CCOF ~ 30Th Anniversary

the newsletter o f

California Certified Organic Farmers

Volume XIX, Number 4 Creating a Living Standard for Healthy Food Winter 2002–2003

CCOF’s Anniversary! th page 24 30

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK page 2

$3.50

BROCCOLI: CROWN JEWEL EVALUATING COMPOST ORGANIC RAW MILK LAWN CARE CHEMICALS page 8 page 16 page 38 page 49 FIRST WORD

HE UIET RUTH Farmers that have been exposed to 2,4,5,- ble. Once the true costs of toxic chemical T Q T T and 2,4-D have two- to eightfold agriculture are determined and placed on ABOUT CONVENTIONAL increases in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma products, then organic agriculture will over farmers who have not been exposed dominate in the marketplace. Before a true AGRICULTURE to those two chemicals. Herbicides such as accounting system is adopted, our own chlorophenoxy have been government must regain By Brian Leahy CCOF President linked to increased rates of a value system that puts immune cancers in migrant Toxic chemicals are human life, the environ-

SPENT THIS PAST and seasonal farm workers, ment, and culture above FOURTH OF JULY at a as well as county extension attacking our bodies and the desires of the agro- friend’s family farm agents. Childhood cancers chemical interest group I have also been shown to be that has dominated in Kentucky. My friend’s our families’ bodies, our soil father confided in me that he believes the linked with the toxic chem- USDA and the land high cancer rate in his family is a result of ical tools that family farms and the life within and grant colleges for the the tools he used to produce his crops. The have come to rely on. past 60 years. toxic chemicals that made it easier for him Advances in the under- upon the soil, Common sense and to farm and freed up his time so that he standing of the human hard science tells us that body have shown us that it is insane to continue could concentrate on his off-farm job have and our culture itself. created a lingering doubt in the back of his these toxic tools not only the use of toxic chemistry mind about decisions he made. This doubt cause cancer, they also dis- as the base for the pro- is not uncommon in the farm community. rupt the human body in fundamentals duction of food. The only things standing I recently gave a talk before several growers ways. Because many of these toxic com- in the in the way of USDA openly coming from the Central Valley of California. pounds do not break down easily in the out and stating that it is time to wean agri- When I talked harshly about the toxic environment, they end up in our bodies culture off toxic chemistry and back to an chemical approach to agricultural, I was where they act to disrupt female reproduc- organic, biological approach is the fear of chastised for attacking agriculture. Toxic tive cycles, alter sexual behavior, reduce change and the agro-chemistry special chemicals are a tool that the majority of sperm counts, cause birth defects, inter- interest group. When the U.S. Surgeon agriculturalist have come to rely on, but fere with immunity systems, impair devel- General came out against smoking, over they are not part of our culture, they are not opment and the ability to learn, and they half of American men smoked, and half agriculture. If anything, toxic chemicals are continue to cause their disruptions for of them quit the day the Surgeon General attacking our bodies and our family’s bod- generations. delivered his message. Smoking has not ies, our soil and the life within and upon Given the known toxic effects of these been viewed with the same social accep- the soil, and our culture itself. The same toxic tools, why are they still tolerated? tance it enjoyed before the government farmers that chastised me for speaking Partly, because economists have yet to came out with a policy against it. Currently harshly of toxic chemicals later confided in develop and implement an accounting sys- within the federal government, we have a me around the lunch table that they, too, tem that takes into account harmful effects situation where some departments of the had high cancer rates in their families, and to the environment, human health, or government are working to remove know one farmer admitted that his mother, who future generations. An accounting system toxins from use while other departments has cancer, will no longer allow him to that fails to put a monetary value on harm are fighting to continue their use. It is like spray chemicals around their farm house. caused to the environment, human health, a family with a drug-addicted child; one or future generations is as broken as the parent wants to get help for the child while Studies show that farmers have higher accounting system that lead to ENRON’s the other parent is addicted to the same cancer rates than the general public. collapse, or the bust of the dot-com bub- drug and afraid to admit any problem exists. Before we have a Secretary of Agri- OUR PURPOSE culture with the courage to come out and CCOF’s purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in California and state that USDA is going to lead agricul- elsewhere through: ture back to a healthy approach, it will take • A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers. a great deal of grassroots organizing to cre- • Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to ate a political base strong enough to cause expand public support for organic agriculture. real change within our own government. • Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture. Continues next page, column 1 Returning agriculture back to an organic, TABLE OF CONTENTS biological system is the beginning point of FEATURE ARTICLE, Coming Back to Organic Meat...... 2 developing a sustainable agricultural system. ANNUAL MEETING 2003 ...... 7 Developing such a system that is ecologically FOCUS ON FOOD, Broccoli~The Crown Jewel of Human and Soil Nutrition ...... 8 sound, socially responsible, and economi- COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY, Community Power ...... 12 cally viable should be the goal of any sane ASK AMIGO, Evaluating the Quality of Compost You Buy or Make ...... 16 government. In the absence of this approach CERTIFICATION CORNER, New to Thee in 2003 ...... 18 at the federal level, CCOF has made return- CLOPYRALID UPDATE, EPA Eliminates Public Comment on Dow Herbicide ...... 20 ing agriculture to a healthy, organic system CELEBRATING CCOF’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY ...... 23 of producing food its main mission. At its Putting Principle and Commitment Ahead of Dollars and Convenience ...... 24 recent retreat, the CCOF Board of Directors 30 Years in Pictures ...... 34 committed CCOF to engaging in an activist Brief History of the Processor~Handler Chapter ...... 36 mode to bring about change that will create Organic Raw Milk ~ Mother Nature Was Brilliant...... 38 a truly sustainable agricultural system. It is Homage to the CCOF Spirit ...... 40 the same mission that brought diverse indi- Become a CCOF Supporting Member...... 43 viduals together 30 years ago at Morro Bay The California Organic Products Act of 2003...... 44 to form CCOF. The Original Certification Standards, 1974...... 46 HANDLER HIGHLIGHTS, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ...... 48 HOME & GARDEN, Are Lawn Care Chemicals Dangerous? ...... 49 SMALL FARMS, Diversity in Agriculture...... 50 NEWS BRIEFS, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Other News ...... 52 THE GE REPORT, News from the Genetic Engineering Front ...... 56 WISDOM FROM THE NEXT GENERATION OF ORGANIC FARMERS...... 58 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, 2002 Farm Bill...... 59 BOARD NOTES...... 61 BUSINESS RESOURCES...... 62 Submissions to the Newsletter of CCOF ADDITIONS TO THE OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST ...... 65 Letters to the editor are gladly accepted, provided letters are succinct and remain on topic. Letters CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS ...... 67 must include complete contact information, CLASSIFIEDS...... 68 including daytime telephone number, and must CALENDAR ...... 69 be signed. Letters are subject to editing and will not be returned. Submitting a letter to the editor ECO-AUDIT does not guarantee printing. Environmental Benefits of Using Recycled Paper For information about submitting articles to The Newsletter of CCOF, or to discuss article ideas, The Newsletter of CCOF is printed on New Leaf Reincarnation 24# writing paper, 100% please contact Keith Proctor toll free at 1-888- recycled, made with 100% post-consumer waste, and bleached without the use of chlorine 423-2263, ext. 12, or e-mail to [email protected] or chlorine compounds, resulting in measurable environmental benefits.1 New Leaf Paper Classified Line Advertisement Policy & Rate has provided CCOF with the following report of the annual environmental savings: 12 Trees 1,220 Gallons of water Classified line ads cost $10 per line. Seven words equal one line. There is a three-line minimum. 1,109 Pounds of solid waste 3 Cubic yards of landfill space Payment for line ads is required in advance. 1,591 Kilowatt hours of electricity (2.0 months of electric use in an average U.S. home) Line ads are free for CCOF Certified clients. 2,016 Pounds of greenhouse gases (1,632 miles equivalent driving the average American car) Classified line ads will be posted on our website 9 Pounds of HAPs, VOCs, and AOX combined for three months at no additional cost 1Environmental benefits are calculated based on research done by the Environmental Defense Fund and the other (www.ccof.org/classifieds.html). members of the Paper Task Force who studied the environmental impacts of the paper industry. Contact the EDF To place a classified advertisement, contact for a copy of their report and the latest updates on their data. Trees saved calculation based on trees with a 10" Keith Proctor at 831-423-2263, ext. 12, diameter. Actual diameter of trees cut for pulp range from 6" up to very large, old growth trees. Home energy fax 831-423-4528, or [email protected] use equivalent provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Francisco. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Advertisements submitted via e-mail are greatly Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Absorbable Organic Compounds (AOX). Landfill space saved appreciated. based on American Paper Institute, Inc. publication, Paper Recycling and its Role in Solid Waste Management. To place a display advertisement, please contact NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION Helge Hellberg, Marketing and Communications Editor-in-Chief: Helge Hellberg, [email protected] Editor: Keith L. Proctor, [email protected] Director, at ext. 21 or [email protected] to inquire Graphic Design: Marianne Wyllie, [email protected] Printed at Community Printers, Santa Cruz, CA about rates or for more information. The Newsletter of CCOF is printed using linseed oil-based inks on 100% recycled/50% post-consumer waste paper. Distribution Processed chlorine-free. New Leaf Paper, 1-888-989-5323. Newsletter reprints available with prior consent and source identification. CCOF does not endorse advertisers The Newsletter of CCOF, with a circulation nor guarantees their products are OMRI approved / CCOF accepted. of 10,000, is distributed quarterly to certified clients and supporting members and consumers CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS in California and around the United States. It is 1115 MISSION STREET • SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 also mailed to supporting members in Australia, 831-423-2263 • 831-423-4528 (FAX) • 888-423-2263 (TOLL FREE) Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. General e-mail inquiries: [email protected] • Website: www.ccof.org FEATURE ARTICLE

FROM NATURE TO SCIENCE Since meat was first raised for sale thou- for meat, the age-old priority shifted. The sands of years ago, the priority had always driving force was no longer the consumer TO SICKNESS TO HEALTH been the animal and its consumer. Sure, or the animal, but the market itself. If COMING BACK TO the former was to be killed, but with something could change to make produc- respect. The Book of Saqâtî, a manual of tion more efficient, it did: herd sizes were ORGANIC MEAT laws written in the 13th century, put forth increased, production concentrated, distri- such considerations: “Cut the beast’s bution centralized. Farming gradually By Lisa M. Hamilton throat, turning the animal in the direction moved from fields to factories.

HE EXISTENCE OF MAN of the qibla (Mecca) and invoking the By now everyone has seen images of the on the surface of the earth has long name of God. It is prohibited for them to modern “factory farm.” While the loudest been largely dependent upon the expel the breath through the mouth while cry against such institutions deplores their T skinning the beast, so that those with bad cruelty, this is only part of a more funda- “animal life existing beside him.” And so Walter H. Peters began his manual Livestock breath will not spoil the flavor of the mental flaw. Mass livestock production Production. Its 445 pages extol the same meat.” The book protected shoppers with extracts the animals from the complete farm principle of efficiency that would guide laws such as that prohibiting goat and system. For instance, within a diversified any such present-day book, but Peters’ sheep meat from being sold in the same plan, manure would be food for the soil; but voice reminds us he is not part of the 21st- venue, “so that the less expert buyers do without fields to fertilize it becomes an envi- century agricultural machine. As he speaks not confuse the two.” (In a regulation that ronmental pollutant, nitrifying waterways, with stifled affection for the Rambouillet’s we might do well to reinstitute today, the and contaminating groundwater. Likewise, fine wool or the Packers and Stockyards Act book declared that “sausages … and kebabs animals can be part of a small operation’s of 1921, it is clear he is writing between can only be made from fresh meat, not rotation, their foraging alternated with eras; 1942, to be exact, when farms had from a sick animal bought at a low price.”) field crops or fallowing. But when only begun their march toward modernity but Suddenly, when the industrial revolu- animals are being produced, grazing goes attitudes were still rooted in the past. tions created a sharply increased demand uninterrupted and leads to erosion.

SHEEP

illiam Youatt said it best in his 1877 book The Complete Grazier: “Among the various animals given by the benevolent hand of Providence for the benefit of mankind, there is none of greater utility than the sheep.” Since they were domesticated 11,000 Wyears ago, sheep have been revered for providing meat, milk, fiber, and hide even on cold, wet mountains or hot, dry plains. The Persians were the first to tame them, and from their hands the animals spread west through Europe, south to the Mediterranean and North Africa, and east all the way to Mongolia. With each geographical change their bodies changed, resulting in breeds as varied as the terrain. The Romneys of marshy Kent, in the U.K., developed hoofs resistant to rot, while the Karakuls of high-altitude Central Asia responded to the sparse nutrition by growing large tails that store fat like a camel’s hump. Starting in the late 18th century, industrialization began steering breed development. Increased demand for meat shifted value from the breed’s adaptation to the land to its ability to fatten quickly. When lamb upstaged mutton at the beginning of the 20th century, American breeders developed the Targhee, a sheep that birthed easily and could adapt to the modern geography of confined rearing. By the early 1940s, sheep were being finished in special lamb-fattening yards, precursors to the modern feedlot. After World War II, the American industry began a decline that continues today. The synthetic fiber industry took off, as did the pork and poultry industries. Sheepherders cashed in their flocks for easier work in the growing cities, and the larger ranches that bought them out consolidated operations. Production went from a peak of 56.2 million head in 1942, to 6.69 million in 2001. In his 1983 manual The Sheep Book, rancher Ron Parker writes excitedly of a “sheep renaissance” happening on North America’s small farms. In reality, the lamb market still parallels the beef industry: young are raised on ranches, then fattened on feedlots. As always, the motivation is the market, specifically the competition of cheap imports from Australia and New Zealand. Still, small farms that include sheep find their usefulness undiminished by the ages. Sheep eat brush that others wouldn’t touch, which means they require less grain than cattle or pigs at the same time that they eliminate noxious weeds. They will eat shorter grass than cows will and have replaced herbicides in some agro-forestry operations, where they control the understory so saplings can mature. If carefully managed, sheep can even improve riparian areas by invigorating plants that serve as wildlife habitat and erosion control.

