California Certified Organic Farmers

magazine Volume XXI, Number 2 Organic Certification ~ Public Education ~ Trade Association Summer 2004

COF s sor es es of C oc ofil d Pr Pr e . 6 tifi p Cer

Mainstreaming America to Organic Processed Food ~ page 2

WHY ORGANIC? CALIFORNIA ORGANICS ’92–’02 GMO PHARM RICE USDA POLICY STATEMENTS page 12 page 14 page 22 page 33 FIRST WORD

GRASS ROOTS & cern for the integrity of one of the staples of Those advantages may be tangible or intan- human life. gible, but they must be real and they must GRASSROOTS CCOF started off as a grassroots organi- be articulated to the consumer. Just as early zation drawing substance from a diverse organic farmers knew what organic was in By Brian Leahy community of producers, gardeners, and their gut long before organic standards were

NYONE WHO HAS EVER TRIED consumers. The early members performed codified, core organic consumers know the to pull up native grasses by the actual work of the organization. CCOF underlying principles behind the move- hand knows the strength of grass volunteer members developed standards, ment. If the organic industry abandons A conducted inspections, and performed file those key principles, organic consumers will roots. To take advantage of nutrients and moisture in the soil, grass roots spread wide reviews. The volunteer members taught new move to a marketplace that does lives up to and deep to provide substance to the plant organic producers key organic concepts and those values. and slowly increase the plants influence on helped them fill out certification paper The farmers and processors of CCOF the surrounding environment. Much like work. And they built the organic market by carry the knowledge and skills necessary to natives grasses, CCOF has used its grass- educating the media and consumers about guide a grassroots movement that can return roots structure to protect the integrity of the benefits of organic agriculture. The humans to a relationship with the earth that organic agriculture and the environment in integrity of CCOF’s standards and the will allow the continued existence of life on which organic producers operate, as it has integrity of its members was enough credi- this beautiful planet. Without deep roots a slowly spread the influence of organic agri- bility in the marketplace to give consumers plant will uproot and wither under stress. It culture into the mainstream culture. confidence to purchase CCOF certified is my hope that CCOF continues to draw We witnessed a grassroots victory in May food. As the organic market grew, and gov- upon the deep roots that sustained a hand- when USDA Secretary Ann Veneman ernments and corporate buyers began to ful of individuals to create a remarkable directed the National Organic Program staff intervene in the certification process, a pro- institution—an institution that has lead to work with the National Organic Stan- fessional staff took over the functions of the way for a small movement to become dards Board and the organic industry to organic certification. Today, certification is a a major market force that is changing the reach workable solutions to policy directives technical process overseen by the federal production of food, and that has given the NOP staff had issued only a month ear- government and administered by a trained many farmers the opportunity to receive lier. Had the original directives been imple- bureaucracy. a fair return for their work. It has been an mented, they would have weakened organic Perfect organic standards will not guaran- honor to serve as your executive director standards and created confusion in the tee a fair return to the farmers. An agricul- these past four years. tural system that is ecologically sound, organic marketplace. Last year a similar Ed: Brian Leahy left CCOF in June of this socially responsible and economically viable grassroots campaign beat back another year. He is now the new Executive Director will only occur if true change is made in attack on the integrity of the organic stan- of the California Association of Resource current government policies and values. A dards by defeating an attempt to allow non- Conservation Districts in Sacramento. fair system that allows farmers to prosper organic feed in the production of livestock. We wish him well in his new position. Another recent grassroots victory in long-term will only be created by constant, which CCOF producers played a critical persistent and thoughtful grassroots action role was the set back of an attempt to allow by producers and consumers working the first commercial production of a geneti- together. No farmer ever converted to OUR PURPOSE cally engineered pharmaceutical crop. organic because they wanted to subject CCOF’s purpose is to promote Thanks to the work of CCOF staff member themselves to the process of certification. and support organic agriculture in Brian Sharpe and the other members of the Farmers convert to organic because they California and elsewhere through: Californians for GE Free Agriculture coali- want to produce food using a sustainable • A premier organic certification tion, an effective grassroots campaign was production system that offers them the best program for growers, processors, able to convince the Secretary of the Cali- chance at receiving a fair return in the mar- handlers, and retailers. fornia Department of Food and Agriculture ketplace. • Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic to intervene and protect California rice pro- Is organic a market or a movement? The product and to expand public ducers from certain financial loss and movement created the market, and the mar- support for organic agriculture. genetic contamination. The grassroots ket grew the movement and gave it credibil- ity. Consumers will only choose organic • Advocacy for governmental coalition generated powerful media public- policies that protect and food over non-organic food if they believe ity and several thousand contacts with the encourage organic agriculture. Secretary’s office expressing genuine con- there are distinct advantages to organic. Corrections ABLE OF ONTENTS The OMRI Brand Name Products List Update in T C CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, the Organic FEATURE ARTICLE, Mainstreaming America to Organic Processed Food ...... 2 Seed Issue, was incorrectly labeled as the update PROCESSORS, Profiles of CCOF Certified Processors ...... 6 for March 2003. The correct date is March 2004. WHY ORGANIC?, Growth in Organic Processing ...... 12 The editor apologizes for this error and any incon- CALIFORNIA ORGANICS 1992–2002, Organic Agricultural Production in California. . . . . 14 venience it may cause to OMRI, product suppli- CCOF FOUNDATION, CCOF Growers Keep Salmon Safe ...... 20 ers, clients and the general public. MEMBERS ...... 21 In CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, the CALIFORNIA, CCOF Helps Prevent GMO Pharmaceutical Rice Planting ...... 22 Organic Seed Issue, two seed businesses were FOCUS ON FOOD, Plums: Hearty Symbol of Strength & Happiness ...... 24 unintentionally omitted from the Organic Seed HOME & GARDEN, Preventing Pests ...... 27 Source Directory on pages 8–11. The editor apol- ogizes to these businesses, clients and the general NEWS BRIEFS ...... 28 public for any inconvenience this omission may THE GE REPORT, News from the Genetic Engineering Front ...... 29 have caused. Please see complete seed listings for CCOF MARKETING, Committed to Your Needs ...... 31 these companies on page 21. CERTIFICATION CORNER , USDA National Organic Program Guidance Statements ...... 33 Company Name: Snow Seed Company HANDLER HIGHLIGHTS, Business Resources for Organic Processors ...... 36 CCOF Certified Business OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST UPDATE ...... 39 Company Name: Rijk Zwaan USA CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS ...... 42 CCOF Supporting Member CLASSIFIEDS...... 44 CALENDAR ...... 45 Letter to the Editor CCOF appreciates reader feedback. Please read a letter to the editor from supporting ECO-AUDIT member Phil Persons on Environmental Benefits of Using Recycled Paper page 21. CCOF Magazine is printed on New Leaf Opaque 70# paper, 80% recycled, made with 80% post- consumer waste, and bleached without the use of chlorine or chlorine compounds, resulting in mea- surable environmental benefits.1 New Leaf Paper has provided CCOF with the following report of the annual environmental savings: Submissions to the CCOF Magazine 123 Trees Letters to the editor are gladly accepted, pro- 60,884 Gallons of water vided letters are succinct and remain on topic. 5,945 Pounds of solid waste Letters must include complete contact informa- 93 Million BTUs of energy (0.9 Years of electricity required by the average US home) tion, including daytime telephone number, and 12,403 Pounds of greenhouse gases (10,842 miles equivalent driving the average American car) must be signed. Letters are subject to editing 30 Pounds of air emissions (HAPs, VOCs, TRSs combined) and will not be returned. Submitting a letter 371 Pounds of hazardous effluent (BODs, TSSs, CODs, AOXs) to the editor does not guarantee printing. 1 Environmental benefits are calculated based on research done by Environmental Defense, the For information about submitting articles other members of the Paper Task Force, and Conservatree, who studied the environmental to CCOF Magazine, or to discuss article ideas, impacts of the paper industry. Contact ED for a copy of their report and the latest updates on please contact Keith Proctor toll free at 1-888- 423-2263, ext. 27, or e-mail to [email protected] their data. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Absorbable Organic Compounds (AOX). Advertisement Policy & Rates Display advertising available. Discounts available for CCOF Certified clients and for annual MAGAZINE PRODUCTION advertising commitments. Please inquire for Editor: Keith L. Proctor, [email protected] Printed at Community Printers, Santa Cruz, CA rates and a quote. Graphic Design: Marianne Wyllie, [email protected]

Classified line ads cost $10 per line. Seven words CCOF Magazine is printed using linseed oil-based inks on 80% recycled/80% post-consumer waste equal one line. There is a three-line minimum. paper. Processed chlorine-free. New Leaf Paper, 1-888-989-5323. Payment for line ads is required in advance. Line ads are free for CCOF Certified clients. Magazine reprints available with prior consent and source identification. CCOF does not endorse Classified line ads will be posted on our website advertisers nor guarantees their products are OMRI/NOP approved. for three months at no additional cost. Web- only advertising available. DISTRIBUTION CCOF Magazine, with a circulation of 7,000, is distributed quarterly to certified clients and supporting To place a display or classified advertisement or to members and consumers in California and around the United States. It is also mailed to supporting receive rates and a quote, contact Keith Proctor members in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. at 831-423-2263, ext. 27, fax 831-423-4528, or [email protected]. Advertisements submitted via e-mail are greatly appreciated. CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS 1115 MISSION STREET • SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 • 831-423-2263 • 831-423-4528 (FAX) 888-423-2263 (TOLL FREE) • General e-mail inquiries: [email protected] • Website: www.ccof.org

FEATURE ARTICLE

MAINSTREAMING AMERICA TO ORGANIC PROCESSED FOOD

By Lisa M. Hamilton

AST WEEKEND I WENT TO A PICNIC. It I mean this literally: even the Albertson’s in So while produce remains the perennial was a standard spread: deli meats and Sheridan, Wyoming (population ~16,000), symbol of organics, in fact the billion-dollar L white bread, Hellman’s mayonnaise, now stocks organic produce. But also, and industry is built increasingly on processed jars of salsa, and Coca-Cola—a familiar perhaps more so, I mean this conceptually: food. Rod Crossley, a certification consultant menu. But there in the midst of it all was organic food has who has been on something that took me by surprise: a bag been brought to the We wouldn’t even be a blip if it weren’t for the California of organic Tostitos. Weirder still, nobody else lifestyle of the regu- Organic Products found them remarkable. lar consumer, re- Advisory Commit- Had I heard the phrase “organic Tostitos” shaped so that it the market of processed foods. It has enabled tee (COPAC) and without seeing the bag itself, I would have can slide in and the National taken it for hyperbole. But it turns out I’m quietly fill roles that the production of more organic food, more Organic Standards the minority. Those chips are now the truth; already exist in the Board (NOSB), that picnic table was actually a rough reflec- average diet. Tom organic farmers, and better food for people.” put it to me tion of contemporary organic food and its Lacina, Chief Op- plainly: “That’s entrance into mainstream American life. As erating Officer of Wildwood Natural Foods, where the real growth of the industry is and if to prove the point, the chips sat next to a explains, “Just because they are eating always has been. I mean, you can only sell so bag of non-organic Tostitos, suggesting the organic, people wouldn’t say I’m going to buy many fresh fruits and vegetables.” an organic potato, carrot, and beet and go two were simply different flavors. MIXED REVIEWS home and cook a stew tonight.” Instead, The people around the table were similarly As organic food has grown up and grown there is Walnut Acres Autumn Harvest soup, representative of organic food’s modern life. away from its origins, there is debate over Imagine Organic Creamy Potato Leek, and They weren’t bearded or braless, nor were whether the transformation is positive. Purists Amy’s Vegetable Barley. they all wealthy, educated Caucasian women argue that farmers and processors should hold Michelle Barry of the Hartman Group aged 35–45. According to “Organic Con- paramount its social aims—encouraging explains that people are most willing to spend sumer Evolution” (2003), a study by the local food systems, connecting people with money for organic versions of things they eat Hartman Group, these stereotypical support- their food, improving farm life, respecting the often, reasoning that frequency increases the ers comprise only 10% of the market. The earth, and constructing a fundamentally dif- unhealthy impact of non-organic options. If group this party represented was the real aver- ferent kind of agriculture. Others contend someone drinks several quarts of milk a week, age organic consumers, the 53% of the mar- that the popularization of organics is the only for instance, she would switch to organic ket that is responsible for driving the way to make the movement big enough to milk in order to avoid the concentration of industry’s explosive growth. According to the have an impact on Middle America. hormones. Would she spring for organic sour Hartman Group, these consumers defy Mark Lipson, Policy Program Director at cream? Probably only if it were a daily food. stereotype: they are African-American and Organic Farming Research Foundation, Study after study shows the categories of Asian, Latino and Caucasian, male and thinks that overall things have changed for frequently eaten foods are the ones with star- female, affluent and not. If you mixed them the best. “We’re still a very small portion of tling growth. A USDA/ERS study reported into a crowd on a city sidewalk, you would be American agriculture,” he says. “We wouldn’t that of the more than 800 new organic prod- hard-pressed to pick them out. even be a blip if it weren’t for the market of ucts released in the first half of 2000, the What binds them is concern for health processed foods. It has enabled the produc- majority were desserts. The 2003 Whole Foods and at least a passing concern for the environ- tion of more organic food, more organic Market Organic Foods Trend Tracker showed ment, but at heart they are still regular con- farmers, and better food for people. No that snacks had the fastest growth in their sumers. They compare prices and clip doubt that some of it has got a lot of hype stores. The Organic Trade Association’s “2004 coupons. They want food to be familiar, and not enough substance, but it’s still Manufacturer Survey” confirmed this to be convenient, and easy. They now buy organic organic agriculture at the core of it.” industry-wide, with organic snack sales grow- food—and have thus fueled a $10-billion-a- The bottom line is: more organic sales ing by 29.6%—second only to the BSE- year industry—because it has come to them. means more organic acreage. I haven’t met inspired 77.8% rise in the organic meat, fish, anyone who disputes the benefit there (even and poultry category.

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if they will concede success in only the sheer CONSUMER DEMAND responsibility. But transforming organic food pounds of pesticides avoided). Every time a Adapting to please the customer is a funda- from a set of values into a commercial prod- corporation launches an organic line, it mental part of most business. While it has uct meant balancing ideals with the things means that farmland somewhere has been lately reached extremes in the organic arena, that matter to consumers. Sacrificing the rice converted to organic production. It also it’s not new. Bryce Lundberg, of the venera- bran seemed huge at the time, but really the means organic farming research attracts cru- ble organic rice company Lundberg Family Lundbergs had tipped the scale only slightly cial financial support. Farms, remembers that the family faced toward their customers. They maintained The increasing market also gives struggling issues of compromise even in the early 1970s. every other bit of their philosophy and pure- non-organic farmers a way to stay in business. “At one point we had a strong commit- ness of technique. Relative to what has hap- Tom Lacina explains, “Without organic food ment to not produce white rice,” he told me. pened over the past decade, it was nothing. production having come more center stage, “In fact, that was one of the reasons that we As corporations like Dean Foods and we wouldn’t have created the critical mass started our own company: the co-op wouldn’t Heinz own more and more of the market, that gives them the opportunity to transition work with brown rice. Simply, rice is much many small farmers lose out, many small their land, get a higher price for their prod- healthier when eaten with the bran layers businesses crumble or are consumed, and, uct—and then survive on perhaps even less intact. Taking it off was something we weren’t some say, the ideals that drive organics are land.” This is particularly important for going to participate in. I can remember talk- abandoned. I don’t disagree, but it’s worth growers of commodities like soybeans, who ing about white rice as ‘tombstone rice.’ going past the anger to understand how and can’t sell their product at a farmers’ market or “By the mid-70s we started making some why this has occurred. co-op; their survival depends on the large- varieties in white rice. Today there’s even one “Companies like Heinz, General Mills, scale processed food market. variety that we offer only in white. At one and Smuckers are investing in the organic Popularizing organic food also has point that seemed like a big compromise, but sector because, as everyone is aware, money increased the sheer number of consumers now it just doesn’t. We listen to what our cus- follows growth and profit.” That’s what Gene who know and care about it. Often that tomers want.” Kahn, VP of General Mills and founder of involvement lacks depth, but again, many The Lundbergs’ question was part of a Cascadian Farms, told Food Processing Maga- people argue for critical mass. larger question the movement began asking zine in 2001. “The roots of the organic movement speak early on: what does organic encompass? Steve de Muri of Campbell Soup Com- not just about not using chemicals but about Should it mean nutrition? If so, then should pany explained to me why his company had what it means to be human,” Tom Lacina white rice and white bread be disallowed, recently launched an organic line. “We have a told me. “Organic was speaking to a history since whole grains are superior? What about healthy image that we want to promote. that we were losing. It pushed us to ask ques- iceberg lettuce? Organic fits nicely with our health and well- tions to try to understand who we are and the In its purest, most idealistic form, organic ness strategy. Also, we know that some of our consequences of how we live. Buying the did mean nutrition. It also meant supporting competition is in organics now, so we wanted organic Tostitos is not going to do that. I alternative economies, farmer empowerment, to get in.” don’t care if you have a philosophical docu- consumer involvement, and environmental ment on the back of the Earthbound Farm: Setting an Example bag—most people don’t even read that. But if they Started in 1984, Earthbound Farm has grown immensely in the last 20 years. Now under Natural Selection are willing to pay the pre- Foods, the company holds nearly 60% of the American market for organic bagged salad. Like any other mium, they have at least company, Earthbound provides to consumers what they want in terms of product, but unlike many other begun to ask the questions. organic businesses, they go a step further – they educate consumers about organic, and consumers realize They know they are doing that, yes, this is also something that they want. something. They might not A visit to Earthbound Farm’s website (www.earthboundfarm.com) reveals much in the way of educa- understand it, but they’re tion for the present day consumer as well as the next generation. They provide detailed information on their willing to contribute the 25 history, reasons to choose organic, recipes, organic farming practices, quality & food safety, and more. They also provide a children’s area on their website complete with information to read, print out, and color – cents extra toward it. That helping to make learning about organics fun. doesn’t make the change, In addition to public education, Earthbound gives back to the Earth in ways that the consumer does but it does make a change. not see. Earthbound calculates its annual carbon emissions from the entire operation and donates to Amer- The reality is that if we ican Forest, a national reforesting non-profit which calculates and then plants the number of trees needed really want to affect the to absorb Earthbound’s annual emissions. Earthbound also contracts with small- and medium-sized farms population broadly we to help supply what the consumer demands – and help keep other farms in business. have to go into the food In the end, the customer is educated and satisfied, smaller farms are assured their business, and network. I don’t want to Earthbound continues to maintain its beliefs in the social and environmental benefits of sound organic just be a symbol, I want to farming and food production. be an effect.”

