Going Organic
The CCOF Foundation's landmark Going Organic Project is accelerating the transition to organic agriculture in California. Going Organic provides a network
of support for farmers interested in transitioning to organic by addressing systemic, economic, and technical
barriers to organic conversion.
After receiving initial pilot project funding from the Heller Foundation, the Going Organic Project received a grant from the California State Water Board. This will allow continuing organic transition assistance throughout California's Central and San Joaquin Valleys through 2008.
Going Organic features: 
- Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring
- Barriers to Conversion
- Educational Events open to farmers, policy makers, educators, and farmers of all types
- Certification Assistance
- Research on the Water Quality Benefits of Organic Production.
More information:
The Going Organic Project Fact Sheet
Contact:
Fred Thomas (530) 891-6958, email: fred@cerusconsulting.com
Regional Going Organic Contacts and CCOF Chapter Map
Become a Going Organic Mentor or New Organic Farmer !
Have organic certification questions? Visit our certification FAQs
Find Going Organic Events in your area. Check the Going Organic Events Calendar below.
Organic farming is an increasingly attractive alternative to many California farmers. By adopting organic practices, growers can reduce costs,
remain economically viable and conserve resources while providing
health and environmental benefits. On-farm research comparing organic
practices to conventional approaches has shown the potential to
maintain yields and profits. California's approximately 2000 organic
growers are living proof of the possibility of running a successful
organic farm. Yet organic agriculture still represents only a small
percentage of the state's total farm acreage.
California farmers urgently need technical assistance programs
and policy changes that will enable a faster and smoother transition
to organic farming. CCOF’s Going Organic project and advocacy
efforts fill these needs.
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Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring
Become a Going Organic Mentor or
New Organic Farmer!
Many California farmers are interested in converting to organic
production, but are not sure how to make the transition. They have
a wide range of questions about what organic farming would mean
for them in terms of soil and pest management, marketing and certification.
Going Organic directly addresses these questions and other barriers
to conversion through our farmer-to-farmer mentoring project.
This project assists farmers in converting to organic production
by supporting the leaders of CCOF's grassroots chapters in organizing
farmer-to-farmer training in their regions. The chapters will provide workshops, farm tours and one-on-one mentoring for prospective
organic farmers. Farmers are given the opportunity to find
mentors who can help them with the questions associated with organic
certification and address agronomic considerations of organic production.
The project forges links between organic farmers and their non-organic
neighbors and accelerates the expansion of organic acreage and the
organic market.
Application Forms:
Organic Farmer Mentor Application
New Organic Farmer Application
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Events:
The Going Organic Project is holding trainings and events with both mentors and new organic farmers throughout the California Central and San Joaquin valleys. Check back often to find events in your area. Other events, trainings, seminars and opportunities are also listed in the CCOF Organic Events Calendar. Going Organic events are free and open to all interested parties.
Date, Time |
Chapter
Region |
Location |
Going Organic Event |
Contact |
| Jan. 15, 2008 |
Lake |
Lakeport |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
Big Valley Grange
1510 Big Valley Road
Finley, CA |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Jan. 16, 2008 |
NC |
Santa Rosa |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
De Loach Vineyards
1791 Olivet Road
Santa Rosa, CA |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or
fred@ccof.com |
| Jan. 17, 2008 |
NC |
Rohnert Park |
Livestock OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
4-H Building,
6445 Commerce Blvd.
Rohnert Park, CA
|
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Jan. 30, 2008 |
FT |
Madera |
Crops OSP Training
8:30 to 11:30 am
Round Table Pizza
1930 Howard Road
Madera, CA |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Jan. 30, 2008 |
FT |
Madera |
Livestock OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
Round Table Pizza
1930 Howard Road
Madera, CA |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Feb. 19, 2008 |
NV |
Chico |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Feb. 21, 2008 |
BV |
San Andreas |
Crops OSP Training
8:30 to 11:30 am |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Feb. 21, 2008 |
BV |
San Andreas |
Livestock OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Feb. 25, 2008 |
Yolo |
Colusa |
Crops OSP Training
8:30 to 11:30 am |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| Feb. 25, 2008 |
Yolo |
Colusa |
Livestock OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com |
| March 5, 2008 |
FT |
Tulare |
Crops OSP Training
8:30 to 11:30 am
Heritage Complex
International Agri-Center
4500 S. Laspina
Tulare, CA 93274 |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
| March 5, 2008 |
FT |
Tulare |
Livestock OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
Heritage Complex
International Agri-Center
4500 S. Laspina
Tulare, CA 93274 |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
| March 6, 2008 |
BV |
Modesto |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm
Stanislaus Agriculture Center
Suite D-E
3800 Cornucopia Way
Modesto, CA 95355 |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
| April 17, 2008 |
SG |
Placerville |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
| April 24, 2008 |
Lake |
Lakeport |
Crops OSP Training
1:30 to 4:30 pm |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
| May 13, 2008 |
NC |
Napa |
Crops OSP Training
with special guest speaker
Amigo Bob Cantisano
10.30 to 4:30 pm
Tres Sabores
1620 S. Whitehall Lane, St Helena, CA 94574 |
RSVP 530-891-6958 or fred@ccof.com
Download Flyer |
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Additional Regional Going Organic Contacts:
Project Manager
Fred Thomas, CERUS Consulting
2119 Shoshone Ave. Chico, CA 95926.
530-891-6958 fred@cerusconsulting.com
Big Valley Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Greg Ferrari 209-662-0504 greg@ferrarifarms.com
GO Chapter Leader:
Bill Thompson 209-988-6388 foursea@clearwire.net
Fresno-Tulare Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Mike Braga 559-675-1743 bragafarms@yahoo.com
GO Chapter Leader:
Bill Thompson 209-988-6388 foursea@clearwire.net
Mendocino/Lake Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Lars Crail 707-279-4949 yoxagoi@mchsi.com
Going Chapter Leader:
Lars Crail 707-279-4949 yoxagoi@mchsi.com
North Coast Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Julie Johnson 707-967-8027 jaj@tressabores.com
GO Chapter Leader:
Ginny Lambrix 707-280-7645 ginny@deloachvineyards.com
North Valley Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Carl Rosato 530-589-1696 woodleaffarm@sbcglobal.net
GO Chapter Leader:
Carl Rosato 530-589-1696 woodleaffarm@sbcglobal.net
Sierra Gold Chapter
GO Management Team Member: Randy Hansen
530-626-9696 hansenrr@pacbell.net
GO Chapter Leader: Steve Bird
530-647-0690 celticgardens@netzero.com
University of California Cooperative Extension
GO Management Team Member:
Benny Fouche 209-468-9491. bfouche@ucdavis.edu
Unversity of California Davis
GO Management Team Member:
Mark Van Horn 530-752-7645. mxvanhorn@ucdavis.edu
Yolo Valley Chapter
GO Management Team Member:
Greg House 530-753-3361 greg@cocoranch.com
GO Chapter Leader:
Greg House 530-753-3361. greg@cocoranch.com
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