CCOF Blog

Have you heard conflicting information about how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) applies to small produce farmers? Has a buyer asked you to be “FSMA Compliant?” Have you heard contradictory information about food safety from different people? Join the CCOF Foundation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and the Farmers Guild (CAFF/FG) on November 19 for a webinar that goes over produce growers’ frequently asked questions about FSMA and clears up common myths and misconceptions about small farm food safety. 

On-farm food safety is a complicated topic that many…

On Wednesday, December 4, the CCOF Foundation will host its third annual CCOF Foundation Feast benefit dinner at the Organic Grower Summit. All proceeds from this event directly benefit the 501(c)(3) nonprofit programs of the CCOF Foundation, and aside from the wonderful speakers, awarding of the Organic Champion Award, organic menu, and opportunity to hear…

Now is the time to support the implementation of the long-overdue Origin of Livestock proposed rule. The rule would ensure clear and enforceable requirements for the sourcing of organic dairy herds by requiring new dairy animals to be managed organically from at least the last third of gestation. The organic community has advocated for this rule for many years. Inconsistent interpretation of the current rule has put some farmers at a disadvantage in an already struggling industry. On October 1, 2019, the USDA reopened the rule’s public comment period. Organic farmers, industry stakeholders…

The National Organic Program released a proposed rule to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The proposed rule is based off public input and recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board from 2018.

Stakeholders may submit comment on the proposed amendment by December 17, 2019. Comments can be submitted via Regulations.gov using Docket Number AMS_FRDOC_0001-1913.

The proposed rule would:

Register now for the GLOBALG.A.P. IHT, Capacity Building, and Farm Assurer Workshop-HPSS, hosted at the CCOF office in Santa Cruz, California on December 17-19, 2019.

CCOF is hosting the GLOBALG.A.P. experts for an in-depth review of the Harmonized Produce Safety Standard (HPSS), with two days of classroom education and one day of on-farm mock inspection using the HPSS.  

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to advance your Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) skills with the GLOBALG.A.P. IHT, Capacity Building and Farm Assurer Workshop-HPSS. Learn everything about the GLOBALG…

Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, growers using a treated Biological Soil Amendment of Animal Origin (BSAAO), such as compost, are required to keep documentation that the amendment was properly treated, handled, and stored before being applied to a produce field. This documentation is especially important as growers prepare for FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance and inspections. Though FDA does not have jurisdiction over companies that supply treated BSAAOs, suppliers should be prepared to provide this documentation to growers as needed. This factsheet…

USDA released an interim final rule to establish a domestic hemp production program. The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to establish a regulatory framework for hemp production. The framework will work in tandem with state production plans which must be submitted to USDA for review and approval. Hemp producers must comply with both USDA’s and their state’s regulations on the production of hemp. 

The interim rule is effective October 31, 2019 through November 1, 2021. The interim final rule is open for public comment until December 30, 2019 using Regulations.gov docket number…

Originally from India, Anandi Gandhi is currently an agroecology apprentice at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems based on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. Over the last 10 years, Gandhi has gained experience in regenerative design, organic farming, environmental education and research through working in both India and the United States. Gandhi hopes…

Walk the halls of the Golden State Capitol with CCOF as we sow the seeds for a nationwide movement. At our Rooting for Organic advocacy day on February 19, 2020 in Sacramento, California, stakeholders from across the organic sector will advocate for policies that support the growth of organic agriculture and increase access to organic foods. Together, we will showcase a model for advancing organic with policies that combat climate change; stimulate local economies; and enhance the health of farmers, farmworkers, and diverse consumers around the world. 

Your voice and expertise can…

Vote in your chapter election to ensure your business has a voice in CCOF’s governance! 

The deadline to vote is Tuesday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m.

Why Vote?

CCOF’s chapter system is a powerful tool to connect our members across the United States and Mexico. Chapter leaders have the unique opportunity to leverage the collective power of CCOF’s membership and staff to advance…

Remember to secure your seats (and your colleagues’!) for the CCOF Foundation Feast at the Organic Grower Summit on December 4. Join us to hear all about Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik’s The Farm Project when Pechenik delivers the keynote speech for the evening while guests enjoy a certified-organic, three-course meal at the Portola Hotel & Monterey Conference Center.…

Rabo AgriFinance has announced a new loan product that can make it more financially viable for farmers to seek organic certification on all or part of their crop operations.

With guidance from Pipeline Foods, Rabo AgriFinance has developed a financial framework that gives farmers the flexibility to receive the capital needed for upfront costs associated with changing production practices. Farmers can schedule repayments when they receive the additional revenue from selling certified organic goods. 

The USDA requires a three-year transition period for farmers to certify…

The Organic Trade Association asked the United States District Court to rule in its favor on its organic livestock welfare lawsuit against the USDA. In its motion for summary judgment, the trade association stated that USDA acted in an unlawful, arbitrary, and capricious way when it killed new organic livestock standards centered around improving animal care and welfare.

The Organic Trade Association argued USDA’s blocking of the implementation and rescission of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) rule in 2018 were actions plainly in excess of lawful authority and,…

Vote in your chapter election to ensure your business has a voice in CCOF’s governance! 

CCOF’s chapter system is a powerful tool to connect our members across the United States and Mexico. Chapter leaders have the unique opportunity to leverage the collective power of CCOF’s membership and staff to advance organic. Supported by CCOF staff, chapter leaders share their passion and experience by setting the agenda for meetings and driving networking and educational opportunities for organic professionals and supporters.

Chapter leaders are also instrumental in galvanizing…

Although local food producers are broadly committed to food safety on their operations, there are still some barriers to implementing food safety best practices, according to a needs assessment report released today by National Farmers Union Foundation’s Local Food Safety Collaborative (LFSC) and Cornell University.

The publication is the result of a multi-year, two-tiered effort. It includes findings from a needs assessment survey, which was designed to determine the food safety practices, knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and needs of local producers, with a particular focus on…