Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We accomplish our purpose through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion.

Our Vision

We envision a world where organic is the norm.

Our Values

We value:

• Our community
• Farmers and farming
• Mutual appreciation and support
• Integrity in organic production and certification
• Social, environmental, and economic responsibility
• Transparency, respect, and the democratic process

Our Organic Principles

Organic standards promote and enhance biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil fertility, and restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony. The legacy of organic will be the catalyzation of healthy, sustainable, and humane production systems. CCOF believes that organic standards should continually evolve to address a broadening range of issues, including:

Animal Welfare

CCOF believes that organic livestock standards should require humane and ethical treatment of animals during all stages of production, including transport and slaughter.

Carbon Sequestration

CCOF believes that organic practices offer verifiable opportunities for sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and should be encouraged as an effective strategy for reducing dangerous levels of emissions.

Ecosystem Protection

CCOF believes that organic standards should encourage stewardship of land and waterways, as well as protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

CCOF believes that genetic modification is fundamentally incompatible with organic production. The organic market and its producers must be protected from GMO contamination. GMO products must be labeled.

Processing Standards

CCOF believes that organic standards should require processors to minimize environmental impacts by conserving water and energy; preventing contamination of water, air and soil; and promoting the reduction, reuse, and recycling of packaging.

Social Justice

CCOF believes that the organic market should provide adequate and equitable compensation and treatment to farmers, ranchers, laborers, and other participants in organic production and processing. All individuals should be treated with dignity and respect.