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2009 Archive
December 4, 2009 – CCOF Attends CAFF Farmer Brunch at the Watsonville Fairgrounds Farm Museum & Education Center
CCOF Certification Specialist, Allison Clark, joined a group of about 30 farmers, researchers, activists, and educators to discuss issues facing family farms on the Central Coast at a brunch co-hosted by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), and the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA). Panelists discussed progress of the Farm to School programs and the Growers Collaborative distribution system, research on biological agriculture, movements around food safety legislation, and the potential to pilot a “Domestic Fair Trade” program. Farmers were given an opportunity to give feedback and learn about opportunities to open their farms to children and researchers.
November 6, 2009 – CCOF Leader Appointed to OMRI Board of Directors
CCOF Chief Certification Officer, Jake Lewin, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). OMRI is a national nonprofit organization that reviews and lists input products allowed for use in organic production and processing. As a member of the Board, Jake will work with the other Board members to determine OMRI policy and standards, as well as to guide OMRI in its public service role and the carrying out of its mission. Many CCOF staff members sit on various boards and committees within the organic and agriculture sector.
October 15, 2009 – CCOF Attends SARC Conference and Michael Pollan Panel
CCOF Executive Director, Peggy Miars visited Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this October for the Sustainable Ag Resource Consortium (SARC) 5th Annual Fundraiser Conference. The event included a panel discussion in which Michael Pollan, acclaimed food journalist, Myra Goodman, founder of CCOF certified Earthbound Organic Farms, and Gary Smith, Colorado State University Professor and Monfort Endowed Chair in Meat Science, discussed the biggest challenges facing farmers today. CCOF was a sponsor of the event, which took place on SARC’s 10th anniversary and provided an opportunity for the public to learn about the activities of dozens of organizations involved in sustainability and agriculture. Read more.
October 15, 2009 – CCOF Hosts Farm Tour for US Senate Staff
Two representatives from Senator Barbara Boxer’s field staff accompanied CCOF Policy/Program Director Claudia Reid, and CCOF Program Specialist Tina Cosentino, on a fact-filled tour of four CCOF certified operations. Ameen Khan, Director for Central and Eastern California, and Jennifer Tang, Senior Field Representative for Senator Boxer, met with CCOF certified farmers, asked questions and learned about organic farming in the Central Coast. The tour began at Swanton Berry Farm, followed by the Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project and Sea Level Farm and ended at High Ground Organics in Watsonville. Subjects ranged from creating a farm banking system to conservation and habitat restoration. CCOF continues to arrange these kinds of tours on request. For additional information, email programs@ccof.org.
October 6, 2009 – Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit
CCOF had a booth at the PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA. More than 19,000 attendees, the largest attendance to date, gathered at the trade show to look at fresh produce displays, sample new products and discover the latest in eco-friendly packaging. There was a strong interest in organic certification by a number of growers, especially from Mexico, and many attendees shared their plans to go organic. In addition, many CCOF certified members hosted their own booths at the event.
October 3, 2009 – CCOF Hosts Farm Tour for Assemblymember
CCOF Executive Director, Peggy Miars, and CCOF Program Specialist, Tina Cosentino, hosted Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Santa Cruz) and his staff on a tour of organic farms in Santa Cruz. The information-packed day included a stop at the Watsonville Berry Coop and the Swanton Berry Farm. Discussion topics included labor issues, Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), and the potential registration of Methyl Iodide.
October 1, 2009 – CCOF at Cal CAN Summit
CCOF is a member of the California Climate and Agriculture Network (Cal CAN), a coalition that advances policy solutions at the nexus of climate change and sustainable agriculture. Cal CAN held a summit at UC Davis which was attended by more than 150 farmers, academics, regulators and non-profits, to learn about climate change and to explore future collaborative work on climate change that will benefit organic and sustainable farmers and processors.
September 24, 2009 – CCOF Interviewed on Local Radio Station
Jane Baker, CCOF Director of Sales & Marketing gave an hour-long interview on the Old Time Farm and Garden Show on local, Bay-area, community radio station KKUP. Topics talked about included: how to become certified organic, what to look for when shopping at the Farmer’s Market, CCOF’s upcoming Organic Beer, Wine & Spirits tasting at the Ferry Building in San Francisco and the ways in which listeners can volunteer at and support CCOF. A review of the book ‘Wisdom of the Last Farmer’, authored by CCOF certified member David Mas Masumoto and featured current edition of CCOF’s Certified Organic Magazine, was also discussed, prompting a listener to call in for more information.