Page 2 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue Then again, most livestock dines not on CATTLE fields of grass but troughs of grain grown elsewhere, particularly dirt-cheap corn that hat the modern cow is known as docile is testament to the power of domestication. is subsidized for that very reason. To sup- Its primary ancestor was the auroch, a massive beast revered as wondrously bold and plement the meal, the FDA allows pigs to Tvirile. Aurochs averaged six feet tall at the shoulders, and bones have shown yard- eat dried plasma from other pigs as well as long skulls with horn cores 19 inches around. Spreading outward from western Asia after dairy by-products; cows to eat feather the Ice Age, the animals developed two distinct subspecies: Asian, predecessor to humped meal, pig and fish by-products, and zebu such as the Brahman; and European, the flat-backed animal behind varieties like chicken manure; and all ruminants to eat Holstein and Angus. blood products from their own and similar Some say the aurochs were attracted to early farmers’ fields, others imagine hunters species. This unnatural diet predictably bringing home newly orphaned young after a kill. Either way, this early domestication leads to illness, particularly among sheep did not tame the auroch’s wild heart. In his 1972 book The Bull, Allan Fraser wrote that and cattle, whose digestive systems are built while Christian symbolism values the lamb for its gentleness, pagans—valuing power, for high-fiber foods. courage, and sexual vigor—worshipped the bull. In volcanic regions in Asia Minor and Of course, few modern operations wait the Mediterranean, people called earthquakes the distant rumblings of a supernatural for sickness to begin administering medi- steer. Sir James Frazer wrote that in ancient Egypt, “An unusually fine head of cattle [was] cines. Again, it is the market: in the 1970s, also recognized [sic] as the abode of a great king’s soul.” One such bull was thought to be it was found that daily doses of antibiotics the god Ptah himself, and so was housed in a temple, fed in a daily ceremony and, after increase weight gain substantially. The dying of old age, buried in a sarcophagus. For ages, people from Ireland to Iran have practice has become such an integral part drunk cows’ blood to endow themselves with the creature’s power. of the industry that the Union of Con- Through domestication, people have found a more effective harness for the bovine cerned Scientists estimates nearly 25 mil- spirit: agriculture. Today, the virility is controlled: breeding bulls “mate” by depositing lion pounds of antimicrobial drugs are fed sperm in a climate-controlled repository, but most males are simply castrated. The muscle nontherapeutically to American livestock is put to work in food production, though for a long time this meant pulling a plow; too each year—that’s 70% of all antibiotics, dear for the yeoman farmer, the animals were eaten only when they could no longer including those used by humans. (Add in work. As horses replaced cattle as draft animals, steer were killed earlier, producing a those given when animals are sick, and it more tender meat and thus a new interest in beef. At first the meat was rather precious, becomes 84%.) since each cow had only one calf per year and those took several years to mature. But as Because the drugs fed to livestock are industrialization brought urbanization and prosperity, this taste developed into an often those we take (penicillin, tetracy- unprecedented demand for beef. cline), they are losing effectiveness as Over the years this has spawned an industry no pharaoh could have imagined. Most human medicine. A 2001 New England beef cattle are born on ranches, but a majority of the 36 million raised each year are fat- Journal of Medicine study found that 20% tened on corn in feedlots, grassless tracts that house up to 100,000 animals. Though corn of supermarket ground meat contained disagrees with ruminant stomachs, it (along with antibiotics and hormones) allows steer to salmonella, and 84% of that resisted at go from 80 to 1200 pounds in about 14 months. (In 1970, the process took two years, least one antibiotic. Should a diner ingest which explains why beef now costs half of what it did then.) Four out of five animals are that bacteria and become sick, good old then slaughtered and marketed by one of four massive meatpacking companies. antibiotics may not work to heal her. The Altogether, these unnatural conditions have completed cattle’s demotion from objects Centers for Disease Control and the of reverence to symbols of environmental destruction. But it’s not their fault. When eat- World Health Organization have called for ing a normal diet of grass, cows expel gas by belching, precluding the corn-inspired flatu- an end to the nontherapeutic use, but the lence that produces detrimental amounts of methane. Bought not from an anonymous industry prevails; for instance, American supermarket but rather from a rancher managed by accountability, beef does not con- pork companies argued they would have tribute to tropical deforestation. If properly managed, grazing can even benefit grasslands lost $45.5 million in 1999 if they could by preventing exotics from taking hold. And finally, when eaten in moderation and from not use the drugs. reputable sources, beef is actually good for you. The market is similarly dependent on feeding animals hormones. To be competitive, ranchers once again have no choice: tive disorders and cancer. Since the Euro- These artificial growth additives domi- without the drugs, animals grow more pean Union banned meat raised with hor- nate the headlines, but they are not the slowly and thus turn a smaller profit. And mones in 1989, the debate has raged quite only chemicals used on livestock. Hays and yet the health effects are drastic. Progestin, publicly about the validity of such effects: grains carry pesticide residues, which then estrogen, and androgens pass through live- the industry denies its complicity, but stud- concentrate in animal fat. (Such tissue is stock as meat and in manure, by which ies continually demonstrate the mutative the best repository for persistent organic they reach waterways and cause reproduc- effects on creatures downstream. pollutants, chemicals such as DDT, which

Winter 2002–2003 Page 3 have been banned in the United States but aged by the intensive rearing methods, pounds of insecticides were applied to beef persist in our soil and arrive from less insecticides are applied to buildings and to cattle alone, 11% by injection. scrupulous countries via rainwater and air.) the animals themselves. A 1999 study by To deter lice, flies, and other bugs encour- the USDA showed that 1.55 million EOPLE HAVE BEEN RAISING LIVESTOCK without chemicals for years, but not Puntil the National Organic Program (NOP) was there a legal “organic” label. PIGS The certification is based in prohibiting synthetic elements such as hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, and pesticides. But the oday, pigs get a bad rap, but it wasn’t always so. The woodland animal was first NOP also promotes a return to humane domesticated in China in 9000 BC, and for millennia it was an important food, husbandry, requiring conditions that allow Tespecially for the poor. Pigs were the perfect livestock: they would eat anything from “exercise, freedom of movement, reduction acorns to carrion; and once they fattened, humans could eat “everything but the squeak.” of stress appropriate to species.” All ani- Pigs were even food in the Middle East through 1350 B.C. Its status as taboo likely mals must get appropriate housing, and stemmed from the hot, dry climate of the Middle East, which would have made it more ruminants must have pasture to provide susceptible to disease and pegged it as competition to the more appropriate dryland live- roughage (a need that feedlots fill by feedstock sheep and goats. ing them plastic pellets). Meanwhile, the animal rooted itself in the more hospitable landscapes of China and In a sense, the NOP is mandating the Southeast Asia, as well as in Europe. Pigs crossed the Pacific with the Chinese; sailors only way that can work. To raise healthy dropping them on the islands of Oceania to grow a “living larder” for future visits. The animals that do not move through their Spanish brought pigs to Mexico and the Caribbean, the British to Virginia and westward. quickened lives tenaciously, held together The first domesticated European pigs were treated as somewhat wild, turned out into by sheer medication, the rancher must rec- the woods to fend for themselves until they were big enough for slaughter. But as these ognize them as complex beings and raise natural foraging areas declined, the long-legged forest pig was selected out for the sty pig, them that way. An organic feedlot? It whose body agreed better with confinement. It was this switch that birthed the modern would be a disaster. But pamper animals pork industry, which is essentially an extreme —if savage—take on efficient pig rearing. with the conditions they are meant to have, Concentrated in Iowa and the rest of the Corn Belt, American pork production is sec- and they will thrive. ond only to poultry in terms of industrialization. Sows are housed in concrete-floored Then again, they still will not compete stalls barely wider than their bodies as they maintain a continuous birthing cycle. Piglets with conventional livestock. Imagine enter- are weaned in two to three weeks, then raised in crowded halls—70% never living in ing a weightlifting contest against someone anything but close confinement. The conditions breed physical ailments including respi- on steroids: for the same amount of train- ratory disease and dysentery as well as cannibalism and other unnatural behavior. Work- ing, your muscle simply could not equal ers suffer, too, from air contaminated with grain dust, fecal matter, and the manure’s his. Without the drugs, organic animals gaseous by-products—ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. end up being smaller; further, grazing animals must eat far more to gain the weight The move toward large-scale, industrialized hog farms is self-promoting. In the past, that concentrated rations of grain would small farmers would respond to a depressed market by reducing their stock. But as pork give them. Sold by the pound at conven- corporations own their own chains of production—growing to processing to distribu- tional prices, organic animals reap less tion—they are less affected by market fluctuations and more equipped to absorb the loss. profit either because they weigh less or As these companies maintain production regardless of the market and subsequently drive have cost more to reach the size of a non- prices down, growers must either get bigger or close their doors, more often the latter. organic equal. Between 1987 and 1992, North Carolina’s hogs more than doubled in number, while The burgeoning organic meat processing between 1988 and 1994 its pork producers decreased by almost half. industry faces parallel obstacles. Conven- By law, growing pork organically precludes confinement or life indoors. There is no tional meat’s low cost depends on large protocol for certifying food scraps as organic, so pigs for sale cannot just be low-tech slaughterhouses and packers who would garbage disposals. Besides, the healthiest pigs are those raised in the field, for they are less never bother getting organic certification. susceptible to respiratory illness and leg troubles. Prior to the 1950s, pasture was an inte- And frankly, many of them probably could gral part of even the largest pig farms. Grazing means reduced feed, which in turn means not, as their high-speed production and its less expense for the grower. However, returning these animals to a natural landscape is resultant carelessness is possible only tricky, more so than for sheep and cows. Pigs’ rooting can damage fields and contribute because of the toxic chemicals used to “san- to erosion. And porcine digestive systems are slow to adapt to new situations; once the itize” machinery, buildings, and the meat animal is in the field, it should stay there, which requires adequate land for rotation. itself. Because organic processors have less

Page 4 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue volume, they are more expensive, if they grass-fed is better for you than feedlot Yes and no. Acme knows its suppliers, can even be found. meat. And while that is an improvement, and finds their practices acceptable. But So the organic rancher cannot just slide the campaign—begun in the mid-90s, few shoppers have that luxury. Charles into an existing marketplace; he could not before organic meat certification existed— Richardson explains it best: “A lot of make a living off the massive conventional has satisfied the public prematurely. ranchers will tell you they’re 90% organic, grid, and most people are not yet willing to San Francisco’s Acme Chophouse, per- but what people don’t realize is that that pay more for certified organic meat. This is haps the country’s most progressive meat- 10% is a big deal.” not true in Britain and France, where live- centered restaurant, swears by grass-fed Phil LaRocca, who raises sheep and stock leads organic food production. The meat. Director of Operations Larry Bain grapes outside Chico, concurs. “That’s like infrastructure of smaller farms and more explains that because the kitchen is com- someone telling you, ‘My vineyard is local distribution is better matched with mitted to sustainability, they roll with the organic, I just use a little Roundup, or in a the small-scale production that organic punches of small-scale ranching. They tough season I use a bit of synthetic fertil- meat requires. appreciate that as pastures change by the izer to get things going again. Organic is In America, the gap between small season, flavor varies—“just like a peach what it means.” ranchers and the large-scale food distribu- would taste different at the end of the sea- Likewise, non-organic is what it means. tion system is bridged by co-ops such as son than at the beginning.” The 10% that is not organic could be Organic Valley. By facili- But because theirs worming medication or feed raised with tating the processing end is a business, too, even pesticides. It could also mean any of the of meat production, this relatively expensive other things allowed in conventional pro- they have come to dom- restaurant is limited by duction, perhaps livestock formulas con- inate what does exist of price. They might pay taining urea (from urine) and manure or the U.S. market. With- 10% more for organic slaughter by-products mixed into feed. out them, ranchers are Even the word “Natural” lost. As fifth-generation guarantees only that the Sonoma County rancher meat is minimally Charles Richardson processed and contains says, “You pick up a no artificial ingredients; newspaper or talk to it can still involve phar- people in passing, and it maceuticals, irradiation, ▲ seems like everyone Charles Richardson, Sonoma County GMOs, and inhumane organic rancher. wants organic meat. But rearing, and can have ▼ Phil LaRocca, organic vintner and rancher then you try to sell it, in Forest Ranch, CA, and Chairman of the been processed in the and it’s a whole differ- Board for CCOF, Inc. sort of environment that ent story.” He has had has made E. coli a house- little interest from what hold name. would seem obvious But because the public ▲ Guinness McFadden, markets—large natural organic farmer and rancher does not know this, organic meat and its foods stores and meat in Potter Valley, CA producers are finding themselves in the distributors. (Ironically, position their produce-growing colleagues the largest inquiry has hamburger—and occupied in the 1970s; they must be not come from Primal that’s above the just growers and salesmen, but educators. Foods, an organic pet premium price for Guinness McFadden, who raises cattle food company.) grass-fed—but they near Ukiah, began the process 15 years ago. And so the flock couldn’t handle the Before it was legal to call meat organic, he Richardson carefully increase for more made a label that described how he grows reared in pristine expensive cuts. They his beef. People responded ecstatically. coastal pastures will end up where much would like to, but frankly, they are satisfied Unlike most organic ranchers, McFadden organic livestock now does: at auction, get- with what they have. According to Bain, cannot keep up with the demand with his ting the same low price as lamb from the “When the animals are grass-fed, organic is main—and sometimes sole—customer, factory system. the icing on the cake—or should I say the Ukiah Natural Foods. He keeps a herd of Meanwhile, the market for grass-fed beef gravy? But is it more delicious? I think the only 16, and even as that increases to 23 is skyrocketing. Thanks to vigorous mar- difference is just paperwork.” next year, it will not be his livelihood. But keting, most savvy diners now know that considering that he now turns away stores

Winter 2002–2003 Page 5 and restaurants for lack of product, it is NUTRITION conceivable that it could. And that is because consumer priorities nimals are not the only source of edible protein, but theirs is the only protein that are—slowly—returning to what they used comes with all the necessary amino acids. (Corn, for instance, must be combined to be. For years, meat has just been meat. A with other foods to make a complete protein.) Because the protein is concentrated, it But in his Forest Ranch tasting room, meets our needs in small dosages—four ounces of red meat has 30 of the 50 grams of pro- where spicy zinfandels sell alongside socks tein we require each day to maintain production of muscle and hormones. And the fat is made from his sheep’s wool, Phil LaRocca actually a necessary complement: it contains high amounts of vitamins A and D, both of speaks of his lamb’s taste with language which are essential for protein absorption. The protein is high in vitamins B-6 and B-12, reserved until recently for wine. “There’s the latter which occurs only in animal products. B-12 can be stored for up to five years, less marbling, but it’s succulent,” he says, but when supplies dwindle, the body suffers from deficiency diseases such as anemia, “with a rich flavor and a better, thicker impaired eyesight, and psychological and nervous disorders. aroma to it.” Meat also contains zinc, iron, calcium, and other minerals, which are most easily Obviously that taste comes from how absorbed when from an animal source. Organs have greater concentrations of these miner- the animals were raised. For him, being als than muscle, but they should only be eaten if organic. Because they function as filters certified organic is a way to “stick out in the body, if the animal was raised with hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals, the one’s chest” and tell the world no compro- organs will be highly toxic. mises have been made. But the actual Not that non-organic muscle is much better. Livestock raised conventionally can be choice to grow organically, that is more subject to any number of chemicals and resulting problems, which are passed on to the personal—less choice than necessity. He people who eat them. Antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and GMOs are top of the list. does it for his workers; he does it for his Plus, non-organic meat is processed in high-speed conditions that breed harmful bacteria. land. But most of all he does it because (No known cases of food poisoning have been traced to organic meat, which is processed that is how he grows for himself and his under wholly different standards.) To combat pathogens, conventional meatpackers often family—to be honest, no other way ever irradiate (“electronically pasteurize”) the final product, which means it gets exposed to lev- crossed his mind. els of radiation reaching 450,000 rads (a medical computed tomographic (CT) scan is no Most of these efforts are reactive: more than 7 rads). it’s accepted that the animals will enter This aims to disrupt the kill floor caked with feedlot manure the bacteria’s molecu- “ lar structure, but also that has been rendered lethal by the feedlot diet. Rather than try to alter that kills vitamins, benefi- diet or keep the animals from living in cial microbes, and their waste or slow the line speed—all enzymes and produces changes regarded as impractical—the carcinogenic chemi- industry focuses on disinfecting the cals such as benzene. manure that will inevitably find its way into the meat. This is the purpose of irradiation… Power Steer, By Michael Pollan NY Times” Magazine, March 31, 2002

Page 6 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue ANNUAL MEETING 2003 THE CCOF 30 TH ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Lake Natoma Inn ~ Folsom, CA February 28 ~ March 1, 2003 elebrating CCOF’s 30th Anniversary, the Sierra Gold Chapter & CHandler/Processor Chapter Present The 2003 CCOF Annual General Membership Meeting Lake Natoma Inn, the venue selected by the chapters, is located in Chapters are encouraged to create a display that represents their Folsom, California, 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. Because of chapter membership, location, and what they produce. Displays can scheduling reasons with the location and holidays in February, the be pictorial, graphic and include samples. If a chapter already has a meeting has been scheduled for Friday, February 28, and Saturday, display used for special events, bring it along. If a chapter does not yet March 1. have a chapter display, this is a good opportunity to take the plunge. The CCOF Board of Directors will meet on Friday, followed by After the Annual Meeting, your chapter will be able to use the display a meet-and-greet cocktail hour Friday evening. Saturday morning for other events in your area, such as Earth Day, county fairs, etc. All members will enjoy breakfast before the opening of the General exhibits will need to be complete with the equipment necessary to Membership Meeting. At this forum, members will be able to dis- mount and light the display. A table will be provided on which to put cuss issues important to CCOF with representatives of the Board of your chapter display. For more information about displays, please Directors, committees, and staff. After lunch, seminars are planned; contact Jim Zeek at 530-644-6448 or [email protected] one for handlers and processors, another for growers. Following the This next Annual Meeting is sure to be a memorable one. seminars, members will be able to take farm tours of the area. Sat- Watch your mail for the announcement and RSVP form. For more urday evening will round out with wine-tasting, a showcase of information about the 2003 CCOF Annual General Membership chapter displays, a banquet, and live music. Meeting, please contact Keith at (toll free) 888-423-2263, ext. 12 or [email protected]. He can direct you to the appropriate chapter member in charge.

