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Written by Adrian Fischer on Monday, November 16, 2020

You still have one week to apply for a $5,000 boost for your organic transition! It can be challenging to transition to certified organic, and we don’t expect farmers to do it alone. That’s why we’ve partnered with Anheuser-Busch and their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Contract for Change program to provide financial support to growers during the critical phase of becoming organic. 

Want to take your farm forward and transition to organic? Maybe you’re already practicing organic methods and need that final incentive to get certified. Now is your chance to lessen the financial challenge…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, November 16, 2020

The deadline for farmers and ranchers to apply for financial relief from USDA through the second Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) is December 11. CCOF encourages members to consider applying for the program, which may provide significant financial relief for your agricultural business. The CCOF policy team has spoken with multiple members who have benefited from the program and is ready to support members with the application process directly.  

In addition to the CFAP resources outlined in our previous blog post, the following resources are newly available, including a…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, November 16, 2020

CCOF partner, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), is requesting farmer feedback on two initiatives:

Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Organic Community

CCOF supports OTA’s effort to prioritize these initiatives in 2021 and encourages our members to fill out the associated surveys, described in detail below, by the November 30 deadline. 

Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards

Chickens outside, standards for shampoo, and strategies for avoiding GMO contamination are some…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, November 16, 2020

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Many of us who spend hours reviewing food labels and packaging can agree upon one thing: there are a lot of words associated with food right now. 

We’ve heard it for years. Words like “natural,” “fresh,” or “real” have flooded the food marketplace, leaving consumers anywhere from curious to confused. What is the difference between “natural” and made with “natural ingredients”? Why…

Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, November 16, 2020

Many opportunities for organic farmers, ranchers, handlers, and processors to participate in public agencies are now available. The hands-on expertise of organic practitioners and producers is of great value to these decision-making agencies. The following agencies have current openings:

California Biodiversity Collaborative: California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a groundbreaking executive order in early October 2020 that directs the California Natural Resources Agency to work with other state agencies, including the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), to form a…

Written by Peter Nell on Monday, November 9, 2020

This November, CCOF will launch a survey of our membership in partnership with Washington State University’s Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). 

It is important to receive responses from a wide range of CCOF-certified businesses, so we encourage as many of our members as possible to submit your survey. Your information and responses will remain confidential; the results will be presented in such a way that no individual’s response can be identified by CCOF. 

We are surveying members to learn more about your certified organic businesses and how to improve…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, November 9, 2020

With its consumers and retailers demanding more sustainable packaging, the produce industry has begun to turn its eye toward sustainable packaging options. Earlier this year, many North American fresh berry producers committed to switching to 100 percent recycle-ready clamshell packaging by 2025. 

Farms that sell directly to consumers also see the benefits of sustainable produce packaging. Many organic farms consider the use of recyclable or compostable packaging as aligned with their commitment to maintain and improve natural resources.

On October 20, 2020, farmers and…

Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, November 9, 2020

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has updated the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), a federal program that pays farmers who have a documented record of stewardship to tackle additional conservation practices. Some of NRCS’s changes include

an emphasis on enhancing soil health, a commitment to soliciting input from State Technical Committees, a one-time payment for developing a comprehensive conservation plan, and support and designated organic funds for organic production and organic transitioning activities.

California received a sizable boost in CSP…

Written by Adrian Fischer on Monday, November 9, 2020

Amanda Wall

As part of a broader effort to increase organic farming, CCOF has partnered with Anheuser-Busch and their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Contract for Change program to provide financial support to farmers during the critical phase of transitioning to organic. We are honored to introduce you to Organic Transition grantee Amanda Wall of PAW Livestock in Pleasantville, Iowa.

Wall…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, November 9, 2020

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Stone fruit is a sought-after treat this time of year, especially as more families prepare meals together at home. Stone fruits can be enjoyed on their own as a snack, or even tossed into a summer salad alongside dark leafy greens, goat cheese, and a touch of fig balsamic vinaigrette. California is the premier producer of stone…

Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, November 9, 2020

Friends of Butte Creek presents the online Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Friday, November 20. Watch beautiful and educational films from the comfort of your home while supporting salmon and their habitat. All donations support Friends of Butte Creek’s restoration efforts on Butte Creek, as well as the water rights endowment for the salmon. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., and your admission to watch the films is good through Thursday, November 26. Visit Friends of Butte Creek for film summaries and information on tickets. 

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, November 2, 2020

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Since 2017, CCOF has proudly partnered with Matt Seeley and Tonya Antle, co-founders of the Organic Produce Network (OPN), to host the Organic Grower Summit. Typically around this time of year our staff would be hurriedly securing all the last-minute details of the CCOF Foundation’s Annual Benefit Dinner at the summit. Past speakers at this dinner have included…

Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, November 2, 2020

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Join the CCOF Foundation on November 17 for a webinar that highlights the innovative ways farms and local food businesses like restaurants, bakeries, and candymakers have joined forces to support each other and pivot marketing in light of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Unprecedented times call for creative measures. Gain tips from two farms that have partnered with food businesses…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, November 2, 2020

Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced a $318,300 federal grant for the CCOF Foundation in Santa Cruz, California. The CCOF Foundation will use the USDA-awarded grant to lead a multi-state initiative to support organic food processors through food safety compliance training and education.

“When Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011, it unintentionally left some of our small and mid-scale organic processors without the resources to live up to the standards of this law,” said Congressman Panetta. “When the federal government enacts…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, October 26, 2020

Fagundes Brothers Dairy Blog Photo Cred Liz Birnbaum (1)

Fred Fagundes, owner and partner of Fagundes Brother’s Dairy, is a generous business leader. For many years, Fagundes Brother’s Dairy has been a loyal supporter of the CCOF Foundation’s Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund (FOFGF). They continue to champion the CCOF Foundation’s…