The organic community lost a passionate advocate with the passing of Karen Archipley in July 2024.
As the founder, along with her husband Colin, of the hydro-organic farm Archi’s Acres in Escondido as well as the veteran farmer training program Archi’s Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Karen was committed to organic and to promoting hydro-organic as an ecologically and economically sustainable production system. Crops grown at Archi’s Acres include organic basil, chard, kale, Persian cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Karen was committed to providing military veterans with tools and on-farm training to ease re-entry into civilian life and create their own enterprises. She was also particularly interested in making organic food widely available at an affordable price.
Karen served on the CCOF Board of Directors representing the Pacific Southwest Chapter for 10 years. “Karen gave herself, heart and soul, to CCOF,” said CCOF Board Chair Phil LaRocca. “She volunteered to serve on many committees. A valued board member, she was always prepared and always willing to do what it took to advance organic.”
Karen served on numerous other advisory boards including the California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC), where she served as chair.
Karen and Colin’s commitment to hydro-organic originated in Colin’s military service during the Iraq War. Hydroponic crop production is common in Iraq because of its arid weather, so it was a natural system for the Archipleys to adapt to offset the high cost of water on their farm. Karen and Colin became high-profile advocates of hydro-organic farming, making persuasive arguments that this system is compatible with organic. Despite some division within the organic community on the issue, in 2014 they were awarded the Organic Trade Association’s Rising Star Award.
Other distinctions include earning the White House Champions of Change: Veteran Entrepreneurs award; being featured as Community Health Heroes by the National Academy of Medicine; being profiled in the film The Farm, which won the award for GI Film Festival Best Short; and being the subject of numerous news articles and media coverage, including TV and podcasts.
Two CCOF chapter leaders who served with Karen on COPAC and the CCOF Board, Jeremy Johnson and Genevieve Albers of Traditional Medicinals, issued a statement that said, “We celebrate the life of a passionate organic advocate and original voice, whose convictions occasionally challenged the status quo. Karen’s spirit and commitment will be carried forward by those of us that were fortunate enough to work alongside her.”