to gain approval for Potassium Bicarbonate in the European Union and researching important import rule changes.
February 13-15, 2007 - World Ag Expo, Tulare, CA
CCOF staff exhibited at the largest agricultural event on the planet, making contacts and spreading the word about the benefits of organic agriculture. The CCOF booth was extremely busy this year with crowds of people, some of whom realized for the first time, that supporting organic agriculture and thus environmental stewardship is the future and backbone of a successful and lasting agriculture industry.
February 8, 2007 - CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Conference Call
CCOF Foundation's Going Organic Project, Various times and locations in CA
Managed by Fred Thomas, the Going Organic project's numerous meetings, OSP training sessions, and workshops, have had hundreds of attendants come to their events in order to learn more about organic certification and production. CCOF Regional Service Representatives, Amy Lamendella, Becky Witty, Elizabeth Whitlow, and Cynthia Ortegon, have all been present at these free, informational sessions, providing their expertise for growers interested in learning more about the organic process. Learn more about Going Organic...
January 30, 2007 - California League of Food Processors Expo, Sacramento
CCOF Executive Director, Peggy Miars, gave a presentation titled "Demand on the Rise - a Look at the Organic Market," and Jake Lewin, CCOF Certification Services Director, gave two presentations: "NOP Changes and Update," and "International Organic Standards Overview." They were the only two speakers on organics at the event.
January 24 - 27, 2007 - Eco-Farm Conference, Pacific Grove, CA
CCOF staff took part in many of the Eco-Farm activities, while also meeting clients and members at the CCOF booth in the Exhibitor Tent. CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars was a Moderator for The Industrial Hemp Panel, and Jake Lewin, Director of Certification Services, gave a presentation titled "Certifiers and Distributors Work Together to Improve the Certification Process." Visit www.ecofarm.org.
January 23 - 24, 2007 - National Organic Plan Meeting, Pacific Grove, CA
CCOF staff participated in a series of dialogues called "A National Organic Plan," examining national and federal priorities for organic agriculture. The meetings aimed to map out a course beyond federal funding, including a National Summit on Organic Food and Agriculture in 2007/2008.
January 21-23, 2007 - Fancy Food Show, San Francisco, CA
CCOF certification and trade association staff attended and exhibited at this exciting food industry event while networking on behalf of our members. The Fancy Food Show is a great opportunity to sample and promote new products while making contacts and spreading the word about the benefits of organic food and products.
2006
November 17, 2006 - CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Davis, CA,
November 18, 2006 - CCOF, Inc Board Meeting, Davis, CA,
November 13-18, 2006-CCOF and The Epicurean Connection Present a Non-GMO Education and Dialogue with Percy Schmeiser, San Francisco Bay Area
Hosted by Sheana Davis and Co-hosted by CCOF, the tour brought to light Percy's ongoing struggle and court appeal with agri-chemical and GMO giant, Monsanto. Special guest speakers included Dr. Ignacio Chapella, Michael Pollan, Peggy Miars, Sheana Davis, and Britt Bailey. Visit http://www.percyschmeiser.com for more information.
October 25, 2006 - CCOF's 1st Annual Organic Beer and Wine Tasting Event at the Ferry Plaza, San Francisco,
CCOF hosted our first ever Organic Beer and Wine Tasting Event at the beautiful Ferry Plaza farmers market in San Francisco, where fifteen CCOF certified vintners and brewers offered samples to patrons. Attendees also took part in the CCOF silent auction fundraiser, bidding on items donated from tasting event vendors and other various businesses that support CCOF and organics. Read more at: http://www.ccof.org/ccoftasting.php.
September 29, 2006- CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Conference Call
August - September, 2006- Organic Strawberry Seminar Series, Watsonville, CA,
CCOF informed local members about an opportunity to learn from experts in the world of organic strawberry production. The seminar was a highly attended event and served as one of the technical assistance programs CCOF offers our members.
September-October, 2006- CCOF Defends Organic Agriculture during E.Coli Outbreak
In the midst of the tragedy and chaos surrounding the E.Coli spinach outbreak of 2006, CCOF stepped in to clear the air around the widespread misinformation and unjust blaming of organic agriculture practices.
September 29, 2006- CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Conference Call
September 1, 2006- CCOF Appoints New Certification Services Director
Jake Lewin, CCOF's previous Director of Marketing, was appointed to the position of Certification Services Director after serving as the Interim to this position since July of 2006. Jake brings over eight years of experience in the organic industry to his new role as head of CCOF, LLC, which works tirelessly to certify over 1,500 CCOF certified organic operations.
August 19, 2006- CCOF, Inc Board Meeting, Concord, CA
Summer/ early fall 2006 - West Nile Spraying
CCOF informed members in the Sacramento and Yolo regions about the mandatory pesticide spraying slated to take place with little to no notice. CCOF offered discounts to members on "Do Not Spray" signs in hopes of protecting their organic operations.
July 7, 2006- CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Conference Call
June 12-14, 2006 - CCOF Participates in Organic Standards Discussion
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars moderated the dialogue in San Francisco, with speakers Sam Fromartz, author of Organic, Inc., Diane Goodman, an Organic Consultant, and Helge Hellberg of Marin Organic. The second meeting was held just north of Santa Cruz on Swanton Berry Farm, where panelists Jim Cochran of Swanton Berry Farm, Mark Lipson of OFRF, Peggy Miars, and Samuel Fromartz discussed the topic of organics past, present, and future.
May 15, 2006 - CCOF Strategic Planning Meeting, Davis, CA
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