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Written by Kelly Damewood on Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Dear CCOF Members and Supporters,
Each summer, we write to you to tell you about all the things you’ve helped CCOF accomplish in the previous year. As we sit down now to reflect on 2019—in the middle of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic—it almost feels like another lifetime ago with how much the world has changed in such a short time. But what we learned and achieved in 2019 can help us chart the path forward. We can’t know what healing and renewal for the world will look like after this crisis ends. But what I do know is that CCOF members will be there every step of the way to…
Written by Jane Sooby on Tuesday, August 11, 2020
CCOF Central Coast Chapter President Javier Zamora of JSM Organics was one of the featured panelists in the Climate of Hope Online Forum organized by Regeneración Pajaro Valley Climate Action, a climate justice organization based in Watsonville, California.
The Climate of Hope forum gathered experts to discuss how climate change is affecting agricultural communities, with a focus on farmworkers in the Central Coast’s Pajaro Valley.
California State University, Monterey Bay students presented the results of a community survey on climate change sponsored by Regeneración…
Written by Jane Wade on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Have you ever been asked to make organic products? During these uncertain times it can be hard to envision change, but this might be the perfect time to consider adding organic products to your line. With the expanding consumer demand for organic products, brand owners are looking for co-packers to make their products and retailers are looking for organic versions of existing products.
The USDA organic regulations are not as complicated as they may seem. If you have a HAACP plan, SSOP, allergen control plan, or other traceability system, you already have the structure you need to…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model has seen a resurgence since COVID-19. This mutually beneficial relationship provides the community with fresh harvested produce each week, supports the farmer with funds at the beginning of the season for growing their crops to harvest, and gives farmers the peace of mind knowing their crops are sold. The traditional CSA model requires the customer to pay in advance for a “share” in the farmer’s crops, over a period of 4 weeks, 12 weeks, or the full season.
During the pandemic, a CSA can be a good way to connect with your customers…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
A new technical but approachable guide developed by the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) offers small- and medium-scale organic growers valuable information on organic and sustainable seedling production.
The 20-page guide describes how to effectively and efficiently grow vegetable and flower seedlings for organic operations using environmentally responsible practices. It offers an overview of greenhouse structures and basic cultural requirements and environmental management techniques to optimize…
Written by Lulu Garcia on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Una nueva guía técnica, pero accesible, desarrollada por el Centro de Agroecología y Sistemas Alimentarios Sostenibles (CASFS), en la Universidad de California en Santa Cruz (UCSC), ofrece a los agricultores orgánicos a pequeña y mediana escala, información valiosa sobre la producción orgánica y sostenible de plántulas.
La guía de 20 páginas, describe cómo cultivar, de manera efectiva y eficiente, plántulas de hortalizas y flores para granjas orgánicas, utilizando prácticas ambientalmente responsables. Además, ofrece una visión general sobre las estructuras de invernadero y los…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, August 4, 2020
What strategies do you implement in order to respond to climate change impacts? What regulations or programs have you found encourage or discourage you responding to the changes you face? My family’s involvement in agriculture through the dairy industry has long shown me that our farmers and farmland are essential to the livelihood of California and its people. A driving force of my research is to understand how climate change impacts agriculture, how the farmers involved in these businesses respond to those impacts through their actions, and why farmers make the decisions they do…
Written by Noah Lakritz on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a USDA program that provides direct relief to producers who face economic losses due to COVID-19.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for CFAP payments through August 28, 2020. According to USDA statistics, billions of dollars are still available for distribution to eligible applicants. Growers can apply online or download an application and fill it in. Detailed information on eligible crops, payment rates, and how to apply is on the CFAP website.
USDA has added several previously ineligible commodities…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Healthy PlanEat is a new sustainable food startup based in Southeastern Connecticut which exists to connect people to local farms that use sustainable growing practices. Are you interested in creating an online presence and helping customers conveniently pre-order food from your farm?
Using Healthy PlanEat, you can easily upload inventory, set distribution options, and manage incoming orders from local individuals and wholesale buyers. Local customers can find your farm and place an order to pick up at the farm, farmers’ market, pop-up location, or get delivery if that’s a service…
Written by Peter Nell on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
CCOF shares a big appreciation to Bill Reynolds of Eel River Produce in Humboldt County for his expertise in seed breeding and commitment to organic agriculture. Reynolds, a certified organic farmer since 1989, is an organic farmer specializing in dry farming and known for developing the dark start zucchini, Eel River melon, stella blue squash, and other crops.
As told by…
Written by Cassidy Carmichael on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
CCOF wishes to thank and congratulate Chris Kidwell upon his retirement after 30 years as an organic inspector!
During the 1990s, Kidwell served on the CCOF Certification Standards Committee as the chair of the Inspector Development Subcommittee and represented inspectors as a non-voting member of the CCOF Board of Directors. Kidwell has contributed to the…
Written by Adrian Fischer on Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Teachers: Receive funds to incorporate organic into your classroom’s project-based learning.
The CCOF Foundation and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom administer the Look at Agriculture…Organically! grant program for K-8 teachers who…
Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, July 13, 2020
The Farmer Equity Act passed by the California legislature in 2017 defined “socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers” and required the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to ensure that food and agriculture laws, policies, and programs be developed in consultation with socially disadvantaged and women farmers and ranchers.
CDFA recently issued the 2020 Report to the California Legislature on the Farmer Equity Act on progress to date in implementing the Farmer Equity Act. Using data based on stakeholder and agency interviews, the report identifies four primary…
Written by Allison Stafford on Monday, July 13, 2020
The CCOF family is ever-growing and we are extremely proud of our organic farmers and producers working to make the world a better place! Each new member brings CCOF closer to its mission to make organic the norm.
We would like to highlight a couple of newly certified organic operations who have joined the CCOF family, Bare Sprouts and 12 Tides. As mission…
Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, July 13, 2020
The National Young Farmers Coalition is now accepting applications for the newly created California Young Farmer Political Leadership Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to support young farmers in gaining positions in and influence on California policy boards, agricultural advocacy groups, local water districts, conservation districts, and other decision-making bodies. Young farmers who identify as being a part of a community that has been marginalized by policy-making such as Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit the National…