Summer 2004 Page 3 Companies drawn to organic food produc- explained, “They will say they care about approved to make organic processed foods tion for money, competition, and strategy environment and everything. If asked on commercially feasible. To maintain trade with make decisions differently from the Lund- a survey, they would say yes, they would Japan, the waxing of fruit was approved. Nat- bergs of the 1970s. Organic pioneers were check it off a list as a reason why they buy ural flavors and colors were allowed. “Ten balancing their ideals with what consumers organic food. But when they get out there, years ago, chlorine was absolutely unaccept- wanted, making concessions to the latter only what’s driving them is the concerns of health. able for post-harvest handling,” one veteran as necessary. Modern corporations have dif- They believe that eating organic food will told me. “Today, you couldn’t run a packing ferent ideals to balance. Those entering protect them.” house without it.” organics might embrace some ideas about While they also believe that buying The story is the same as with the Lund- progressive farming, but, as publicly traded organic food will help the environment, their bergs’ decision to sell white rice: at the time, companies, their primary “ideal” is profit. knowledge of how it will do that is cursory. the concessions seemed contentious; now Since profit comes from giving customers They know that pesticides are bad, but few they are minor. Yet if you gather all those what they want, there ends up being little to know what harm they do. “It’s hard enough amendments and compare their sum total— balance—their pursuit is exclusively one of for them to think outside their household, today’s organic standard—to the original def- satisfying customers. Being “organic”—the much less think about it on a global scale,” inition of 1979, the contrast is shocking. part about farming—becomes a matter of says Barry. What people want is to be assured Indeed, the majority of processed food doing what is necessary to meet consumer that organic food benefits them and the labeled with the word “organic” includes expectations. planet, so they don’t have to think about it. non-organic ingredients. As of May 2004, The net effect is that consumers are The USDA gave that assurance in 2002 there are over 100 additives and agents allowed to direct the continuing evolution with the National Organic Standards. This allowed in the processing of organic food. of organic food. Unfortunately, most of them standardization of organic food production There are exceptions for the substitution of aren’t qualified to do so. In the same report welcomed in and provided assurances to the non-organic ingredients when organic equiv- that debunked the stereotype of who an average consumer, and the resulting boom alents are commercially unavailable—a organic consumer is, the Hartman Group has led to increased organic acreage—some clause some claim is used as a loophole. presented some raw truth about why that predicted an extra 75,000 acres in 2003. When considered altogether, are these con- average consumer—the group driving As with any government regulation, there cessions still minor? It depends who’s talking. growth—buys organics. Michelle Barry is debate over how to tune these technical Are they necessary? Again, it depends who guidelines to be real- you ask. But if you want to make organic istic and fair. The food palatable to a non-organic American California Organic palette, then the answer is yes to both. Foods Act of 1979 “There is this general expectation that defined organic organic food tastes as good, if not better, than processed foods as conventional food,” says Brian Baker, having 100% research director of the Organic Materials organic ingredients, Review Institute. “To do that, you have to go with zero additives into your bag of tricks. That’s the only way to aside from water stay competitive.” and salt. This was Baker’s organization conducts technical adjusted to allow cit- assessments of materials proposed for use in ric acid and ascorbic organic farming and food production. Even acid (pH balance in as a self-described purist, he concedes that canned tomatoes), compromises are necessary to widen the but for some years organic market. Yet as a researcher assessing that was it. Then the substances that people want the NOP to Washington State approve, he can’t help but be a little cynical. and Oregon “I was talking to a food processor about adopted their own some material he was petitioning, and I said, laws in the 1980s, ‘Well, if we want organic to take over one allowing about hundred percent of the food industry, we 1–2% additives so should just O.K. everything that’s allowed in baking powder and conventional food. While we’re at it, we yeast could be used. could make it the same price, and we would Gradually other have the whole market overnight.’” additives were Baker says the processor got the message. The San Francisco Chronicle’s May 22 front movement’s original values that emphasize The reason people buy organic food is that page article began: “A showdown is taking “why organic” beyond the average family’s it’s different. “He realized that if we lose that shape over the nation’s organic food stan- front door. This is the only way to maintain, reason, we lose our market.” dards, triggered by a spate of recent rule and in some cases win back, organic integrity changes that some producers and activists say and the market that accompanies it. We have CONSUMER RESPONSE are setting a pattern that could eventually seen an average 20% increase per year in In April, the USDA provided a wake-up call render the organic label meaningless.” organic sales because of these new consumers about the continual loosening of the organic A new organic farmer I know in Marin was that are choosing organic with their dollars. standards. It issued, without public review or furious. He was sure his customers would Yet at the same time, they are not likely to be comment, four “guideline statements” that start to think that there really was no differ- those organic supporters that will write letters would have crippled the foundations of ence between his fruit and the next guy’s. If and make phone calls to their elected officials organic farming. Among other things, they consumers start believing that organic food in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. in effectively allowed for the use of some chemi- does not guarantee them safety and health, defense of organic standards. Most of them cal pesticides, non-organic animal feeds, and what will keep them from deserting? wouldn’t know what to protest. antibiotics (Certification Corner, page 33). Even as organic Tostitos expand the indus- Here is where the organic movement needs The backlash was severe. The Consumers try by assimilating it to the mass market, to return to its roots and actively educate Union curtly wrote, “These … statements fly many people contend that organic food’s sal- consumers on the detailed benefits of organic in the face of Congressional intent of the vation lies in maintaining—and celebrat- —for themselves, their families, pets, neigh- Organic Food Production Act of 1990.” The ing—the ways in which it is different. These borhoods, schools, land, rivers, oceans, Organic Integrity Project of Wisconsin’s Cor- include the absence of highly toxic petro- wildlife, society, the economy, and for people nucopia Institute was less polite. “The politi- chemicals in farming and processing, the sim- and places they will never know. We cannot cal appointees and bureaucrats at the USDA’s pler nature of food, and the belief that rely on 550 pages of federal organic standards National Organic Program (NOP) are organic farming is a way to change the world. to educate new consumers and nurture a con- becoming masters at creating loopholes for Some believe that we must maintain a higher tinuing movement. corporate organic farming. [Do you w]ant to price for organic food, and honor it as a Baker sums it up well. “The person who raise chickens without access to the outdoors, reflection of an agricultural system that can defend the organic standard best is a well- include an unapproved preservative in your requires more time, labor, and care, and offers informed consumer.” product, bring in replacement dairy cattle a fair financial shot-up with antibiotics and from nonor- return to organic ganic sources? No problem, the NOP would businesses. Others not think of making you choose between the contend that the integrity of organic agriculture and your price of organic greedy zeal to increase profits.” food needs to That Secretary of Agriculture Anne Vene- come down to a man retracted the guidelines less than a level more in line month after they were issued is evidence that with non-organic the public is not entirely asleep or without food—making it influence. Yet that the guidelines lasted that more accessible to long indicates something else: the forces seek- more consumers. ing to redefine organics using the corporate Either way, to agriculture model are more powerful than further advance most people knew. organic food on a What concerns this author is not the need national scale, con- to challenge those forces, but rather the army sumers need to be we have to fight the battle. Yes, there are involved more more organic consumers every day. But are deeply and seri- they passionate, involved, dedicated—the ously with their qualities needed to sustain a contest for some- food. That comes thing as intangible as integrity? The core from giving them group is, but the Hartman Group’s survey something real to indicates that the majority of people buying care about. We organic food are motivated by concern for need an active and themselves and their families, not the larger pronounced turn movement. back toward the PROCESSORS Profiles of CCOF Certified Processors By Elena Conis

Humboldt Creamery Association...... Redwood Valley Cellars . . . . Becoming a certified organic dairy was easy for the Humboldt Creamery Association. Perhaps the greatest challenge for the The 65-family cooperative voted more than ten years ago to adopt a no-growth-hormone organic wine industry lies in overcoming policy for their farms. And most of the co-op’s member farms have been pasture-based for recent history, said David Rosenthal, decades. winemaker and general manager at “You don’t see that in a lot of Western states,” said association CEO and president Rich Redwood Valley Cellars. Ghilarducci. Most non-organic dairies keep cows confined and use the genetically engi- Just 10 to 15 years ago, said Rosenthal, neered hormone rBST to stimulate milk production—practices prohibited by organic regu- organic winemaking was a fledgling lations. industry, riddled with unsolved problems. Ghilarducci said the co-op’s farmers have the added advantage of a long, northern Cali- Growing grapes organically was a feat, but fornia growing season, which permits their cows to graze on fresh, green grass—as opposed it wasn’t nearly as difficult as processing to non-organic feed—year round. those grapes into drinkable wine. Humboldt Creamery Association is now in its 75th year—but just its second year of “The first organic wines tended to be organic production. When the USDA released its national organic guidelines in 2002, the bad,” said Rosenthal. “Public perception co-op realized that their own practices was that they just didn’t taste very good.” mirrored the regulations. To this day, growers remain wary of the Soon after, they started shipping public’s response to organic wines. “Lots tankers full of organic milk to outside and lots of wine grapes are being grown manufacturers. But volume and demand organically. But I’d say the proportion of grew so fast, said Ghilarducci, that wines made with organic grapes is much within a year the co-op was picking up larger than what you see on wine labels,” tankers from its farmers and bringing it Rosenthal added. right back to its own facility for process- On average, organic wines taste better ing. Today, 20 percent of the co-op’s today than they used to, said Rosenthal. products are organic, including fluid But winemakers are still perfecting the milk, ice cream and powdered milk. production process. Ghilarducci said the switch to processing organic milk was a “seamless transition” for In organic wine processing, sulfites are the company. Because the co-op uses the same facility for organic and non-organic end prohibited, “which means there’s no products, they need to take special care to keep batches segregated—something they were preservative to stop the wines from oxida- already used to doing. “We do a lot of custom products,”—like customized ice cream prod- tion and microbial spoilage,” said Rosen- ucts and specialty powders for chocolate manufacturers—“so we were already accustomed thal, who has more than twenty years of to it.” winemaking experience. But there is one thing the co-op is still getting used to when it comes to producing—and “As a winemaker, you sleep better at marketing—organic products. “It’s a different market than we’ve worked with for the last night when you add sulfites,” said Rosen- 75 years,” Ghilarducci said. “Organic products are not as visible in the marketplace,” he thal. Without them, he explained, wine explained. “But it’s changing—there’s 25 percent growth in organic dairy products nation- storage tanks must be kept cool, and pro- ally now, and we’re trying to adjust that.” duction is limited to red wines only. Tan- There are also different management practices for growers to adapt to, including nins in red wine act as natural sponges, demanding recordkeeping practices. On top of that, Ghilarducci said some of the co-op’s soaking up oxygen molecules that would farmers are straining to figure out USDA guidelines “that are not real clear—like issues otherwise cause unwanted oxidation. with calf raising. The process [outlined in the guidelines] raises lots of questions.” White wines are tannin-free, which makes Overall, taking on organic production has been worth it, said Ghilarducci. “It fits our them susceptible to browning when pro- mission of sustainable agriculture and being stewards of the land,” he said, “as well as pre- duced organically. serving family farms.”

Page 6 CCOF Magazine

Organic wine production is also compli- Apollo Olive Oil ...... cated by the need to prevent contamination Back in the 1990s, a passion for ancient Greek culture drew organic stone-fruit farmer from non-organic batches. “It can be a Steven Dambeck to Sicily and Greece for four years. Once there, he discovered a separate headache,” said Rosenthal. passion that redirected his business back in California. Redwood Valley Cellars processes about “In those countries, olive oil is such an important thing,” said Dambeck. In Mediter- one to two tanks of organic wine each ranean markets shoppers choose from more than twenty different types of olives. His inter- year—just one percent of its total output, est piqued, he began to study the varieties and make plans to bring some home. Rosenthal estimated. The facility’s equip- “I had planted olives before, but only when I got back did I really know what to do with ment is rinsed with water between non- them,” he said. organic batches. But when processing an Dambeck is now miller, grower and part owner of Apollo Olive Oil, Inc. of Oregon organic wine, the units must be cleaned House, California. Starting in 1997, the company has imported 42 different varieties of with soda ash and rinsed with citric acid olives. About half the varieties are in production now, and all should be in production and water. “It’s not a big struggle,” said within the next two years. Dambeck runs Apollo with the help of a group of friends-cum-business-partners, all of them organic devotees. Diana and Gianni Stefanini take care of Apollo’s microbiology and marketing needs. Edward and Janet Klaner own the company’s authentic olive mill, which Edward helped Dambeck buy in Italy. Dambeck says no one in the company ever suggested that Apollo’s oil would be anything but organic. “Consumers can recognize the flavor benefits—and you can’t get those flavor benefits if you’re not nourishing the whole environment around the tree.” The company certified its olive groves in 2000 and its mill in 2003. Producing an organic extra virgin olive oil takes organic olives, of course, as well as a lot of labor. Virgin oils are produced exclusively mechanically, that is, through crushing, press- ing and spinning—and without the addition of solvents or high temperatures. Winemaker Dave Rosenthal and Charlie Barra. But the added labor doesn’t weigh on Dambeck. He claims his biggest frustration comes not from meeting organic regulations but from the lack of regulations specific to the olive Rosenthal. “It’s just something we’ve had to oil industry. “My biggest problem is that on the same shelf as our carefully crafted product learn to do differently.” is someone else who’s selling who knows what,” Dambeck said. Because of the lack of fed- Redwood Valley Cellar’s organic line eral regulation, he explains, any manufacturer can put the words “extra virgin” on their consists of five wines bearing the Barra of olive oil, even if the product was processed using solvents and high temperatures. Mendocino label. The Barra grapes are Among Dambeck’s imports are a Ligurian variety that makes a soft oil and one from grown in Redwood Valley by Charlie Barra, Palestine that makes an oil with a pungent bite. He also spent time as an apprentice in the whose family has been farming grapes for Provence region of France, learning to make what he calls “delicate, elegant oils.” more than a century; Barra himself has been There’s no comparison between crafted organic oils like Apollo’s and “your standard farming in the area for more than 50 years. supermarket oil,” said Dambeck. “One’s a living product, one’s not.” It was Barra’s desire to put an organic And he remains confident that consumers can recognize the difference between a hand label on their wines that led Redwood Valley crafted organic oil and a conventionally processed one, even if it takes a little training. Cellars to become certified, said Rosenthal. “I may have to go consumer by consumer, but if I can have them for half an hour, they Certification has had its benefits for Red- become consumers for a lifetime.” wood Valley Cellars. “It’s opening up our options,” said Rosenthal. “There’s a big European market for bulk organic wine.” The facility also does overflow processing for other organic wineries. Overall, processing organic wines has HEADSTART been a learning opportunity, said Rosen- thal. He stressed that it’s one he values. “You have to keep such a close eye on the NURSERY wines. It’s been interesting to see how they develop and age.” Vegetable Transplants But Rosenthal said he’s glad he’s just the winemaker. “I’m not responsible for how 4869 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020 the products turn out,” he said. “I’m just (408) 842-3030 • (408) 842-3224 Fax following protocol.”

Summer 2004 Page 7 Campbell’s Soup Company. . the principles of sustainable agriculture and Added ingredients posed another problem. As one of the overseers of Campbell Soup environmental friendliness. Our new organic For its tomato juice, Campbell’s needed not Company’s new line of organic products, products provide our consumers with an just organic tomatoes but also organic Steve De Muri spends a lot of time on the organic alternative to our conventional prod- approved ascorbic acid—not too hard to road these days. ucts, and give strict organic consumers the find. But more complex products (still in the “A lot of work goes into prepping our option of selecting a nationally known brand.” works) are presenting bigger hurdles. plants for [organic] certification,” he said. When numerous consecutive years of dou- “These are multi-ingredient products, With facilities in Texas, Ohio and North Car- ble-digit growth had accumulated and some containing 10 to 15 ingredients. We’ve olina getting ready to pass muster, De Muri, a organic ingredients became more readily had a hard time finding a full set of ingredi- research program director at Campbell’s, has available, the company decided the time was ents that meet the national standards.” been busy. right. De Muri noted that Campbell’s is “one of De Muri said Campbell’s waited for the the first ‘big ones’ to get into organics.” But USDA to unveil its federal organic regula- he emphasized that the company is approach- tions first, which it did in 2002. “It made it ing its organics line differently from other big easier for a large company like us to get into players. “We’re not going to come up with the market,” said De Muri. “It leveled the another label,” he said. “We are proud of our playing field.” healthy product heritage, and want our con- Campbell’s worked with its existing suppli- sumers to know without a doubt that these ers to produce the juice. Several central Cali- are Campbell’s products,” drawing a contrast fornia growers producing non-organic between Campbell’s and some other large tomatoes for the company were simultane- companies, which sell organic foods under ously producing organic tomatoes for other lesser known labels. buyers—so Campbell’s simply asked them Overall, the product has been well-received Campbell’s introduced its first organic to grow organic crops for them, too. by consumers, already growing the organic product, tomato juice, last fall. It is now in One of the biggest challenges in producing vegetable juice segment by nearly 300%— the process of developing several more the juice lay in isolating the organic process- and by Campbell’s employees themselves. organic items, including chicken and veg- ing systems from the non-organic systems at “It’s met with a lot of enthusiasm within etable broths. Campbell’s plants. “We had to make sure the company,” De Muri said. It’s an enthusi- “Campbell’s has looked into organics sev- organic integrity would be maintained asm he shares: “I’m happy to be involved in eral times over the last 10 years,” said De throughout the process,” De Muri explained. something that’s good for the world in Muri. “We are very interested in the health To avoid any glitches, the company invested general—but also good for the growth of the and well-being of our consumers, as well as in new equipment. company.” Fine Dried Foods ...... Today, Brown’s company contracts with of Fine Dried Food’s products are non- While traveling the world in the 1970s, Mexican mango growers to help them farm organic.) They also battle with the constant Rusty Brown developed an interest in small organically and get certified. Through the pressure of documentation. “The paper scale technologies that could make a differ- contract, Fine Dried Foods agrees to buy trail from the field to the end product has ence in people’s lives—and the environment. all products at a fair price. Twenty-five to be complete,” said Brown. In 1979 he received a grant from the US farmers now grow organic mangoes on The past two years have been particu- Department of Energy to develop such a some 600 acres of land in Sinaloa. The larly trying for Fine Dried Foods. A hurri- technology: a solar drier, which he envi- fruits are dried in a certified facility nearby. cane in Nayarit devastated mango crops, sioned being used for tropical fruit. Brown describes himself as a trailblazer and lots of contracted farmers abandoned “There’s a lot of product that goes to in the area of dried, organic, high quality the company to sell on the open market, waste” in the third world, said Brown. His tropical fruit production. “We’ve had to where prices were higher. premise then—and now—is that drying so- figure out everything over the years,” he Fine Dried Foods processes more than called agricultural waste can increase food said. “It’s not like with corn, where every- mangoes: the company buys and dries no. supplies and market options for farmers. thing is laid out for you in books.” 2 product (rejects) from an organic tomato Brown now runs Fine Dried Foods, a Volume is a recurring problem for the grower in Cuiliacan, Mexico. The company Santa Cruz, California company specializ- operation, because the facilities are limited is also in the early stages of working with a ing in dried, high quality tropical fruits. in how much they can process, and because pineapple grower in Tapachula, Mexico, Fine Dried Foods officially got off the the drying process they use is so slow. providing him with organic starts and ground in 1989, though Brown had been “Sometimes we get 250 tons at a time on other means to ultimately become certified. experimenting with crops and processes the loading dock,” said Brown. Fruits The company’s programs are based on for years by then. spend between one to three days getting some of Brown’s personal convictions Fine Dried Foods is more than just a dried—four times as long as they’d spend regarding organic farming. “It’s a much processor. Just over 10 years ago, the in conventional, high-temperature drying better way to do agriculture,” he said. “We company helped a fresh banana grower in facilities. have a responsibility to this world that con- Mexico obtain organic certification from The company also has not-uncommon ventional agriculture does not address, and CCOF, a model of cooperation that it has power outages to contend with and the that is sustainability. And,” he added, “the embraced ever since. challenges of separating organic from non- market grows about 20 percent a year.” organic batches in the facility. (About 40%

Lagier Ranches ...... sister, Lois Lagier, adopted a mission that particularly frogs—on the land. And the John Lagier is primarily a small fruit “recognizes their responsibility as stewards health of his soil has improved. grower—sweet cherries, blueberries, black- of the earth.” Gradually, they began to But despite the abundance of life in his berries, Paige and Satsuma mandarins. raise more and more small fruits—and soil, Lagier said following organic guide- This year he’s growing sweet and field corn have them certified as organic. lines pertaining to soil has been one of the and exotic PawPaw, a custard fruit. He also Converting to an organic ranch has hardest things about the transition. “It grows almonds. been a slow process, Lagier said. The farm takes a while for [the soil] to build up,” When fresh fruits aren’t in season, started by having CCOF certify a block of he explained. Conditions have definitely Lagier’s attention turns to processing. blueberries, then moved on to other crops. improved over time, he emphasized, but Lagier Ranches produces fruit pies and Lagier said his motivation came almost there are still spots where the soil is weak. spreads from its organically grown berries entirely from health problems that he and Lagier’s organic crops have also had their and cherries. The company also produces his family were facing at the time. In 1985, share of persistent pests. He attempted to organic almond snacks, flavored almonds Lagier discovered he had a malignant start a citrus block several years ago, but was and almond butter. melanoma. Shortly thereafter, his wife was thwarted by relentless armies of ants. Even- The history of Lagier Ranches’ dates to diagnosed with leukemia. tually some of his trees grew large enough 1874, when Lagier’s great-grandfather “The more we were dealing with these that the ants ceased to be a problem. began farming wheat and barley and rais- health issues, the more it made sense to try “The biggest thing I’ve had to learn is ing mules on the central California land. to clean everything up a bit, lessen our patience,” says Lagier. “Being in a conven- In the years that followed, Lagier’s grand- exposure to pesticides,” said Lagier. He tional mindset, I had to learn that every- parents and parents grew grapes and and his sister are continuing to transition thing was going to take time now, and that almond trees and raised cattle on his great- all of their crops to certified organic. nothing was going to happen immediately.” grandfather’s land and on nearby plots. Some of the benefits of farming organi- But in the long run Lagier says he feels In 1990, John began diversifying the cally have been easy to see, Lagier said. better being an organic farmer. “Hey,” said family business by planting 18 acres of He’s noticed an increase in wildlife— Lagier, “it just makes better sense not to cherries. He and his business partner and put poisons in our foods.” Summer 2004 Page 9 Duchy Originals ...... cuits are made with organic wheat and oats tion to continue bearing the word “organic” Walkers Shortbread is familiar to many con- grown on the Prince’s estate and Walkers’ on their packages. sumers; the product’s distinctive red-and- Home Farm in the Scottish Highlands. All “The whole thing acted as a trade black plaid boxes can be found on grocery ingredients are certified by the Soil Associa- embargo,” said Richard Dix, Walker’s quality store shelves across the country and around tion—the U.K.’s organic certifying agency. assurance manager. “One moment we were the world. Duchy Originals biscuits sold in gift tins exporting to the US market and the next The century-old company churns out enjoy an added sale-boosting feature: the tins moment, we couldn’t.” more than just shortbread. For the last twelve are decorated with reproductions of watercol- Dix said the company ran into one prob- years the company has been producing ors painted by the Prince of Wales. lem after another attempting to certify the Duchy Originals, a line of organic cookies Duchy line in addition to a Walkers oatcake launched by Prince Charles himself. and shortbread fingers. “There’s a much “I established Duchy Originals with the more rigid, extensive focus on tracing organic aim of encouraging the wider adoption of ingredients back to the farmyard” than there organic farming and food production,” said is in the U.K., Dix explained. At great cost, the Prince on the event of the company’s the company imported certified US butter to launch in 1990. The Prince added that his bake with, only to find out that the butter decision to launch such a company was based alone wouldn’t speed up the certification in his beliefs in organic farming’s “clear” process: “It turned out we needed a paper advantages—that it results in healthier foods trail on each and every ingredient,” Dix said. while protecting wildlife and ecosystems. In May, the company finally received word Walkers had produced its first organic that the two Walkers products and the product, a savory oaten biscuit, in the early Duchy biscuits were certified, through 1990s. Soon after, they were fielding requests CCOF. Over in the U.K., Duchy is by now for organic cookies from other companies, well established—it’s one of the top organic including Sainsbury’s and Duchy Originals. brands in the country. The label isn’t reserved Today, Walkers produces Duchy’s own for just cookies and crackers, either. Duchy Organic Oaten Biscuit, Lemon, Orange, and makes a host of other products too, the bulk Gingered biscuits, and Duchy’s Organic of them organic, including preserves, choco- Highland Shortbread. lates, bread, ham, sausages, milk, and even With generous financial support, a cen- But things haven’t gone so smoothly for garden furniture (a recent addition). tury’s worth of baking experience, and His the company in the American market. When Referring to the roadblocks they’ve faced Royal Highness on their side, Duchy Origi- the National Organic Program was launched in the US market, Dix said, “at the end of the nals have had few production or marketing in 2002, Walkers was informed that organic day, these things get translated into costs, glitches to contend with in the U.K. The bis- products sold in US stores needed certifica- which get passed on to consumers. Really,” he added, “it is a bit tragic.”

