CCOF Blog
Esta página aún no está disponible en Español.
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, October 28, 2019
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), a competitive grant program that incentivizes farmers to invest in irrigation water and energy efficiency. Agricultural operations can apply for up to $100,000 for projects that involve improvements to irrigation systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water. Projects funded through SWEEP commonly include elements such as soil, plant, or weather sensors; micro-irrigation systems; pump retrofits or replacements; renewable energy;…
Written by Kelly Damewood on Monday, October 21, 2019
My day starts with a bike ride along Santa Cruz's foggy coastline.
At the CCOF home office, Erica and Lucia say hello as I walk my bike into our open office space. I pass the policy and marketing teams who joke with one another as they prepare for their morning meetings. I smile at the office dogs who look up to see if I might give them a little attention.
I put my bike away and note the pictures of smiling grantees from our Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund. They stand in a colorful organic flower field at the University of California, Santa Cruz farm, which served as a…
Written by Meaghan Donovan on Monday, October 21, 2019
Join the CCOF Foundation and Kitchen Table Advisors on October 29 for a webinar that dives into farm business planning from a crop profitability perspective.
Build your crop plan with intention and an expectation to maximize your profits. This webinar will help you think about your crop mix’s ability to generate profit for your farm. Our speaker, David Mancera of Kitchen…
Written by Laura Mathias on Monday, October 21, 2019
Are you an organic consultant? CCOF has resources for you and your clients. Our Support Resources area is a toolkit for gaining and maintaining organic certification. Be sure to check out our handy tips!
As an organic consultant, you understand how crucial recordkeeping is to the audit trail. We have a series of templates for easy recordkeeping. CCOF also has an array of logos and labeling resources for domestic and foreign markets at your disposal. Additionally, our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide details on everything from getting started to determining what inputs can…
Written by Shawna Rodgers on Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Photo credit: Claire Schaper and Max Wanger
Jacob Pechenik of The Farm Project and Lettuce Grow will keynote the CCOF Foundation Feast at the Organic Grower Summit. Save seats for you and your team today!
On Wednesday, December 4, the CCOF Foundation will celebrate the collaborative…
Written by Adrian Fischer on Tuesday, October 15, 2019
CCOF’s chapter system is a powerful tool to connect our members from across the United States and Mexico. Chapter meetings serve as an outlet to voice challenges, share successes and advice, and strategize ways of advancing organic for a healthy world. Several chapters are gearing up for another peak in activity with the election cycle just around the corner, a process that occurs once every three years for each chapter.
CCOF is looking for leaders to step up and play a critical role in local governance, and we encourage you to respond to your chapter’s call for leadership…
Written by Peter Nell on Monday, October 7, 2019
On October 1, 2019 USDA reopened the Origin of Livestock proposed rule for additional comments. The proposed rule was closed by USDA in 2015 without notice but was reopened for a new 60-day comment period. Comments can be submitted until December 2 to Regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-11-0009-1572.
CCOF highly encourages members to submit comments on the proposed rule. It is important that both dairies that came under certification before and after the initial 2015 proposed rule submit comments. USDA notes that commenters who submitted comments in 2015 need not to…
Written by Peter Nell on Monday, October 7, 2019
Last week CCOF submitted eight written comments to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) ahead of their fall 2019 meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The meeting will occur Wednesday, October 23, through Friday, October 25.
NOSB is the federal advisory committee to the National Organic Program and meets twice a year to provide recommendations on substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and the organic standards. At their spring meeting earlier this year, NOSB began their 2021 Sunset Review process and will complete the reviews of the substances…
Written by Adrian Fischer on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
The application deadline for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program is fast approaching!
Any operation that is located within the United States and received organic certification between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019 may apply for reimbursement by October 31, 2019.
All certified organic entities in the United States are eligible to apply for a refund of 75% of their certification-related costs, including inspection fees, up to a maximum of $750 per scope of organic certification. California State Organic Program registration fees are also eligible…
Written by Peter Nell on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Earlier this year, CCOF Foundation launched the Roadmap to an Organic California project to highlight how organic farming addresses many of California’s toughest challenges. From climate change and water degradation to public health threats and struggling local economies, organic agriculture is a proven solution.
The Benefits Report presented over 300 peer-reviewed scientific studies showing how organic agriculture positively impacts the economy, society, and the environment. These studies demonstrate that organic farms are combatting climate change by building healthy soils…
Written by Meaghan Donovan on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Are you interested in growing organically, but mystified by the organic certification process?
Join the CCOF Foundation on Monday, October 14 for a webinar that will explain the benefits, costs, and steps of the organic certification process for growers who market directly to consumers.
Some local producers grow and sell organic crops to increase their revenue. Other farmers find the USDA organic seal a convenient way to communicate their farm’s commitment to sustainable growing practices to their customers. Our webinar speaker, Rebecca Silver of CCOF Certification…
Written by Shawna Rodgers on Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Dr. Karen Klonsky spent a lifetime championing organic. The CCOF Foundation will honor her work and spirit at the CCOF Foundation Feast on December 4 at the Organic Grower Summit.
Klonsky was a University of California Cooperative Extension Specialist in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis…
Written by Peter Nell on Tuesday, September 24, 2019
The CCOF policy team is in the midst of researching and writing recommendations for the second phase of the Roadmap to an Organic California project. The project presents the research-supported benefits of organic agriculture and recommends policies that address California’s toughest challenges. From climate change and water degradation to public health threats and struggling local economies, organic agriculture is a proven solution.
Phase one of the Roadmap, the Benefits Report, was released in early 2019 and represents a comprehensive scientific review of the economic, social,…
Written by Peter Nell on Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Last week the United States Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020. In the bill, USDA is required to issue the Origin of Livestock rule that incorporates public comments from the proposal rule within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The language matches a House of Representatives bill that passed in June, showing bipartisan congressional support for the rule.
The Origin of Livestock rule was based on six recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board and clarified and amended the requirements for how dairy…
Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, September 23, 2019
The California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) advises the California secretary of food and agriculture on education, outreach, and technical assistance for organic producers in the state.
COPAC will convene a meeting on September 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau office. Items on the agenda include
National Organic Program updates, GMO test pilot program update featuring a discussion on synthetic biology, Processor and CalCannabis Subcommittee updates, origin of livestock rule, and access to organic slaughter facilities.See…