September 23, 2009 – CCOF Testifies at National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Hearing
Claudia Reid presented CCOF’s comments at the first in a series of 7 hearings to be held regarding the proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Details on the hearings are provided in the Notice of Hearing found at www.ams.usda.gov/moab. You can read CCOF’s comments here.
September 1, 2009 - CCOF Attends Strawberry Workshop
CCOF Staff Members Amy Lamendella and Bridgett McGrath attended the Organic Research Network’s workshop on organic strawberries and vegetables in Watsonville, CA. The two-day workshop concluded a five year study on pest control and fertility management for organic strawberries conducted by researchers from UC, Santa Cruz. With focus of most of the studies centered in California’s Central Coast, the results proved especially valuable for strawberry farmers in this region. The first day of presentations focused on soil fertility management in organic strawberry and vegetable production. The majority of the trials focused on nitrogen (N) fertility using a mixture of cover crops and timed application of organic N fertilizers. The second day of presentations focused on evaluating the challenges of pest management and the struggle to maintain a vital production level through effective disease control. Martha Brown of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Foods Systems (CASFS) has produced a summary of several of the workshop presentations. Read the summary. For more information on the studies visit CCOF’s organic strawberry page or visit www.agroecology.com to access the presentation material.
August 26, 2009 – CCOF and Cal CAN meet Senator Boxer’s Staff
Claudia Reid, representing CCOF, attended a meeting with Senator Barbara Boxer’s staff representatives from the Central Valley, Central Coast and San Francisco offices, to introduce the California Climate and Agriculture Network (Cal CAN) and discuss upcoming climate change policy efforts and an agricultural summit. CCOF serves on both the executive committee and the farming practices workgroup of Cal CAN. The meeting with the Senator’s staff was quite informative and from it has developed a one-day farm tour for her Central Coast and Central Valley staff, to occur in October.
August 18, 2009 – CCOF at COPAC Meeting
Robin Allan and Claudia Reid attended the California Organic Products Advisory Committee. Agenda items included reviewing applications of prospective COPAC members, several of whom were supported by CCOF. Also discussed was the ongoing issue of reforming and streamlining the State Organic Program’s business processes.
July 25, 2009 - CCOF Speaks to ProMark Group, Inc.
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars presented information to a primarily conventional produce buying group about the benefits of organic. She shared information about the growth of organic in the United States, comparisons of organic and non-organic produce, and statistics about consumers who buy organic. Peggy handed out copies of CCOF’s Organic Directory to help the ProMark foodservice buyers source organic. This meeting was held in conjunction with the annual PMA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, CA.
July 23, 2009 CCOF Speaks at Organic Winegrowing Conference
CCOF participated in the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Organic Winegrowing Conference held at Frog’s Leap Winery in Rutherford. Elizabeth Whitlow, CCOF’s North Coast Regional Service Representative, spoke on the process of becoming certified organic and the pitfalls to avoid. She was followed by Jody Biergel, CCOF Processor Certification Supervisor who gave a presentation on the regulations regarding organic wine labeling. Of the conference participants, a third were already certified organic wine grape growers and wineries, another third were in transition to organic and the remaining third were looking to learn more about what is involved in organic certification. “This is an excellent, informative event for all those interested in learning about organic wine grape growing and winemaking and finding out about some of the new techniques in pest management including innovative vineyard equipment now available. We are very happy to be involved in the event” states Biergel.
July 7, 2009 - Senator Thanks CCOF for Doing the Right Thing
On Tuesday July 7, 2009 CCOF Policy Director Claudia Reid, testified in front of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, on AB 557, a bill sponsored by CCOF and authored by Assemblymember Anna Marie Caballero (D-Salinas). AB 557 adds a certifier seat to California Organic Producers Advisory Committee (COPAC). Rapid fire questions were asked by Senator Florez about COPAC membership; how many people serve on COPAC? What roles do they play? How are members selected? Why are there environmental seats? When do seats become vacant? How can more consumer seats be gained?. In response, Reid provided valuable information about organic practices and environmental goals justifying the need for representatives from the environmental community on the committee. Reid assured the Committee that there are 2 consumer seats already on COPAC. And finally, Reid explained CCOF’s reasons for proposing a seat for a certifier as a way to harmonize COPAC with the National Organic Standards Board, and of improving the entire industry and the relationship between the industry, the State Organic Program (SOP) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). At that, Senator Florez beamed broadly and thanked CCOF for doing the “right thing”. The bill was later passed by the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture by a vote of 4-0 and is on its way to Senate Appropriations next week
Another bill that CCOF has actively been involved in, AB 856, the CDFA-sponsored bill, that would increase the Department’s authority over fertilizers, ramp up inspection and enforcement, increase registration and licensing fees, and increase penalties for mislabeled products, was also heard in the State Legislature this week. Following minor amendments this bill passed the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, also by a vote of 4-0, and has moved onto to Senate Appropriates too.