Meeting Agenda Friday afternoon CCOF Board of Directors Meeting Friday evening Cocktail hour Saturday morning Breakfast General Membership Meeting Lunch Saturday afternoon Seminars 1. Handlers and processors 2. Growers Area farm tours Saturday evening Wine-tasting Chapter displays showcase Banquet and live music See you there!

Winter 2002–2003 Page 7 FOCUS ON FOOD

BROCCOLI Europe. Strange, since other relatives had it a warm reception. Even better marketing made their way north and established came from American soldiers stationed in THE CROWN JEWEL OF HUMAN themselves there. Because of this, broccoli Italy during WWII. They returned home AND SOIL NUTRITION had a difficult time establishing a unique with a taste for broccoli, and before long identity. In The Gardener’s Dictionary the plant began appearing in seed catalogs. By Lisa M. Hamilton (1724), English botanist Philip Miller Still, the vegetable has been demonized called it “Italian asparagus.” A half-century by picky children and even presidents, so N THE BEGINNING, there was only later, in his A Treatise on Gardening by a it took a seeming miracle for broccoli to cabbage. It was cultivated first in the Citizen of Virginia, John Randolph described reach its current status. Starting in the late eastern Mediterranean countries by the I it with equal ambivalence, saying “The 1980s, medical research showed the plant Rasenna people. Through trade cabbage stems will eat like Asparagus, and the heads to fight cancer with phyto-compounds traveled throughout the region, and with like Cauliflower.” such as indoles, carotenes, and gluco- the Rasennan migration reached Tuscany. Perhaps the tepid attitude stems from sonilates. Among them is glucoraphanin, It was there that these farmers began cul- broccoli’s heartiness. Cauliflower is particu- which within the human body becomes turing cabbages to develop not the tight larly delicate; asparagus staunchly seasonal. sulforaphane and in turn sparks the pro- leaves that make a head, but the flowering Broccoli, on the other hand, will withstand duction of enzymes that detoxify carcino- shoots that had always been a by-product. cold, rain, sleet. And while the broccoli we genic compounds. With such discoveries, Through the process of selection and know has big, dense, green florets, these suddenly everyone from GQ to The Saturday encouragement, the shoots grew in size and came only as hybrids developed after Evening Post was a fan. Production increased compacted to form dense clusters of flow- WWII. For most of history, cauliflower was throughout the next two decades, and ers. The green and immature buds that pre- the name for thick heads that grew one to a in 1998, Americans consumed 2 billion ceded bloom are what we today call plant. The word broccoli (a variation of the pounds of broccoli, or about 8 pounds broccoli. (The late-19th-century horticul- Italian for “branch”) was instead reserved per person—34% more than in 1990 turalist M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux, who was for the less precious florets that grew in and 300% more than 1980. French and therefore partial to cauliflower, abundance on sprouting varieties. suggests this breeding was finally successful This popularity translated directly into when the heads were compacted further In North America, broccoli was almost how the plant is grown. The United States and turned white.) unheard of outside Italian-American com- is currently the world’s largest broccoli munities until well into the 20th century. grower, and while the plant does well This new green vegetable was embraced The first commercial planting happened nearly anywhere in the country—it is by the Tuscans, but its popularity seemed only in 1922, when two recent émigrés even grown commercially in Hawaii and endemic to the Italian Peninsula. The ado- from Messina, Italy, sowed their imported Alaska—the reality is one of concentra- ration is consistent throughout Roman and seed in San Jose, California. They shipped tion. Between 80 and 90% of the crop all preceding Italian cuisines, whereas broc- the vegetable to diners in Boston, who gave comes from California; 80% from the coli appears at best spottily in the rest of

CONVENTIONAL

nsects can damage both broccoli’s growth and its appearance. A 2000 survey by the USDA found that 92% of the broccoli plantings surveyed used insecticides, with a good portion probably late-season to control the consumer-repellent aphids that make their Iproduct unmarketable. In California, the top chemicals are those used to treat such aphids and other such pests, which are most often organophosphorous insecticides such as chlorpyrifos, oxydemeton-methyl, and dimethoate. (The second most popular herbicide, Bensulide, is also an organophosphorous compound.) These are essentially nerve gases: they kill insects—and harm mammals, birds, and fish—by inhibit- ing the production of cholinesterase, an enzyme essential to the nervous system. They are highly volatile, which means a great threat for the farm workers who apply them and the surrounding communities (again, often the workers). They are also highly water-soluble, which means trouble for surrounding aquatic life—for instance that in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, into which the Sali- nas Valley’s waters pour. This is particularly bad during the winter, and not just because the rain encourages run-off; with plants growing slowly and beneficial insects less active, pests are at their worst and so growers spray more. To add insult to injury, the leading herbicide in broccoli plantings, DCPA (a.k.a. Dacthal) is also a groundwater contaminant, but this time a possible carcinogen.

Page 8 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue Central Coast, and 60% from the Salinas Valley alone. Now that is due to climate. NUTRITION But the increase of public interest in broccoli, which both steps up the price and cre- roccoli provides a wide array of basic nutrients, particularly A and B-complex vita- ates a demand for value-added products mins, and more Vitamin C than citrus fruits. It is even better than a pill, because it such as pre-chopped florets (again, more Bcontains the beta-carotenes, chlorophyll, enzymes, and minerals necessary for the profit), has attracted larger growers and absorption of Vitamin C. Because the body absorbs only 10% of synthetic Vitamin C, the 70 mg. in 1 cup of broccoli is therefore more effective than 700 mg. of the vitamin taken concentrated power in their hands. The as a tablet. (There is a catch, though. As broccoli is stored, it loses its C, so make sure 1997 Census of Agriculture showed that yours is as fresh as possible.) Broccoli is high in fiber and provides the same amount of 6% of growers’ harvest 80% of the crop, protein as corn or rice but with only one-third of the calories. Organic broccoli is also a and nearly two-thirds of the crop comes good source of calcium, iron, and potassium—three of the 16 minerals essential to from farms that plant 500 acres of broccoli human vitality. or more. And, of course, broccoli not only strengthens the body to weather illness, but fights conditions such as cancer with its now-famous properties. Among them are dithiolth- OR SMALLER GROWERS, broccoli is iones, which have anti-cancer, antioxidant properties; indoles, which protect against less of a boon. They grow it, but not breast and colon cancer; and sulfur, which is antibiotic and antiviral. Broccoli also stimu- because they think it will make them lates the liver to keep it processing the body’s waste. Finally, thanks to its nutrient den- F sity, fiber, and high levels of Omega 3 fats, it helps to maintain the circulatory system by rich. While Phil Foster of Pinnacle Brand Farms sometimes ends up making almost removing residues of fat and cholesterol that collect in the arteries. no money off the crop, he grows it to provide another popular staple at the farmers’ Of course, nobody is immune. Outside plant begins cupping will actually increase market. Plus, between his two locations of rotation, growers use a variety of meth- yields, as the plant can give more energy to (San Juan Bautista and east of Hollister), ods to protect their broccoli. There are the the crown. he can harvest broccoli throughout the old standbys, such as spraying the microbe year—meaning an uninterrupted relation- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to rid plants of ESEARCHERS HAVE RECENTLY FOUND ship with buyers and work to retain his caterpillars and flea beetles. Though expen- that broccoli starts working its employees through the slow winter season. sive, continuous cultivation kills weeds R anti-cancer magic before it reaches Up north in Alameda County, Joe Perry until the broccoli plants are big enough to the dinner table—in fact, before it even had always just grown cauliflower until the fend for themselves. To increase their leaves the field. It began in the early 1990s, late-1980s broccoli boom. Initially he went chances against both weeds and damaging when the fungal disease Verticillium wilt full-speed with the crop, but found that the insects, some growers plant broccoli was taking down Salinas Valley cauliflower requirements of packing with ice strained seedlings rather than germinate seeds in the crops with a vengeance. Because the disease him out of the business: too small to invest field; being put into the ground with that can live in the soil for up to 15 years, crop in an ice-maker, he was forced to spend extra growth can mean the difference rotations were no help. Aside from forgo- half a day driving his crop to use a broker’s between sinking and swimming. ing the crop, the only remedy seemed to machine. He now grows about a half-acre And then there are less traditional meth- be fumigation with chemicals (primarily of broccoli at a time, keeping it small and ods. Aphids are deterred by mint plants, methyl bromide mixed with chloropicrin), cutting continuously rather than sweeping when either used as a late-season mulch or and even that highly toxic and very expen- the field in one pick, which means a crop planted beside the stand (though home sive control lasted only a few seasons. small enough that he and his crew can do gardeners know the latter method can cre- Growers were willing to try anything. the icing by hand. ate a whole new problem: the mint plant The trouble with such small plots, itself and its wandering rhizomes). Even though, is that they are tough to rotate. wilder, some growers recommend stripping hile we export our fresh green Strategically planting different crops on a the plant’s leaves. Defoliation causes broc- crowns to countries such as Japan field from season to season is the best way coli to emit certain chemicals that beckon W(in fact, supply 90% of that coun- to ward off lethal broccoli pests, particu- parasitic wasps and insects that feed on the try’s needs), the majority of Americans’ larly diseases. Fine if you are planting ten pests. That is to say, if the defoliation is frozen broccoli comes from Mexico. acres at a time, but half-acre microcosms instigated by the grower (not the bug), it This is not for growing conditions, but require assiduous tracking and careful plan- can actually be beneficial. And research has because the hands needed to chop indi- ning. Luckily, having a patchwork of plant- shown that broccoli plants can withstand vidual broccoli florets—the preferred method for a high-quality product— ings means increased ecological diversity up to 50% defoliation without sacrificing come cheaper south of the border. (both in plants and the life forms they yields. In fact, some believe that intention- attract), which in itself deters pests. ally losing 20–30% of the leaves before the

Winter 2002–2003 Page 9 In looking for a cure, the UC Davis plant pathologist Krishna Subbarao noticed something intriguing: though biologically and culturally similar to cauliflower, broccoli in the Salinas Valley was unaffected by Verticillium. He planted test plots on conventional fields, and found that by growing broccoli and incorporating the crop residue after harvest, subsequent plantings of cauliflower showed as little disease as those plots that were treated with chemicals. What’s more, the effect lasted: when the fumigated plots started showing the wilt again, the broccoli plots were clean. Immediately con- vinced, farmers adopted the broccoli rotation and saw Verticillium numbers spike down. In the years since, Subbarao figured J&J Byrne out how it works. Verticillium lasts in the field by producing bodies to hold it, called microsclerotia Pistachio Farm (which, conveniently, look just like soil particles). When fields are chemically fumigated, all the microorganisms (good and • Premium Quality • bad) die off, including the microsclerotia. The disease is gone temporarily, but along with the rest of the soil’s microbes, so return • Family-Run Operation • the Verticillium. In contrast, as broccoli breaks down, rather than kill the microbes it causes up to a 1000-fold increase in the • Experienced in Exporting • soil’s bacteria and actinomycetes—the very things that colonize and eat microsclerotia. So rather than kill all the life underground, • Processed on Farm • the broccoli rotation shifts the balance in favor of preferred microbes. In the past few years, researchers have • CCOF Certified for 6 Years • successfully used the broccoli remedy in some of the 300 other plants that Verticil- lium affects, including potatoes, greenhouse crops of balsam, maple seedlings, and strawberries. And farmers are doing their own trials. Phil Foster, for one, now rotates his melons with broccoli for disease control. As more and more growers get on board, the anti-cancer effects multiply. You see, as methyl bromide is phased out for its ozone-depleting effects, growers have a choice of how to replace it. Some will switch to the highly volatile carcinogens 4020 Railroad Ave. metam-sodium and 1,3-dichloropropene, Pittsburg, California 94565 whose manufacture and application threatens workers and surrounding communities. Others will simply use broccoli. 925-634-1014• Fax: 925-634-1505

Page 10 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue

COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY

COMMUNITY POWER schools, and getting salad bars into their Once a week, when parents come to cafeterias. They are recruiting family- pick up their children at one of three after- By Michelle Mascarenhas owned supermarkets to locate in low- school programs in low-income communi- income neighborhoods that the chains have ties in west and south Berkeley, they can (with excerpts and photographs from Weaving the Food Web by Jered Lawson moved out of and asking local stores to head home with a bag full of farm fresh and the Community Food Security Coalition) stock more fresh fruits and vegetables. produce selected to their family’s tastes. Their efforts are critical to reducing health Produce is purchased from farmers in HANCES ARE THAT YOU PROBABLY problems like diabetes, heart disease, cer- bulk at the nearby Berkeley Farmers’ Mar- know someone who has high tain cancers, and high blood pressure. ket and delivered to the after-school pro- Cblood pressure, high cholesterol, In the process, they’re also building grams. There, members can purchase $7 or diabetes. Diet is a major contributing grassroots leadership and community worth of fresh produce at cost. Outreach factor in these and many other diseases. power. workers coordinate distribution at each site Low-income communities, especially and participate in weekly nutrition educa- FARM FRESH CHOICE: Latino, African-American, and Native tion training so that they can provide AWAKENING URBAN TASTE BUDS American, suffer disproportionately from nutrition information at the sites. TO EALTHY OCAL OOD high rates of diet-related diseases. H L F According to co-coordinator Anushka For years, some experts held that obesity For co-founder Joy Moore, Farm Fresh Baltes, the program “exposes people to the and diet-related illnesses were on the rise Choice was a way to do something for her idea that fresh fruits and vegetables are because people were choosing the wrong grandson. “His odds of coming up healthy good for them, it makes fruits and vegeta- foods. But in many communities of color, are stacked against him,” says Moore, who bles more visible and accessible, and it gives healthy and appealing foods are not is African-American, lives in south Berke- people a chance to learn about widely available while fast food and nutrition and health.” junk food abound. How can people Between Farm Fresh Choice and make healthy choices when the the farmers’ market, the Tuesday choices are not there? trip to Berkeley makes good eco- While you would be hard pressed nomic sense for AMO Organics, to find a full-service health food the Hollister cooperative whose store in a low-income neighborhood members are former waged farm in America, you might be surprised laborers. “We earn more from at how difficult it is even to find a coming to Berkeley than if we supermarket. Dr. Kimberly Mor- were to sell to a wholesale com- land, co-author of a recent Univer- pany,” says Maria Inés Catalán, sity of North Carolina study found one of the cooperative farmers. that five times more supermarkets “The pay is just. We also like get- were located in neighborhoods ting to know the people who eat where white respondents lived com- the food.” pared to neighborhoods where black ley, and until recently subsisted on a typical Along with several other groups working respondents lived. urban diet of fast, highly processed foods. to improve food access in their communi- Access impacts what people eat. “On “I realized I didn’t eat fresh fruits and veg- ties, Farm Fresh Choice is organizing a average, the more supermarkets there were etables. For years I went to the store and food and justice youth camp for twenty in a given area, the more likely residents bought a piece of fruit and it just didn’t young people from communities of color were to meet dietary recommendations for taste good. No flavor. I turned off from it. in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. fruits and vegetables,” said Morland. Then one day I was given this nectarine They will visit farms, participate in cook- The good news is that people in these from a farmer of Good Humus Produce in ing classes, share meals prepared from communities are coming together to Yolo County, and I said, ‘Oh, my god!’. . . farm-fresh foods, and discuss the issues that change the statistics. They are planting gar- the flavor bursting in my mouth. I’ve never their communities face. dens, starting farmers’ markets, teaching been the same since. I was reminded of “We have to get the youth involved in and taking cooking classes, organizing to what good food could taste like. Simple order to make change,” says Anushka stop the sale of soda and junk food in their pleasure.” Baltes. “If kids get paid in a job where they