Page 10 CCOF Magazine

BECOME A CCOF SUPPORTING MEMBER support the roots of certified organic food and agriculture

There are many important causes in this world that need and deserve our support. CCOF’s Certified Members, Supporting Members, and staff believe that one of these causes is organic food. CCOF has been working for three decades to increase public awareness of and demand for certified organic products, and to expand support for sustainable agriculture. CCOF has a long history of helping implement organic legisla- tion, and emphasizes public education on the benefits of organic food for our own health, the health of our children, and the health of our planet. Please help ensure that CCOF continues to be a leader in the organic movement. CCOF offers different supporting membership levels and benefit packages for both individuals and businesses. Please select your membership level, and decide how much you would like to contribute. Become a Supporting Member today. For more information visit our website at www.ccof.org or call CCOF toll free at 1-888-423-2263.

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WHY ORGANIC?

GROWTH IN ORGANIC PROCESSING BRINGS GROWTH IN ORGANIC ACREAGE & AWARENESS

By Will Daniels, Director of Quality Assurance, Natural Selection Foods, and CCOF Board Representative, Processor/Handler Chapter

HY ORGANIC? spending time together in the kitchen and bag the salad greens for their week’s Because it just makes good preparing a meal. It’s the love that a cook worth of meals. Even then they thought W sense. I have not been enlight- invests in a dish and the imparting of that pre-washed and bagged special was great ened for as long as many of us, but I am love to those who partake of it. It’s the way idea that someone should market. grateful to have been so. I was raised in the a meal will turn those who are strangers at When their main customer quit buying suburbs of the Bay Area by parents who the appetizers into lovers at dessert. It’s pre- their greens and they had a field full of did a great job raising seven children, but cisely the rituals by which we take our sus- greens with no one to buy them, they operated within the mainstream. They did tenance that makes food so important. And became the “someone” who marketed the what was “right” and tried not to make since it is so important, it only makes good idea as they began selling their Ziploc bags waves. Fortunately, for me, some of their sense that we pay attention to the way we of pre-washed, mixed greens to locally- offspring were born in the 50s and had a cultivate it. owned groceries and natural food stores in rebellious influence on their youngest In college, I started to experiment with the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. brother. As a result, I have always ques- growing vegetables in my backyard garden. That business grew until Costco discovered tioned authority and the norm in search I loved every detail—planning how I was these salads and launched Earthbound of the truth. Was I ever excited to find out to lay out the beds and what I would plant Farm into the large-scale retail bagged salad that organic is the truth! in them. Physically working the soil, business. Growing up in such a large family also putting my sweat into the ground that I watched the evolution of this company taught me the power of food and its influ- would provide for me was immediately since the early 90s while dabbling in vari- ence on society. To me, food is the anchor gratifying. Once the plants started sprout- ous aspects of food professions, from of life, family, and communication. It pro- ing and growing, I was completely hooked. restaurants, to hot sauce companies, to fish vides nourishment, sure, but there’s a I did everything organically, mainly processors, to catering companies, all the whole lot more to it. It’s the family out in because I did not know how to use the while fascinated by these pioneers. I know the garden, growing the fruits and vegeta- chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and what you’re thinking: “Pioneers? Right.” bles together. It’s the mother and child things seemed to be working well without But what I mean is that they were not them. Sure, I had some pest issues through hung up on selling to the “right” customer. that first crop, but I didn’t mind tending to They were determined to get the product the plants one by one to ensure they were out to the mainstream consumer and Growers Since 1883 Processors well. The sense of accomplishment and ful- change the average person’s perception of fillment I derived from the harvest and organic food. And that doesn’t even address enjoyment of that first crop turned me into the land base they began to influence. ORGANICALLY GROWN WALNUTS a backyard grower for life. In the late nineties I joined the team at But that is not where my story ends. I Earthbound Farm and have been enjoying had the good fortune of knowing about the ride ever since. Today, we provide some folks who were making a name for organic produce to 8 out of 10 mainstream themselves in the world of organics. They grocery stores throughout the nation and started out with organic raspberries, culi- sell internationally to Canada, Taiwan, and nary herbs, and specialty salad that they the European Union. We now source our Russ & Kathy Lester grew in their backyard and sold to local organic products internationally from Owners restaurants and at a roadside farm stand. countries like Chile, New Zealand, 5430 Putah Creek Road • Winters, CA 95694-9612 They were too tired to harvest and wash Ecuador, and Mexico, and we’re looking to 530/795-4619 • FAX 530/795-5113 greens for their own meals after a long day’s other places, as well. www.dixonridgefarms.com • [email protected] work in the fields. So they would harvest What this means is that because of for themselves one day a week, pre-wash Earthbound Farm’s partnerships, more

Page 12 CCOF Magazine than 24,500 acres of land around the world surrounding communities will be around is being farmed the way it was meant to be, for generations to come, providing deli- without the use of persistent and toxic cious, nutritious, safe, and high quality chemicals. It means that, on an annual organic products that people will enjoy basis, this land is free of about 3.5 million again and again and again! pounds of pesticides and synthetic fertiliz- ers that otherwise would have been used on Natural Selection Foods is America’s largest it. It means that children in the communi- supplier of both specialty salads and organic ties surrounding these acres can play out- produce, appealing to health-conscious side, in their back yards, in their creeks, consumers who prize quality, taste, and rivers, and fields, and their parents won’t culinary innovation. NSF’s organic salads and have to worry about their exposure to wor- produce are marketed under the nationally risome agricultural chemicals. It means that recognized Earthbound Farm® brand. nearly everyone in the country can find Conventionally grown salads are marketed wholesome organic produce right where to foodservice under a variety of labels. they do their regular shopping. It means that we are making a difference. Since starting with Earthbound Farm, I have made a full transformation from eat- ing primarily non-organic to primarily organic. I am grateful to have been enlight- ened about the many benefits of organic. My daughter, having grown up in the val- ley where Earthbound Farm was founded, has had the benefit of eating organic her entire life. She and her classmates have the benefit of taking annual fieldtrips to Earth- bound’s Farm Stand and surrounding fields to learn about organic at the source; walk- ing the fields, picking and eating the crop, releasing beneficial insects. What really excites me is fact that we are able to make a significant impact on young people’s lives in a way that will mold their thinking about food and food production into the future. I love the fact that I can bring organic carrot snack packs to a soccer game and the entire team loves them. I am proud to be part of such an impor- tant movement in our society. I know that many of you think that organic has taken a turn for the worse since the National Organic Program (NOP), but I think oth- erwise. Sure, the federal government is involved and that is antithetical to what the founders of certification were looking for, but it has brought a level playing field and legitimacy in the mainstream. This legiti- macy means higher demand. Higher demand means more crop acres are planted. More crop acres mean a broader influence of good stewardship of the land. Good stewardship means that land and its

Summer 2004 Page 13

CALIFORNIA ORGANICS 1992 ~ 2002

ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA

By Karen Klonsky Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis

HE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC FOODS and growth of the organic industry in Cali- Under CDFA regulations, producers of ACT (COFA), signed into law in fornia with respect to acres, farm gate sales organic commodities pay graduated registra- T1990 and amended in 2003, pro- and number of growers. The chapter looks at tion fees based on an operation’s total sales. vides protection to producers, processors, size and growth with respect to major com- However, registrants grossing over $5 million handlers and consumers in that foods pro- modity groups and subregions of California. annually were not obligated to report sales duced and marketed as organic must meet The state’s counties are divided into eight above that amount prior to 2003. While specified standards. As part of the regula- geographic regions based on similar group- most registrants reported actual amounts tory process, COFA requires annual regis- ings used by the California Department of over $5 million, some registrants reported at tration of all processors, growers and Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in their the ceiling. Therefore, the total value of pro- handlers of commodities labeled as organic. annual statistical reports. The six major com- duction in this chapter is undoubtedly State registration is separate from, and does modity group classifications presented also underestimated because income realized by not act as a substitute for, organic certifica- parallel the CDFA reports and include: field some high-revenue producers may not have tion. Registration is mandated by state law crops; fruit crops and nut crops; livestock, been fully accounted for. poultry and products; nursery, forestry and and is administered by CDFA while certifi- CA ORGANIC PRODUCTION IN 2002 flowers; and vegetable crops. The most cation is mandated by federal law and is A total of 1,949 registered organic farmers important individual commodities will also conducted by certification organizations reported gross sales of $260 million for be discussed. accredited by USDA, such as CCOF. organically grown commodities from When interpreting the results, the follow- The Organic Foods Production Act of 170,000 crop production acres during 2002. ing points should be considered. The num- 1990 (OFPA) requires the United States (Tables 1, 2, and 3). Organic agriculture bers contained in this article are derived Department of Agriculture (USDA) to represented approximately 1% of the total solely from information provided in the develop national organic standards for cash income from marketings for all agricul- annual registration forms of organic grow- organically produced agriculture and to ture in the state in 2002, excluding livestock, ers. In other words, the numbers are pre- develop an organic certification program. poultry and products. Organic fruits and sented as reported to CDFA by growers. The final regulations for implementation nuts represent 1.4% of the state total and Only sales from products marketed as of the OFPA were published in the Federal organic vegetable crops represented 2% of organic are required to be reported to Register in December, 2000. The new rule total vegetable marketings (CDFA, 2003). took effect April 21, 2001 and marked the CDFA. This means that income from sales beginning of the transition period. Full of organically grown products sold in the Organic Commodities compliance with the rule was required by non-organic market may not be included. Produce (vegetable, fruit and nut crops) October 21, 2002 at which time products Similarly, income from government pay- includes the commodity groups of most con- began to use the National Organic Pro- ments is not reported. Further, the registra- sequence to registered organic agriculture in gram organic label. The final rule includes tion information does not reveal whether or California. In 2002, produce was grown by a list of allowed synthetic and prohibited not a farm also has non-organic production. the majority of organic farms (83% of the non-synthetic materials as well as labeling Therefore, the size of the farm operation is total farms) and acreage (63% of the total requirements. Unlike COFA, OFPA not known from the registration data; only acreage). Compared to all of California agri- requires all growers grossing $5,000 or the size of the organic enterprise is known. culture, produce is an even greater proportion more to obtain certification from a USDA There are a number of non-organic growers of organic marketings than non-organic mar- accredited certification organization. in California who devote only a portion of ketings, representing 84% of total organic Interest in organic agricultural production their total acreage to organic crop produc- sales and 60% of total sales from has never been greater due to the continuous tion. Therefore, some of the growers that are California’s agricultural commodities. In con- and rapid rate of expansion and the relatively categorized as “small” or “medium-sized” trast, livestock, poultry and products repre- higher prices commanded for organic prod- organic farmers may actually be larger non- sent only 8% of organic sales in 2002 but ucts. This chapter quantifies the current size organic growers experimenting or diversify- routinely contribute more than one-fourth ing with some organic acreage. of statewide income from agriculture.

Page 14 CCOF Magazine

Table 1. Organic Acreage by Commodity Group & Region in CA, 2002 In 2002 there were 45 different com- modities with over $1 million in sales. The LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE FIELD NURSERY & TOTAL highest grossing commodity was grapes fol- REGION FRUIT NUTS POULTRY & CROPS CROPS FLOWERS ACRES lowed by lettuce, carrots, strawberries and PRODUCTS tomatoes (Table 4). Of the top 20 grossing BAY AREA 302 37 665 1,308 10 7 2,329 commodities, eight were fruit crops (grapes, CASCADE 822 67 299 14,020532728815, strawberries, dates, apples, raspberries, SIERRA oranges, avocados, and peaches), seven veg- CENTRAL 2,138 897 17,475 1,147 49170621, etable crops (lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, COAST spinach, celery, broccoli, and mushrooms), NORTH COAST 7,463 1,030 2,124 1,507 86 2,509 14,720 two livestock commodities (dairy and SACRAMENTO 3,039 1,402 2,538 21,588 45137 28,748 chicken) and one nut crop (almonds). The VALLEY top 20 commodities represented 60% of SAN JOAQUIN 13,875 2,298 24,97015,714 53,066 59,926 total sales. VALLEY In 2002 there were 35 different organic SOUTH COAST 12,801 29 4,304 193 78 65 17,470 crops with over 1,000 planted acres. More SOUTHEAST 2,660 31 5,508 1,3399659,612 acreage was planted to rice (14,431 acres) INTERIOR than to any other single crop representing TOTAL ACRES 43,099 5,791 57,883 56,816 334 5,876 169,799 8% of all organic acreage and one-fourth of Table 2. Gross Sales for Registered Organic Growers all field crop acres. Rice sales generated over $7 million, 3% of total organic marketings by Commodity Group & Region in CA, 2002 for the state. Grapes were second in acreage (9,681 acres), with three-quarters planted LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE FIELD NURSERY & to winegrapes. Total grape sales equaled REGION FRUIT NUTS POULTRY & TOTAL SALES CROPS CROPS FLOWERS PRODUCTS $22.7 million, with two-thirds from wine- grapes. Grapes contributed 9% of total BAY AREA $720,860 $65,812 $4,377,087 $64,599 $513,432 $4,680 $5,746,468 organic marketings for the state and over CASCADE 788,023 12,122 403,803 1,784,633 19,599 264,113 3,272,292 half of fruit sales. Lettuces were planted on SIERRA over 15 thousand acres, half of that to salad CENTRAL 13,115,224581,236 44,755,913 216,801 2,879,602 3,065 61,551,841 COAST mix. Total marketings from lettuces were almost 10% of all organic sales. NORTH COAST 13,786,502 398,151 3,705,384 115,538 1,166,965 4,430,45123,602,990

SACRAMENTO Organic Producers 6,041,772 4,709,178 10,865,271 8,394,535 834,280 5,900 30,850,936 VALLEY Produce growers represented 78% of the

SAN JOAQUIN 23,343,635 3,786,854 25,175,938 997,017 166,685 16,069,340 69,539,467 total number of growers in 2002. Almost VALLEY half (44%) of all organic growers produced SOUTH COAST 22,206,669 18,235 24,682,868 289,448 325,872 322,959 47,846,052 fruit crops, about one-fourth (23%) grew

SOUTHEAST vegetable crops and 11% grew nut crops. 8,387,200 3,300 6,809,969 487,073 1,239,047 182,150 17,108,739 INTERIOR Field crops were grown by 11% of produc- TOTAL SALES $88,389,885 $9,574,887 $120,776,232 $12,349,643 $7,145,481 $21,282,659 $259,518,786 ers, nursery and flowers by 8% and live- stock, poultry and products by only 3%. Table 3. Registered Organic Growers by Commodity Group & Region in CA, 2002 These percentages do not add up to 100 because over one-third of organic growers LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE FIELD NURSERY & TOTAL REGION FRUIT NUTS POULTRY & reported sales in more than one commod- CROPS CROPS FLOWERS GROWERS PRODUCTS ity group, most typically vegetable crops

BAY AREA 25 3 33 14 19 5 51 and fruit crops.

CASCADE SIERRA 8122 644321 8 134 Over half of the registered organic grow- ers grossed under $10,000 in 2002 while CENTRAL COAST 133 44 138 30 48 5250 3% grossed over a million dollars (Figure 1). NORTH COAST 223 84 153 45 7329377 Ninety percent of sales were from the 17% SACRAMENTO VALLEY 124 63 7510930 5270 of growers grossing $100,000 or more. The SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY 179 69 66 34 8 16 284 remaining 10% of sales was captured by SOUTH COAST 449 24 1022537 10 490 the 83% of growers grossing under SOUTHEAST INTERIOR 79 6 30 17 45106 $100,000 in annual sales.

TOTAL GROWERS 1,290 315 654 316 240 83 1,949 Page 15 Figure 1. Income Concentration in CA Organic Agriculture, 2002 followed closely with 30% of the acreage and 25% of the sales. The North Coast had 55% 17% of the acreage and 16% of the sales. Two-thirds of the nut acreage was in the % Growers %Sales 42% San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valleys with 89% of the sales split between these two regions. The remaining nut production was split between the Central Coast and North Coast. 21% Three-fourths of the vegetable crop pro- 14% duction took place in the Central Coast 12% 11% 10% 9% 7% and San Joaquin Valley. These two regions 6% 4% 4% 3% 3% accounted for 58% of sales. The Central 0% 1% Coast had 30% of the acreage and 37% of $0-$4,999 $5,000-$9,999 $10,000- $50,000- $100,000- $250,000- $500,000- $1,000,000 $49,999 $99,999 $249,999 $499,999 $999,999 and above the sales while the San Joaquin Valley had Sales Class 43% of the acreage but only 21% of sales. Field crops were grown primarily in the Figure 2. Index Numbers of Growth in CA Organic Agriculture, 1992–2002 Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley with two-thirds of the acreage and three- 450 fourths of the sales. Livestock and poultry 400 production took place primarily in the Acres North Coast and San Joaquin Valley with 350 Sales 95% of the acreage and 97% of the sales. Growers 300 INDUSTRY TRENDS 1992–2002

250 The number of registered organic farms in California increased by over 50% during 200 the eleven-year period 1992–2002 from

150 1,273 to 1,949 growers (Table 5, Figure 2). But the growth has not been even, with the 100 largest growth in 1994, 1998, and 2000. The numbers actually declined from the 50 previous year in 1993 and 2002. By far the 0 largest absolute change in number of grow- 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 ers has been in Fruit and Nut crops, Geographic Distribution of Production while 91% of the acreage in the Cascade- increasing by over 800 growers. Distribution of Acreage. Over one-third of Sierra was in field crops. Over the same period of time acreage the state’s total organic acreage was located quadrupled increasing from 42,000 acres Distribution of Gross Sales. The San in the San Joaquin Valley in 2002 (Table 1). in 1992 to almost 170,000 acres in 2002 Joaquin Valley garnered $70 million in sales Vegetable crops comprised 42% of that (Table 6, Figure 2). Three-fourths of the representing over one-fourth of the state total acreage, fruit and nut crops 27%, and field increase was accounted for by vegetable (Table 2). Seventy percent of the San Joaquin crops 26%. The Sacramento Valley recorded crop and field crop expansion. Field crop Valley income was split evenly between fruit 17% of the state’s organic acreage, with acreage increased by 49,000 acres, almost a and vegetable crops and another 23% was three-fourths of the region’s acreage planted sevenfold increase. Nearly all of the growth from field crops. In contrast, the Central to field crops and the rest mostly divided occurred between 1996 and 2001. Acreage Coast generated $62 million in sales but among fruit, nut, and vegetable crops. actually decreased in 2002 compared to 94% were from fruits and vegetables and less The Central Coast represented 13% of the 2001. Vegetable crop acreage increased by than 1% from field crops. The South Coast total acreage (Table 1). Eighty percent of that 43,000 acres, a fourfold increase. Growth was the third highest grossing region with acreage was planted to vegetable crops. The took place steadily from 1994–2001 with $48 million in sales with fruits and vegetables South Coast had another 10% of the acreage the largest spurts in 1999 and 2001 but evenly splitting 98% of sales. of which almost three-fourths was fruit crops. adjusted downward in 2002. Fruit and nut The North Coast and Cascade-Sierra each Distribution by Commodity Groups. The crop acreage was two and one-half times had 9% of the acreage. Half of the North San Joaquin Valley was the leading region higher in 2002 than 1992, a net expansion Coast acreage was devoted to fruit crops for fruit production with 32% of the of 29,000 acres. Expansion has been con- acreage and 26% of sales. The South Coast stant and greatest between 1997 and 2002.

