CCOF Blog

Esta página aún no está disponible en Español.
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 16, 2020

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing one vacancy on the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP). The panel advises the secretary on the implementation of the Healthy Soils Program and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, and also assists federal, state, and local government agencies, as appropriate or necessary, on issues relating to the impact of agricultural practices on air, water, and wildlife habitat. 

According to statute, the Secretary of CDFA shall appoint five of the nine EFA SAP members. Members of the…

Written by Adrian Fischer on Monday, March 9, 2020

transition-carousel_1

It’s not always easy 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 $5,000 grants for farmers transitioning to organic. The CCOF Foundation also offers a wealth of educational opportunities through our Organic…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, March 9, 2020

On February 26, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), an ambitious piece of legislation that proposes a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by 2040. The bill focuses on policy goals in the following six areas: increasing research, improving soil health, protecting existing farmland, supporting pasture-based livestock systems, boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives, and reducing food waste. Specific targets in the plan include cutting emissions from ruminant livestock by at least half, restoring half of…

Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, March 9, 2020

Healthy Soils Program Requests for Applications Released

Acknowledging the many benefits of improved soil quality, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) initiated the Healthy Soils Program in 2017, which offers grants to farmers and ranchers to implement new soil-building practices on their land.

CDFA recently opened the Healthy Soils Program for 2020 applications. Applications for the Incentives Program will be accepted on a rolling basis until 5 p.m. PT on June 26, 2020, or until available funds are expended, whichever comes first. Applications for …

Written by Peter Nell on Monday, March 9, 2020

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) released their meeting materials ahead of their upcoming meeting on April 29 – May 1, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. 

Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments via Regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-19-0095 until April 3, 2020. Additionally, oral comments will be accepted in-person and through pre-meeting webinars.

NOSB reviews all substances on the National List every five years to determine their status in organic production. Members of the board will use comments provided by the organic community to…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, March 9, 2020

Organic researchers need your help in identifying the challenges that certified organic producers and transitioning organic producers face. The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), and the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) created surveys that will help set their research priorities. 

Certified organic farmers and ranchers can take the organic survey here:

https://www.opinion.wsu.edu/organicproduction/

Farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to organic certification can take the transition survey here:

Written by Kelly Damewood on Monday, March 2, 2020

sunf

The CCOF Board of Directors hosted a special discussion about hydroponic and container-based systems at their quarterly board meeting on February 18. 

Background

Over the last few years, disagreement has percolated throughout the organic community about hydroponic and container-based systems. Many organic producers feel frustrated that the National Organic Program (NOP) allows…

Written by Jessy Beckett Parr on Monday, March 2, 2020

Don’t miss your chance to join CCOF and OATS at one of our Organic Malt Barley Farmer Meetings and learn about organic production, the transition process, organic barley, and how Anheuser-Busch’s Contract for Change program can work for you. Everyone is welcome, whether you currently grow barley or are just starting to consider adding it to your rotation.

Contract for Change initiative supports Idaho barley farmers who try organic production for the first time, providing price support through transition and a reliable market for the crop.

At each of these meetings we will…

Written by Rebekah Weber on Monday, March 2, 2020

roadmap2

The Roadmap to an Organic California: Policy Report is the next installment of a first-of-its-kind research project that investigates how organic is a solution to California’s toughest challenges. 

Tackling climate change, economic challenges, and health inequities can feel daunting, but our Roadmap offers nearly 40 policy recommendations to grow organic to combat climate change…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, March 2, 2020

Photo- Malcolm St Cyr_0

Many people and organic businesses from around the country often ask those of us at CCOF, “So, does CCOF only work in California?” The short answer is, “No, we’re all across North America!” 

CCOF Certification Services certifies more than 4,300 operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The CCOF Foundation grants to students,…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 2, 2020

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) continues to collect responses to the 2019 Organic Survey, a once-every-five-year special study to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. 

Response windows are open through March. NASS encourages the producers who received these questionnaires to respond online, by mail, or by telephone.

“We are extending the deadlines for response since we still have a steady stream of completed questionnaires coming in,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “NASS produces the most comprehensive agricultural data about U.S. agriculture. Our…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, March 2, 2020

CCOF-Foundation-at-Expo-West_invite

On Tuesday, March 3, the CCOF Foundation and the UNFI Foundation will co-host a cocktail hour at Natural Products Expo West to celebrate organic farmers and the next generation of skilled producers creating the organic future.  

The event will cap off powerful lectures at Expo West’s Climate Day, including a keynote address…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, February 24, 2020

ac111111

The energy is still buzzing from CCOF’s recent visit to over 50 legislators in Sacramento on February 18 and 19 for Rooting for Organic: CCOF’s 2020 Annual Meeting and advocacy day. Joined by CCOF members, community allies, and organic advocates alike, more than 100 people met in the California State Capitol to engage in the democratic process and make the case that organic is the next…

Written by Peter Nell on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

CCOF is excited to announce that Mary Kaems, principal consultant to California Speaker of the Assembly, will join the Rooting for Organic advocacy day on Wednesday, February 19. Kaems, a longtime supporter of organic agriculture and an important voice in the Capitol, will host an end-of-day debrief with attendees to learn about how the meetings throughout the day went, discuss next steps, and close the day in celebration.  

At our Rooting for Organic advocacy day, stakeholders from across the organic sector will advocate for policies that support the growth of organic agriculture…

Written by Noah Lakritz on Monday, February 10, 2020

Next week, CCOF is releasing our Roadmap to an Organic California: Policy Report, the next installment in a first-of-its-kind research project that investigates how organic is a solution to California’s toughest challenges. 

From climate change to economic and health inequities, organic agriculture is a proven solution. CCOF’s 2019 Benefits Report analyzed three decades of peer-reviewed research to document the economic, environmental, and health benefits of organic. The Policy Report builds on this scientific foundation and presents nearly 40 policy recommendations to grow organic…