Page 12 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue are actually learning something worth- After a year, the UCLA while, it does a lot for their development.” researchers went back to the With this in mind, Farm Fresh Choice is schools that had piloted the working to create a peer-based nutrition salad bars. They found that education program with paid internships. fruit and vegetable consump- “We have a long way to go,” says Moore. tion had gone up while con- “But if we incorporate in our daily lives sumption of fat, calories, and bits and pieces of this more simple way of cholesterol had gone down. life, we are on the path to a healthier com- Since then, the district has munity, physically and spiritually.” put salad bars in over 40 schools. The salad bars are ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE: now stocked with produce SALAD BARS AND SODA BANS purchased from the wholesale The Los Angeles Unified School District market rather than purchased serves over 700,000 meals each school day. direct from local farms. With- met with board members Canter and Since about 70 percent of students enrolled out much awareness of the need to support Hudley-Hayes to strengthen the soda ban are eligible for free or reduced price meals, local family farms, there has been little resolution and develop a strategy for the food provided can be an essential protest. gaining community and board support source of health and nutrition for growing Still, the positive movement towards for its passage. We also launched a letter- kids. Yet a survey conducted by the UCLA healthier and more appealing food in the writing and phone campaign targeting all School of Public Health in 1999 found cafeteria inspired parents, teachers, and board members.” that about half of the students in low- youth to come together and work on other Raul Hernandez, a high school student income schools, most of whom were pressing issues. Brought together by the at Bravo Medical Magnet, says he testified Latino or African-American, were over- Center for Food and Justice, the Healthy in support of the board resolution because weight or obese. School Food Coalition was formed in the he had become concerned about the health The Center for Food and Justice part- spring of 2001. effects of drinking too much soda. Though nered with the school district to pilot In summer of 2002, when two board Farmers’ Market Salad Bars in two schools. members proposed a Instead of opting for hamburgers and fries, resolution to ban students began to line up to select from an soda sales from array of fresh fruits and vegetables. school campuses, the Students participated in promoting the group quickly new salad bars to their fellow students, stepped into action. went on farm field trips, and rediscovered Parent and the school garden. “The salad bar is the community activist greatest thing that could happen to the Neelam Sharma says, 59th Street School’s cafeteria,” wrote “Healthy School Diana Garcia in a letter to school district Food Coalition officials. “It helps me stay healthy and members and other have a better life.” nutrition advocates

Winter 2002–2003 Page 13 he says he still drinks a soda now and then, he asked, “How can we choose something else when there isn’t anything but soda or fountain water available?” With the boardroom packed with parents, teachers, students, and nutrition advocates, the board voted almost unanimously to pass the resolution to ban the sale of sodas and other unhealthy beverages on school campuses. Francesca de la Rosa, organizing director at the Center for Food and Justice, says that the passage of the soda ban was due in part to the months of informing and organizing that preceded the vote. Workshops were held on school food policy, nutrition, and advocacy. At a community forum held after the soda ban passed, LAUSD board member Hudley-Hayes said, “If the community had not been organized, this resolution would not have passed.” Getting rid of junk food will help to make way for healthier options like juices and salad bars. And through organizing and educating, community members begin to learn about the benefits of supporting family farms and choosing organic. WHAT YOU CAN DO Across the country, in small and big ways, communities are taking back their food systems to put health, people, and the environment first. In California, a number of groups have formed a network to advocate for policies that promote health and justice in the food system. Through the Community Food Security Coalition, they have published a new guidebook describing projects like these and the types of policies that can support such efforts. Copies will be sent to all elected officials in the state capitol. But it will take the phone calls and meetings of thousands of constituents to convince policy makers that these issues are important. Join us! • Email [email protected] to request a copy of the new guidebook to send to your local or national elected official with a personalized letter. • Meet with your state elected officials to educate them on the need for access to healthy food, especially in low-income communities. • Join the Community Food Security Coalition to organize with other concerned individuals and groups. For More Information

Community Food Security Coalition: [email protected] or call (310) 822-5410 Farm to School: Center for Food & Justice (323) 341-5095 Farm Fresh Choice: (510) 848-1704 The author can be contacted at: Michelle Mascarenhas, Food and Society Policy Fellow 1531 Fulton Street • San Francisco, California 94117 Ph: (415) 929-8867 • e-mail: [email protected] web: www.foodandsocietyfellows.org Food and Society Policy: A program of the Thomas Jefferson Agricul- tural Institute in partnership with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Page 14 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue

ASK AMIGO

EVALUATING THE USDA requirements are focused on mini- material into much smaller and different mizing contamination and pathogen prob- structures than starting materials). QUALITY OF COMPOST lems. They do not address quality issues. • Structure is mixture of fine and medium A grower may wish to purchase compost size particles, and humus crumbs. YOU BUY OR MAKE from an OMRI reviewed composter. While • There is abundant, earthy smelling white this is a valuable assurance of compliance mycelium in the moist parts of the pile By Amigo Cantisano, Organic Ag Advisors with the accepted standards, it does not guar- (This is an indicator of Actinomycete antee the quality of the compost. I am regu- activity). IGH- QUALITY COMPOST larly disappointed at what passes for compost, is a wonderful soil amendment PHYSICAL INDICATORS even by some of the OMRI approved suppli- 1 and fertilizer that provides • Fine to medium texture (all below ⁄2 inch H ers. Because each composter and each batch numerous benefits for all crops and soils. mesh, with high % of mixed, medium- they make is likely to be different, it is very Properly made compost is the best source sized particles). A small amount of soil important for you to evaluate the quality of of a broad diversity of available and slow (less than 10%) is desirable. Higher than what you purchase or produce. release nutrients, humus, organic matter, 10% is excessive. The following is an overview of things humic acids, fulvic acids, and high micro- • Moisture between 20–30% (This is dry that you should be inspecting and looking bial activity. The beneficial microbes in enough that the compost will not for in the compost you receive or make. compost assist with nutrient uptake, plant squeeze together into a ball. Below 20% Requiring your supplier to hold up his/her health, water uptake, drought resistance, water content is too dry for the compost end of the bargain ensures that you obtain protection from soil diseases and nema- microbes and humus quality. Above 30% a product with high performance charac- todes, and numerous other important func- you are paying for excess water that you teristics and a minimum of downsides. If tions. The quality, diversity, and population do not need; especially important if buy- you find upon using this check list that of these microbes will vary widely between ing by the ton). some aspects are below quality standards, composts, often as a result of the compost ODOR INDICATORS I urge you to contact your supplier and manufacturing process. This article will • Smells like “earthy” humus and soil from request an economic adjustment appropri- help you evaluate the quality of compost the forest floor (high in Actinomycetes, ate to the reduced quality. If they will not that you purchase or make on farm. which create humus and protect plants work with you on it, find another supplier! To obtain maximum benefit from com- from pathogens). The first four sections are all things that post, it is important that quality control is • No ammonia odor. you can evaluate without any laboratory practiced through the entire process. There • No putrefaction or anaerobic odor analysis. The Nutrient and Biological crite- are legal requirements for compost applied (“funky” smells). ria can only be judged by lab work. A good to organic farms, but these do not guarantee • No “manure” odor. composter who wants your business will be a quality product is being manufactured. able to provide most of the information TEMPERATURE INDICATOR The current USDA regulations for organic below from a recent batch of compost sim- • On delivery, compost should be within growers who use compost are: Compost is ilar to that which you are purchasing. If 10°F of air temperature (80–100°F). acceptable if (1) it is made from only they will not, find somebody who will. The Higher temperatures (i.e. steaming when allowed feedstock materials, except for inci- composters will get better at meeting your dumped, or too hot to hold your hand in dental residues that will not lead to contam- needs if you require them to do so. the pile) indicates the material is NOT ination, (2) the compost undergoes an Following the Microbiological section finished. increase in temperature to at least 131°F and is a list of questions and standards to ask NUTRIENT INDICATORS remains there for a minimum of 3 days, and yourself or your compost supplier. Become • Carbon: Nitrogen Ratio (optimum (3) the compost pile is mixed, or managed an informed compost consumer. Your soil 12–15:1; OK up to 20:1) in some other way to ensure that all of the and your pocketbook will thank you! • Total Organic Matter: 20–35% feedstock heats to the minimum tempera- • Total Nitrogen: 1.0–2.0% ture. The monitoring of these three parame- VISUAL INDICATORS • Nitrate Nitrogen: 250–350 PPM ters must be documented in the Organic • All material is dark brown (Black indi- • Nitrite Nitrogen: 0 PPM System Plan and verified during the site cates “burning” of compost; i.e. tempera- • Sulfide: 0 PPM visit. An explanation of how the composting tures above 150°F during processing). • Ammonium: trace or zero system complies with Section 205.203(c) • Parent material no longer visible (The • pH: 7–8 should also be presented in the Plan. The composting process breaks down the

Page 16 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue • Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Length of composting process? RESOURCES > 60 meq/100g • 8–16 weeks. Microbiological Analysis • Humic Acid Content: 5–15% Age of delivered compost? BBC Laboratories • ERGS Reading: 5,000–15,000 mS/cm • < 6 months. 1217 N. Stadem Dr. • LaMotte Humus Test: 25–30 Temperatures during Tempe, AZ 85281 • Relative Humus (rH): 26–28 composting? 480-967-5931 www.bbclabs.com MICROBIOLOGICAL INDICATORS • 130–150° F during Nutrient Analysis (As measured by BBC Labs, Tempe AZ) first 4–6 weeks; A & L Western Ag Labs • Heterotrophic Plate Count: 1 x 108 – 100–125°F during 1311 Woodland Ave., Suite 1 1 x 1010 CFU/gram dry weight (gdw) next 4–8 weeks. Modesto, CA 95351 • Anaerobic Plate Count: Aerobes: Anaer- Temperature of delivered 209-529-4080 www.al-labs-west.com obes at 10:1 or greater compost? Compost Thermometer • Yeasts and Molds: 1 x 103 – 1 x 104 • 80–100° F Reo Temp CFU/gdw 11568 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 10 • Actinomycetes: 1 x 106 – 1 x 108 Method of aeration? San Diego, CA 92121 CFU/gdw (very important) • Compost turner. 800-648-7737 www.reotemp.com • Pseudomonads: 1 x 103 – 1 x 106 Number of aeration/turnings? CFU/gdw • 6–20 turns. LaMotte Test Supplies • Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria: 1 x 103 – Fertility analysis? LaMotte Co. 1 x 106 CFU/gdw • Variable: 0.5–3% Total Nitrogen; P.O. Box 329 • Maturity: > 50% on Maturity Index 0.2–2.0% Phosphorus; 0.5–3% Potas- Chestertown, MD 21620 • Stability: < 100 mg O2/Kg compost dry sium. Other nutrients are variable, but 800-344-3100 www.lamotte.com solids/hour generally the higher % the better, except ERGS Meter QUICK QUESTIONS TO EVALUATE sodium and boron which should be low Pike Agri-Lab Supplies COMPOST QUALITY to very low. P.O. Box 67 Questions for the Compost Supplier & Organic matter %? Jay, MN 04239 Amigo’s Answers for Optimum Quality • Between 20–35% 866-745-3247 www.pikeagri.com Compost Carbon to Nitrogen Source of raw materials? Ratio? • The greater the diversity of ingredients • Between 10:1 to 15:1 the better. The best composts are com- Microbiological analysis? prised of 3 or more ingredients. • See “Compost Qual- Percentage of each raw material? ity Standards” • > 50% animal manures such as cow, Particle size? horse, sheep, chicken, turkey. Smaller % 3 • Below ⁄8 inch of materials such as pomace, straw, hay, rice hulls, sawdust. Low % (< 25%) of Price FOB Site? wood chips or green waste. • $18–$30 per ton in 25 ton loads. Percentage foreign materials? • < 1% (i.e. plastic, garbage, etc.) Delivered price? • Variable, dependent Percentage moisture during composting? on mileage. • 30–50% Price with spreading? Percentage moisture on delivery? • Spreading charges • 20–30% vary from $5 to $50 Bulk density? per ton based on site 1 •1⁄2 – 2 yards per ton. and quantity spread.

AMIGO CANTISANO: Organic Ag Advisors ~ Aeolia Organics Felix Gillet Institute (The FGI) P.O. Box 942 • No. San Juan, CA 95960 office: 530-292-3619 • fax: 530-292-3688

Winter 2002–2003 Page 17 CERTIFICATION CORNER

NEW TO THEE IN 2003 culture and the County Agricultural Com- has been treated with water or any other missioner are seeking to provide a pesticide allowed fertility input is “prohibited” is By Brian McElroy, Certification Services Manager product for organic producers by the absolutely unenforceable at this time. generic name of “spinosad.” Spinosad has Organic Seed: been approved by the National Organic COF CERTIFICATION SERVICES Seed shall qualify as organic seed if it has Standards Board and is therefore allowed provides the following information been grown and processed as certified organic for organic production. However, specific Cin order to help you understand for at least one generation. (CSC decision, spinosad formulations “brand name prod- NOP and CCOF International Standards. 10/25/02) Updates are provided on a regular basis as ucts” may or may not be allowed depending new information regarding the implemen- on the inert ingredients. CCOF has been CCOF Certification Services accepts this tation of CCOF standards is available. If lead to believe that a new formulation of recommendation and recognizes that a cer- you have questions regarding CCOF’s Cer- spinosad is available for organic producers. tified producer may purchase conventional seed (assuming organic seed of sufficient tification Update, please feel free to contact If you are in the affected area and may quality, quantity, and variety is not avail- your Regional Service Representative or be subject to mandatory treatment, you able) and plant it in a certified organic field other CCOF personnel. should verify that an NOP compliant and harvest seed crop that can qualify as brand of spinosad is made available for NEW FEE STRUCTURE organic seed. CCOF has revised our fee structure! CCOF your use. You should also review the notice will no longer charge assessments. The regarding inert ingredients in this article, Materials: renewal fee and assessment fee have been next column. On May 17, 2002 the CSC passed a motion to: replaced by a single annual fee. CCOF’s fee CURRENT CCOF INTERPRETATIONS Allow the use of brand name products con- structure has been changed to reflect the OF NOP REGULATIONS: cost of certification in the current market taining List 3 inerts that were previously and to simplify fees. All current CCOF Compost and Compost Tea: being used (by CCOF certified operations) clients have been notified of the change in The CCOF Certification Standards Com- until April 21, 2003. fee structure to take effect upon renewal in mittee (CSC) passed the following motion: CCOF certification services will seek to 2003. If you would like a copy of the new Compost made according to the parameters of implement this policy and seek further fee structure, see the Certified Clients section 205.203 of the federal rule may be clarification from the NOP. The continued Section at www.ccof.org. applied in any manner, solid or liquid form, use of common brand name products (that and will be considered to comply with this are generically allowed for use by the NOP TARTARIC ACID section. Wine producers will be relieved to know regulations) by CCOF producers will be that tartaric acid may be used in the pro- CCOF Certification Services will imple- considered a “minor non-compliance” until duction of organic wine and wine made ment this recommendation from the CSC. the USDA and the US EPA can clarify the from organic grapes. The official notice is The National Organic Standards Board status of the products or the status of the posted on the NOP website. Tartaric acid appointed a compost task force to review List 3 inert ingredients that are contained was not included in the original regulations the use and regulations surrounding in some of the products. due to a clerical error. The error will be manure and compost. The Final Report CCOF and CCOF producers have fought corrected through rulemaking to amend from the task force was listed on the NOP for years to try to gain access to the “inerts” the National List of Allowed and Prohib- website (archives) as an interpretation of that are used in many brand name pesti- ited Substances. This rulemaking will be Section 205.203 and stated “Compost and cide products. Without assistance from the published in the Federal Register. vermicompost teas are still under review EPA, neither certifiers nor farmers will ever and are therefore not eligible to satisfy sec- MEXICAN FRUIT FLY OUTBREAK be able to know the inert contents of many tion 205.203 (c) at this time.” IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY pesticide products. CCOF will continue to Organic farmers that are in San Diego However, CCOF Certification Services work with clients in order to gain more County are faced with quarantines and does not believe that based on the task information on products and seek to main- mandatory treatment for Mexican fruit fly. force recommendation that we can prohibit tain access to products that are generically This is the first fruit fly outbreak since the producers from using compost that is pro- allowed and commonly used in good faith. implementation of the National Organic duced according to the NOP regulations. Program. California Department of Agri- To say that NOP compliant compost that

