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Written by Rachel Witte on Tuesday, October 31, 2023
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Thanksgiving

CCOF staff will be out of office from November 22 through 26 to gather with friends and family. This time of year, we reflect on our gratitude for Indigenous peoples who have tended the earth respectfully for generations. Thank you also to the organic producers who work year-round to put nourishing food on our tables. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Written by Michelle Caraballo on Monday, October 30, 2023
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Row Crops

Example of integrated farming methods courtesy of JSM Organics - pollinator flowers growing simultaneously with crop of strawberries. 

CCOF is offering two 16-hour, virtual-led courses to provide growers of plants with key insights and understandings of the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Version 6 SMART and GFS. Come join CCOF to learn about the various certification options and requirements and how to prepare your operation for the transition to GLOBALG.A.P. Version 6 audit in the coming 2024 season.

Join us for the GLOBALG.A.P.…

Written by Jessica González on Monday, October 30, 2023
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Organic Transition Grantee Alejandro Salazar installs an irrigation pipe by hand with his daughter, Fatima Salazar

Organic Transition Grantee Alejandro Salazar installs an irrigation pipe by hand with his daughter, Fatima Salazar.

Labor is one of the challenges we hear the most about. Organic producers make a commitment to grow and raise food using ecological methods, and one of the trade-offs is that organic farms have higher labor demands to maintain such practices. To dive deeper into the challenges organic producers are facing, I’ve surveyed organic producers across crop type, scale, and geography. 

One of the most significant takeaways from my conversations and survey intakes is an…

Written by Laetitia Benador. Jane Sooby. and Renee Delaney on Monday, October 30, 2023
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Chicken

Photo of chicken during visit to Ancient Nutrition Regeneration in Action Field Day, April 2023

After more than 20 years of dedicated advocacy from the organic community, USDA has finally published a draft of the new Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) rule.  

Undersecretary of Agriculture Jenny Lester Moffitt made a surprise announcement during the National Organic Standards Board meeting that USDA has released an advance version of the rule. The final, official version of the rule has yet to be published in the Federal Register. 

The rule establishes…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Thursday, October 26, 2023
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Yadira Mendiola

This fall season, join the CCOF Foundation in honoring the dedication, triumphs, and challenges organic farmers experience when growing our food. As we begin to gather in community around various fall and winter holidays, let us all remember to thank a farmer for our delicious and healthy organic meals. 

Yadira Mendiola, Queen of Vegetables farm owner and operator, welcomed us onto her farm to experience a day in her life. 

Watch her story and learn more about the CCOF Foundation’s Organic Transition program on YouTube. 
 

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, October 23, 2023
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OTP Veronica M.A. and Cole Cohort 2023

Photo of Veronica, OTP cohort 2023, courtesy of Brisa Ranch.

The CCOF Foundation, in partnership with GrubMarket, supports farmers making the transition to organic agriculture practices because we know that organic production is a proven solution to climate change, economic insecurity, and health inequities. We are giving $10,000 grants to underserved small farmers in California who are transitioning to organic practices. 

Applications are due Friday this week on October 27, 2023, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) PDT. 

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, October 16, 2023
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Farm Labor

Last month, USDA announced that up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding is available to support agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program. The program is funded by the Farm Service Agency and will be administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.

The program aims to improve the resiliency of our food and agricultural supply…

Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, October 16, 2023
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Energy Efficiency Farm Resources

Concerned about increased energy costs on your farm or business? You may benefit from the State of California’s GoGreen Business Energy Financing program, which offers support for small and medium-sized businesses in California to invest in energy-saving building retrofits and installations, including pump motors, refrigeration, and horticultural lighting. Look online for a comprehensive list of pre-qualified energy-saving measures organized by category.

Through the GoGreen Business program, eligible businesses—both property owners and tenants—can access private financing with…

Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, October 16, 2023
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Fruit and Veggies

Small to medium-sized food and agricultural businesses who desire to sell into the export market are invited to attend a free online webinar presented by the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) on Monday, October 23 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. Pacific time. Register online today.

WUSATA is a nonprofit organization that works closely with Western state Departments of Agriculture to provide exporting resources to food and agriculture companies. Its FundMatch program reimburses 50 percent of fees to exhibit at trade shows such as Expo West and Fancy Foods. WUSATA’s…

Written by Michelle Caraballo on Monday, October 16, 2023
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Field

CCOF is offering two 16-hour, virtual-led courses to provide growers of plants with key insights and understandings of the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Version 6 SMART and GFS. Come join CCOF to learn about the various certification options and requirements and how to prepare your operation for the transition to GLOBALG.A.P. Version 6 audit in the coming 2024 season.

Join us for the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) v6 GFS FV trainings hosted by CCOF. For your convenience CCOF is offering two different date ranges to attend. Please…

Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, October 16, 2023
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Flower Field

The Department of Pesticide Regulation is hosting a series of public meetings to hear feedback on their strategic plan. This plan will set their agenda for the next five years, and organic is not mentioned at all. In fact, the Department intends to create new certifications for sustainable pest management—making farmers jump through more hoops. Please consider joining a public meeting and telling the Department that organic certification is the sustainable pest management certification.

Attend a Public Meeting (information below and on the Department's website):

Thursday,…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, October 10, 2023
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Seedling

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) proudly announced the launch of its official website, www.organictransition.org, earlier this month. This online platform results from a cross-collaborative effort by TOPP's six regional leads, dedicated to advancing the organic farming movement.

TOPP's new website is the national hub for program opportunities, news, events, and resources. The TOPP website features a host of essential functions, designed to support and nurture the growth of organic farming across diverse regions.

Key Features of the TOPP Website Include…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, October 9, 2023
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Laptop

On Tuesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 19, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension will host webinars to introduce farmers and agricultural professionals to grant opportunities in agriculture. Both webinars will start at 11:30 a.m. CDT and run one hour, with an additional half hour at the end for questions. 

The Tuesday webinar will feature grants expert Margaret Krome from the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, who will cover how to design a good grant project and where to look for potential funding sources, as well as the basics of writing a grant proposal…

Written by Michelle Caraballo on Monday, October 9, 2023
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Apples

CCOF is offering two 16-hour, virtual-led courses to provide growers of plants with key insights and understandings of the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Version 6 SMART and GFS. Come join CCOF to learn about the various certification options and requirements and how to prepare your operation for the transition to GLOBALG.A.P. Version 6 audit in the coming 2024 season.

Join us for the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) v6 GFS FV trainings hosted by CCOF. For your convenience CCOF is offering two different date ranges to attend. Please…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, October 9, 2023
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LazaroFidel

The CCOF Foundation, in partnership with GrubMarket, supports farmers making the transition to organic agriculture practices because we know that organic production is a proven solution to climate change, economic insecurity, and health inequities. We are giving $10,000 grants to underserved small farmers in California who are transitioning to organic practices. 
Applications are due by 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific on October 27, 2023.