Page 16 CCOF Magazine Sales increased to three and one-half times what they were in 1992 by 2002 but Table 4. Sales of Top 20 Organic Commodities, Total Sales, the rate of increase tapered off in 2000 and & Organic Percentage of Total Sales – California 2002 ($1,000) 2001 only to pick up again in 2002 (Table 7, Figure 2). The absolute increase was $184 Rank Commodity Organic % of Organic Total a % of Total Organic % of Total million from over $75 million in 1992 to 1 Grapes—all 26,768 10.3 2,650,873 10.1 1.0 wine 14,557 5.6 1,815,292 0.1 0.8 almost $260 million in 2002 (Table 7). raisin 4,072 1.6 401,256 1.5 1.0 Eight percent of the increase was due to table 8,139 3.1 434,325 1.7 1.9 produce sales (fruits and nuts $64 million 2 Lettuces 21,945 8.5 1,370,004 5.2 1.6 increase and vegetables $83 million 3 Carrots 14,268 5.5 433,919 1.7 3.3 increase). Livestock, poultry and products 4 Strawberry 12,525 4.8 841,031 3.2 1.5 contributed 11% of the increase, field 5 Tomato all 10,126 3.9 766,260 2.9 1.3 fresh market 6,228 2.4 269,452 1.03 2.3 crops 5% and Nursery and Flowers 3.5%. processing 3,898 1.5 496,808 1.90 0.8 The most rapid rate of growth was in live- 6 Spinach 8,490 3.3 135,780 0.5 6.3 stock, poultry and products increasing 7 Dairy 8,289 3.2 4,630,171 17.7 0.2 from only $37,000 in sales in 1992 to over 8 Rice 7,118 2.7 138,564 0.5 5.1 $21 million in 2002. 9 Almond 6,830 2.6 731,880 2.8 0.9 10 Celery/Celeriac 6,522 2.5 259,865 1.0 2.5 The number of growers increased by a 11 Dateb 6,229 2.4 52,246 0.1 11.9 much smaller percentage than the number 12 Nursery 6,025 2.3 2,087,447 8.0 0.3 of farmed acres, suggesting that established 13 Chickens (meat) 6,007 2.3 532,452 2.0 1.1 growers increased crop acreage and/or that 14 Apple 5,630 2.2 97,380 0.4 5.8 some new growers entered the program 15 Raspberry 5,525 2.1 41,168 0.2 13.4 with above average farm size (Figure 2). 16 Broccoli 5,501 2.1 438,118 1.7 1.3 17 Orange 4,713 1.8 514,460 2.0 0.9 This is consistent with the observation that 18 Avocado 4,520 1.7 315,842 1.2 1.4 almost 40% of the growth in acreage was in 19 Peach 4,435 1.7 246,743 0.9 1.8 field crops which tend to have much higher 20 Mushrooms 3,664 1.4 160,873 0.6 2.3 acreage per farming unit than produce Total sales 259,520 100.0 26,137,315 100.0 1.0 a crops. Acreage also grew at a faster rate than Includes non-organic and organic b Includes majool variety dates gross sales (401% and 344% respectively, Sources: CDFA, NASS Figure 2). This is again attributable to an increasing importance of field crops (increasing from one-fifth of acreage in vegetable sales and 1.4% of fruit and nut Considering all salad crops as lettuces 1992 to a third of total acreage in 2002) sales in 2002. (including salad mix, endive, radicchio and that have lower sales per acre than any of arugula), the greatest increase in acreage ORGANIC COMMODITIES the other commodity groups. attributed to a vegetable commodity came From 1998 - 2002, vegetable crops posted a Comparing the organic subsector to the from lettuces expanding from 2,600 acres in 48% increase in the number of acres (27,680 whole of California agriculture, gross sales 1998 to 6,500 acres in 2002. In fact, let- acre increase) but only a 22% increase in total of organically grown commodities tripled tuces account for over one-third of the sales ($21.6 million increase), although this between 1992 and 2002, while overall increase in vegetable acreage. However, sales varied widely across regions. Over 90% of the agricultural sales in California increased by did not increase in proportion to the increase in vegetable crop acreage took place 30% over the same period. Growth in acreage, increasing by 23% due primarily to in the Central Coast and the San Joaquin Val- organic sales averaged 20% a year between the decrease in sales from salad mix. Fur- ley. Vegetable crops with the greatest increase 1993 and 1998 but slowed to an average of thermore, the percentage increase in gross in sales include spinach, celery, endive, mush- 8% from 1998 to 2002. In the five year sales is reduced when growers with sales rooms, lettuces, and fresh market tomatoes. period 1998–2002, organic sales increased above the $5 million reporting ceiling accu- Salad mix sales actually decreased over the by 33% while state total sales were stag- rately report increased acreage but do not period. Commodities with the largest increase nant. Organic crop acreage increased four- report the corresponding increase in gross in acreage include salad mix, lettuces, spinach, fold between 1992 and 2002 despite a sales, only the requisite $5 million. carrots and mustard. The acreage data can be decrease in the land in farms for the state Organic fruit crops posted a sales increase somewhat misleading in that the greatest over the same period. Organic agriculture of 28% ($$19 million) between 1998 and increase came from fallow acreage and acreage nevertheless represented only 1% of total 2002, with a 40% increase in acreage (17,040 in cover crops for rotation purposes. It may be cash income California by 2002. Organic acres). The most important commodities for that this is a change in reporting practices produce (vegetable, fruit, and nut crops) sales growth were strawberries, raspberries, rather than an actual change in acreage. was slightly more prominent, with 2% of wine grapes, dates, avocados, apples, and

Summer 2004 Page 17 Table 5. Registered Organic Growers in CA by Commodity Group, 1992 - 2002 peaches. Organic wine grapes increased in sales by over $4 million and acreage LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE NURSERY & TOTAL expanded by over 3,000 acres. In contrast, YEAR FRUIT & NUTS FIELD CROPS POULTRY & CROPS FLOWERS GROWERS sales of table grapes almost halved over the PRODUCTS period while acreage reduced only slightly. 1992797 409 45 11 11 1273 The most important nut crops remained 1993750 305 42 14 7 1,185 almonds and walnuts, with sizeable 1994971 387 46 15 9 1,428 increases in sales and acreage for both. 1995984 427 45 24 12 1,427 Field crops grew in acreage from 1998 – 19961,229 476 70 39 14 1,475 2002, with the number of farmed acreage 19971,063 500 97 68 11 1,533 increasing by over 50% (30,317 acre 19981,376 678 231 163 37 1,909 increase). One-third of the increase in 19991,385 683 271 203 63 1,919 acreage is attributable to pasture and range- land paralleling the increase in livestock and 20001,523 734 298 227 72 2,075 dairy production. Another 25% reflects 20011,574 723 339 252 82 2,102 increases in rice, alfalfa, and wheat acreage. 20021,467 654 316 240 83 1,949 Rice remained by far the most important field crop during the period but with stag- nant sales at around $7 million. Alfalfa was Table 6. Organic Acreage in California by Commodity Group, 1992 - 2002 the second most important field crop with sales increasing from less than half a million LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE NURSERY & YEAR FRUIT & NUTS FIELD CROPS POULTRY & TOTAL ACRES dollars in 1998 to $1.3 million in 2002. The CROPS FLOWERS PRODUCTS importance of field crops to organic agricul- 199219,494 14,503 8,289 16 42,302 ture remained small, falling from 6% of sales 199320,188 12,960 7,412 11 40,571 in 1998 to less than 5% of sales in 2002. This decrease in importance is explained by 199421,731 15,744 7,583 12 45,070 an absolute decrease in sales over the five 199521,783 16,709 7,743 24 46,258 year period in almost every region. The 199621,867 21,052 11,816 33 54,768 decrease in importance is also related to the 199723,758 26,637 17,309 121 67,826 dramatic increase in sales of livestock, poul- 199829,847 30,203 26,499 272 1,083 87,904 try and products. 199938,112 47,757 45,627 759 2,001 134,256 Sales from livestock, poultry, and 200040,430 55,431 58,791 544 4,664 159,860 related products increased by 389% over 200143,621 70,260 56,194 338 4,515 174,928 the past five years, although they remained 200248,890 57,883 56,816 334 5,876 169,799 less than 3% of the organic industry. Dairy production increased from $4 mil- lion to over $11 million. Sales of organic Table 7. Sales for Registered Organic Growers in CA by Commodity Group, 1992 - 2002 were not permissible in 1998 due to dif- ferential labeling requirements for organic LIVESTOCK, VEGETABLE NURSERY & meat and other foods. Sales of organic YEAR FRUIT & NUTS FIELD CROPS POULTRY & TOTAL SALES CROPS FLOWERS PRODUCTS chicken reached over $6 million in 2002 with beef and turkey each at about 199234,057,964 37,961,561 2,937,723 442,512 37,057 75,436,817 $300,000. Organic eggs sales were $3.6 199329,985,496 44,889,371 2,570,137 846,886 39,405 78,331,295 million in 2002. 199432,684,588 57,569,204 3,761,960 939,373 144,261 95,099,386 199535,467,208 72,432,639 3,339,036 1,223,797 850,809 113,313,489 CONCLUSION 199642,635,225 83,091,797 7,217,878 1,904,878 2,233,378 137,083,156 California organic agriculture expanded rapidly from 1992 to 2002, with double- 199750,905,893 91,030,468 10,154,452 2,033,551 4,163,516 158,287,880 digit average annual growth in registered 199873,678,175 99,141,940 14,041,172 2,776,963 5,439,214 195,077,465 acreage and sales. Growth of organic agri- 199980,254,117 108,968,096 12,964,298 6,943,236 8,631,207 217,760,954 culture using these measures was consider- 200078,336,232 101,533,773 18,371,669 4,764,557 13,267,641 216,273,872 ably faster than in California agriculture as 200192,798,034 94,848,681 15,508,996 7,086,226 15,723,673 225,965,611 a whole. However, organic agriculture 200297,964,772 120,776,232 12,349,643 7,145,481 21,282,659 259,518,786 accounted for only 1% of all crop sales and

Page 18 CCOF Magazine a much smaller percentage of livestock and REFERENCES livestock product sales. Produce (fruits, nuts California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). 2002. California Certified Organic Farmers Certified Organic Membership Directory and Product Index. California Certified Organic Farmers. Santa Cruz, and vegetables) remains the dominant part California. of organic agriculture in California despite California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2003. Resource Directory: California Agriculture recent growth in dairy and poultry products. 2002. California Department of Food and Agriculture. Sacramento, California. It is generally assumed that marketing California Department of Food and Agriculture Organic Program. 1996. California Organic outlets are different for different sales classes Program. Producing, Handling and Processing Organic Products in California. California Department of growers. Small growers most likely rely of Food and Agriculture. Sacramento, California. on direct sales (e.g., farmers’ markets, road- Klonsky, Karen and Laura Tourte. 2002. Statistical Review of California’s Organic Agriculture: side stands and CSAs [Community Sup- 1995–1998. University of California DANR ported Agriculture]) while larger growers sell Publication 3425. through wholesalers and distributors as well Klonsky, Karen and Laura Tourte. 1994. as directly to retailers. Market saturation is a State Registration and Organic Certification: concern that is often expressed by those A Guide for California Growers. Department within the organic industry at all levels of of Agricultural Economics. University of production. Anecdotal evidence suggests California Cooperative Extension. Davis, California. that some sell in the non-organic market when they are unable to find a substitute Organic Farming Research Foundation. 1998. Third Biennial National Organic venue for their products in the organic mar- Farmers’ Survey. Organic Farming Research ket or when non-organic prices are as high Foundation. Santa Cruz, California. as organic. The value of commodities pro- Tourte, Laura and Karen Klonsky. 1998. Sta- duced in accordance with organic standards tistical Review of California’s Organic Agricul- but sold on the non-organic market are not ture: 1992–1995. Agricultural Issues Center, required to be reported to CDFA. University of California. Davis, California. Statistics contained in this article draw attention to several important questions concerning the future of the organic agri- cultural industry in California. Perhaps the most obvious question becomes: Can the organic industry in California sustain the rate of growth realized over the past decade, and if so, what will this growth look like? As the industry expands, will new marketing outlets such as expansion of natural food store chains, organic sales in non-organic grocery stores and Internet sales augment current venues? Will current consumers of organic commodities change their purchasing patterns to include a more varied organic shopping basket and to what extent will new organic consumers emerge to purchase an ever-increasing sup- ply of organic products? As new products using organic ingredients are developed, how will the distribution of acreage devoted to the various commodity groups change? In addition, the long-term impact of the National Organic Standards is still not clear. Also unclear is how broader legis- lation concerning food quality protection, water quality, biotechnology, international trade and a host of other issues will be felt by the organic subsector.

Summer 2004 Page 19 CCOF FOUNDATION

CCOF GROWERS All of these restoration projects are based on meeting the physical and biological KEEP SALMON SAFE needs of salmon and steelhead trout, col- lectively known as salmonids, which By Jessica Hamburger require cool water and gravelly streambeds where their eggs can get plenty of oxygen. N 2001, COHO SALMON Salmonids need adequate water levels and were spotted in Pine Gulch Creek near good water quality that supports the IDennis and Sandy Dierks’ farm in Boli- aquatic food web. They also require nas, just north of San Francisco. That was streams to be free of any potential barriers the first salmon sighting in this coastal to fish migration, such as poorly engi- stream in more than three decades. This neered culverts and other kinds of stream year, as juvenile coho darted in the creek, crossings. I accompanied CCOF Inspector Elizabeth s The Dierks have left wide buffer zones Paradise Valley Produce, Bolinas, CA. Whitlow Inman on her organic inspection of vegetation along the creek. Mature alder on which salmon feed. Since Dennis uses at the Dierks’ farm, Paradise Valley Produce. trees shade the water and contribute leaf no pesticides at all, his pest management Paradise Valley Produce is just one of litter that is eaten by aquatic insects, while practices pose no threat to water quality. many CCOF farms where growers are the shrubs and grasses beneath them filter As we peered into the creek, Sandy working hard to protect and restore habitat out sediment and take up excess nutrients. pointed out several young salmonids in the for salmon and steelhead trout, which are Cover cropping, vegetated drainage ditches water. We also observed plenty of fish food now threatened or endangered in many and runoff infiltration areas keep soil on in the creek, such as the larvae of aquatic parts of California. Frank Leeds, vineyard the farm and out of the stream, so it does insects, and good hiding places created by manager for Frog’s Leap Winery, has been not clog the gravels where the salmon lay tree roots and fallen branches. The creek is a pioneer in developing ecologically sensi- their eggs. free of culverts and has no other barriers to tive methods of bank stabilization along The pesticides considered most harmful fish migration. the Napa River. Lou Preston of Preston to salmon are prohibited in organic farm- Vineyards has been participating in a Dennis told us about his efforts to con- ing, but even organic-approved substances stream restoration project on Peña Creek serve water and shift water use to times can have a negative impact if allowed to in the Russian River watershed. when it has the least impact on salmonids. enter the water, either by directly affecting He has reduced the size of his irrigation jets the fish or by killing off the aquatic insects and is experimenting with drip irrigation. He is working with the three other farmers in the watershed to stagger their pumping throughout the day and together, the farm- ers have applied for a permit to create irri- gation ponds. By pumping water in the rainy season and using it to irrigate in the summer, they will avoid drawing water from the creek during the times when salmon need it most. The disappearance and return of the coho to Pine Gulch Creek is still some- thing of a mystery, even to scientists, who theorize that droughts, floods and El Niño events may each have played a role. One thing is clear, however: the Dierks’ land management practices have created a good place for salmon to spawn and thrive now that they have found their way back home.

Page 20 CCOF Magazine MEMBERS &STAFF

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The CCOF Home Office recently received note of the newest member of the CCOF Family—Cooper Hamilton Inman, born to Elizabeth Dear Editor Keith, Whitlow Inman, RSR for North Coast and Humboldt-Trinity. Eliz- Some one once wrote, wisely, abeth writes, “Cooper weighed in at 7.25 pounds and 20 inches long. “at the very instant that you We came home from the hospital on Tuesday [6/15] and we’re doing adopt the terminology of your just great. I’m trying to sleep on his schedule and figure out how to be a opponent, you have lost.” mom—scary, intense, sweet, and powerful stuff. In awe and beyond, Examples abound. Urban Elizabeth.” Congratulations Elizabeth, and welcome to the world, Cooper. sprawl over agricultural land We hope to make it a far sight better for you by the time you grow up. ~Ed. and wildlife habitat is called “development.” Clear-cutting of Ed. Note: A few years back, Denesse Willey of SEED DIRECTORY ADDITIONS a stand of ancient redwoods is T&D Willey Farm suggested to me that CCOF In CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, the termed “management;” adopt terms such as “organic trade” or “organic Organic Seed Issue, two seed businesses were conversely, uncut stands are community” in place of “organic industry.” The unintentionally omitted from the Organic “unmanaged.” Even in CCOF previous Marketing Director at CCOF, Helge Seed Source Directory on pages 8–11. The Magazine, one occasionally Hellberg, believed that we should use the term editor apologizes to these businesses, clients reads that petrochemical-based “non-organic” in place of “conventional” when and the general public for any inconvenience agriculture is “traditional” or describing petrochemical-based agriculture. Just this omission may have caused. now I notice my overuse of the word “tradi- “conventional” farming, rather Company Name: Snow Seed Company than “non-organic.” tional” to describe non-organic seed production Business Address: 20855 Rosehart Way Let us resolve to stop shooting in the last issue’s feature article on organic seed. Salinas, CA 93908 ourselves in the foot. Words are powerful. Consciousness is changing. Phone: 831-758-9869 • Fax: 831-757-4550 Thank you, Phil, for reminding us all! E-mail: [email protected] Phil Persons, Supporting Member Website: www.snowseedco.com “Organic farming had received official sanctioning in 1980 when the federal government Seed Available: Artichoke, Beans, Beans finally acknowledged the existence of this “alternative” [nay! traditional!] farming system.” (Edamame), Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli/ Rappini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, ~ “Sowing the Future—CCOF History 2000–2003,” CCOF Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 4, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Col- Winter 2003–2004, the Consolidation Issue. lards, Corn, Cucumber, Dandelion, Eggplant, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Flowers, Flowers/Sun- flowers, Frissee, Gourds, Grains/ Legumes, Greens, Herbs, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Lettuce - 100 MEN WHO COOK Butter, Lettuce - Gr. Leaf, Lettuce - Heirloom, In May of this year, Keith Proctor, CCOF staff Lettuce - Iceberg, Lettuce - Lolla Rossa, Lettuce - and editor of CCOF Magazine, visited his home- R. Salad Bowl, Lettuce - Red Leaf, Lettuce - town of Rockford, Illinois. While there, he Romaine, Mache, Melons, Mustard, Okra, attended an event called 100 Men Who Cook, a Onions, Pak Choi, Parsley, Parsley Root, Parsnip, benefit for the local literacy council. The event Peas, Peppers, Peppers (Orn.), Peppers (F1), Pep- allowed attendees to sample many different pers (Hot), Peppers (Sweet), Pumpkin, Radicchio, drinks, appetizers, entrées, and desserts created Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach, Squash (Sum- mer), Squash (Winter), Sunflower, Swiss Chard, by 100 different men. One dessert created by Tomato, Tomatillo, Turnip, Watermelon Brian Buob and Jay Pyzynski—succulent Certified by: CCOF organic strawberries dipped in chocolate—was a particular hit with event attendees. Buob and Company Name: Rijk Zwaan USA Business Address: 22744 Portola Drive Pyzynski ordered 600 boxes of Driscoll’s organic Salinas, CA 93908 strawberries from California especially for this Phone: 831-484-1920 • Fax: 831-484-9486 event. It was exciting to run across the CCOF E-mail: [email protected] label and a familiar certified organic business Website: www.rijkzwaan.com name in a Midwest city that is just starting to Seed Available: Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato, realize that an organic market exists. Beet, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chives, Photo courtesy of Lisa Bartholme. Corn Salad, Kohlrabi, Leek, Parsley, Spinach, Cabbage. Certified by: Dutch Government

Summer 2004 Page 21

CALIFORNIA

CCOF HELPS PREVENT GMO PHARMACEUTICAL RICE PLANTING By Brian Sharpe, GE point-person & Chapter Resource Coordinator

OR RICE FARMERS IN CALIFORNIA, about contamination from genetically modi- production to thousands of acres in order the spring planting is finished. The fied organisms (GMOs), since no GMO rice to produce enough of the proteins for com- Ffirst rice shoots are beginning to show has been commercially grown in the state. mercial purposes. To grow that much in the fields and the warm California sum- Aside from some experimental test plots that acreage would require a commercial permit mer will give the necessary conditions for a have been confined to very small acreages, from the California Department of Food hearty rice crop. The state’s $500 million genetically engineered rice has been a non- and Agriculture. Fortunately, California rice dollar rice industry has worked hard to issue for most growers and millers. But producers were prepared to deal with regu- develop a high quality product through beginning early last year, the threat of GMO lating new varieties such as this one before innovative technological methods, one of rice being grown on a commercial scale in Ventria approached them. many reasons that California enjoys such a the Sacramento Valley became imminent. A very unique attribute of California’s rice vital rice crop each year. Rice farmers in Cali- Ventria Biosciences, a small biotechnol- industry is the California Rice Commission, fornia have created an environmentally ogy company in Sacramento, had plans to or CRC, a body made up of rice producers, friendly image through their efforts to pro- grow what would be the world’s first com- millers, and researchers that handle certain tect waterfowl and shorebird habitat, as well mercially grown pharmaceutical GMO crop regulatory, educational, and promotional as many other state-of-the-art techniques in here in California this year. The company matters. As Bryce Lundberg of Lundberg rice production. The organic rice business is has been testing rice that has been geneti- Family Farms explained: “California’s rice thriving in the Sacramento Valley and many cally engineered with human genes to make industry has a unique ability to control CCOF certified producers are hoping for yet two proteins found in human breast milk, which varieties can be grown here because another bountiful rice harvest come this fall. lysozyme and lactoferrin. Ventria plans to of AB 2622.” Assembly Bill 2622, the Rice But healthy rice plantings were not the only use these “pharm” rice proteins as a supple- Seed Certification Act of 2000, is the state leg- thing that CCOF growers had concern over ment in infant formulas and as an alterna- islation that gives the CRC the ability to rec- this past spring. For the first time, the tive to the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, ommend planting protocols to the state prospect of dealing with commercially grown although the rice is not approved for human government on new rice varieties before they genetically modified rice in the fields neigh- consumption. While test plots of less than are grown here. “Legislation modeled after boring them was a real concern. 50 acres are already growing in the middle the rice industry’s Seed Certification Act could Up until recently, most organic and non- of the rice growing region of the state, the benefit other commodity groups that want organic rice producers haven’t had to worry company would like to eventually expand the same kind of control over their industry,” stated Lundberg. Over the course of the past year, Ventria representatives have been sitting at the Rice Commission meetings to work out a proto- col to grow their novel rice variety commer- cially in the state. At first, the proposal set forth by Ventria allowed for them to grow this rice in the middle of the Sacramento Valley, adjacent to farms that grow rice for food and animal feed. The proposed buffer zones were a mere one hundred feet from any other rice, and almost no provisions were put forth to control bird or insect vec- tors for rice pollen. The CRC passed a pro- posal that confined Ventria’s pharm rice to ten southern California counties, giving a much larger buffer zone between the rice growing region of the state and this novel Bryce Lundberg of Lundberg Family Farms examines the early stages of one of many of his family’s rice fields GMO crop, as well as setting much stricter growing in the Sacramento Valley. Photo by Brian Sharpe.