Page 18 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue CCOF INTERNATIONAL: 5. All organic labels and packaging must be Need Info? Gibberillic Acid (G.A.) will be prohibited on file and approved by CCOF. by CCOF International Standards as of isit the Certified Clients Corner at For a complete description of labeling January 1, 2003. The committee deter- www.ccof.org/certifiedclients.html requirements and examples, see the NOP to find out more information about the mined that G.A. should be listed as prohib- website on labeling of packaged products new fee structure, and other important ited, as the product is not allowed by and useful information for CCOF at: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ European Union Regulations for organic Certified Clients including: ProdHandlers/LabelTable.htm ✔ production (2092/91). CCOF cannot pro- Add acreage/parcels/products/processes ✔ Buffers vide EU import certificate approval where Stream of Commerce. The stream of com- ✔ Clopyralid G.A. has been used in 2002. merce policy allows for product to be sold as ✔ Commercial availability organic if it was certified organic prior to full ✔ Compost CCOF has sought to clarify that G.A. is implementation of the NOP regulations. ✔ Fertility naturally derived and that the product ✔ Genetic engineering should be allowed for use under IFOAM Product that was produced as organic but ✔ IFOAM/CCOF International Standards ✔ regulations. However, CCOF recently not “certified” will never be allowed to Inspections ✔ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) received a communication from the “enter the stream of commerce” and be ✔ Labeling Department of Agriculture for the United sold as “certified organic” by CCOF. ✔ Manure (raw and processed) Kingdom (DEFRA) that clearly stated that ✔ Materials/OMRI List This policy also affects the importation of ✔ G.A. was prohibited for use according to Organic System Plan (OSP) organic products. While CCOF is now ✔ Parcel Transfer EU Regulations. obligated to accept the certification of any ✔ Pesticide Drift ✔ Pheromones LABELING AND STREAM OF COMMERCE: NOP accredited certification program, ✔ Post-Harvest Handling The USDA / NOP program has released CCOF is also required to seek verification ✔ Renewal Contract/Fees a policy statement as to the definition of that the product meets NOP regulations. ✔ Regional Service Reps (RSRs) “stream of commerce” as it relates to the ✔ Seed (Treated) NOP accredited certification programs that ✔ sale and labeling of organic product after Strawberry Crowns have more than one certification program ✔ Trade Association October 21, 2002. You may view the full (EU compliance, NOP compliance, JAS ✔ Transplants policy statement on the NOP website. ✔ compliance) must show evidence that the USDA/NOP However, the policy statement does not ✔ Water Use product is actually certified to the NOP clearly address the use of existing stocks of ✔ Withdraw Parcel/Operation regulations. Thus, CCOF labels and packaging that are not fully com- will require evidence that pliant to the NOP after October 21, 2002. the certifier evaluated the Labeling. CCOF Certification Services, in certified party to the NOP consultation with the CSC, has determined regulations and that the that CCOF clients may use existing pack- product is compliant with aging. Non-compliant labels and packaging the NOP regulations. must be inventoried and the producer must CCOF will evaluate prod- have a plan in place to bring labeling into ucts on a case-by-case basis compliance as soon as possible. The inven- to determine if the product tory and compliance plan must be on file was in the stream of com- with CCOF. merce prior to October 21, 2002. 5 basic labeling tips: 1. The certification agency must be identi- For more information, please fied on the packaging “…certified contact your Regional Service organic by CCOF.” Representative (RSR) listed on the back cover of this 2.The “grown in accordance with the newsletter. COFA of 1990” language must be removed. 3. The USDA seal is not required, it is voluntary. 4.The CCOF seal is not required, it is voluntary.

Winter 2002–2003 Page 19 CLOPYRALID UPDATE

EPA VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES adding a warning to product labels cau- states) frequently wind up in municipal tioning commercial users not to apply the compost programs. OPPORTUNITY FOR herbicide on turf that could be composted. For more information on Dow’s persis- PUBLIC COMMENT ON That action is not open to public com- tent herbicide, visit www.grrn.org/dow/ TOXIC DOW HERBICIDE ment, according to EPA. Dow also asked background.html EPA to delete application of the product Reprinted with permission from GrassRoots HILE COMMON HERBICIDES on “residential turf” as an approved use. Recycling Network, a North American net- produced and marketed by On August 28th, 2002, EPA published work of waste reduction activists and profes- Dow AgroSciences continue in W public notice of the proposed deletion sionals promoting producer responsibility and use and cause significant financial harm to action in the Federal Register with a six- Zero Waste as critical elements of a sustain- successful composting operations, an month comment period—although they able society. action by the U.S. Environmental Protec- failed to include two of the three technical www.grrn.org/dow/ tion Agency at the request of Dow has all source forms of Clopyralid. but closed the door for public comments dow_release_09-24-02.html Incredibly, EPA agreed with Dow’s on this important issue. request to shorten the public comment The composting industry is threatened period because the issue is controversial, by the increasingly widespread use of a par- according to an EPA spokesperson. On Clopyralid Information ticularly persistent herbicide made by Dow September 20th, EPA issued a correction in CALIFORNIA AgroSciences, a subsidiary of Dow Chemi- the Federal Register that ended the public www.ccof.org/certifiedclients/ cal Company. The taxpayers of Spokane comment period on September 27th. This Clopyralid.html WA are having to pay $950,000 to buy the followed by five days the signing into law http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/ city out of a contract with a composting of the California bill (AB 2356) that goes filelibrary/2030/3153.pdf company whose product was contaminated beyond Dow’s self-serving requests for lim- www.caff.org/caff/publications/aa/ with Clopyralid, the active ingredient in ited EPA action. 02_spring/compost.html Dow herbicides like Confront. Compost “Whether or not Dow is getting a free www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/ contaminated with Clopyralid residues ride from the EPA is unclear, but to virtu- 2002bills.htm have been found in several other states and ally exclude the opportunity for meaning- cities. Compost made from grass clippings ful public engagement on this issue is OREGON cut from Clopyralid-treated lawns has shocking,” continues GRRN’s Sheehan. www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/solwaste/ severely stunted certain food plants to factsheets/ClopyralidComposting.pdf Only through GRRN’s pursuit of this issue which the compost is applied. was EPA’s error first detected and an “Composting is one of the oldest and WASHINGTON STATE opportunity for public comments offered. http://cahenews.wsu.edu/Clopyralid.htm easiest types of recycling,” says Bill Shee- Concerned citizens can send comments to han, executive director of the GrassRoots www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/ the EPA at GRRN’s Web Action Center, Clopyralid.htm Recycling Network (GRRN). “Dow’s toxic http://action.grrn.org/action/ products not only kill weeds, they are www.cityofseattle.net/util/Clopyralid/ Dow’s requested action neither addresses killing financially successful compost pro- the most significant uses of Clopyralid grams that keep thousands of tons of products nor provides organic material out of landfills.” adequate warning of all Growers Since 1883 Processors GRRN has led the grassroots effort the dangers presented by demanding that Dow follow the Precaution- the product. The vast ary Principle—take responsibility for the majority of product is impacts of their products and remove them applied by commercial from use until they can be proven safe. and agricultural applica- Recently, however, in an effort to pre- tors, and clippings from ORGANICALLY GROWN WALNUTS empt a stronger state ban in California, commercial turf (the Russ & Kathy Lester 5430 Putah Creek Road Dow AgroSciences asked U.S. EPA to majority of turf in some Owners Winters, CA 95694-9612 530/795-4619 • FAX 530/795-5113 absolve Dow of responsibility by simply www.dixonridgefarms.org • [email protected]

Page 20 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue CALIFORNIA LEGISLATION UPDATE it makes a finding, after consultation with CCOF Action Alerts Legislation to combat persistent herbicides the board, regarding the presence of the in compost was introduced by Fred Keeley herbicide in compost at specified levels. ake action against the untested (D-Santa Cruz) in February of 2002 and The legislation had to be scaled back and unregulated release of signed into law by Governor Davis in some because of extremely heavy lobbying Tagricultural biotechnology into September 2002. This bill requires Cal- by Dow in Sacramento. Because of this, the our environment AND bodies. Speak EPA, by July 1, 2003, to convene an advi- law does not cover agricultural residues. It out to business leaders at Shaw’s, sory body to advise the agency on strategies is designed to specifically to cover commer- Safeway, and Kellogg’s, and to our to prevent the contamination of compost cial landscapers (since Dow, under pres- leaders in the federal government. sure, has begun the process of voluntarily by Clopyralid and other persistent herbi- Please visit removing it from residential homeowner cides and to evaluate the presence of www.ccof.org/actionalerts.html Clopyralid and other herbicide residues in use throughout the U.S.). compost produced at composting facilities Clopyralid products produced by Dow The CCOF Action Alerts page throughout the state, including determin- AgroSciences have been a problem in com- contains links to all state and federal ing the source of residues found in composting facilities throughout Washington, agencies. Make your voice heard in post and evaluating the levels of Clopyralid Oregon and California. It is just as preva- Sacramento and Washington, D.C. lent elsewhere in the United States. The or other herbicides in compost that may To learn more about genetic engineer- contamination is worst in Washington cause damage to plants. The agency will be ing and agricultural biotechnology, to State. New Zealand has also been experi- required, by July 1, 2003, to adopt regula- read CCOF’s position on agbiotech, encing problems with Clopyralid. tions to impose restrictions on the use of and to visit government, scientific and Clopyralid and authorize the department Visit www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html to activist websites related to genetic engi- to designate Clopyralid or other herbicide view legislation history and who voted how in neering, please visit as a restricted material or to require the Sacramento (search for Clopyralid by keyword). www.ccof.org/ge.html department to cancel the registration of Clopyralid, as necessary. If the agency does not take either of those actions, the agency would be required to state the reasons in writing. The bill will require the depart- HEADSTART ment, by July 1, 2003, to determine whether the existing tests required to register Clopyralid and other herbicides are ade- NURSERY quate and to establish and notify registrants of any further tests that are required as a Vegetable Transplants condition of registration or reregistration. The bill will prohibit the department, after 4869 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020 (408) 842-3030 ¥ (408) 842-3224 Fax January 1, 2004, from registering or rereg- istering Clopyralid or any other herbicide if

Winter 2002–2003 Page 21

CCOF’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

PUTTING PRINCIPLE AND COMMITMENT AHEAD OF DOLLARS AND CONVENIENCE Compiled by Keith L. Proctor, based on historical articles from Brandon Lee, Sy Weisman, Ron Neilsen, Tammy Hansen, and the CCOF Archives

he 1960s and early 1970s were uncertain times for organic Tfarmers, and national and international events did not ease anyone’s trepidation. The nation was in conflict with itself and with other countries such as Vietnam, China, and the Soviet Union. Great leaders had been assassinated, riots broke out in major cities across the nation, and social values not valued were questioned. Atomic bomb testing and atomic power plant construction fueled fears of a nuclear nightmare. The leader of Bryce and Eldon Lundberg the free world was falling from grace with his own people, and “A simple need for information and an entire generation gathered to celebrate music, peace, love, moral support was a driving factor behind and a new way of thinking. the creation of CCOF in 1973,” recalls former CCOF President Warren Weber. CALIFORNIA: the soil, plants, animals, and humans. “Growers needed each other because they CRADLE OF THE ORGANIC MOVEMENT There were yet others who never bought found little help elsewhere as they strug- It was during this time of great national the “better food through chemistry” propa- gled to find successful organic farming and international change that a slow, but ganda. Many of these farmers would methods.” steady stream of Americans began moving become CCOF founders and future leaders David Katz, an early grower member, from the cities to rural America to “get —the Lundbergs, the Pavichs, and the echoed Weber’s recollection. “There was back to the land,” towards what they Walters, to name a few. virtually no one to talk to. You couldn’t hoped was a different and better way of Organic farmers at this time were more find anyone [from the conventional indus- life. Many of these people had the inten- or less on their own. Many were part-time try or universities] that didn’t look at you tion of becoming organic farmers. It was in farmers and struggling to make a living. cross-wise.” this way that many hoped to find sanctuary There were no associations of farmers such Not only was the lack of farmer-to- from the turmoil of the world. They would as today. There was little time to organize, farmer connection a problem, but also with soon join others who had been farming and information was scarce, save for the increased interest in organic came an organically for many years. These experi- Rodale Press’ Organic Gardening and increase of fraud. There was as yet no sys- enced organic farmers saw early on what Farming Magazine, founded in 1942. tem in place to verify organic claims. Some the effects of unfettered chemistry did to conventional rice was stamped and passed off as organic. Some poor quality produce ’s 30-year history is so rich in detail that we could had also been labeled as organic. not present it all in one issue. Over the next three “What we needed [was] a little honesty CCOFissues of the CCOF Magazine, we will focus on in the business,” said founding CCOF each of the three decades of CCOF’s history, bringing you historical details and President Cal Slewing in a 1993 interview. interviews with CCOF founders and others who have helped shape this “It soon became vivid that we would organization. Here we present an abbreviated version to include with this special have to sell to people who needed some 30th Anniversary issue. If any CCOF certified and supporting members have kind of reassurance that we were doing suggestions, historical facts or comments to offer, please contact the Editor. Thank what we said we were doing,” recalls you all for supporting CCOF. ~K.P.