July 1, 2009 - News From The Organic Summit
CCOF staff members attended the Organic Summit conference in Stevenson, Washington from June 3 - 5 to discuss the future of organic, emerging regulatory issues and market trends. Conference attendees were greeted by a message from USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. Merrigan continues to voice her commitment to organic and shared her goal to integrate organic into every agency within the USDA. Her comments marked an historic day for the organic sector. Watch a video of Merrigan's Organic Summit address.
In addition to a host of seminar discussions, The Organic Summit also unveiled the finalists for the Organic Film Trailer Competition. The competition provided an opportunity for filmmakers creating works on organic agriculture and organic food to show their trailers during the event. Watch the finalists' videos.
June 16-18, 2009 - All Things Organic, Chicago.
CCOF staff once again attended the All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show in Chicago where they were pleased to witness the signing of an historic equivalency agreement between the United States and Canada. Read more.
At the conference, CCOF Certification Services Director was one of the speakers on a panel discussion entitled 'USDA Organic - Compliance and Enforcement'. At the trade show, CCOF was the go-to booth for those wanting to learn about organic certification and for buyers eager to acquire a copy of CCOF's 2009 Organic Directory with its our expansive listing of certified organic members and products.
June 12, 2009 - CCOF Summer Beer and Wine Tasting
CCOF staged the inaugural Summer Organic Beer and Wine Tasting at The Pruneyard in Campbell, CA on June 12, 2009. The event was a huge success. There was a large turnout as well as the great feedback from attendees who enjoyed a wide variety of CCOF-certified organic beverages. Many thanks to all of our members who donated silent auction items and participated in the event. Learn more about CCOF's upcoming Organic Beer & Wine Tasting events.
June 9, 2009 - CCOF Presents the Steps to Go Organic
In May 2009, CCOF Grower Certification Associate Rebecca Silver presented an “introduction to organic certification” workshop for aspiring organic farmers taking part in the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA)’s small farmer education program, PEPA (Programa Educativo para Agricultores). The bilingual (English and Spanish) program provides an opportunity for limited-resource aspiring organic farmers to gain skills and knowledge for starting their own organic farm businesses. The workshop, at ALBA’s Rural Development Center between Salinas and Chualar, focused on understanding the NOP regulations and the steps to obtaining and maintaining organic certification. Learn more about ALBA at www.albafarmers.org.
June 4, 2009 - Whole Foods Donation Day
Whole Foods Markets hosted a special donation CCOF donation day at their new Santa Cruz location. Thanks to Swanton Berry Farm, TLC Ranch and Surf City Coffee Roasters for coming to sample their organic products at the store. The proceeds from the donation day will go toward funding CCOF education and promotion activities.
May 29, 2009 – CCOF Tables at New Leaf Markets
CCOF interns tabled at three New Leaf Community Markets to encourage shoppers to vote for CCOF as a recipient of the New Leaf Envirotoken Program. The Envirotoken encourages shoppers to bring their own bags by donating 10 cents for every bag saved to a nonprofit of their choice. CCOF is thankful for our inclusion on the ballot.
May 22, 2009 - CCOF Attends NOSB Meeting in Washington, Summary Report Now Available
CCOF staff members recently attended the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting, held in Washington DC on May 4-6, 2009. The 3-day event featured comments by the newly appointed Undersecretary for Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan, remarks by Acting Director Barbara Robinson, as well as hours of reports, public comments, deliberation and votes on more than 20 important organic issues. NOSB members (all of which are volunteers) and other members of the organic community participated in the meetings proceedings. CCOF contributed to meeting discussions by providing comments on food safety, certification, biodiversity and other topics. Read the Organic Trade Association’s NOSB Summary Report for an overview or email Claudia Reid for additional information.
April 28, 2009 – CCOF Tracks New Food Safety Regulation Proposals.
On April 28, CCOF sent a letter to Senator Florez asking to be involved in promulgating amendments to SB 173 (Florez), a bill which was recently drastically amended from being a benign bill about Farmers Markets to becoming an extremely onerous bill that would require anyone involved in the production of food, from the farmer through the processor and packager, to the transporter and retailer, to routinely test for food borne bacteria. We are also currently concerned about HR759: The Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009.
CCOF has been busy this month monitoring proposed new food safety regulations that emerged in response to recent outbreaks of food borne illnesses. We’ve been teasing out fact from fiction, to determine which pieces of legislation have merit and warrant our attention, and to decide which ones are just place holders and will be changed significantly during the legislative process.
