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CCOF Press Releases
Press Release
March 5, 2007
For Immediate Release |
Contact:
Viella Shipley
(831) 423-2263, ext. 31
viella@ccof.org
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Download the pdf of this Press Release
CCOF and IOIA Co-Sponsor Organic Inspector Training
(March 5, 2007) Santa Cruz, CA - CCOF and IOIA will co-sponsor Basic Organic Crop and Livestock Inspection Trainings running concurrently May 14-18, 2007, at the Westerbeke Conference Center in Sonoma, California. The trainings will include an on site mock inspection of CCOF clients.
Acceptance to the course is limited and a minimum of one of year experience or training in organic agriculture or livestock with knowledge of conventional agricultural practices is required. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to successful attendees. For information about CCOF's inspector requirements and regional needs, please contact Sean Feder, CCOF Inspection Operations Director, sean@ccof.org.
Crop courses include instruction on the certification process, organic standards, how to inspect organic farms, audit trail (record keeping) requirements, regulations, risk assessment, investigative skills, report writing, ethics, and effective communications. Inspection field trips are taken in small groups and each attendee completes a written inspection report. Livestock courses include organic livestock standards, livestock materials, risk assessment, meat slaughter inspection, audit trail requirements, report writing, and organic inspection procedures for meat and dairy animals, fiber-bearing animals, and poultry (meat and eggs).
The Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) is a non-profit association of trained farm and processing inspectors dedicated to the verification of organic production processes. IOIA was founded in 1991 by organic inspectors who recognized the need for uniform inspection processes and protocols, to build inspector skills, and promote public confidence. The mission of IOIA is to address issues and concerns relevant to organic inspectors, to provide quality inspector training and to promote integrity and consistency in the organic certification process.
CCOF, California Certified Organic Farmers, one of North America's largest and oldest organic certification agencies, certifies more than 1,500 organic farmers, processors, handlers, retailers, and private labelers in 14 states and 8 countries, including about 75% of the organic acreage in California. More than 300 supporting members are comprised of consumers, suppliers and other individuals and businesses interested in furthering CCOF's work.
For more detailed information and application forms visit http://www.ioia.net, or contact IOIA at 406-436-2031.
 About CCOF
CCOF, a nonprofit organization formed by a group of grassroots activist farmers, is one of the oldest and largest organic certifiers in North America. CCOF’s purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in California and elsewhere through:
• A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers.
• Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic products and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
• Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.
More information: About CCOF, CCOF History, CCOF Fact Sheets and Statistics .
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