Page 24 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue Homer Lundberg, an organic rice grower Secretary; Dave Hayes, Treasurer; Shirley with the consumer is of the utmost impor- since 1968, and CCOF Founding Member. Du Moulin, Consumer Representative; tance, and that use of the CCOF Seal The first certification of organic farms in Larry Watson, State Certification Chair- clearly visible with the food product label California occurred in 1971, and was man; Homer Lundberg, Northern Regional along with education of the public to know administered by Rodale Press’ Organic Gar- Chairperson; Fred Adams, Central what the seal stands for is vital.” Keynote dening and Farming Magazine (OGF). The Regional Chairperson; and Robert Taft, speaker Jerome Goldstein, Executive Editor West Coast editor for OGF, Floyd Allen, Southern Regional Chairperson. of Organic Gardening and Farming Maga- oversaw the program that was entirely paid The first issue of The California Certified zine, pointed out that CCOF was one of for by the magazine. OGF and growers Organic Farmer (Spring 1974) featured a two state certifying groups in the nation, determined the definition of organic and map of the state of California on which was and that the rest of the country would be the resulting certification standards. The located all 73 certified organic and pending looking to CCOF as a model. magazine also offered funds to conduct lab certified organic farms in the state of Cali- During this early development of tests for soil fertility and pesticide residue. fornia. In the middle of the page was writ- CCOF, Floyd Allen of OGF Magazine In 1971, OGF Magazine listed 34 certified ten, “Here we are…just watch us GROW!!” remained on the organizing committee as organic farms in California. In May of And grow they did, but not without experi- temporary executive secretary. He wrote in 1972, OGF sponsored a national confer- encing a few growing pains OGF in 1973, “In going ahead ence in San Francisco on organic farming. first. However, regardless of with CCOF, growers have put Discussions at this meeting spawned a mar- those pains, we have wit- a lot of time and money on keting co-op known as the California nessed a fulfillment over the the line in their conviction Organic Farmers Association (COFA), lim- past thirty years of that desire that the time has come to put ited mainly to marketing. Within one year, to grow. In this first newslet- principle and commitment COFA listed 47 members. ter, the founders of CCOF just a little ahead of dollars outlined the intent of the and convenience.” But Allen’s THE BIRTH OF CCOF organization: involvement with CCOF and The fateful day came nine months later on “We feel that the primary that of OGF Magazine ended February 23, 1973, in Morro Bay, Califor- purpose of our organization is Barney Bricmont in 1974. nia, when Organic Gardening and Farming to rid the organic food industry Magazine announced to a gathering of 90 UNCERTAIN YEARS of the phonies. As an organization and as organic farmers that it would be pulling With the absence of OGF’s support, individuals, we are dedicated to this pur- out of the pilot program for organic certifi- CCOF’s development quickly stalled. pose. By offering to the public organically cation. Most farmers at the meeting were Growers had been questioning the initial grown food that has been certified by our caught unaware, overwhelmed with the centralized structure, instead desiring a organization, we feel that in due time all thought of losing the certification program regional setup with locally elected officers. consumers will be able to walk into health just after it began, and creating their own if Growers began dropping out, and the certi- food or natural food stores and be certain they wished to continue, no small feat fication program was left in limbo. After that he is buying organically grown food indeed. only three issues, The California Certified which it is so labeled. Our individual dedi- Fifty-four growers agreed to sign up for Organic Farmer newsletter ceased produc- cation to this organization is not for per- the newly formed California Certified tion in late 1974. sonal profit or glory, but merely for the Organic Farmers. Dues were $25 per year. Cal Slewing resigned as President in protection of the consumer and the honest A twelve-person organizing committee early 1975. Barney Bricmont stepped up members of this industry. To this cause we began the tasks of establishing certification and held the position for 10 more years. A have all devoted much time, effort, and guidelines and bylaws. The state was meeting of CCOF’s officers in April agreed money and for this cause we will continue.” divided into three sections: northern, cen- that the organization must decentralize in CCOF’s first annual meeting took place tral, and southern. Three more organiza- order to secure the survival of CCOF. After in Fresno on January 11–13, 1974. Eighty- tional meeting occurred at Atascadero a statewide meeting failed to materialize, five members, distributors and other during which time the guidelines and the Central Coast Chapter was formed in organic supporters were invited to attend. bylaws were further developed and a slate the Monterey Bay area, but no other chap- Participants were excited for what had been of officers was proposed for election. On ters appeared. Between 1975 and 1978, accomplished so far, and continued to June 7, 1973, only four months after CCOF was essentially the Central Coast work to develop CCOF by asking them- Rodale announced its departure from Chapter. selves, “What are we doing? Where are we organic certification, CCOF elected its first In the vacuum created by CCOF’s going?” Summarizing the annual meeting officers and was now on its own. Cal Slew- reduction in size and influence, two new in the first newsletter, Shirley Du Moulin ing was elected President; Barney Bric- groups were formed. California Organic wrote, “[Attendees] agreed that credibility mont, Vice President; Helmut Klauer, Growers (COG) was a one-man certifica-

Winter 2002–2003 Page 25 tion show organized by a grower named Organic then received a boost in the July his practices, but now were also seeking his Don Foote. At its peak in 1977, COG had of 1980. A study authorized by USDA Sec- clear adherence to established standards. about 30 growers. In the Santa Rosa area, a retary Bob Bergland in the Carter adminis- The state certification committee was given dozen organic farms created a marketing tration officially established the existence of the authority to review and invalidate spe- co-op called Farmers Organic Group an alternative farming system in the U.S. cific chapter certifications that were not in (FOG). By 1979, COG had disappeared called “organic.” The federal government compliance. This was developed and and FOG members had formed the North had finally recognized what CCOF and adopted to improve certification for prob- Coast Chapter of CCOF. The chapter met other growers around the country had been lematic inspections, and improve overall for the first time in January 1978 with 16 doing for many decades before and since efficiency and technical sophistication of farms, providing more members and sup- “better living though chemistry” became the certification program. However, the port to the fledgling CCOF organization. a catch phrase and dominant method of approval or prohibition of various materials farming. had still been left to the chapters, causing THE ORGANIC NETWORK BEGINS discrepancies and confusion around the At the suggestion of Governor Jerry Brown’s GROWTH, DIRECTION, DEVELOPMENT state. There was a growing demand for a Department of Consumer Affairs, legisla- CCOF would not remain relatively small uniform certification handbook and mate- tion was introduced in 1978 by Assembly- at 34 growers for long. The organization rials list for CCOF growers to follow. man Vic Fazio to define and regulate the and the movement were growing strong Passions for CCOF’s leadership role in production of organic foods. Upon reading and fast. In 1981, the Mendocino Chapter the world of organic continued to grow as the proposed legislation, grower-member was formed, followed by the Yolo, Big Val- well. Wendy Krupnick wrote in the Sum- Sy Weisman and Stuart Fishman (at the ley, and North Valley Chapters in 1982. mer 1986 Statewide Newsletter, “The time a San Francisco natural foods retailer) Fresno-Tulare, South Coast, and the Pacific opportunities for legitimating our industry concluded that it would virtually exclude Southwest Chapters have never been better; all of the growers using the term. Fishman were established two the public is begging for developed the first statewide mailing list in years later in 1984. This it. If we don’t act on it, 1978, which brought together the first net- year also saw the resur- agribusiness may com- work of mainstream organic food and farm- rection of the California promise the market ing practitioners and advocates. Certified Organic Farm- shortly.” Mark Lipson, CCOF seized the opportunity and ers Statewide Newsletter CCOF’s first staff mem- became actively involved in writing the leg- under the editorship of ber, echoed Wendy’s islation. The California organic industry Kate Burroughs, one of words in the December began to take shape as a network of grow- the founders of the 1986 Statewide Newslet- ers, processors, retailers, and wholesalers North Coast Chapter. ter. “We can help direct connected to discuss the proposed law. The In March 1985, Bar- a significant shift in the bill received fierce opposition from a num- ney Bricmont stepped Mark Lipson agricultural system,” he ber of factions. The natural foods industry down as President of wrote, “or we can watch from the sidelines fought (successfully) to remove the term CCOF after 10 years of service and turned as the system crumbles and reshapes itself “natural” from any regulation. Health the gavel over to Warren Weber. The orga- under other influences.” foods advocates fought the bill as too weak, nization had grown now to include over CCOF grew to 250 growers in 1986 and opposed any regulation by state agen- 150 growers. It was at this time that and reached over 300 in 1987, the year in cies. Despite the confusion, the California CCOF took a big step in its organizational which growers finally saw the publication Organic Food Act of 1979 finally passed development: a staff person and an office of the first CCOF Certification Handbook with a two-year “sunset” clause. CCOF space. Mark Lipson of Molino Creek and Materials List, and the first Farm supported the final bill with some misgiv- Farming Collective near Santa Cruz Inspection Manual, as well as the first series ings, waiting to see how it would work became the first CCOF staff member. Pre- of Farm Inspector Trainings. The Desert itself out. viously, CCOF had operated out of indi- Valleys Chapter appeared in this year, cre- As COFA ’79 was being passed, CCOF’s vidual homes by member volunteers. ating another chapter in the extreme south two chapters redrafted the statewide bylaws The next year saw a continued increase of the state. CCOF was building a solid to reflect a decentralized structure and the in membership to 250 growers, and an structure for itself, growing rapidly, and in new standards defined by the law. The additional staff member, Phil McGee. It need of someone who could take the reins chapters were designated as the basic units was also in this year that more organiza- full-time. 1988 was going to be a big year of certification, putting a large part of the tional changes occurred. Inspectors for the adolescent organization. decision-making process in the hands of received more formalized training on how The Board of Directors decided it was local grower-members. Total membership to conduct inspections. Consumers contin- time to hire the first Executive Director for in 1979 reached 34 growers. ued to accept the farmer’s good word on

Page 26 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue Intolerable Risk: Pesticides in our Children’s Bob Scowcroft, far right, Food, caused a stir outside the organic with the first statewide community. The event would become office staff. known as “the Alar scare.” In the Spring 1989 Statewide Newsletter, Mark Lipson grams to institutional- reported, “The historic coincidence of ize that enforcement in events over the last 10 weeks has left us in the future.” a completely new position. Like it or not, CCOF received things will never be the same.” Things were even more publicity not the same for CCOF. Following the in the following year. media coverage of the Alar scare, attention A February 26th 60 turned to producers of organically grown CCOF. The organization was in need of a Minutes story on Alar, based on a report by food. Being one of the largest organic full-time staff member who could devote the Natural Resources Defense Council titled more time to it than the committed farmers who had nurtured CCOF for nearly 15 years. Into this position, Robert (Bob) Scowcroft was hired to be responsible for all aspects of the organization—management of staff (who had held CCOF together for a few years between farmer- control and Scowcroft’s hiring), oversight of the certification program, fundraising, and media contact. Bob had previously for Friends of the Earth and for the UC Exten- sion in Santa Cruz. He fit perfectly with CCOF’s missions and needs. It was an exciting time, and things were about to get much more interesting.

NATIONAL ATTENTION The CCOF name garnered a boost in recognition in 1988 when it pursued the investigation (in cooperation with the Cali- fornia Department of Health Services) of Pacific Organics, a distributor that had been selling conventionally-grown carrots as organic. In the 1988 Statewide Newslet- ter, Executive Director Bob Scowcroft states, “It’s important to understand that for many people, this case put CCOF on the map not only as an organic grower organization but as a defender of organics in general. Clearly, our name recognition to food industry giants is one of — “you are the organization that filed the carrot complaint and stuck with it. Tell us more Nestled in the beautiful hills of Morgan Hill, California, we are a about yourselves.” I believe that others family owned and operated business. A leader in the intermediate looking back at the history of organic agri- vegetable ingredient industry, we offer both expertise and a family, culture will treat the Pacific Organic case personal touch. Specializing in garlic, peppers, and an array of other and CCOF’s role in it as a historic event. vegetables, we have home grown as well as fresh frozen, roasted Not only did we expose the faulty labeling and shelf stable process lines. In addition, we offer a number of practices of this company in particular but organic product alternatives. Our large range of products and the resulting publicity made the state services allow us to meet all of your vegetable ingredient needs. enforce the law and put into place pro-

Winter 2002–2003 Page 27 organizations in the United States at the California Governor Dukmejian signed 9% in 1998, 11% in 1999 and 17% in time, people and businesses, allies and the California Organic Foods Act of 1990 on 2000). adversaries from all over the country were September 25, 1990, closing a 20-month Growth, however, did not come without looking to CCOF for information and marathon effort by CCOF. The 42-page a price. “CCOF systems and process are direction. For weeks following 60 Minutes bill was passed 29–4 by the full State Sen- strained to the limit,” wrote Bob Scowcroft story, the phones at CCOF rang off the ate on August 31, the last day of the leg- in the Summer 1990 issue of the Statewide hook. Calls numbered around 150 per day, islative session. The Assembly also ratified Newsletter. “While we are regarded by with reporters, retailers and consumers all the final version by unanimous concur- many as the premier certification and wanting to know where they could get rence. Included in the law were require- organic advocacy organization in the coun- organically grown food. In the two months ments for all organic producers and try, we have arrived at that position at no following the program, CCOF mailed out handlers to register with the State, for small cost to our staff, volunteers, and 400 application packets. all growers to pay a stepped-scale fee, the finances. In a sense we have an organiza- Beginning in 1989, CCOF began work creation of an enforcement program, oblig- tion which is ruled by statutes designed in on creating Processor Certification Stan- atory record keeping and disclosure, a 1985 and amended piecemeal, year by year dards. With more and more raw organic materials review by CDFA, the creation to deal with problems as they appeared. We agricultural products, and a greater and of an advisory board, transition rules, and never had a concrete plan in place to deal growing network of organic businesses, requirements for treated seeds and sprouts. with growth, lines of authority, and the many more organic processing facilities Third-party certification was still voluntary strain of a consumer uprising demanding emerged in California and around the under the new law. In the same year, the organic products. In other words, we suc- country. Many CCOF farmers were also federal government passed the Organic ceeded beyond our wildest dreams and processing their own produce on-farm. Foods Production Act of 1990. Additionally, reality has caught up with us.” Certification through the entire process, “CCOF Certified” was registered with the A widely recognized and legally pro- from farm to table, was an increasing desire U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “raw tected seal is the cornerstone of our trade. from the general public. CCOF looked to agricultural food products, meat and poul- Misrepresentation can seriously damage the existing models for processing standards, try in (US) class A.” integrity of CCOF products and the certi- and after staff and the Processor Subcom- Due to all of these changes, 1989 and fication process. In 1991, CCOF took legal mittee had prepared CCOF’s version, the 1990 proved to be pivotal years for CCOF. Board of Directors voted to accept a lim- In 1989, total CCOF farm operations sky- ited number of processor applications dur- rocketed as farmers realized the benefit of ing the first year of processor certification. going organic. Between 1989 and 1990, Controlling the number of applicants dur- total operations increased 38%. 1990 saw ing this pilot year of processor certification the most growth in total acreage, with a allowed staff and volunteers to better gauge 67% increase in the total number of the effectiveness of the program and pre- CCOF acreage. This increase came from vent an onslaught of applications as seen in both existing CCOF operations expanding the wake of the Alar scare. their organic production and new entrants With organic thrust onto the national into CCOF. But the growth, a large por- stage with the 60 Minutes show, a wider tion of it caused by the Alar scare, also variety of players was entering into the fray caused problems within the organization. that was the redrafting of the California So many farmers wanted to enter the pro- Organic Food Act, submitted for CCOF gram and add more acreage that at times Bill Brammer by Assemblyman Sam Farr of Monterey. chapters were swamped with new appli- action to protect the CCOF seal from Mainstream agribusinesses and lobby cants and inspections were greatly delayed. damage due to a decertified grower who groups, national consumer and environ- The spurt generated by the events of had marked products as “CCOF Certified” mental organizations, and government 1989 and 1990 was followed some leveling when they were not certified. “We must agencies were many of the interested and out. Total CCOF operations went from an defend the integrity of the seal on behalf of influential parties involved. There was a all time high in 1991 of 690 operations to all grower members in good standing. Our large measure of uncertainty surrounding 617 in 1992, and then hitting its lowest seal, along with other organization’s certifi- the bill, increasing support met with point in post-1990 years of 612 in 1994. cation marks, represents the very core of the increasing opposition. With all of these From there, CCOF grew slowly in 1995 industry’s trust in verification,” wrote Bill groups taking part, many thought that and 1996 (1% a year) and then increased Brammer, President of CCOF. The courts the situation might create some unusual almost exponentially since (5% in 1997, eventually sided with CCOF against the alliances and unforeseen challenges.