Page 22 CCOF Magazine

conditions on the production methods. rice planting sought by Ventria raised food- the California Department of Food and Lundberg noted, “In general I commend safety concerns. Japanese rice retailers and Agriculture sent the proposal back to the the rice industry for taking this head on. consumer groups have sought to give their CRC. In a letter to the commission, John They did a good job of tightening restric- opinion on the proposed planting protocol. Dyer, chief counsel to the department, said it tions further than what the USDA or FDA In addition, issues around liability in the was unclear whether the proper federal per- would have done, but this shouldn’t be event of contamination remain unresolved, mits had been obtained to plant the engi- rushed through the process. Rice farmers and rice farmers were the first candidates to neered rice. “It is clear that the public wants are risking a lot if customers and consumers be burdened with the responsibility. Con- an opportunity to comment prior to any do not perceive the new regulations (i.e. sumers, buyers and retailers everywhere have authorization to plant,” wrote Dyer. 100–200 mile buffers) as sufficient protec- shown great concern about pharmaceutical CCOF showed its organizational strength tion to prevent against receiving contami- GMO crops in their food supply. As CCOF this past year as farmers, processors, staff, nated rice from California rice farms and certified rice farmer Nick Greco pointed out, volunteers, and supporting members worked mills” A narrow 6-5 vote by the CRC Board “No one wants to deal with the quagmire of together to prevent introduction of the sent the final protocol to the CDFA for segregating pharmaceutical crops from food world’s first commercially-grown GMO review. It was at this point in the process crops, and there really should be a lot more pharmaceutical crop in our state. With sev- that CCOF’s long history of grassroots involvement among rice farmers on this eral new GMO varieties being proposed for action proved to be helpful in delaying the issue. We stand to lose a lot if contamination commercial introduction in California in the plantings scheduled for this year. occurs. This whole issue really woke me up near future, CCOF will need to continue its For years CCOF has played an active role to the realities of the political process.” role in protecting the interests of the organic in the efforts to create level-headed, sound In response to the approved protocol, sev- community. Concerned farmers, handlers, policy for regulating GMO crops in this eral CCOF farmers and supporting members and consumers should continue to ask the state. In early 2002, I began representing sent in letters to CDFA Secretary A.G. CDFA to prevent the planting of any phar- CCOF as a Steering Committee member of Kawamura. Phone calls were made to several maceutical GMO crops in California. the Californian’s for GE Free Agriculture rice growers in the Sacramento Valley chap- For more information, visit (CGFA), a unique coalition of nine sustain- ters of CCOF, as well as supporting mem- www.calgefree.org able farming, consumer watchdog and envi- bers and farmers in the ronmental groups joined together to prevent ten southern counties the introduction of genetically engineered where the pharm rice crops in the state. It was in April of last year could be grown. The that I began as a half-time staff person as the message from all of these group’s Organic Farmer Organizer. One of concerned constituents my first tasks was to research the California was clear: The CDFA rice industry and identify key players that should deny any plant- make decisions regarding California’s rice ing protocol that allows crop. I began by contacting some of the for the commercial CCOF certified rice growers to glean some growth of pharmaceuti- of their experienced knowledge of rice pro- cal GMO rice in the duction. It was this early contact with rice state until the public is farmers and their invaluable insights into given sufficient time and the industry that allowed us to identify the notice to comment. real issues of introducing this pharmaceuti- Within a week, almost cal GMO crop. What I discovered was that 1400 letters were sub- there are several aspects of the industry mitted to CDFA on this which are threatened by the advent of issue. A concerted effort GMO pharmaceutical rice. from several consumer, California organic rice farmers concerned environmental, and sus- about losing their premium markets and cer- tainable agriculture tification status if contaminated were not the groups helped to achieve only parties to speak out against GMO rice. that goal, and clearly Many export markets for California’s rice CCOF members played industry made strong statements rejecting a huge role in getting the any GMO rice. The Japanese government attention of the Secre- issued a statement in early April saying the tary. On April 9, 2004,

Summer 2004 Page 23 FOCUS ON FOOD Plums Hearty Symbol of Strength & Happiness By Lisa M. Hamilton

T MIGHT SURPRISE A MERICANS can plums still thrive in the wild, but today to know that while we are busy with The Word Plum adventurous wildcrafters are about the only apples, the other side of the world has people who view them as food. Still, while I by Helen Chasin plum juice dripping down their arms. they are never cultivated for their fruit, The plum is the world’s second most The word plum is delicious food production remains at the heart of their importance. It’s a rather sad cultivated fruit (yes, after the apple). pout and push, luxury of fate, actually, that of surrogate par- The driving force is certainly China, self-love, and savoring murmur the world’s largest producer and ents. They contribute genes as they greatest admirer, whose national full in the mouth and falling are hybridized with Japanese flower is the delicate white blos- like fruit plums to lend hardiness. They hold the trees up, used as root- som. There, plums represent good taut skin stocks for disease and nematode luck, wisdom, and long life for their pierced, bitten, provoked into resistance. And their flowers are ability to withstand harsh winters. juice, and tart flesh But the fruit also makes appearances anonymous donors, planted as polli- throughout Asia and Europe in ways question nators for the self-unfertile food types Americans would never dream. In Azerbai- and reply, lip and tongue we prefer to eat. of pleasure. jan, plums are a common cooking ingredi- ORGANIC PRODUCTION ent, partner to lamb, potatoes, and peas. In Growing plums is relatively unchallenging, for the many Central European countries they for they are far more complacent than their last bits of fruit as they cling to the stone. become the potent brandy slivovitz, in stone fruit relatives. The fruits are attacked This is the kind of plum that inspires haiku Hungary it is known as pálinka, and in by common pests such as the Oriental fruit and folklore, that makes its way into leg- France the delicate liqueur Mirabelle. In moth and the peach twig borer, but rarely ends—Lao Tse, it is said, came into this Japan, where they symbolize happiness marred as badly as the fair peach. They fall world under a plum tree. and, alternately, chastity, plums are pickled prey to diseases, but suffer less than the The Japanese plum comes actually from and eaten for breakfast. defenseless, soft-skinned apricot. They are China, where it has been cultivated for The role plums play in different places best at handling tough winters and wet thousands of years for its fruit and its blos- reflects the fruit’s origins. There are actually springs, and are the most able to deal with soms, the sweetest-smelling of all the stone several types of plums. From the finger of heavy or waterlogged soil. In order to get a fruits. It reached Japan only a few hundred Russia that slips between the Black and superior crop, plums must have a dry years ago, and from there spread around Caspian Seas came the European plum, growing season, one of the reasons the later the world (hence the name). Prunus domestica. Its flesh is soft but blooming American plum has been bred When European colonists arrived in fibrous, sweet but flat, making it a good with the Japanese. Still, growers cultivate eastern North America, they found a third fruit to cook with but not the stuff of pas- plums in every one of the United States incarnation of the venerable fruit: the sion. (This is the fruit that becomes a except Alaska. American plum. This wild group belongs prune—what more needs be said?) Didar Khalsa of Guru Ram Das to a separate section of the Prune genus. It The Japanese plum, P. salicina, is quite a Orchards, in Esparto, has a good stage for is reminiscent of the European and Japan- different story. The flesh is soft and tangy comparing different fruit trees. His 16 ese types, but carries also the feel of a and runs the whole warm side of the color acres are interspersed with stone fruit, cit- cherry: small, spherical shape; long, thin spectrum: sultry red, blazing orange, deep rus, nuts, figs, pears and persimmons. stem; tart skin. Native Americans ate them, yellow. Whereas the meat of a European Working without a master plan, as old but European colonists preferred plums plum splits from the pit on its own, the trees die he fills the holes with something from the trees they had imported. Ameri- Japanese demands that its consumer work new. To him, plums are the least squeaky

Page 24 CCOF Magazine

of wheels: “Not a lot of work, but they fact, non-organic growers have no choice tell just how many are there and how many always give back a good crop.” but to import the pollinators: not only do to remove. (Plus, it increases the odds of This is especially true in the Central Val- their insecticides often kill bees, they use leaving too much on the tree.) If done too ley, where the summer is dry and the herbicides to keep the orchard floor bare, late, the tree will have wasted energy on spring, unlike on the coast, is unequivocal. meaning that outside of bloom time there fruit that ultimately ends up on the During winter, the Tule fog stays on the would be inadequate food to maintain ground. Finally, because of these vagaries, ground all morning, retaining the cold that hives. (see Pesticides Used in Plum Cultiva- in years of clear spring days when growers satisfies the fruit’s requisite chilling. For tion next column) Even most organic get great pollination, the market floods. Richard Kauffman it is the perfect place to growers pay to have bees brought in, for Then, not only does the price for a big grow plums. His 88-acre orchard, Kaweah they simply need more than natural popu- plum go down, the price for a small plum Farms, is close to Kingsburg, between the lations can supply. For his 22 acres, Kauff- goes way down. Valley’s east side and the Sierra. His 22 man needs about 40 hives—close to 2.5 PESTICIDES USED IN PLUM CULTIVATION acres of plums are spread throughout the million bees. Richard Kauffman puts it this way: “I went property, and give a reliably good crop— Once the bees are there, the crop’s fate organic because I didn’t like being around all as long as he gets a good set. relies on weather. On cold or stormy days, all those sprays. For a while I was just leav- It is not as simple as it sounds. In fact, even when it’s overcast, the bees will stay ing them out. For example I’d see a spider the process of creating a commercially suc- inside as the flowers’ biological clocks tick population and know they were beneficial cessful plum crop relies on a series of artful ominously in the silent orchard. Warm, and think, ‘Man, I don’t want to spray. It’ll techniques. To begin with, the trees must calm, sunny days are ideal, but even polli- kill all the good guys.’ But when you’re be pollinated. Unlike apricots and peaches, nation must be balanced. The end goal is conventional, that’s a losing proposition— Japanese plums and some European plums not to get as much fruit as possible, but to you can’t afford to lose a lot of fruit.” are not self-fertilizing. The plantings must get as much fruit on the tree as it can bring Even in crops with lower overall pest thus include pollinating varieties such as to the ideal size. Fruit value increases with problems, such as plums, there is a cycle of the American plum. And, when it comes size, so the same weight of small plums will dependency on pesticides. They become time, there must be bees. bring less pay than in large plums. standard practice—“pro-active” measures People who eat fruit but don’t grow it Because it takes time to see how many rather than re-active responses. In 2000, tend to take the insects for granted. But flowers were successfully fertilized, growers California fresh-market plums received consider having 22 acres of trees whose control the yield by the expensive and insecticides on 85% of their acreage, fungi- flowers have a one- or two-week window exacting task of thinning. Too little fruit is cides on 66%, and herbicides on 60%. for fertilization—millions of blossoms a problem in itself, but too much fruit The most popular insecticides are petro- needing a bee’s attention. Standard practice from over-pollination means lots of expen- leum derivatives and organophosphate chem- is to have a beekeeper bring his hives over sive hand labor. Further, the timing must icals. The former are relatively safe (as for the duration of bloom time, which with be just right. If done too early, the job is pesticides go), though they can contain car- different varieties can be a full month. In expensive and inefficient, for it’s hard to

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Summer 2004 Page 25 cinogenic compounds and contribute to gross causes reproductive harm and liver damage NUTRITION air pollution. Plus, they rarely come without in mammals and fish. Sulfur as a fungicide Plums are one of those queer foods whose a companion organophosphate. These chemi- is only useful as prevention, and so is used nutritive value changes dramatically—and cals are nerve toxins that kill insects—and repeatedly. It can harm workers who re- for the better—when dried. As fresh fruit, harm humans and other species—by inhibit- enter orchards too soon, and can kill bene- they are good sources of carbohydrates, ing the production of cholinesterase, an ficial insects. potassium and iron, as well as anti-oxidant enzyme essential to the nervous system. Finally, as in other non-organic tree carotenes and flavonoids. When the plums Whether inhaled on-site or consumed as fruits, plums are grown above an orchard are dried to become prunes, those elements residues on food, these pesticides can cause floor bared by herbicides. The main chemi- remain, but the vitamins and available min- anything from low-level nerve damage to cal is glyphosate (a.k.a. Monsanto’s erals increase: vitamin A and calcium acute poisoning. Sprayed during California’s Roundup), which despite designation as increases by 50%, iron doubles, and magne- rainy dormant season, they run-off into a “safe” pesticide has been linked to rare sium goes from zero to 4.5 mg. And while groundwater, where they are highly toxic forms in cancer (in great doses). Further, plums have a laxative effect, prunes—well, to fish and other aquatic organisms. its breakdown products are now found in everyone knows about prunes. Among fungicides, the most popular groundwater, where, according to the EPA’s Therapeutically, plums are used in Chi- sprays in 2000 were propiconazole for 2002 Drinking Water Standards, they can nese medicine for liver conditions as well as plums and captan for prunes. Propicona- cause liver and reproductive damage in dehydration and diabetes. They have a zole is a developmental toxin, and captan humans. The other most popular herbi- cooling thermal nature, though yellower is a carcinogen that is acutely toxic to cide, paraquat, is unabashedly dangerous. varieties tend toward neutrality. For reasons humans. Both are highly toxic to aquatic Ingesting less than one teaspoon of the related to their laxative effect, people with life. Non-organic growers also use less toxic chemical can be fatal, and mere skin con- gastrointestinal inflammations should stay fungicides, particularly sulfur and copper. tact can cause systemic damage. Finally, the away from plums. Aside from the perils of While they are approved for organic farms, use of any herbicide to bare the orchard overdoing it with prunes, the only caution they still deserve a cautionary red flag. floor means greater erosion and increases about this fruit is its high amounts of Because copper is considered “safe,” it is the run-off of insecticides, fungicides, and oxalic acid. This is the same chemical often used liberally and repeatedly, causing synthetic fertilizers into waterways. found in spinach and other raw greens, worker illnesses. Additionally, copper which prohibits the absorption of calcium. HOME & GARDEN

PREVENTING PESTS • Design the irriga- • Install mowing strips along turf edges tion system (and and under fencing to minimize the need By Steven M. Zien , Executive Director monitor occasion- for trimming. Existing fences can be Biological Urban Gardening Services (BUGS) ally), making sure it raised (or the bottom inch or two does not hit any removed) allowing weed trimmers access TILIZING PEST PREVENTION buildings. Where along fence lines, avoiding the common techniques effectively is the key irrigation is required use of herbicides in these areas. Ucomponent of a successful Inte- near buildings, moni- • Once the plants are installed, make sure grated Pest Management (IPM) program. tor for poor drainage and install drain to properly maintain them. Irrigate, fer- For pests to become a problem they need lines if necessary. tilize, mow (grasscycle), aerate, dethatch, food, water, harborage and access. Elimi- • Avoid planting near foundation vents prune, etc. appropriately. nate these factors and you have a success- and keep pruned back if necessary to • Maintain lawnfree areas under young ful, least toxic IPM program. If not done, maintain good air circulation. Prevention trees. This reduces competition, helping you will have to use pest control techniques techniques can also be undertaken to the tree to grow more successfully. It also to manage existing populations. Control- reduce pest problems in the landscape. eliminates potentially deadly physical ling pests after they arrive is more difficult • Proper plant selection is vital. Utilize injury that can result from mowers and than prevention, resulting in the all too fre- plants that are appropriate to their grow- weed trimmers. quent use of toxic pesticides. ing conditions (climate, soil, amount of • Monitor the landscape regularly and Here are a few landscape management management, irrigation, etc.) and con- identify plants having problems (i.e., techniques that can help prevent pests in sider native species. Select varieties that performing poorly, have dead branches, and around buildings. are pest resistant. Where rodents have pest problems). Note that pests are usu- • Night flying insects are attracted to been a problem or are a concern, choose ally just symptoms of the real problem. lights. Removing lights on or near build- plants that produce minimal amounts of Determine what the cause of the prob- ings and patios will keep insects from seeds and fruit. Avoid monocultures by lem is (often incorrect management) and being attracted to these areas. installing a diverse variety of plants. The adjust your maintenance program as nec- more diverse the landscape, the less likely • Redesign the landscape to provide a essary to eliminate the cause. pests will be a problem. Diversity makes plant-free zone of approximately 12 • Keep good records of all your mainte- it more difficult for pests to find plants inches around structures. This will nance practices. Note successes and fail- they like, and if pests do arrive, they will help to discourage pest invasion into ures and adjust your management have a more difficult time spreading to buildings. practices appropriately to prevent pests other plants, limiting the need for con- in the future. • To keep rodents outside, install and trol measures. maintain a 2-foot strip of pea gravel • Site preparation is critical. Make sure around buildings. This will prevent them Reprinted by permission from Biological you put the right plant in the right place. from burrowing, denying them access. Urban Gardening Services (BUGS), an Amend and fertilize the soil using international membership organization (est. • Avoid growing vines on buildings to organic materials as recommended by 1987) devoted to reducing our reliance on eliminate shelter and sheltered runways a soil analysis. Install irrigation and potentially toxic agricultural chemicals in our for rodents and other pests. drainage as necessary before the plants highly populated urban landscape environ- • Keep trees pruned away (minimum 18 even arrive. Design the irrigation system ments. Members receive the latest environ- inches, 6 feet where possible) from build- so plants with similar water needs are on mentally sound urban horticultural ings to prevent pest access. the same line. information through the newsletter, BUGS • Clean up regularly any organic debris • When installing plants, provide proper Flyer—The Voice of Ecological Horticul- that accumulates around the base of spacing for when they are mature. Plant- ture and a catalog of educational brochures. buildings and haul it to the compost pile. ing too closely will reduce air circulation BUGS also provides soil analysis with exten- • During any landscape renovation, and light penetration as the plants grow, sive organic recommendations. For more do not change the soil grade (add or creating conditions favorable to pest information, contact BUGS at P.O. Box 76, remove) against buildings (or existing attack. Group plantings with the same Citrus Heights, CA 95611, or visit BUGS on plants). cultural requirements together. the web: www.organiclandscape.com

