On Friday, September 25, 2023, CCOF hosted 150 of our closest friends, certified members, and organic movement leaders for a meal to celebrate 50 years of dedication to the organic certification movement in the United States. Sonoma Hills Farm provided an intimate, rustic setting for the gathering. CCOF members left farms as far away as Mexico to help celebrate this special moment in time.
Our event hosts at Sonoma Hills Farm proudly bear the CCOF client ID OCal001 for their innovative approach to outdoor comparable-to-organic cannabis in Petaluma, California.
Many who attended the event said they felt they’d been transported back in time to 1973—the year of CCOF’s founding—as they reflected on CCOF historical photography and a “family” photo album filled with memorable moments from the last 50 years.
San Francisco-based Chef Telmo Faria prepared an exquisite meal with seasonal produce. Clif Family Winery and Avaline donated wine to pair with appetizers and entrees, and Fruition Brewing provided beer made from organic grains. CCOF’s history is rooted in sharing nourishing meals with our community, and our 50th birthday party was no exception.
Guests heard from CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer grantee Karla Ahumada Regalado, who joined us to describe her experience growing up in a farm family in the Salinas Valley and how that has influenced her current studies at California State University, Chico. Karla’s studies are funded in part by the CCOF Foundation and our committed funding partners.
CCOF Board of Directors Chair Phil La Rocca toasted to the future, as the organic movement has only grown since CCOF founders started the organization in 1973.
After enjoying two hours of live music by Dylan’s Dharma and Grammy-award-winning Black Uhuru, guests shared their final reflections on CCOF’s milestone anniversary and bid each other farewell.
This event is dedicated posthumously in honor of Suzanne “Suzi” Kissinger, without whom this event would not have been possible. Suzi passed away during our planning process earlier in 2023 after a prolonged battle with advanced breast cancer.
Thank you to the CCOF community members who were able to come celebrate with us. And an enormous amount of gratitude to all the CCOF certified members throughout the years who have contributed—and continue to contribute—to growing the organic movement. Cheers to the next 50 years of CCOF!