California Ag Network

Tag: CCOF

  • California Certified Organic Farmers Launches National Consumer Education Campaign

    As part of a $3 million match grant CCOF was awarded by the USDA for organic market development, CCOF has developed a “Choose Your Farmer. Choose Organic” series of streaming TV ads airing on Roku devices and YouTube. This unprecedented advertising campaign makes CCOF the first-ever organization to promote an organic consumer education campaign through national TV and digital advertising.

    “This grant enables CCOF to increase public confidence in the organic label while uplifting market opportunities for American organic producers,” says CCOF CEO Kelly Damewood.

    The ads connect consumers with real American organic farmers – the hardworking people nourishing our nation using farming practices that replenish our lands to support wholesome and flavorful foods grown the way nature intended. With a spotlight on small organic farmers or ranchers beginning their careers and farmers working with limited resources, CCOF’s ads uplift real working members of the organic community as they explain the rigor behind the USDA Organic label. 

    The ads feature five organic producers:

    In addition to the streaming TV ads, CCOF is releasing a series of mini-documentaries to dive more deeply into the producers’ organic operations and life journeys. CCOF’s campaign illuminates how purchasing certified organic products can provide peace of mind that the food you put on your family’s table comes from producers who care about you, your community, and building a healthy and prosperous nation. 

    CCOF is grateful for the opportunity to work with Blue Giant, a video production company famed for its award-winning commercials, Superbowl ads, and high-profile clients such as Disney and Lucasfilm.

                    

    Look out for the ads when enjoying your next streaming show!

    About California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)

    CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

    CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California more than 50 years ago, today our roots span the breadth of North America and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

    For more information about CCOF, visit CCOF.org.

  • Organic Farmers Enroute to D.C. to Meet New Lawmakers

    Farm Bill implementation high on list for Organic Trade Association fly-in

    Twenty-two farmer members of the Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Council, a national coalition of organic farmers and organic farming organizations representing nearly 8,000 organic farms, will come to Washington on Feb. 5 and 6 to meet with new and incumbent members of Congress, to familiarize the freshmen lawmakers with organic and to discuss the implementation of the organic provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill.

    Coordinated by the Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Council, the event will bring in farmers from 11 states stretching from California to Maryland, from Texas to Minnesota. The diverse group includes dairy farmers, grain and specialty crop growers, egg and livestock producers. The Farmers Advisory Council represents over 8,000 certified organic farmers nationwide.

    “The 116th Congress has 101 new members of the House and 10 new Senators, and many of these new lawmakers aren’t familiar with organic,” said Laura Batcha, Executive Director and CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “It’s important that we help our members get connected to these freshmen Congressional members so they can educate the new policy makers about the benefits of organic agriculture, the unique challenges that organic producers and businesses face, and the importance of federal policies that advance American organic agriculture and the organic sector.”

    Batcha said implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill will be a key discussion point. “The Organic Trade Association and its members worked hard to get top organic priorities included in the Farm Bill, and now we want to ensure that this bill – and all of its gains for organic – is implemented in a timely manner.”

    In addition to scheduled meetings with over 40 lawmakers and national agricultural organizations, the group will host an Organic farmer roundtable for congressional staff on important organic issues. The roundtable will include a moderated discussion with a panel of farmer members who were featured in the recent National Geographic article “We don’t have enough organic farms. Why not?”. They will expand on the themes highlighted in the article and lead a conversation about overcoming challenges of organic transition and closing the gap between consumer demand and domestic acreage.

    The member organizations of the Farmers Advisory Council include California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Georgia Organics, Organic Egg Farmers of America, Montana Organic Association, Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance and Tilth Alliance of Washington.

  • Organic Grower Summit Coming to Monterey

    Monterey, Calif., (August 1, 2017) – General attendee registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 13-14 in Monterey, CA. A joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.

    Attendee registration is $399, with discounts available for CCOF members. The registration includes all activities and events associated with the event, including opening reception, breakfast, educational sessions, keynote presentation, lunch and trade show floor.

    Over 50 sponsors have confirmed their attendance to date at the event, with more than half of the 72 available trade show booths sold. Among participating exhibitors are leaders in the fields of seed, packaging, soil amendments, food safety and ag technology who will be connecting with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors and food safety experts.

    “The Organic Grower Summit offers an important opportunity for agricultural producers and leaders to network and stay on top of the latest trends in organic production,” said Cathy Calfo, CCOF Executive Director/CEO, “The overwhelming enthusiasm for this gathering speaks to its importance for California’s organic and agricultural community.”

    Educational session panels at OGS will range in topics including farm soil management, environmentally sustainable packaging, advances in agricultural technology, and a discussion with elected state and federal officials on key issues facing agriculture. Among confirmed speakers are Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Miles McEvoy, deputy administrator at USDA-AMS; plus additional keynote presentations and speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, OGS is finalizing an educational Outreach Program for PCA, PRC and qualified applicators to kick off the event. Attendees are eligible for two hours of approved continuing education credit and will learn about new requirements for pesticide use near schools and worker protection standards.

    “The response to the event has been resoundingly positive from the organic community. They see the benefit of an event connecting organic growers and farmers with those on the supply and service provider side of the business. As organics continues to grow, the need for expanded education and information throughout the organic production community will be vital to our continued success,” said Tonya Antle, co-founder of OPN. “Our relationship with CCOF in putting together the OGS indicates we are producing the right event at the right time in bringing our community together.”

    For further information about the first-ever Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com