Another bill caused quite a stir: HR 875, introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) in February 2009. CCOF responded to a large number of calls from concerned members and consumers who called to ask questions about this piece of proposed legislation generated as a result of the promulgation of misinformation via the blogosphere that claimed the future of organic farming was at risk.
CCOF looked closely at this legislation and worked with other organizations to decipher its true content. Thankfully, we were happy to be able to reassure our members and other organic consumers that the 'death of organic agriculture' was NOT eminent and organic farming was NOT about to be outlawed despite what might be buzzing about HR 875 via the Internet.
Read more about CCOF policy and advocacy initiatives related to food safety.
April 25, 2009 – CCOF Interns Promote Organic at Mt. Madonna Earth Day Festival
CCOF interns fielded questions and handed out literature about organic at the Earth Day celebration at Mt. Madonna School in Watsonville. Hundreds of community members attended the event, which included a 'trash fashion show,' a solar-powered car race and organic food vendors.
April 23, 2009 – CCOF Attends COPAC Sub Committee Meeting.
This sub committee is charged with making recommendations to California Organic Producers Advisory Committee (COPAC) on actions to reform and improve the State Organic Program (SOP). One of the agenda items was AB 557 (Caballero), sponsored by CCOF, which proposes the addition of an accredited certifier seat to the Committee.
COPAC’s role, according to existing law, is to “advise the Secretary [of the Department of Food and Agriculture] about how to meet his/her responsibility to the organic industry.” It is important that the COPAC membership reflects the organic industry in its entirety, yet since its conception in 2002, a crucial component of the organic agriculture industry – certifiers – was left out of the formulation of the committee. Currently, COPAC members represent producers, distributors, technical representatives, environment, consumers and retail. The only segment not represented is accredited certifiers. Adding the certifier seat to COPAC will bring that committee in line with the NOSB, which has all industry segments, including certifiers, represented. The bill is unopposed.
April 20, 2009 – CCOF Submits Comments to National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in advance of May NOSB meetings in Washington, D.C.
CCOF staff researched and compiled comments on agenda items including, amongst others, petitions to remove and add materials from the National List, peer review of the National Organic Program (NOP) accreditation system, retailer certification, personal body care standards, soil less growing systems, biodiversity guidance and NOP regulations regarding natural resource conservation in organic agriculture systems, inerts in pesticides, livestock regulation amendments and 100% labeling product packaging using inert atmospheric gases. Learn more about organic regulatory bodies including the NOSB.
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April 18, 2009 - CCOF Celebrates Earth Day and Organic in Santa Cruz
CCOF staff and interns fielded questions about organic labeling, the benefits of eating organic food and the process of organic certification from community members during the EcoCruz Earth Day Celebration at the San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz, CA. We were thrilled to have Linda and Trent McNair, owners of CCOF certified Surf City Growers, join us on our booth for the event. Their My First Organics organic seed starting hobby kits were a big hit among kids and their parents, especially since a portion of the proceeds from the kits will be donated to public schools throughout Santa Cruz County.
In addition to the Eco Cruz event, CCOF interns staffed a booth at the UC Santa Cruz College 8 Earth Day celebration. Interns challenged event participants with an organic vs. conventional strawberry taste test and shared their experience at CCOF with fellow university students.
March 25, 2009 – CCOF at CA Ag Day
Peggy Miars, Executive Director, and Claudia Reid, CCOF Policy and Programs Director, staffed a booth at the 2009 California Ag Day. The event, sponsored every year by Ag in the Classroom and California Women for Agriculture, gives the agriculture industry a chance to connect with legislatures, state workers, school children and others in a fun-filled, jam-packed venue.
March 24, 2009 CCOF Speaks at the Santa Clara County Farmers’ Market Manager Meeting
CCOF Director of Sales and Marketing Jane Baker and Marketing Specialist Bridgett McGrath gave a presentation about the process of organic certification to Farmers’ Market Managers and County Ag. Commissioners from Santa Clara County and surrounding counties. The meeting sparked discussion of organic production methods and opportunities for producers to gain funding for becoming certified. Read about further funding opportunities for organic producers.
March 18, 2009 – CCOF Attends Whole Foods Store Opening
CCOF interns hosted a table and talked to consumers about organic at the opening of the new Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz, CA. Crowds of anxious shoppers gathered for the opening ceremony, which included a special welcoming blessing from Brandt Secunda, creator of CCOF certified Shaman Chocolates, as well as samples of various organic foods throughout the store. CCOF members Surf City Growers and the UCSC Farm & Garden (CASFS) were also in attendance.