Summer 2004 Page 27

NEWS BRIEFS

UFW RALLIES IN SUPPORT cated it may launch a legal challenge to REPORT SAYS 100% OF US POPULATION OF PESTICIDE BILL USDA’s decision as well as to USDA’s author- CARRIES PESTICIDE RESIDUES The United Farm Workers Union voiced ity to control the sales of BSE diagnostic tests A critical new report issued by the Pesticide support for state senator Dean Florez’s in the United States. Action Network (www.panna.org) claims (D-Shafter) pesticide bill, SB391. Victims of that 100% of the 9,282 individuals who had SUPREME COURT AGREES pesticide poisonings are often left without blood and urine tests show traces of pesticides TO HEAR WINE, BEEF CASES financial aid to cover their medical expenses in their bodies. The data was collected by the This Fall, the Supreme Court will resolve when they are exposed to pesticide drift in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conflicting lower court rulings on mandatory farm fields. To remedy this, Florez’s legislation but the report is the work of PAN. The assessments for beef advertising, a continuing would set up a fund by assessing pesticide report claims that: the average person carries battle of First Amendment rights advocates manufacturers that will cover ambulance and 13 of the 23 pesticides tested for; that chil- opposing commodity marketing orders. It hospital costs. The fund would be replen- dren, women and Mexican Americans carry will also sort out the 21st Amendment’s pro- ished by fines levied against applicators the highest levels of residue; and that children vision that gives states the right to ban direct responsible for pesticide-related injuries. between 6 and 11 are exposed to four times shipment of alcohol to consumers, a battle the level of chlorpyrifos that EPA deems METHYL BROMIDE EXEMPTIONS GRANTED that small wineries desperately need to win. “acceptable.” PAN developed a “Pesticide The US and 10 other industrial nations won LEADING REPUBLICAN BLASTS Trespass Index”—a method of assigning cor- “Critical Use Exemptions” to the 2005 ban BUSH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS porate responsibility for the pesticides found on methyl bromide use at a meeting of 114 Russell Train, a lifelong Republican who in the population. It claims that Dow Chem- nations committed to the 1995 Montreal served in the Nixon and Ford administra- ical is responsible for 80% of the chlorpyrifos Protocol. Total exemptions granted were for tions, claims that “the George W. Bush breakdown products found. 13,438 metric tons, with 8,942 metric tons Administration appears to view most issues to the US, which covers uses in tomatoes, as either black or white – that, for example, CONSUMER POLLS peppers, eggplant, strawberries, cucurbits, environmental protection and energy supply According to a recent national consumer ornamentals, ginger, sweet potatoes, food are mutually exclusive objectives,” writes opinion poll by Roper Public Affairs: processing, commodity storage, forest and Train, in Politics, Pollution and Pandas: An • Most Americans (73%) report that having orchard seedlings, orchard replants, turf and Environmental Memoir (Island Press, Dec. food labels specify whether a product was sod, nurseries and transplant trays used in 2003). Train served as Undersecretary of the produced with pesticides, hormones, greenhouse production. Environmental and Interior under Nixon and later as the second antibiotics or GE ingredients would have organic organizations oppose the exemptions, Administrator of the newly created Environ- an impact on their product choice. but the US hopes to secure further exemp- mental Protection Agency (1973–1977). • The public is troubled by the loss of US tions for uses not included in the current His memoirs provide an account of biparti- farms (from 7 million farms in the 1930s exemption. Officials remain concerned that san efforts under two Republican Adminis- to about 2 million today). 82% say they progress is too slow in finding replacement trations to craft the laws and regulations are at least somewhat concerned with the products for fumigation. that have protected our environment for decline in the number of American farms; USDA BLOCKS INDEPENDENT more than three decades. “We need to rec- nearly half (46%) are very concerned. MAD COW TESTING ognize as a society that the economy and the • Americans say that smaller family farms are USDA actions to deal with bovine spongi- environment are not antithetical to each more likely to care about food safety than form encephalopathy (BSE) continue to gen- other but are instead different sides of the large industrial farms by a 71% to 15% erate controversy. On April 9, USDA same coin. Economic activity is to a great margin. More than 8 in 10 consumers announced that it has the legal authority to extent the conversion of the earth’s environ- (85%) say they trust smaller family farms prohibit Creekstone Farms Premium Beef mental resources to human use and enjoy- to produce safe, nutritious food. Almost and other small beef processors from estab- ment...a healthy economy that is sustainable twice as many consumers (45%) place their lishing their own private BSE testing pro- over the long term can be achieved only in trust in small family farms compared to grams. USDA opined that BSE testing was the context of a healthy environment. The large industrial farms (24%). an animal health issue, not a human health two must go hand in hand.” Previous Amer- one. Creekstone has asked USDA to provide ican political leaders—both Republican and Sources: bushgreenwatch.org; Field Talk, a a written basis for its legal authority over Democratic —understood that, writes Train. weekly e-newsletter of Rincon Publishing; Creekstone’s BSE testing program and indi- www.commondreams.org

Page 28 CCOF Magazine

THE GE REPORT

Roundup, and therefore didn’t profit from it will accept no wheat—non-organic or News the patented gene. Schmeiser, who has biotech—from any nation that grows FROM THE GENETIC become something of a hero for critics of biotech wheat. biotechnology, accepted the verdict with dis- SAVE ORGANIC FOOD COALITION LAUNCHES ENGINEERING FRONT appointment. He said farmers should have EFFORT TO PROTECT ORGANIC FOODS FROM the right to use their seeds from year to year. SUPREME COURT RULES FOR MONSANTO IN BIOCONTAMINATION He thanked supporters from around the KEY BATTLE OVER GENETIC SEED PATENT The Save Organic Food coalition and web The Supreme Court of Canada sided with world who have been contributing to his site (www.saveorganicfood.org) have offi- US biotech giant Monsanto in the firm’s lop- legal fees. The court ruled earlier in the case cially been launched as The Campaign to sided patent fight against Saskatchewan of the Harvard mouse, that higher life forms Label Genetically Engineered Foods is under- farmer Percy Schmeiser. The court ruled cannot be patented and Schmeiser based his taking a new effort to protect organic food 5–4 that Monsanto holds a valid patent on a case on a claim that a plant, too, is a higher from contamination by genetically engi- gene it inserted into canola plants to make life form, and exempt from patent. neered crops. The Save Organic Food web them resistant to Roundup herbicide, and MONSANTO PUTS PLANS FOR site features instant e-mails and form letters that Schmeiser infringed the patent by know- BIOTECH WHEAT ON HOLD that citizens can send to Representatives and ingly planting the Roundup Ready seeds. The Monsanto is halting development of geneti- Senators urging them to make sure the court said that, even though a plant is a cally engineered Roundup wheat. Since USDA lives up to its responsibilities to pro- higher life form and therefore cannot be 1997, the St. Louis-based agricultural and tect organic farmers and the environment patented, a gene in a plant can be patented, biotech company had been developing a from the hazards of genetically engineered and that gives the patent-holder some rights Roundup Ready variety of hard red spring foods. The Campaign to Label Genetically over the use of the plant. Schmeiser did win wheat. Instead, Monsanto said it will focus Engineered Foods is a 501(c)4 (non-tax on one issue: he won’t have to pay his profits on development of new and improved deductible) non-profit political advocacy from the 1997 crop year to Monsanto, biotech traits in corn, cotton and oilseeds. organization. (www.thecampaign.org) because he never sprayed the crop with Some farm and consumer groups asked the COUNTY INITIATIVES TO BAN GENETICALLY government last year to ENGINEERED CROPS suspend development of Citizens of Butte, Marin, San Luis Obispo, the biotech grain, express- Sonoma, Humboldt and Alameda counties ing concern that US are organizing initiative campaigns for the farmers could lose over- November ballot that will follow Mendocino seas clients if genetically County’s Measure H initiative banning GE engineered wheat polli- crops. As of this printing, the Humboldt nates with other crops. In Green Genes Committee has collected more a petition filed in March than 4,400 signatures, enough to qualify the 2003 with the Agricul- ban for the ballot. 4,500 signatures have ture Department, the already been collected in Butte County, as groups said wheat geneti- well. Other counties that are considering the cally designed to tolerate idea of banning biotech crops are Santa Cruz, Roundup could lead to San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. Nine grain mix-ups in the field counties were represented at a workshop and in shipments, mak- on the subject in Ukiah. ing some exports unac- ceptable to trading Sources: Dennis Bueckert, Canadian Press; Jim partners who oppose Salter, AP Business Writer; Craig Winters, Execu- biotech crops. Acreage tive Director, The Campaign to Label Genetically planted in the US and Engineered Foods; Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Canadian spring wheat Staff Writer; John Driscoll, The Times-Standard; markets have declined David Sneed, The Tribune - San Luis Obispo; nearly 25% since 1997. Simon Harris, Californian’s for GE Free Agriculture. Japan, America’s top GE Report compiled by Brian Sharpe, CCOF’s GE wheat importer, has said point-person and Chapter Resource Coordinator. Page 29

CCOF MARKETING

COMMITTED receives in their initial application package. the show and represent their products for The CD contains a complete Organic Sys- a fraction of the cost of developing and TO YOUR NEEDS tem Plan (OSP), a copy of each of our reserving their own booth at the show. If manuals (including the National Organic you’re interested in participating, please By Jake Lewin Program and international standards), an contact me at 831-423-2263 ext. 21 or Director of Marketing & International Programs OMRI list, and our 2004 Organic Directory [email protected]. in PDF format. This provides a resource CCOF ORGANIC DIRECTORY UR MARKET IS GROWING RAPIDLY for companies that need to provide particu- and changing. As you probably The CCOF Organic Directory is another lar OSP sections multiple times to CCOF already realize, the National important marketing tool developed by O as formulations and other aspects of the Organic Program has profound effects on CCOF for all of its members. We supply organic operation change. Sections can the organic industry. Certifiers are consoli- the directory to interested parties at trade now simply be printed out as needed. Any dating and new certifiers are sprouting up shows and events around the world, operation that would like an electronic throughout the country. Some offer cut- including the California League of Food copy of any OSP section or standard is rate costs but few support their clients, the Processors show, Expo West, BioFach, welcome to contact me at [email protected] organic market, and the organic philoso- FOODEX, Eco-Farm, All Things Organic, to request a copy free of charge. We are phy like CCOF. We appreciate all of our Cooking for Solutions and a variety of actively working on developing similar certified clients and strive to provide addi- Earth Day events around California. CDs for Livestock and Farm operations. tional benefits beyond certification to every Countless people approach us at events one of them. Whether its education, politi- INTERNAL MARKETING looking for particular products or service cal advocacy, marketing and PR support or The Marketing Department continues to providers. We then whip out a copy of the simply professional certification services, assist CCOF clients with marketing ques- directory and point out potential suppliers. CCOF is committed to your needs. Many tions and finding potential sales outlets for This acts as a constant source of potential exciting things have happened over the last their products. I have fielded a variety of business for CCOF clients and a major six months and many opportunities have phone calls from clients seeking new benefit from our participation in events presented themselves to CCOF and opportunities for their products. In most and trade shows. CCOF’s clients. I’d like to take this oppor- cases we search the CCOF Organic Directory For example, CCOF attended the Mon- tunity to discuss what we’ve been doing at and the Organic Trade Association Organic terey Bay Aquarium’s Cooking for Solu- CCOF, what is the Marketing Depart- Pages Online (www.ota.com) together, or tions gala reception. We approached ment’s role, and to introduce a variety of I provide insight based on my own knowl- numerous participating chefs and provided services and programs meant to benefit edge and contacts within the organic sec- directories to assist them in their organic CCOF’s clients and supporting members. tor. The Marketing Department also keeps sourcing efforts. If a chef calls you out of its ear to the ground and informs all mem- the blue searching for organic product, it MEMBERSHIP bers who produce a particular product may come as a result of this event. CCOF has been very active in approaching when opportunities arise. This is an excel- Finally, the CCOF Marketing Depart- and securing new processor and grower lent reason to make sure that your e-mail ment can provide PR and marketing assis- members. One of our main goals is to con- address with CCOF is current. If you are tance to CCOF clients. If you are issuing a tinually build our client base in all sectors looking for a particular product or for a press release, CCOF is happy to assist you of the organic market. This means brining market, please feel free to contact us and with distribution to the media. on new clients, but more importantly, we will do our best to help. keeping our current clients. CCOF already ORGANIC MARKET EXPANSION Our most recent and exciting new inter- certifies about 75% of the organic land in Over the past few months CCOF has pro- nal marketing program is the development California, and yet processing is one of duced two separate educational flyers of the CCOF Showcase Booth at the Nat- CCOF’s fastest growing segments. meant to help explain to consumers the ural Products Expo West in Anaheim CA, benefits and importance of purchasing TOOLS AND RESOURCES March 2005. With a generous grant from organic products. One is about farmers’ FOR NEW AND EXISTING MEMBERS the processor chapter, CCOF Marketing is markets while the other is more general CCOF recently produced its first com- developing a new booth that will be used and targeted for the retail setting. These pletely electronic application on CD. This to highlight CCOF companies during the flyers encourage the public to enjoy organic benefits both current and potential clients next Expo West show. Four or five compa- foods and to seek out CCOF certified and includes everything a new client nies will be given the opportunity to attend

Summer 2004 Page 31 products. The retail flyer is meant to be our speakers for our August seminar yet participants from FOODEX are enjoying inclusive of farms and processors and pro- but these events have proven to be hugely exciting results. Within a month of the vides retailers with a tool to help educate informative. Previous keynote speakers show, Japanese companies were talking their customers about organics and CCOF. include California’s new Secretary of Agri- with and sending representatives to visit We would like to ask for your help in dis- culture, A.G. Kawamura, Keith Jones, A.J. California companies. This is exceptionally tributing these flyers. Many of you have Yates, and more. A highlight of each semi- fast by typical Japanese business standards received a copy in your renewal packages. nar has included excellent industry panels and is very promising. If you’d like to distribute these or would discussing their experiences and insights The COPES program recently received like to encourage your local retailers to pro- into export markets. approval to implement a trade mission to vide them to their customers, please con- The trade missions are a very popular the September 2004 Canadian Health tact us. It is more important now than ever and exciting part of the COPES programs. Food Association show in Toronto, that consumers learn about the CCOF COPES has brought five organic compa- Canada. We are actively preparing for this name and seal and buy from CCOF certi- nies to the BioFach and FOODEX trade show and accepting applications for poten- fied companies. shows in Germany and Japan, respectively. tial participants. If you’d like an application In other arenas, we continue to educate At the shows COPES arranges a series of or have any questions please visit the public and the media on organic foods, one-to-one meetings with potential buyers. www.copes-ca.org or call the COPES production practices and other organic This provides a unique opportunity for Trade Show Manager, Deann Bauer, at related issues. We are often quoted and California companies to explore foreign 805-451-7488. whenever possible direct media contacts to markets. While Germany has proven to be CCOF members. All these efforts serve to a relatively difficult market to access, our expand the market we all depend on.

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE Through the Certified Organic Products Export Strategy (COPES, www.copes-ca.org) program and other efforts, CCOF has actively been promoting its grower and processor members on the international stage. At a recent trade show in Germany, CCOF proudly displayed logos of many IFOAM certified clients. I would like to extend a hearty thanks to all of you who provided logos. This provided CCOF clients with exposure in foreign markets and showed off our wide variety of clients. The Marketing Department would like to continue to develop electronic displays for use at trade shows and other events. If you would like your logo to be included, please provide an electronic copy of your company or product logo to me at [email protected], including a note with your name, company name, and products you offer. The COPES program provides export assistance to California companies to suc- cessfully export organic products. This exciting program offers a series of export seminars, free online consultation, an online directory, and foreign and reverse trade missions. All California organic com- panies are invited to participate. Our next seminar is scheduled for August 2004 in the Los Angeles area. We have not finalized

Page 32 CCOF Magazine

CERTIFICATION CORNER

USDA NATIONAL ments (such as teas) and health and beauty and allow organic certification of body care care products. CCOF Certification Ser- products and supplements to continue ORGANIC PROGRAM vices (CS) has only certified products that under USDA with FDA review of product are made of agricultural products and labels. This is done between the USDA and GUIDANCE STATEMENTS water. Essentially the products CCOF CS The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade has certified are oils, teas, essential oils, or Bureau (TTB, formerly BATF) for wine By Brian McElroy CCOF Certification Services Manager hydrosols, and all of these products are eli- and beer labeling. Another solution is to gible for certification as an agricultural allow the organic industry to draft regula- WHAT DOES THE “ORGANIC FOOD FIGHT” product. All of these producers can now tions, allowing the current practice to con- MEAN TO CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS? rest assured that their CCOF Certification tinue until other regulations are in place. “Organic Food Fight” was the headline on is valid and that as this issue develops, Either way it works out, CCOF will pro- the front page of the Saturday, May 22, CCOF CS and CCOF Inc. will continue vide certification services for the products 2004 San Francisco Chronicle. The headline to provide them with information and that we currently certify. referred to policy statements that were standards that retain consumer confidence. LIVESTOCK HEALTH CARE PRACTICE released by the USDA National Organic What was (and may still be) at issue here STANDARD, ORIGIN OF LIVESTOCK Program in April, 2004. By Wednesday is whether the USDA or the FDA has the This was one of the most controversial pol- May 26, 2004, Secretary Ann Veneman authority to regulate these products. The icy statements as far as consumers were publicly announced that she asked for the theory is that if the product is labeled as a concerned. Consumers hear this issue in policies to be rescinded. In addition, the “dietary supplement” or “cosmetic,” then black and white terms; it’s either you allow Secretary stated that USDA staff was to go the USDA has no authority to regulate the antibiotics or you don’t. What was really back and “…work with the Organic Stan- product; it falls under the FDA jurisdiction involved here was much more subtle and dards Board to correct the issues…” You and a USDA accredited certifier has no much more complicated than can be ratio- can read it all on the OTA website at authority. nally resolved in a food fight. www.ota.com. Likely solution? There are several obvi- Organic dairy livestock conversion is Wow, the fight had barely begun when ous solutions: The USDA and FDA could addressed in Section 205.236(a)(2) of the the USDA cried “uncle.” So what does it prepare a memorandum of understanding Federal Rule. Unfortunately the language mean to CCOF Certified operations? Do you have to make any changes in your labeling, Organic System Plan, production USDA Cost-Share Program for Organic Certification practices? Well the short answer is no, so you can stop reading now if you want. But The USDA has provided additional cost share funds to the California Department of if you are interested in some of the details, Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Any operation in California that has been certified by an please read on. accredited certifier after October 1, 2002, but before September 30, 2003, and/or after The four policy statements in question October 1, 2003, but before September 30, 2004, may apply for a 75% reimbursement can be found (or at least as of May 26, of their certification costs (maximum of $500). Applicants may apply for reimbursement 2004, they were found…) on the USDA for both years. website under “Today's News” under the dates listed: The USDA cost share program is available on a first come, first served basis. Applicants that have not applied before will be reimbursed first. When the funds provided to Cali- April 14, 2004 fornia have been expended, the cost share program will cease to exist under this agree- National Organic Program Scope ment unless additional funds are provided to CDFA. Livestock Health Care Practice Standards Livestock Feed The applicant must submit the application form along with a copy(ies) of certification April 23, 2004 and copy(ies) of the bills showing the associated expenses from the certifier that are Pesticide Use, NOP C&E #04.01 required to maintain your certification. The application form is available on the CCOF website. NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM SCOPE A number of CCOF certified producers Please read and follow the application procedures carefully! For additional information, that would have been affected by this pol- contact Ray Green of CDFA at (916) 445-2180. icy include producers of dietary supple-