Winter 2002–2003 Page 29 producer, directing the business to cease actions would later develop into separate technology—the burgeoning agricultural and desist from using the name and logo. organizations; the Organic Materials biotechnology industry, at first open with With an ever-growing presence in the Review Institute (OMRI) in 1997, to the public, then becoming more secretive as organic sector, in politics and law, and in which CCOF staff member Brian Baker its science and ethics came under increasing agriculture in general, CCOF was well- would transfer (and which would take over scrutiny. The Food and Drug Administra- placed to be a knowledgeable, fair, and CCOF’s materials review process), and the tion (FDA) in 1992 proposed guidelines to respected player in organic regulation. In Organic Farming Research Foundation not forcibly regulate most genetically altered 1991, the Secretary of California Depart- (OFRF) in 1991, to which Bob Scowcroft agricultural and food products. One ques- ment of Food and Agriculture tion that arose within the organic (CDFA) appointed two organic community was “Are they processors and five CCOF certi- organic?” The answer at CCOF fied growers to the California was a resounding “No!” Organic Foods Advisory Board The widespread public realiza- (COFAB). However, CCOF and tion that there are healthy alterna- the organic industry were not so tives to synthetic chemicals and lucky with the federal government. genetic engineering helped the In the same year, the U.S. Secre- organic industry grow by approxi- tary of Agriculture nominated mately 20% each year during experts directly to the National much of the 1990s and into the Organic Standards Board new millennium. In 1990, organic (NOSB), but the majority of sales were around $1 billion; by appointees were not drawn from 1998, they had reached $5.5 bil- the slate submitted by organic Diane Bowen, left. lion. Estimates for 2002 were to industry organizations and environmental exceed $9 billion in sales. Helping with and consumer interest groups. While some moved a year later to become its Executive increased sales were the development and of the members were active on the national Director. Mark Lipson, who would eventu- successful marketing of culturally popular level, many of the appointees were rela- ally work at OFRF as well, resigned from but previously unseen 100% organic prod- tively unknown to most of the organic CCOF in the summer of 1992 to devote ucts. One such product was Hallcrest trade. “There are a bunch of people at more time to his farm. Vineyards’ first ever in the nation 100% USDA who think you guys are wacko, organically grown and processed wine. that you should be humored and Additionally, niche markets grew ignored,” said Dan Haley, Admin- within the organic trade, offering istrator of Agricultural Marketing hard-to-find, hard-to-grow pro- Services at USDA, in his address to duce to meet the increasing the EcoFarm Conference in Janu- demand of individual consumers, ary 1992. “On the other hand, restaurants, and other food busi- many in the USDA recognize you nesses. Extra attention was given fill a legitimate market niche and to the organic community when you are environmentally friendly.” CNN broadcasted a story focus- Unfortunately, California’s organic ing on the organic food business, farmers were not represented at all in which T&D Willey Farm and on that first NOSB. Rather, Mid- the Sacramento Natural Foods west cereal farmers represented all Coop were showcased. organic growers, ignoring the west- Organic food processors Denesse and Tom Willey with their children. ern vegetable crop growers in the cradle increased dramatically during the 1990s as of the organic agriculture movement. well. After creating the pilot processor cer- ORGANIC GROWS WORLDWIDE What was not ignored during the first tification program in 1989, CCOF tried Enter Diane Bowen. During her tenure as twenty years of CCOF was the organiza- again to reach out to processors in 1993. executive director, the entire organic indus- tion’s well-rounded sense of duty to the According to Kevin Kennedy, chairman of try experienced significant growth and entire organic trade, not just to California. CCOF’s Processor Subcommittee in 1994, attention. The public was becoming more Over the years, CCOF organized materials the processed food category made up half aware of the health and environmental haz- review committees and solicited funding of the organic food industry in the mid- ards of conventional pesticide overuse. Con- for organic farming research. These two 90s. After a dip on the number of CCOF sumers were also awakening to a new

Page 30 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue certified processors from eight to five in At the time, it was the largest civil settle- Director Diane Bowen in the Fall 1999 1993, membership increased to 19 in just ment related to organic laws in California. issue of The Newsletter of CCOF. In her one year. It was at this time that the CCOF |A year later, a San Diego food company Executive Director’s Message, Bowen was Board of Directors approved a new was convicted on charges of false represen- responding to increased and erroneous crit- statewide Processor/Handler Chapter. tation, selling misbranded food, and pro- icism volleyed at organic agriculture, much Shortly after, Peggy Eulensen was hired as cessing food as “organic” without being of it from a man named Dennis Avery, the Processor Certification Coordinator. registered with the State of California. The then-Director of the Center for Global Soon, CCOF would decide to open its company was sentenced to three years pro- Food Issues at the suspiciously-funded rapidly growing processor certification pro- bation and fined $10,409. Finally, the sys- Hudson Institute, both proponents of agri- gram to companies outside of California. tem was working...at least in California. cultural biotechnology. Avery’s two consis- Further helping the organic processors tent claims were that organic could not THE OPPOSITION APPEARS was CCOF’s decision to apply for accredi- match the yields of conventional agricul- During this time of growth in CCOF and tation with the International Federation of ture (since refuted in field tests), and that the organic trade as a whole, the National Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM). organic poses a danger to human health by Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was in This new program, once developed, would using animal manure as fertilizer (also used the middle of creating standards for the offer an internationally recognized certifi- in conventional agriculture without stan- entire industry. When the rule was released cation program through CCOF for organic dards for application to protect human for public viewing on December 15, 1997, food processors and growers to export their health as in organic). It was clear that the the organic principles were almost unrecog- products to Europe. At the same time, the information coming from Avery and the nizable in the proposed rule. The “big CCOF trademark was registered in Japan three”—irradiation, genetically modified owing to increased sales to that country. organisms (GMOs), and sewage sludge— CCOF eventually offered a retailer certifi- were all written into the standards. The cation program based on GORP (Good organic community was shocked. The fed- Organic Retailing Standards) developed by eral government had sought the expert the Organic Trade Association (OTA). advice of leaders within the organic trade Healthier alternatives, new products, to help create uniform standards for greater sales, and greater media recognition organic agriculture. It appeared, however, all helped to convince CCOF that a transi- as if the federal government instead tional certification program was needed for ignored their suggestions and preferred to growers transitioning from conventional to impose onto organic agriculture the same certified organic. In 1996, CCOF created a old special interests ways of chemical CCOF Certified Transitional Seal and pro- agribusiness. Nearly 280,000 people wrote gram to help growers transition to organic letters, e-mails, and faxes to contest the while still being able to find a market for inclusion of the “big three” in the organic their produce. Some farmers transitioned Thomas Whittman expresses the frustration of the organic trade. standards. The collective efforts to oppose for profit in the new organic market, while Hudson Institute about “the dangers” of the inclusion of the big three paid off. others did so out of conviction that the organic growing practices was intentionally According to an article in Newsweek, the post-WWII chemically intensive farming deceitful. And the deceit would continue USDA was “awestruck at the size and fury system was not for them. into the following year. of the protest” and a USDA staffer was While the organic community was grow- What should have been the center quoted as saying that “we underestimated ing in numbers of farmers, processors, retail- stage for organic in early 2000, with the the strength of the commitment to the ers, and consumers, the California State release of the National Organic Program term organic that exists out there.” Conse- Organic Program, created with the Califor- standards in March of that year, was quently, at the first meeting of the NOSB nia Organic Foods Act of 1990, experienced instead overshadowed in part by a care- in 1999, it was announced that the USDA ebbs and flows in its enforcement program fully timed but poorly planned smear would exclude the big three from national during the 1990s. At times, the program campaign. In February 2000, ABC’s organic standards. seemed in jeopardy of collapsing from lack 20/20 newsmagazine broadcast a story, “Until recently, organic agriculture has of enforcement and lack of revenues due. hosted by John Stossel, cautioning the been too marginal to draw much more Other times, as in 1997, the system American public against organic produce, than casual criticism from foes like the appeared to work. A grower was found citing a health hazard due to the use of agrichemical industry. But the industry guilty of violations of the COFA and manure as fertilizer and the use of organic now appears to be organizing resources and ordered by the Sonoma County Superior pesticides. Dennis Avery played the part implementing strategy to quash organic Court to pay $15,000 in civil penalties. of Stossel’s government expert. The agriculture,” wrote CCOF Executive

Winter 2002–2003 Page 31 organic community was surprised at this THE NEW MILLENNIUM renewal and the other by the USDA for blatant attack on organic, especially on a Meeting increased acclaim and criticism renewal of the ISO-65 accreditation, which nationally recognized newsmagazine. head on had marked Diane Bowen’s tenure it first received in 1999. Just as CCOF Although individuals and the Organic as CCOF Executive Director. Meeting the inspects organic operations annually, the Trade Association (OTA) filed complaints National Organic Program head on would CCOF organization also receives these with ABC, the same program was mark much of Brian Leahy’s tenure as her inspection visits at regular intervals, to rebroadcast in July. An investigation later successor. Bowen decided to resign in Sep- make sure that we are doing what we claim showed that the pesticide tests reported tember 1999, and for a time grower-mem- to be doing. on the show were, in fact, never con- ber and CCOF Treasurer Greg House kept The National Organic Program made ducted, and E.coli tests cited were incon- the seat warm. While the two previous organic certification mandatory for all clusive. OTA then threatened ABC with a executive directors had come from outside organic operations in the United States lawsuit. In August of 2000, ABC and of CCOF, Brian Leahy was a familiar that earn more than $5000 annually in 1 John Stossel issued a meager 2 ⁄2 minute friend. He had been an organic rice farmer gross organic sales. The use of the word public apology live on the 20/20 show. with CCOF in the early 1980s, at a time “organic” became regulated under the fed- An early indication that this program was when a handshake was all the assurance eral government, with the NOP virtually meant as a smear campaign came in the anyone needed to seal a deal. Having later owning the rights to use the word. Because form of the interviewer himself. The moved on to Nebraska, where he had been of the cost of certification for some of the August 8th, 2000 press release from OTA a legal aid attorney, he reconnected with smallest organic businesses in the U.S., notes that, “Three months before the CCOF when it was in search of a new many small operations decided to drop February broadcast, OTA had written to director. Brian Leahy’s first day at the Santa the word “organic,” instead opting to use 20/20’s executive producer to warn him Cruz home office in March of 2000 was words like “natural,” “pesticide-free,” and that Stossel was misrepresenting the facts also the day that the NOP final rule was “eco-friendly.” (The 2002 Farm Bill now during his interview with [Katherine] released to the public. Several changes offers a cost-share program to offset the DiMatteo [OTA’s executive director].” would take place at CCOF before the costs of organic certification.) For the October 21, 2002 implementation of the remaining organic operations now required NOP. Certification and the entire organiza- to become certified, many turned to CCOF tional structure would because of its strong activist history and be transformed. consistently high standards in the pre- With the IFOAM NOP years. accredited program PROTECTION now in place, CCOF New threats to the California organic com- began to offer two dif- munity appeared in 2000, although this ferent certification time not in the form of pro-agbiotech gov- programs in 2000; one ernment rules and smear campaigns. This was the traditional one was natural. The Glassy-winged Sharp- CCOF certification shooter, first seen in California in the late under basic standards, 1800s, then again in the 1940s, was rein- and the other was troduced to the State in the late 1980s. CCOF’s IFOAM This type of sharpshooter (there are accredited program. several) transmits the bacterium xylella Those members that fastidiosa when it feeds on the “water” were certified under contained in the stems of crops, such as the IFOAM program almonds, grapes, and citrus. The bacteria had access to the new cause the xylem, or water conducting part “CCOF International” of the stem, to harden over time, usually seal. In a continued killing susceptible crops within two years. effort to keep opera- With such a menacing threat to the eco- tions transparent, nomic powerhouse that is the California CCOF participated in wine industry, local and statewide task and passed two audits. forces were created to more effectively One was conducted by deal with the problem. Included on the the IOAS to receive statewide task force was CCOF grower IFOAM accreditation Steven Pavich, among other representatives

Page 32 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue of the California organic community. The clause in the National Organic Program and staff time and paperwork was put into task force recommended spraying where final rule. For CCOF members who held its creation. On December 23, 2002, after possible, using alternatives to spraying on member-control of the organization as a more than a year’s worth of efforts, CCOF organic farms, research into finding a cure fundamental strength, negotiations with received a Christmas gift in the mail—our for Pierce’s Disease, containment of the the NOP would not produce fruit to save 501(c)(3) tax-deductible non-profit status sharpshooter in infected counties with con- the long-held structure of CCOF’s gover- from the IRS for the CCOF Foundation. tinued inspections, and a color-coded tag- nance. The NOP determined that certify- Three organizations in one—CCOF ging system for plants leaving these areas. ing organizations, now quasi “agents” of Inc., CCOF Certification Services LLC, The progress in containment and abate- the government issuing an USDA license, and CCOF Foundation—started in 1973 ment in several areas around the state has must be free from conflict of interest to to conduct organic certification with only been encouraging, with sharp-shooter assure the consumer that products are truly 13 standard points, and after 30 years, still sightings decreasing since local and organic according to the NOP rule. This going strong in the face of challenges, statewide plans have been put into practice. meant that CCOF certified members could structural modifications, and government The sharpshooter still exists in California, no longer control the certification division regulation. It is the dedication of the peo- and may yet for years to come, but the of CCOF. The organization needed to ple that make up CCOF and the organic threat it poses to conventional and organic restructure to meet the conflict of interest community as a whole that have made this agriculture has been lessened, thanks to all clause, or face non-accreditation by the possible—from dear departed members affected parties working together. This is USDA and the failure of a nearly 30-year such as Sy Weissman, to existing members yet another instance where organic has old California institution. Several proposals like Kate Burroughs, to returning members grown from a marginal practice to a were offered from within CCOF and with- like Brian Leahy, and new supporting respected agricultural system equally wel- out. Many were developed to meet members every day. These people, and come at the negotiating table. CCOF’s needs. A Certification Division thousands more like them, have helped The protection of the organic trade’s Committee was created, made up of non- CCOF grow to become the politically and integrity extends beyond the field all the certified parties to oversee the certification publicly respected organic organization way to the store shelves, as was apparent program. USDA, however, did not see the that it is today. with the California Organic Foods Act of separation as sufficient, and ordered 1990. With the public’s increased interest CCOF to try again. in organic products, companies were creat- This time, success was ing “organic” body care and other non- achieved in the forma- food products not covered by the COFA tion of a Limited Lia- ’90. Committed members of the California bility Corporation, an organic community decided it was time to LLC, separate from update the COFA, to protect organic every- CCOF Inc. Non-certi- where. Organic proponents, most notably fied members of the CCOF’s own Wendy Krupnick and Gay organic community Timmons, worked tirelessly with legislators would direct the LLC, to rewrite the COFA law. Large multina- while CCOF Inc. tional conglomerates were interested in the would still retain con- legislation as well—interested in defeating trol of the name and any amendments to limit the use of the seal, budget, public word “organic” on non-food products. education, and govern- Their powerful lobbying, however, did not ment advocacy. CCOF prevail. In September 2002, Governor also created a tax- Gray Davis signed the California Organic deductible non-profit Products Act of 2003 into law. Beginning called CCOF Founda- January 1, 2003, all products sold in Cali- tion, designed to fornia with less than 70% organic ingredi- receive grants that ents may not use the word “organic” on the would help educate the front label. public and conventional farmers on the MEETING THE FUTURE benefits of organic In 2000, CCOF was seated at another farming and organic negotiating table— one with the federal food. Much volunteer government regarding a conflict of interest

Winter 2002–2003 Page 33

HANDLER HISTORY

BRIEF HISTORY was a $9,000 test! I was ready to argue— After a few meetings (and some liberal and ready to help make a processing borrowing from other standards), we sent OF THE PROCESSOR~ standard that would work…that was ten our first “Processing Standards” to the CSC years and hundreds of and the Board for review and ratification. HANDLER CHAPTER meetings ago. Both bodies voted to accept our standards. We then borrowed a template for our By Gay Timmons I soon discovered that there were a number of chapter bylaws, and we were off to the races. N 1992 I CALLED CCOF AND ASKED other people working to if I could be “certified organic” for help CCOF write its own With the new NOP federal law Iroasting pistachios—we were roasting processing standards. At governing “organic,” we changed CCOF organic pistachios for a grower. the time, only Farm Veri- the name of the Processor After a lengthy discussion with then- fied Organic (FVO) and Chapter to Handler Chapter to CCOF-staffer Brian Baker, I understood Oregon Tilth (OTCO) correspond with the definition three things: 1) there were no processing were engaged in process- of “handler” at the federal level, standards (yet); 2) if I wanted them, I ing certification. I attended which includes processors, would probably have to help write them, a meeting with CCOF handlers, packers, and retailers. and; 3) I knew nothing about “organic.” staff Peggy Felix and Exec- The chapter is now nearly 200 He also mentioned that we had to get our utive Director Diane members strong and growing at well-water tested for (at the time) Bowen, along with Craig Weakly of a remarkable rate. Now we just need to “everything.” After talking to a local Muir Glen, Bryce Lundberg of Lundberg figure out the NOP! We have an annual laboratory, I discovered that “everything” Family Farms, Rod Crossley of Health Val- chapter meeting at Anaheim each year at ley, Kevin Kennedy of Natural Products Expo West (we are all Santa Cruz Naturals, mostly there anyway), and it is always a and Liz Bourret of Veri- pleasure to meet the faces connected to the table Vegetable. At that names and products. time we decided to form We have worked with six Processing a Processor/Handler Certification Managers, all having played Chapter of CCOF. their valiant part to bring us further than Kevin became our Presi- when they started: Brian Baker, Peggy dent, I was elected as Felix, Peggy Eulensen, D.J. Schrick, Sue Board Representative, Ten Eyck, and Janning Kennedy. Let’s not and Craig was our rep- forget our most recent addition to handler resentative to the Certi- certification, Cynthia Ritenour, who held fication Standards the program together between managers. Committee (CSC). All This next CCOF Annual Meeting in of us agreed to be the 2003 is being co-sponsored by the Handler Chapter Standards Chapter. We hope to see all of you there, Committee and Review- as we share the bounty of the products ers—oops! We quickly developed by the handlers and processors discovered that we all who clean and sort and pack and cook and did business with each stew and ferment and package so many of the other, and therefore had CCOF products that get to grocery shelves. built-in conflicts of interest; thus, the paid On a personal note, I have deeply valued reviewer was born. my involvement with this chapter—it is always exciting to serve food and be able to say, “I know the people who produce this food.” I cannot think of a better way for anyone to eat.