March 2-3, 2009 -- CCOF at the California Small Farm Conference
CCOF Policy and Program Director, Claudia Reid, attended the 22nd Annual California Small Farm Conference, where many CCOF members and supporting members were involved in the program as well as in the exhibit hall. The keynote speaker, Thaddeus Barsotti, from Farm Fresh To You ,
a second-generation CCOF certified member, kicked off the plenary session with an inspirational look at Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) successes and innovative approaches to growing an organic business.
February 27, 2009 -- CCOF Attends LBAM Stakeholder Meeting
CCOF Policy and Program Director, Claudia Reid, and CCOF Regional Service Representative, Elizabeth Whitlow, attended a stakeholder meeting in Sonoma County, hosted by Assemblymember Noreen Evans, regarding the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) quarantine that is now in effect for Sonoma County. CCOF continues to monitor the LBAM situation on behalf of our members.
February 26-28, 2009 – CCOF Attends the Organicology Conference
CCOF Grower/Livestock Certification Supervisor Robin Allen was a guest speaker at the Oregon Tilth Organicology event in Portland, Oregon. Allen participated in an Organic Certification 101 panel discussion where she talked through the process of organic certification with young and new growers. She was joined by two certified organic dairy farmers and two mixed vegetable farmers who were thrilled to see so many young farmers among the group of participants asking questions about the application process.
February 25, 2009 -- CCOF Sponsors Legislation
CCOF is pleased that Assemblymember Anna Maria Caballero has introduced AB 557, a bill that CCOF is sponsoring on behalf of accredited certifiers, farmers and consumers, that will add an additional seat to the California Organic Products Advisory Committee.
February 11, 2009 – CCOF Leads the Discussion about High-Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizers
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars and Chief Certification Officer Jake Lewin met with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) officials to update them on the high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer issue. CCOF anticipates that the NOP will address this issue in the near future.
February 10-12, 2009- World Ag Expo
CCOF, once again, had a booth at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. The show attracts thousands of people from throughout the United States and abroad. There was keen interest in becoming certified organic from Central Valley growers who stated they have been growing organically for a while and feel that now is the right time to do the paperwork, submit an organic system plan and move towards certification. These growers were excited to learn from CCOF of the availability of cost-share funding and of the chance to get up to 75% of their certification fees refunded. There was also strong interest in organic from local livestock producers.
February 3, 2009 – CCOF Testifies before CA Senate Food and Ag Committee
Jake Lewin, CCOF Chief Certification Officer, testified before the newly-named California Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, at a hearing entitled “Assuring the Integrity of Organic Food and the Use of Organic Fertilizers.” Lewin spoke to CCOF’s role in and response to the high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer issues. Lewin ’s testimony was given under rapid-fire questioning by Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), chair of the committee, and Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), vice chair. The Committee and other members of the Legislature will consider introducing legislation that may provide CDFA with increased enforcement authority for fertilizer fraud, as well as increasing fines against perpetrators of label violations. Listen to the full Senate Hearing. (NOTE: CCOF and OMRI testimonies begin at the 2 hour mark) Part two of this hearing is available at: www.calchannel.com/channel/viewVideo/77.
January 30, 2009- CCOF Launches Fertilizer Sampling Initiative
On behalf of CCOF and its members, CCOF launched a Fertilizer Sampling Initiative to test a variety of liquid fertilizers in the marketplace and to provide supplemental information on the recently announced Liquid Fertilizer Approval policy. Read CCOF’s Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy.
January 15, 2009- CCOF meets with California Legislative Staff on Issues in Organic
CCOF Policy and Program Director, Claudia Reid, met with four California Legislative staff members regarding liquid organic fertilizer, SOP reform, CDFA, and other related issues. Reid will represent CCOF at an upcoming Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture hearing scheduled for February 3rd, to discuss the integrity of organic food and the use of organic fertilizers. Read more about CCOF Policy and Advocacy efforts
January 13, 2009- CCOF attends Cal Poly Ag Showcase
CCOF Grower Certification Specialist and Cal Poly alum, Amber Pool, spoke on a "Green Careers in Agriculture" panel with industry representatives at the Cal Poly Ag Showcase in San Luis Obispo. Pool provided students with information about organic certification as well as shared information about internships and job opportunities.
January 9, 2009- CCOF Participates in COPAC Tech Planning Meeting
CCOF Policy and Programs Director, Claudia Reid, participated in a series of meetings with the California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) to discuss new reforms and regulations related to organic food and production. Read about CCOF Policy and Advocacy efforts.
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