Summer 2004 Page 33

in the regulation is confusing. Many people that the Secretary reinforced that the an organic producer applies a material in claim to know what the rule says, but they USDA must work with the National good faith that turns out to have an inert don’t agree with each other so I think it is Organic Standards Board to straighten out ingredient in some small amount that is fair to say that the rule is flawed. So the this mess. Stay tuned. not allowed by the federal rule. How can question is how to provide for consistent this happen? Easy, inert ingredients are not LIVESTOCK FEED and fair interpretation of the rule by required to be disclosed on the pesticide Essentially this policy statement allowed numerous accredited certifiers. The policy product label. Thus the inert ingredients fishmeal to be fed to organic livestock. The statement was intended to settle at least are a secret that only the manufacturer and justification was that fish products cannot one argument in order to allow certifiers US EPA know. Organic certifiers and pro- be certified organic so there is no way to and operators to move forward with efforts ducers have always struggled to find ways obtain “organic” fish meal. Fishmeal is gen- to rewrite the rule. to provide full disclosure of all the ingredi- erally recognized as a feed supplement due The bottom line is that as of the ents in pesticide products. And nobody to the high protein and nutrient content issuance of the NOP policy statement, wants to make victims out of organic farm- but is not generally accepted in organic CCOF CS dairy producers could treat a ers that are trying to do the right thing. production. Fishmeal is often treated with sick animal with antibiotics in order to The solution is to continue to press for preservatives that are not allowed in avoid animal suffering under specific cir- full disclosure of all pesticide ingredients. organic production practices. cumstance. The producer must show evi- CCOF is working with OMRI, producers, Because of the USDA policy statement, dence that the Organic System Plan and manufacturers to obtain full disclosure. CCOF CS notified poultry producers that provides for efforts to avoid illness and The USDA needs to support that effort. fishmeal could be used. However, CCOF treat illness with approved practices before CS did not indicate that fishmeal could THE WRAP? using the antibiotic. The treated animal ever be fed to cattle. CCOF CS certified Although there have been significant can be converted back to organic produc- operations will be notified that fishmeal changes made and reversed in the last tion of milk after one year of organic man- cannot be used as a feed supplement. month (as of late May 2004), one thing is agement. However, the animal must be certain—nothing will change until the managed organically in every other way PESTICIDE USE, NOP C&E #04.01 next National Organic Standards Board and be fed organic feed continuously. But Fortunately CCOF CS made no changes to Meeting (the date of the next meeting will here is the tricky part; the rule clearly any of our policies or procedures as a result be posted at www.ams.usda.gov/nosb). allows for the conversion of dairy animals of this USDA policy statement. CCOF CS CCOF CS staff will be at that meeting and to organic production with one-year policy has always been that producers must will continue to press for standards that organic management. Any animal pur- use materials that comply with the regula- meet the expectations of CCOF producers chased on the non-organic market has tions. All of the ingredients must be dis- and consumers. Until then, CCOF Certifi- likely been treated at one time or another. closed in order to verify compliance. cation Services will work to retain con- So most dairy producers would argue that Organic producers have several ways to sumer confidence while helping producers it is better to keep your own calves that obtain products that comply with the regu- implement good organic practices. have been provided organic management lations. Compliant products are listed on throughout their life than to lose calves to The Organic Materials Review Institute disease and be forced to buy animals on the (OMRI) list at www.omri.org. The US open market. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) You may have read in the newspapers provides review of pesticide products to the that the guidance policy opened the door NOP and allows manufacturers to affix a to use of other drugs including hormones. “for organic product” CCOF CS does not allow and does not label to approved prod- believe that the guidance policy allowed ucts. In many cases, such broad use of other drugs. The guid- producers will provide ance statement was directed specifically at complete disclosure of the use of antibiotics in dairy. CCOF all ingredients in order would not see any justification for the to obtain approval for treatment of organic calves or cows with the product. “other drugs” an organic system. The problem that is Now that this health care practice stan- at the core of this mala- dard has been rescinded, we are left with prop of a policy state- the original rule and all the confusion that ment is how to deal surrounds the rule. The only good news is with a situation where

Page 34 CCOF Magazine

HANDLER HIGHLIGHTS

BUSINESS RESOURCES California’s Organic Program for Processors, and livestock materials lists as well. Lists are www.dhs.ca.gov/fdb/HTML/Food/ sorted either by category (e.g. ascorbic acid, for ORGANIC PROCESSORS organreq.htm botanical pesticides, defoamers, etc.) or by Here is information on the California brand name. These lists are not exhaustive, By Janning Kennedy Organic Products Act of 2003 (COPA), they contain only products that have been Director of Handler/Processor Certification including who must register, costs, links listed by their manufacturer. If you sub- to the COPA text, and a downloadable scribe to OMRI, you will receive generic S A SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS application. materials list, the brand names product lists, and others, CCOF has developed and quarterly updates all in booklet form. this compilation of organizations, BECOMING CERTIFIED ...... A CCOF, www.ccof.org To subscribe, visit www.omri.org/OMRI_ web sites, and information sources about top- subscribe_info.html ics of interest to organic processors and han- Here you will find steps to getting certified, dlers. This article is for those who are application forms, Organic System Plan LABELING ...... forms, and CCOF manuals. Manual One is considering “going organic” or who have National Organic Program, questions about certification: the process, the a guide to CCOF certification that includes www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ProdHandlers/ regulations, the materials that can be used, or procedures for certification, costs, and expla- ProdHandhome.html want help with organic marketing, and who nations of CCOF certification categories. Labeling table for packaged products and want to become involved in the organic Manual Two is the USDA National Organic alcoholic beverages, and the USDA’s movement. Program standards. Manual Three is organic seal. Resources below are divided into specific CCOF’s International Standards, used for General FDA Labeling Regulations, categories. They include resources of specific certification under the IFOAM program. Manual Four is a guide to allowed and pro- http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flg-toc.html1 interest to organic processors, and a few of Food Labeling Guide booklet that has general interest not specific to organic. At hibited substances, available for a fee from CCOF at 888-423-2263. CCOF has also questions and answers referencing the 21 the end of this article is a summary of the CFR 101 (Code of Federal Regulations) resources listed and how to contact them. produced a full application package on CD. This provides and electronic copy of the section of the regulation ORGANIC REGULATIONS ...... applications including frequently used sec- Labeling for Wholesale Packages, California California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), tions, manuals, standards and our annual County Agricultural Commissioners, www.ccof.org directory. This is available to any interested www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/cl/countyagmap.htm On CCOF’s website, under “Certification” party free of charge. Contact your local county agricultural you will find links to state and federal commissioner for regulations that apply to ORGANIC PROCESSING SUBSTANCES ...... organic regulations and CCOF’s “Manual wholesale produce packages in California. (ALLOWED MATERIALS) Two,” the USDA National Organic Pro- MARKETING ...... gram regulation verbatim. CCOF’s Han- National Organic Program, COPES Program, www.copes-ca.org dler/Processor Certification staff is available www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/ COPES promotes exports of California to answer questions for existing and NOPhome.html organic products to overseas markets, and prospective clients. Here is the most recent National List of Approved Substances. You can also find a emphasizes free education for California- National Organic Program, database on all materials that have been based companies, including marketing www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ProdHandlers/ petitioned and approved by the National assistance in the form of show appearances, ProdHandhome.html Organic Standard Board. If you want to foreign and reverse trade missions, semi- Here you can find regulations and guide- understand how substances are approved, nars, and webinar courses for California lines including policies, directives, and how to petition a substance to be added to companies to initiate and increase export Questions & Answers covering a multitude the list, with forms and format explained, of their organic products. of relevant topics. Newcomers to organic please visit www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ Organic Trade Association, www.atoexpo.com regulations should check the Fact Sheets on Petition/PetitionHome.html The annual All Things Organic trade show, Production & Handling and Labeling & Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), North America’s only all organic confer- Marketing from October 2002 that explain www.omri.org ence and trade show, is co-located with the the basic concepts. Find lists of brand name products that are Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Show, the allowed for processing and handling, crop National Association for the Specialty Food

Page 36 CCOF Magazine Trade’s (NASFT) Fancy Food Show, and the resources is available. Short courses are National Organic Program, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Associa- offered, and services can be tailored to your www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/ tion’s (UFFVA) United Produce Expo & specific issues. Consumerhome.html Background information on the National Conference at McCormick Place in Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com Chicago, Illinois. The Organic Pages Online includes a com- Organic Program and simple explanations prehensive listing of consultants with of organic labeling, and regulations. There Natural Food Expos expertise in all areas of processing and are also links to other governmental pro- Expo West, Anaheim, CA, every March, organic certification. grams involving organic products or certifi- www.expowest.com; cation like ISO Guide 65 certifiers, Foreign CCOF Expo East, Washington, D.C., Agricultural Service (FAS), Organic Per- Presently we are actively developing a list every October, www.expowest.com spective newsletters. Both promote natural and organic foods of consultants. Contact us for a copy as and products. During the 2005 Expo in this develops. Organic Processing Magazine, www.organicprocessing.com Anaheim, CCOF will be providing an UPCOMING EVENTS ...... An industry publication that targets opportunity for several clients to attend the organic processors with a wide range of trade show at a reduced rate as part of the CCOF, www.ccof.org topics by and about organic industry lead- “CCOF Showcase” booth. Please see the Calendar of CCOF, organic, and environ- ers and food industry professionals. Fea- marketing article in this magazine or con- mental events. tures articles and columns on a variety of tact CCOF’s Director of Marketing, Jake Organic Processing Magazine, topics. See the Summary next page. Lewin, at 831-423-2263 ext. 21. www.organicprocessing.com Check the Datebook column. Both US The Food Processing Center, http://fpc.unl.edu CCOF, www.ccof.org and International expos, trade fairs, forms, Information on current “hot topics” and CCOF’s store with “Certified Organic and training events. See Summary. trends, like low carb foods, Bioterrorism Processor” signs, rubber stampers, stickers for Preparedness Law, food safety issues, CCOF certified clients, and more. Or con- GENERAL TOPICS HACCP programs, wellness foods, tact CCOF’s office at 888-423-2263. & BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...... nutraceuticals, and more! CCOF, www.ccof.org SOURCING INGREDIENTS ...... Bylaws, minutes of CCOF Organic Directory, www.ccof.org meetings, Q & A, and Access CCOF’s membership database to information explaining find certified growers, processors, livestock CCOF’s structure. You products, or retailers. Search by product, can also find back issues name, or area. A hard copy or electronic of CCOF’s magazine, copy of CCOF’s Organic Directory is avail- links to sites educating able from the CCOF office (888-423-2263). consumers on the bene- National Organic Program, fits of organic agricul- www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Compliance/ ture to health and SuspendRevoke.html environment, and press To verify operations that have been releases. Links to a suspended or revoked certifications. plethora of organic pro- Organic Trade Association, grams, scientific, con- www.ota.com/online%20directory/ sumer, government, ingredsourcing.htm activist, and informa- Online directories to find organic ingredients. tional websites. CONSULTANTS ...... The Food Processing Center, http://fpc.unl.edu Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program, Product & Process Development, Pilot Production, Laboratory Services. This pro- gram, offered through the University of Nebraska, offers comprehensive product and equipment testing, marketing, food safety and consumer acceptance, and pro- duction techniques. A vast array of

Summer 2004 Page 37 The Organic Center, www.organic-center.org find or contact your legislators, and the fication program for growers, processors, Presently developing “State of Science Processor Chapter of CCOF. handler, and retailers; programs to increase Reviews” that will address proven and possi- Organic Trade Association, awareness of and demand for certified ble benefits of organic food and farming sys- www.ota.com/membership/register.html organic products and to expand public tems. Provides a general overview of current Active trade association, conferences to dis- support for organic agriculture; and advo- knowledge drawing on recent reports and cuss standards and policies, and organize cacy for governmental policies that protect articles in the peer-reviewed literature, scien- works on developing standards for prod- and encourage organic agriculture. tific publications, government reports, and ucts not covered by the NOP. California State Organic Program (Processors), research findings issued by private organiza- www.dhs.ca.gov/fdb/HTML/Food/ SUMMARY OF RESOURCES ...... tions and research institutes. Sign up for organreq.htm, or call 916-650-6500. e-mail newsletter, or search the website. California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), www.ccof.org or call The Food Processing Center (University of GETTING INVOLVED ...... 888-423-2263. Nebraska, Lincoln), http://fpc.unl.edu CCOF, www.ccof.org CCOF’s purpose is to promote and sup- Though not specific to organic businesses, Concerned about biotechnology, renewable port organic agriculture in California and the Food Processing Center offers technical energy, factory farming? Links to help you elsewhere through a premier organic certi- and business development services. They will help existing food businesses or start- ups. Can provide a stand-alone service or fully integrated package of technical and business development support. Fully confi- dential, and with reasonable prices. Programs are centered in the Midwest. National Organic Program, www.ams.usda.gov/nop Official USDA website containing infor- mation on regulatory issues governing organic processing and production. The Organic Center, www.organic-center.org The Organic Center for Education and Pro- motion has a singular mission to provide consumers, health care professionals, educa- tors, public officials, and government agen- cies with credible, scientific information about the organic benefit. It is a clearing- house for this information, tracking research, analyzing the results and providing it to the public, the media, and government agencies. Organic Processing Magazine, www.organicprocessing.com Organic Processing magazine seeks to pro- vide an independent forum for the exchange of practical and relevant information, ideas and experience to promote and sustain the growth of organic processing from seed to shelf. Free subscription to industry members. Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA’s mission is to encourage global sus- tainability through promoting and protect- ing the growth of diverse organic trade.

OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST UPDATE JUNE 2004

BRAND NAME OF PRODUCT SUPPLIER GENERIC MATERIAL OMRI STATUS

CROP PRODUCTS Aromas Berry Farms Compost Aromas Berry Farms, Inc. Compost – windrow A B.F. - 888 Tech Ag, Inc. Manure Tea R B.F. - H. F. F. Tech Ag, Inc. Fish Products, Liquid – stabilized A Bio-N-Liven Answer Environmental Care & Share, LLC. Enzymes A Calcium PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Calcium Chloride R Carbon Answer Environmental Care & Share, LLC. Humic Acid Derivatives A Concern® Garden Defense Woodstream Corporation Neem Extract and Derivatives R Multi-Purpose Spray Concentrate Contans® WG Sylvan Bioproducts, Inc. Fungicides – nonsynthetic A Copper PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Copper Sulfate Crystals (fertilizer) Chem One, Ltd. Copper Sulfate R Danu for Corn Bio Pow(d)er BV Magnesium Sulfate – synthetic R Deer Away® Deer & Rabbit Repellent II Woodstream Corporation Repellents, Vertebrate Animal – A nonsynthetic EcoFungi EcoMicrobials Microbial Products – allowed A EM 1 Microbial Inoculant EM Hawaii Effective Microorganisms inoculants A Fishplus Grotek Manufacturing Inc Fish Products, Multi-ingredient A Iron PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Lilly Miller Ready To Use Cuerva W Neudorff GmbH KG Coppers, Fixed R Copper Soap Fungicide Lilly Miller Vegol Growing Season W Neudorff GmbH KG Oils – nonsynthetic sources A Spray Oil Magnesium PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate – synthetic R Manganese PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R MicroPak PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Mineral Electrolyte Answer Environmental Care & Share, LLC. Fulvic Acids A Morris Farms Compost Morris Farms Inc Plant Preparations A Mycostop Mix Ag Bio Development, Inc. Fungicides – nonsynthetic A Organic Biolink Root-boost 2-0-5 Westbridge Agricultural Products Fertilizers, Blended – allowed A Organic Gem 2-3-0 Bella Coola Fisheries Fish Products, Liquid – stabilized A Organica® K+ Neem Insecticide - Organica BioTech Inc Neem Extract and Derivatives R Fungicide PlanTea PlanTea Fertilizers, Blended – allowed A www.omri.orgQuick Solution Pacific Coast Resources Corp. Potassium Sulfate – nonsynthetic A Safer® Brand 3 in 1 Garden Spray Woodstream Corporation Neem Extract and Derivatives R Safer® Brand Fruit & Vegetable Woodstream Corporation Soap R Insect Killer II Safer® Brand Garden Fungicide II Woodstream Corporation Sulfur – elemental A Safer® Brand Granular Fire Ant Woodstream Corporation Spinosad A Safer® Brand Houseplant Insect Woodstream Corporation Soap R Killing Soap Concentrate II Safer® Brand Houseplant Insect Woodstream Corporation Soap R Killing Soap II Safer® Brand Insect Killing Soap Woodstream Corporation Soap R Concentrate II Safer® Brand Insect Killing Soap Woodstream Corporation Soap R with Seaweed Extract II Safer® Brand Rose & Flower Insect Woodstream Corporation Soap R Killer II

A=Allowed; R=Regulated © 2004 Organic Materials Review Institute continues next page Summer 2004 Page 39

BRAND NAME OF PRODUCT SUPPLIER GENERIC MATERIAL OMRI STATUS

CROP PRODUCTS Safer® Brand Tomato & Vegetable Woodstream Corporation Soap R Insect Killer II Safer® Brand Yard & Garden Insect Woodstream Corporation Pyrethrum R Killer Concentrate II Safer® Brand Yard & Garden Insect Woodstream Corporation Pyrethrum R Killer II Serenade® Garden Disease Control AgraQuest, Inc. Microbial Products – allowed A Ready to Use Simply Fish 2-3-0 Bella Coola Fisheries Fish Products, Liquid – stabilized A Speedy Compost Grotek Manufacturing Inc Fertilizers, Blended – allowed A Vital Answer Bio-Stimulant Environmental Care & Share, LLC. Enzymes A Vital Answer Liquid Energy Environmental Care & Share, LLC. Humic Acid Derivatives A Yeoman Infuse-O Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Acetic Acid – nonsynthetic A Yeoman® brand 3% Fe Organic Iron Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Yeoman® brand 4% Mg Organic Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Magnesium Yeoman® brand 5% Cu Organic Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Copper Yeoman® brand 7% Mn Organic Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R Manganese Zinc PolyAmine® Northwest Agricultural Products, Inc. Micronutrients – synthetic, restricted R

*There were no Processing or Livestock products added to the OMRI List between March 2004 and June 2004. A=Allowed; R=Regulated © 2004 Organic Materials Review Institute

Page 40 CCOF Magazine

CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS

NEWLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS CATALAN Y AVALOS ORGANIC DIVERSIFIED PRODUCT GREEN PLANET ORGANICS ADVANCED PACKAGING & FARM (CC) MANAGEMENT CO. (PR) (CC) DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST, Maria Catalan & Efren Avalos Les Cooper Stephen Bender & Ryan Scarzone P.O. Box 1252 P.O. Box 222275 318 Market St. (front house) INC. (PR) Aldo Dagnino Hollister, CA 95024-1252 Carmel, CA 93922 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 P.O. Box 2246 831-970-5129 831-625-1692 831-332-7336 Manteca, CA 95336 Crops Certified: Watermelon, Products Certified: Balsamic Crops Certified: Mixed Vegetable 209-825-7939 Corn, Chilies, Tomatillos, Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Herb Transplants Services Certified: Labeling, Melons, Celery, Broccoli, Squash, EEL RIVER ORGANIC BEEF (HT) GRIZZLY HILL FARM (YO) Warehousing Tomatoes Clint Victorine Ray & Cheryl Diggins CELTIC GARDENS (SG) P.O. Box 146 14617 Grizzly Hill Rd. ALTA VISTA GROWERS (PS) Tom & Donna Thompson Stephen Bird & Caroline Wadlin Hydesville, CA 95547 Nevada City, CA 95959 PMB 204, 31805 Highway 79 South 4221 North Canyon Road 707-768-3194 530-265-9495 Temecula, CA 92592 Camino, CA 95709 Crops Certified: Pasture Crops Certified: Tomatoes, Peppers, 909-302-2104 530-647-0690 Livestock Certified: Cattle Squash, Melons, Transplants, Crops Certified: Persimmons, Crops Certified: Pears, Apples, Products Certified: Beef Mixed Vegetables Tangerines, Oranges, Figs, Limes, Blackberries, Grapes ELDERBROC FARMS (ME) IMPERIAL VALLEY MILLING Apples, Pomegranates, Peaches, CHRISTOPHER TUOHIG (CC) Ralph & Catherine Rittenhouse INC. (PR) Lemons, Grapefruit, Kumquats, Christopher Tuohig 5250 Davis Dr. Ray Johnson Plums, Asian Pears P.O. Box 1042 Lakeport, CA 95453 P.O. Box 387 Aptos, CA 95001 707-262-0172 Holtville, CA 92250 AMBROSINI DAIRY (HT) Richard E Ambrosini, Sr. 831-334-2403 Crops Certified: Watermelon, 760-356-2914 190 Meridian Rd. Crops Certified: Mixed Vegetables, Cantaloupe, Tomatoes, Peppers Services Certified: Seed Cleaning Ferndale, CA 95536 Raspberries, Flowers FRESH OFF THE VINE (FT) JAVA BOB’S COFFEE 707-786-9133 CLAIRMONT FARMS (SC) Diane & Steve Bettencourt ROASTING (PR) Crops Certified: Silage Meryl Ann Tanz 6095 14th Ave. Richard Hansen P.O. Box 128 Hanford, CA 93230 118 Coral Street ANCHOR WAREHOUSE (PR) Garth Ramseier Los Olivos, CA 93441 559-584-1700 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 970 E. Myer Avenue 805-688-7505 Crops Certified: Tomatoes 831-425-7143 Exeter, CA 93221 Crops Certified: Lavender, Olives FUENTES BERRY FARMS (CC) Products Certified: Coffee 559-308-1498 COMMUNITY RECYCLING Rogelio Fuentes Services Certified: Roasting, Services Certified: Cold Storage & RESOURCE RECOVERY (KE) 1767 San Juan Rd. Grinding, Milling David Baldwin Aromas, CA 95004 JK MANAGEMENT, INC. (PR) APPLIED ORGANICS (PR) Buddy Morel 1261 N. Wheeler Ridge Rd., 831-726-3256 Thomas Stills & James Kerns P.O. Box 5158 P.O. Box 716 Crops Certified: Blackberries, P.O. Box 416 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 Lamont, CA 93251 Strawberries Holtville, CA 92250 949-640-0488 661-845-4056 G. S. SAKAE, INC (CC) 760-356-1583 Products Certified: Nude Lubricant Crops Certified: Alfalfa Hay Grant Sakae Services Certified: Icing, Vegetable CORRALITOS FARMS LLC (CC) P.O. Box 2563 Storage, Hydro Cooling, Hydro BEEMAN’S BLOOMS (ME) Vacuum Cooling Tara Beeman & Gunter Ruffler Fritz Koontz Watsonville, CA 95076 P.O. Box 496 P.O. Box 1061 831-724-0239 JOE MULLER & SONS RANCH Boonville, CA 95415 Watsonville, CA 95077 Crops Certified: Strawberries (YO) 707-895-2699 831-763-7722 GEORGE CECCHETTI Frank, Tom & Louie Muller Crops Certified: Transplants, Mixed Crops Certified: Strawberries ENTERPRISES (SL) 15810 County Road 95 Vegetables DAIRYMAN’S MEAT George Cecchetti Woodland, CA 95695 530-662-0105 BIONEED ORGANICS CORP. PROCESSING, INC. (PR) 317 Cecchetti Rd. Michael Ban Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Crops Certified: Tomatoes (PR) Frank & Alice Lu 970 E. Sandy Mush Road 805-489-8245 LABYRINTH VINEYARDS (NC) 5357 Prince Estates Court Merced, CA 95340 Crops Certified: Beans John & Christine Mason San Jose, CA 95135 209-383-4060 6111 Van Keppel Rd. 408-239-0286 Services Certified: Beef Slaughter Forestville, CA 95436 Products Certified: Nutritional & Processing 707-887-1239 Supplements Crops Certified: Apples, Wine Services Certified: Export Services Grapes, Mixed Vegetables & Fruits

Page 42 CCOF Magazine

LONDON SCOTTISH PARDUCCI WINE ESTATES, REGLI JERSEYS (HT) SUPERIOR TRANSPLANTS (CC) INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (SA) LLC (PR) Jim & Susan Regli Andres Bermudez & David Robles W.G.C. Maxweil Robert Swain 525 Witman Lane P.O. Box 549 Meadowview House Tannery Lane 501 Parducci Road Ferndale, CA 95536 Winters, CA 95694 Bramley Surrey, UK GU5 OAB Ukiah, CA 95482 707-789-9066 530-795-1072 148-389-4650 707-463-5350 Crops Certified: Pasture & Crops Certified: Transplants Products Certified: Vodka, White Services Certified: Wine making Rangeland, Hay TIKVAH (NC) Rum, Gin & bottling Livestock Certified: Dairy Cows Cynthia Norman LUCY M WALSH (CC) PEGASUS LLC (PS) Products Certified: Milk 735 Gossage Avenue Lucy Walsh Robert Richardson RODRIGUEZ FARMS (CC) Petaluma, CA 94952 13600 Columbet Ave. P.O. Box 785 Rosario & Patricia Rodriguez 707-775-4475 San Martin, CA 95046 Pauma Valley, CA 92061 15374 Del Monte Farms Rd. Crops Certified: Mixed Vegetables 408-683-2707 760-742-1468 Castroville, CA 95012 & Fruits Crops Certified: Walnuts Crops Certified: Mushrooms 831-633-4103 Products Certified: Soap MEADOW SONG FARM (NC) PFEIFFER’S CALIFORNIA Crops Certified: Strawberries, Services Certified: Soap production Taylor Lampson & Brighid CUSTOM PACKING (PR) Tomatoes V & N FARM (PS) Fitzgibbon Jeff Pfeiffer SIERRA ORGANICS (PR) Nikos Wizner 1425 Cooper Rd. P.O. Box 507 Justin Vyn 31107 Manzanita Crest Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 Exeter, CA 93221 P.O. Box 50109 Valley Center, CA 92082 707-823-7390 559-592-5327 Henderson, NV 89016 760-749-9881 Crops Certified: Mixed Vegetables Services Certified: Citrus Packaging 209-595-7766 Crops Certified: Grapefruit, MONT BLANC GOURMET (PR) QUINTESSENTIAL LEAF TEA Products Certified: Hulled Oranges Jerry Kitsmiller COMPANY (PR) Almonds, Corn, Cottonseed VOLLELUNGA RANCH (ME) 9745 East Hampden Ave. #440 Dave Maier Services Certified: Broker of Anthony & Elizabeth Vollelunga Denver, CO 80231 1820 Camino Estrada Almond Hulls, Corn & 4275 Highland Springs Rd. 303-755-1100 Concord, CA 94521 Cottonseed Lakeport, CA 95453 Products Certified: Beverage Mixes 925-672-2723 SIMPLERS BOTANICAL 707-263-9431 – Iced Mocha, Iced Cappuccino, Products Certified: Darjeeling Black, COMPANY, LLC (PR) Crops Certified: Walnuts Iced Vanilla Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Extra James M. Williams WESTERN HYDROPONIC MOREHART RANCH (SC) Special Black, Green Tea P.O. Box 2534 PRODUCE/ GRANDPA’S Martin & Patricia Morehart R & R ENTERPRISES (NV) Sebastopol, CA 95473 GARDEN (BV) Box 231 Richard J. Walsh 707-887-2012 Jerry & Carolyn Feroben Santa Paula, CA 93060 5541 Sylvia Ave. Products Certified: Essential Oils, 3808 Ben Hur Rd. 805-525-5692 Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Hops, Golden Seal Mariposa, CA 95338 Crops Certified: Oranges 541-885-8886 SMALL WORLD TRADING 209-966-7528 OCEAN SONG ORGANICS (NC) Crops Certified: Potatoes, Asparagus COMPANY (PR) Crops Certified: Tomatoes Bruce Akers Benjamin Fahrer RAINBOWS END FARM (NC) INACTIVE P.O. Box 72 Nan Koehler 15A Koch Road BARN OWL ORGANICS (FT) Occidental, CA 95465 13140 Frati Lane Corte Madera, CA 94925 Paul Paulin 707-874-2342 Sebastopol, CA 95472 415-945-1900 Crops Certified: Mixed Vegetables 707-874-2315 Products Certified: Trail Mix, DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST & Fruits, Flowers Crops Certified: Fruit, Herbs, Tomato products, Vegetable Juice, ASSOCIATION (ME) Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Catsup, Pizza Jin Chan & Joey Wei ORGANIC HARVEST Raspberries, Boysenberries Sauce NETWORK (PR) RAKUSENS LTD. (SA) TAP ROOTS (HT) Services Certified: Processing Giuseppe Salvato, Ethan Abendroth Graham Knapton Stacey Kett Tomato products 736 Gilman Street Clayton Wood Rise SUSPENDED Berkeley, CA 94710 Leeds, Yorkshire, UK LS16 6QN SOUTH COAST ORGANICS (PR) 510-222-5333 113-278-4821 James McKeon D&C ELLIOT ORCHARD Services Certified: Trader, Export Products Certified: Water Crackers, 7843 Langlo Ranch Road (EAGLE POINT) (YO) Goleta, CA 93117 David Elliot ORGANIC HERB TRADING Cracked Pepper Water Crackers 805-968-9963 DINA FARMS (FT) COMPANY, LTD (SA) Services Certified: Manufacturing Products Certified: Avocados, Cheri- Edmund Lee of Water Crackers Kris Sidharaju moya, Sapote, Feijoa, Lemons, Kiwi Milverton RANCHO SAN RAFAEL (NV) Services Certified: Fruit Packing Somerset, UK TA4 1NF Maria & David Van Fleet 182-340-1205 4960 A Diamond Mountain Rd. SUNNYSIDE ORGANIC Products Certified: Herbs & spices Greenville, CA 95947 SEEDLINGS (BV) 530-284-7114 Vernay Reber & Rick Wesson 143 Brunswick St. Crops Certified: Pasture Due to space limitations, Withdrawn San Francisco, CA 94112 Livestock Certified: Breeder Stock, Operations for these dates are included in Cattle 415-215-7247 the online version of this Magazine. Products Certified: Beef Crops Certified: Vegetable Seedlings www.ccof.org

Summer 2004 Page 43 CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 2, Summer 2004, The Organic Processing Issue

Addendum to Newly Certified Clients, page 42

Withdrawn Operations FRESH & FANCY ORGANIC O’SULLIVAN (RICHARD B.) FARM (sc) (nv) 3 NUTS (ps) Willard & Susan Michlin Richard, Robert & J.T. O’Sullivan Dan Kinnard, Eloise Lau I.N.A. FARM CORP. (ke) OLDANI FAMILY FARM (yo) A&A MANAGEMENT CO. (bv) Haruhiko “Hutch” Yatsuzuka Claire Oldani Serge Baghoumian JACKASS HILL ORGANIC POLITO FAMILY FARMS (ps) A. VOLPI & SON INC. (bv) FARM (sg) Bob Polito Nancee L. Volpi Adrian & Sue Lopez RANCHO FRANCISCO (nv) AMO ORGANICS (cc) JOHN BAYER (bv) Terrell & Karen Storm Avalos Efren John Bayer RS BATTH FARMS (ke) APPLE FARM (THE) (me) JON RICHTER (nv) Ravinder Singh Batth Tim Bates Jon Richter S & M FARMING (nv) CALIFORNIA TOMATO KALLO FOODS (pr) Jeff Mardesich PRODUCTS (pr) Andy Stride Susan Cudd SCHOON (sg) KBS ORGANIC (ke) Robert & Julia Schoon CALIFORNIA-SINALOA Brent Paul ORGANIC FARMS (al) SCOTT & STARR WEST (yo) Wayne Parks KURT SILVA (bv) Scott & Starr West Kurt Silva CAMPBELL & SON (nv) STEVE L. CALVER (ps) Jim Campbell LION OAKS RANCH (cc) Steve Calver Joseph A. Donohoe CHARLIE’S NUTS (nv) THE NUT FARM (yo) Charles M. Kresa MARK WARDA FARMS (bv) Leon Felton Sarah Warda CONONIAH TORNQUIST RANCH (sl) VINEYARD/BERRY FAMILY MARMOT MEADOWS FARM Allwin & Beverly Tornquist LLC (me) (sg) Ed Berry Steve Martin TUMMY ACRES (sc) John James & Anthony Krock CUPIDS CASTLE LEMONS MOORE’S ORGANICS (ps) (ps) Laney Villalobos & Louise Moore VANN BROTHERS G.W. Ted Vlasis VANN (yo) MOUNTAIN MEADOW (sc) Bob Freed FARMERS NICOLAS (nc) Ann Mullins Nicolas Cortez WALLACE FARMS (nv) NICHOLAS PRODUCE INC. Steve & Valerie Wallace FIDDLER’S GREEN FARM, (ps) INC. (yo) Joe T. Ukegawa WARNICK FARMS (yo) J. Eldon Dean & Betty Warnick NORA NARAGHI (bv) FOWLER RANCH (me) E. Victor Quattrin, Nora Naraghi WILLOW CREEK RANCH (ps) Charles Fowler Matthew Pfeffer

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CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE ...... SERVICES ...... Warehouse space for sale, 26,000 sq. ft., includ- Pfeiffer’s California Custom Packing, Inc. is now a CCOF certified ing 7,800 sq. ft. of cold storage and 900 sq. ft. organic handler. Located at 400 3rd Street, Exeter, CA, since 2002, of office space on 3.2 acres, located in PCCP handles all types of organic and non-organic citrus, persimmons Winters, CA. Formerly Tufts Ranch Pack- and quince. The packinghouse is equipped with separate lines for aging Shed, certified organic with CCOF. organic and non-organic fruit, 4 de-greening/refrigeration rooms and The property is listed with NAI, Sacra- has full bagging capabilities. PCCP packs for small and large growers, mento Valley Commercial, located in West and also does outsource packing for other packinghouses. The owners, Sacramento. NAI contact is Jim Wirth, Jeff and Jeanette Pfeiffer, have lived and farmed in Tulare County for 916-617-4248. www.naisacramento.com 20+ years and they look forward to meeting new organic growers.

CALENDAR

JULY 10 SEPTEMBER 12 CCOF booth! Marin Center, San Rafael, CA, Medicinal Plant Walk. Tour will cover plant TomatoFest attracts tomato lovers from around 877-bioneer, www.bioneers.org, identification, medicinal and garden uses, as the nation and features 60 of America’s top [email protected] well as ways of incorporating medicinal plants chefs, 50 wineries, a tasting of more than 300 OCTOBER 20–21 into the garden design; Occidental Arts and tomato varieties, music, dancing, and much 2004 Northeast SARE Conference, workshops Ecology Center, Occidental, CA. more, Visit the CCOF booth! Quail Lodge on marketing, ecological production, policy and 10:30AM –1:30PM, $25, 707-874-1557. Resort, Carmel Valley, CA, tickets $85. planning, learning from farmers, and sessions www.tomatofest.com JULY 10–11 on communications in the agricultural Organic Seed Production and Participatory SEPTEMBER 25 community, Burlington, VT. Plant Breeding. This class is designed to pro- Cover Crops for any Reason. Learn how to pro- www.uvm.edu/%7Enesare/conf.html vide organic farmers with the knowledge neces- duce biologically active soil to promote optimum NOVEMBER 6–7 sary to produce a commercial seed crop; crop growth; Harmony Farm Supply, Sebastopol, San Francisco Green Festival, this event brings Evergreen State College Farm, Olympia, WA. CA. 707-823-9125, www.harmonyfarm.com together green enterprises, social and environ- www.seedalliance.org or 360-385-7192. SEPTEMBER 25–OCTOBER 2 mental groups, visionary thinkers, and thousands JULY 17–18 Haygrove High Tunnel Tour will feature Hay- of festival attendees in a lively exchange of ideas Growing Seed for Your Garden. This class is grove’s home farm with 220 acres of strawber- and commerce; San Francisco Convention Cen- for backyard seed savers who are interested in ries, raspberries, cherries and lilies produced ter, San Francisco, CA. www.greenfestivals.com improving their seed growing skills; Evergreen under tunnels, 866-HAYGROVE, NOVEMBER 13 State College Farm, Olympia, WA. [email protected] Antique Faire in the Park. More than 50 www.seedalliance.org or 360-385-7192. OCTOBER 2–3 vendors of antique and vintage products, live AUGUST 14 Hoes Down Harvest Celebration at Full Belly music, games, and more. Organic wine and beer Antique Faire in the Park. More than 50 Farm in the Capay Valley (Yolo County) will garden benefits CCOF; Golden Gate Park, San vendors of antique and vintage products, live promote sustainable agriculture and rural living Francisco, CA. 10:30AM –5PM, 415-465-2475, music, games, and more. Organic wine and beer through two fun-filled days of workshops and www.antiquefaireinthepark.com garden benefits CCOF; Golden Gate Park, San events. Located within two hours of San Fran- JANUARY 20–23, 2005 Francisco, CA. 10:30AM –5PM, 415-465-2475, cisco and Sacramento’s busy metropolitan areas. Eco-Farm Conference 2005 features prominent www.antiquefaireinthepark.com Saturday will include hay rides, workshops, craft keynote speakers and more than 50 workshops marketplace, farmers’ market, children’s area, on the latest advances in agricultural produc- AUGUST 21–22 Manure Pitch-Off and more. Sunday will tion, marketing, research, and important issues; COPIA Edible Garden Festival, focusing include more workshops, a guided raft trip Asilomar Conference Center, 831-763-2111, on sustainable and organic foods and wines, down Cache Creek, small orchard care and [email protected] offering two days of demonstrations and more. Admission for individual workshops: workshops on gardening and cooking; join $15–25. Pre-registration is required for work- your kids in the KIDS Garden; Napa, CA. shops. Space is limited so register early! This is SEND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS TO: www.copia.org California’s premier sustainable agriculture festi- Lisa Stutey • e-mail: [email protected] AUGUST 28–29 val. For more information, please visit Fall and Winter Garden Plant Sale & Tenth www.hoesdown.org, e-mail [email protected] • US Mail: 1115 Mission St., Santa Cruz, Anniversary Open House. The grounds will be or call (800) 791-2110. CA 95060 • FAX: 831-423-4528 open for special tours, demonstrations, and will OCTOBER 15–17 Phone: 888-423-2263, ext. 10 feature organic heirloom brassicas, lettuces, Bioneers 15th Annual Conference, the preemi- flowers, and more; Occidental Art and Ecology nent gathering of visionaries with practical solu- Center, Occidental, CA. 9AM–5PM, free admis- tions for restoring the Earth. For both sion, 707-874-1557. professional and general audiences, this three- day annual event equips participants with mod- els, resources, and networks, encouraging everyone to act as primary forces in the transfor- mation toward a restorative future. Visit the LAST WORD

Man — despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments — owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains. ~ Unknown

REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES (RSRS) FOR CCOF CHAPTERS At-Large Fresno-Tulare (FT) North Coast (NC) San Luis Obispo (SL) (Unassigned counties (Fresno, Kings, Madera, Tulare) (Marin, Napa, Sonoma) Glenn Johnson and outside California) Cynthia Ortegon Elizabeth Whitlow 685 Grade Mountain Road Lois Christie 25334 Grove Way 915 Daniel Street Nipomo, CA 93444 (See Desert Valleys) Madera, CA 93638 Sebastopol, CA 95472 T: (805) 929-3081/F: 929-3081 Big Valley (BV) T: (559) 664-0471/F: 664-0471 T: (707) 824-2246 [email protected] (Contra Costa, Merced, [email protected] [email protected] Sierra Gold (SG) San Joaquin, Stanislaus) Handler/Processor (PR) North Valley (NV) (Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Paola Legarre (Handlers, Packers, (Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne) 2512 N. Arthur Ave. Processors, Retailers) Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Raoul Adamchak Fresno, CA 93705 (see Processor/Handler) Tehama, Yuba) 26951 County Rd. 96 T: (559) 229-3525 Humboldt-Trinity (HT) Tom Harter Davis, CA 95616 F: (559) 272-6186 (Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity) P.O. Box 817 T: (530) 753-8003 [email protected] Elizabeth Whitlow Biggs, CA 95917 [email protected] Central Coast (CC) (See North Coast) T/F: (530) 868-1814 South Coast (SC) [email protected] (Alameda, Monterey, San Benito, Kern (KE) (Santa Barbara, Ventura) San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Paola Legarre Pacific Southwest (PS) Glenn Johnson Clara, Santa Cruz) 2512 N. Arthur Ave. (Riverside, San Diego) (see San Luis Obispo) Jamie Collins Fresno, CA 93705 Lois Christie Yolo (YO) 918 Sinex Avenue T: (559) 229-3525 (see Desert Valleys) (Colusa, Placer, Sacramento, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 F: (559) 272-6186 Processor/Handler (PR) Solano, Sutter, Yolo) T: (831) 484-1658 [email protected] (Handlers, Packers, Raoul Adamchak [email protected] Mendocino (ME) Processors, Retailers) (see Sierra Gold) Desert Valleys (DV) (Lake, Mendocino) Elizabeth Downing (Imperial, Riverside) John Trinterud c/o CCOF Home Office Lois Christie 22760 Oak Lane T: (888) 423-2263, ext. 26 40911 Via Ranchitos Covelo, CA 95428 F: (831) 423-4528 Fallbrook, CA 92028 T: (707) 983-0107/F: 983-9613 [email protected] Visit our Website at: T: (760) 451-0912 [email protected] F: (760) 723-3775 www.ccof.org [email protected]

CERTIFICATION SERVICES STAFF HOME OFFICE STAFF CCOF INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian McElroy, Certification Services Manager, ext. 16, [email protected] Peggy Miars, Communications Director, ext. 12 Vanessa Bogenholm (cc), Chair John McKeon, Director of Grower Certification, ext. 19, [email protected] [email protected] Will Daniels (pr), Vice Chair Kerry Glendening, Grower Certification Associate, ext. 14, [email protected] Jake Lewin, Director of Marketing & International Kate Burroughs (nc), Secretary Erica Chernoh, Grower Certification Associate, ext. 13, [email protected] Programs, ext. 21, [email protected] Stephen Bird (sg), Treasurer Robin Allan, Grower Certification Associate, ext. 23, [email protected] Armando Bonifacio, Accountant, ext. 15, Jim Zeek (sg), CSC Chair Janning Kennedy, Director of Handler Certification, ext. 20, [email protected] [email protected] Cynthia Ritenour, Handler Certification Associate, ext. 18, [email protected] Amber Proaps, Accounting Assistant, ext. 29, Bill Reichle (bv), Vanessa Bogenholm (cc) Karen Egerton, Handler Certification Associate, ext. 25, [email protected] [email protected] Glen Vandervoort (dv), Robert Merrifield (ft) Sean Feder, Inspection Operations Director, [email protected] Keith Proctor, Magazine Editor & Webmaster, Patti Rose (ht), Malcolm Ricci (ke) (530) 756-8518, ext. 11 (Davis Office) ext. 27, [email protected] Charles Fowler (me), Kate Burroughs (nc) Brian Sharpe, Office Manager & Chapter Resource Carl Rosato (nv), Will Daniels (pr) CERTIFICATION SERVICES LLC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Coordinator, ext. 24, [email protected] Richard Taylor (ps), John Wise (sc) Helge Hellberg, Consumer Representative Lisa Stutey, Office Coordinator, ext. 10, [email protected] Stephen Bird (sg), Roy Reeves (sl) Karen Martin, Producer Representative Raven Patrick, Intern, ext. 10, [email protected] Paul Underhill (yo) Rueben Weinzveg, Financial Advisor/Representative Malachi Doyle, Intern, ext. 22, [email protected]

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid 1115 Mission Street • Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Permit #262 (831) 423-2263 • FAX (831) 423-4528 Santa Cruz, CA TOLL FREE: 1-888-423-2263