Page 36 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue

ORGANIC DAIRY

ORGANIC RAW MILK ~ tion, standardization and homogenization detected after just a few hours. Listeria and — the very same processing steps used in E-coli 0157 would not grow in the raw MOTHER NATURE conventional milk creameries. This renders milk either. The lab conclusion was that the once vital organic milk a dead, inert, organic raw milk does not support WAS BRILLIANT milky looking liquid. Our health and pathogen growth. California Department our bodies are now of Food and Agri- By Mark McAfee, CCOF Certified Dairyman showing the signs culture (CDFA) has and symptoms of tested retail HE WONDERFUL MILK conventional pro- approved organic being produced on organic dairies cessing. New infor- raw milk month all over this great nation is not the T mation is beginning after month and the same organic milk being bought at the to emerge which state test results store. Many regional and national organic will change every- have been exactly milk brands have emerged in the last few thing we had the same—non- years, all with nearly identical milk process- assumed to be true detect for Listeria, ing methods. When organic milk moves regarding raw milk safety and milk nutri- non-detect for Salmonella, and non-detect through the creamery what emerges does tion in general. Organic raw milk food for E-coli 0157. Not one pathogenic cell not resemble what came out of the organic safety, organic raw milk nutritional values, has ever been found. Why is it that cow. The efforts of the organic dairyman and value-added niches created by organic pathogen tests in conventional raw milk and his cows are truly diminished as the raw milk production are just a few of the quite often show positive for Salmonella, E- creamery destroys the vital ingredients several issues critical to this discussion. coli 0157, and other pathogens (Dr. Berge Mother Nature created. Unfortunately, DVM, UC-Davis) ? The answer lies in the organic milk is processed using pasteuriza- Organic raw milk is in no way compara- ble to conventional raw fact that when antibiotics are given to con- milk when it comes to ventional milk cows they kill beneficial bacterial food safety bacteria and upset the immune system so issues. These are bold badly that pathogenic bacteria and other statements but they are antibiotic resistant bacteria become domi- upheld by good science nant and out of control. Under organic and government lab conditions, cows are not ever given anti- tests repeated time after biotics (or hormones or GMOs) and as a time over long periods. result, beneficial bacteria are dominant in Not one pathogen, the gut of the cow and elsewhere; pathogens including E-coli 0157, are in balance and under control. Serum Salmonella, and Listeria, analysis of organic cows can quickly deter- has ever been found in mine if cows have been treated with antibi- retail approved certified otics in the past. Serum analysis of organic raw milk. In conventional cows shows rampant antibi- fact, when organic raw otic resistance. This information thus can milk was challenged in a be correlated to pathogens found in con- lab with the addition of ventional raw milk (Dr. Berge DVM, UCD) pathogens, it was found where none are found in organic raw milk that organic raw milk when cows have scant or no antibiotic would not support resistance. So much for organic raw milk pathogen growth and being similar to conventional raw milk. actually killed them. Raw milk offers a completely different Salmonella was so badly set of nutritional values to the consumer damaged by organic raw than processed milk. Prior to processing, milk beneficial bacteria organic raw milk is alive with beneficial that it could not be bacteria that are critical to the health of the

Page 38 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue immune system (by keeping the intestines What business model will the next fam- functioning properly, assisting in digestion, ily farming generation use to be sustain- and absorption of food elements), filled able? Many organic production models with 22 essential amino acids, fatty acids, have been corporatized and not available vitamins, CLA, high Omega-3 fatty acids, to smaller operations. lactoferrin (a glyco protein which kills The answer may very well lie in the pathogenic bacteria) and several essential small organic raw dairy and creamery. A enzymes (including lactase) all critical to dairy that knows its cows, a dairy with low digestion. When raw milk is pasteurized stress green pasture, and a desire to connect organic milk (post Oct 21, 2002). It is (at either 165 degrees or 282 degrees) it is to the consumer all fit well with organic absolutely clear that conventional raw milk literally killed. Enzymes are rendered inac- raw milk production. Ask the nutrition and organic raw milk are not the same. But tive, nearly all bacteria are killed, proteins people and they will say “start eating live yet organic raw milk is required to have the are modified, fats are changed, and vita- food that supports our bodies immune sys- same old government raw milk warning mins are devalued. Interestingly, the milk tem, we need beneficial bacteria.” It is time statement and is subject to the restrictive industry has blamed the consumer for an for the organic principals of biologic diver- laws. This creates regional niches where assumed consumer defect—lactose intoler- sity to take hold in bold dairymen are regarded as local heroes ance—when in fact it is the killing of lac- more that just words on and provide committed and knowledgeable tase, the milk sugar enzyme, which causes an organic plan. These consumers with products they demand and so-called lactose intolerance. It is the pro- are essential principals pay dearly for. cessing of the milk that is the problem, not of life. Organic Raw the consumer’s internal physiology. This is As a farmer, we must realize that we can Milk is just one critical not so for organic raw milk, which has no longer accept the corporate models of example of biodiversity none of these problems. So called lactose business that are in force around us. They and how politics and intolerant consumers can drink organic will kill us; they are designed to be “bigger ignorance can truly be a raw milk with out any problems at all. is better”. We must redesign our place in serious hindrance to The market for organic raw milk is the food chain and build relationships health, sustainability, growing, but the product has a difficult directly with the consumer with our own and well-being. brands that stand for something. Organic time getting to the consumer. In fact, often Organic Raw Butter, Organic Raw Raw Milk is that place in sustainability. It is it can not get to the consumer legally. Cream, Organic Raw Colostrum, Organic a niche that requires many smaller opera- Expensive UPS or Fed Ex delivery must be Raw Cheese, Organic Raw Yogurt, and tions and rich enough for many genera- addressed to a consumers pet (animal con- Organic Raw Milk—Yes!—Mother Nature tions. Huge dairies have a limited future. sumption only) or state and federal raw is brilliant! milk laws are violated. Old raw milk laws All they do is eat smaller dairies and make do not allow interstate transport of raw milk cheaper, further depressing milk prices Mark McAfee is a CCOF certified organic milk for human consumption. I challenge and polluting the environment. Not so is dairyman and apple grower near Kerman, these raw milk laws based on the new the medium or smaller organic raw dairy. California. USDA authority and the definition of www.mcafeefarms.com

Winter 2002–2003 Page 39 MARKETING

HOMAGE TO THE and other nutrients necessary for digestion For those competing in a tight market, ide- and nutrient uptake. The body now has to ologies and ethics have become expensive. CCOF SPIRIT compensate for these missing elements by The organic industry has begun to focus utilizing the stores of the body, for example on price, rather than featuring the quality By Helge Hellberg, Certified Nutritionist, C.N.E. taking calcium out of the bones (which of the product, in order to win greater mar- Marketing & Communications Director could lead to osteoporosis). Taking nutri- ket share. Food vouchers offering addi- ents out of the body, and, as a result, tional discounts indicate a further loss of RGANIC IS BIG MONEY, depleting it over time, is exactly the oppo- product-value, a further lack of reasons for some, but far from being site of what “nourishment” means. beyond a low price why consumers should “mainstream,” as many articles in O In place of things that processed foods purchase the product. The organic move- the public media in the past few months should have, they have things they shouldn’t. ment stands for transformation, and this suggested. With an estimated volume of Over 3,000 food additives are allowed in ideology is exactly what adds value to the $12 billion, organic only holds about a non-organic processed foods. Many food product, essence to our work, and a mean- 2.5% share of the entire U.S. food market. additives have been linked to allergic reac- ing to our lives. It seems that some compa- Even if organic kept growing by over 20%— tions, headaches, asthma, growth retarda- nies have already forgotten—or have never as it has been for the last 12 years—it would tion, hyperactivity in children, heart disease, heard—that the real asset of organic agri- take more than another 20 years to trans- osteoporosis, and cancer. The most com- culture and foods lies in the movement form our current toxic approach to food mon ones are hydrogenated fats, sulfur behind it, in the desire for change, in the production into a sane one. dioxide, artificial flavors, artificial colors, concerns of educated citizens, in the stories It is not the dollar volume that makes MSG, aspartame, and phosphoric acid— of the farmers who grew the food, and in this movement significant, but rather the none of which are allowed in organic foods. the vision and efforts of the companies that desire for change that it represents. For these two reasons, advertisements for truly care. With a 2.5% market share, I Whether or not we are finally able to non-organic foods focus on size, taste, doubt that leaving the organic ideology prove that organic food is more nutritious, effect, price, convenience, or other non- behind will enable this industry to grow organic farmers and consumers have nutrition related advantages. The very idea another 97.5%. understood for years that the toxic detour “food = nourishment” is no longer adver- Since its early days in 1973, it is mean- that we took was actually a dead end road. tised—and cannot be—since the nutri- ing that CCOF has sought to create. As CCOF President Brian Leahy points tional value of non-organic processed foods CCOF is comprised of over 1,200 opera- out in his “First Word” article, agro-chemi- has become almost insignificant. tions of every size and background, in cals have been linked to a variety of ill- As of last year, our country has a stan- addition to several hundred supporting health conditions in humans and have dard for growing and processing organic members. While the diversity widens severely damaged our environment. food, the National Organic Program. With CCOF’s perspective on issues of organic Organic is not an alternative, because that these federal regulations serving as a base- agriculture, all of our members are bound would suggest that we have another option. line, we can now address other important by a core set of values, a common idea of But we do not, not for growing our food, issues in our society that are linked to food what the world should look like. nor for processing it. production, such as the distance that food The people who contribute to this vision The word “food” means nourishment, travels, the value and importance of food, are the operations we certify, the many vol- and most non-organic, highly processed and maybe most importantly, a fair return unteers on the Chapter level, the Board of foods do not deserve this title any longer. to the farmers who grow this foundation Directors, the members who support us, Metabolizing food requires energy, miner- of our existence. Just as a fair income is an but also buyers and consumers who inten- als, enzymes, and other micronutrients. essential factor for keeping farming attrac- tionally purchase CCOF-certified prod- When processed foods do not contain tive for future generations, it is a key ele- ucts. Despite all the differences that enough nutrients for this metabolization ment to ensure the movement away from an inevitably are part of every large group, it process, the body needs to use stored nutri- entirely centralized food production system. is the extreme diversity, combined with the ents in order to metabolize them. For exam- Today many organic farmers feel pres- expertise and shared underlying passion to ple, foods with a high amount of refined sured by a growing and extremely competi- work for a better world that has guided sugar or fat—soft drinks, candy bars, fast tive industry, as more and more large CCOF through 30 years of leadership in foods—give a quick boost of energy to the corporations enter the marketplace to harvest the organic movement. body, at best, but are missing amino acids the crop these pioneers planted years ago.

Page 40 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue As a voice for change and hope, CCOF is more than a certifier. Because of the vision that most of us in this organization share, we belong to CCOF on a much deeper level. The final picture of a better world may be different for all of us, but the energy behind it is based on the same love. Ideologies and ethics will never lose their value. In fact, in a world depleted of integrity, more and more people will understand the power of their food budget, and the difference behind similar products—and will purchase Certified Organic by CCOF.

CCOF Marketing: Amplifying the CCOF Message

AKING THE GREAT DIVERSITY OF CCOF’S CERTIFIED CLIENTELE issue, will be titled CCOF Magazine, and will continue to feature into account, CCOF Marketing has to define programs from information and articles for growers, processors, retailers, and con- Twhich all certified operations equally benefit. In 2002, the sumers. majority of marketing resources went into education, and towards the Another marketing publication is the CCOF Organic Directory, goal of making the CCOF Marketing department self-sustaining. our annual listing of all CCOF certified operations and services. One-hundred-twenty-eight pages filled with valuable information The CCOF education efforts in 2002 have had a great resonance on organic food make this directory one of the leading resources and were much appreciated by the public. Through nutrition talks for the organic industry. Over 2,000 copies of the CCOF Organic and retail staff trainings, food buyers and consumers alike heard Directory 2003 have just been sent out to certified clients and food and understood the CCOF message and were thankful for our buyers throughout the nation. work. Whole Foods donated With the redesign of the CCOF nearly $50,000 in summer of website, CCOF was able to more 2002 to our education programs than double its website traffic —money that will go back to within four months. CCOF fin- retailers throughout the United ished 2002 with nearly 1 million States in form of an organic edu- hits (from 480,000 in 2001), and cation video that CCOF has pro- over half of all visitors went to the duced. This video shows the CCOF searchable product data- history of agriculture, explains the base, which eventually helped our new federal regulations, and doc- certified clients in their marketing uments the differences of organic efforts. vs. non-organic approaches to CCOF Marketing will continue food production, including nutri- these programs in 2003, in addition. The CCOF organic education Marketing & Communications tion to others, such as CCOF’s media work, and our local, national training video for retail staff and Director Helge Hellberg showing the CCOF Organic Directory to visitors and international conference and trade show presence. other interested people in the indus- at the Fresno Ag Show. The basic objectives for Marketing in 2003 are: try is now available at the CCOF • Assisting clients in their marketing efforts, and initiating more con- Home Office. sumer and buyer contacts to help increase sales for certified clients In addition, CCOF is working on a crop database as the founda- • Continuing to emphasize CCOF's position as a leader in the tion of an organic curriculum, which will be available for educators organic movement in California and elsewhere in the spring of 2003. This database • Establishing CCOF as a main source for organic information will feature 40 of the most common organic crops grown on the and an important organization for organic education West Coast, and explain their history, current growing methods, issues in growing them non-organically, and the nutritional value CCOF Marketing will again focus on education to meet these of these crops. objectives. The need for true and honest information is greater than The Newsletter of CCOF is CCOF’s quarterly industry and con- ever. Sharing the CCOF spirit while educating others makes my job sumer publication. Tremendously improved in quality and circula- as the CCOF Marketing & Communications Director an immea- tion, it is now available at many natural food stores throughout surable pleasure of representing even more than premier organic California. The Newsletter of CCOF, starting with the Spring 2003 certification services and outstanding certified organic products.

Winter 2002–2003 Page 41

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 legislation, 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.

SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND BENEFIT PACKAGES INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS

PROMOTING $40 to $74 $75 to $249 Receive our Newsletter, Bumper Sticker, Receive our Newsletter, organic cotton and your choice of organic cotton T-shirt, Membership Directory, Handbook, T-shirt or Membership Directory listing in the Membership Directory, and Bumper Sticker CONTRIBUTING $75 to $249 $250 to $499 Receive our Newsletter, organic All of the above plus a one-time cotton T-shirt, Membership Directory, 1/12 page space for your advertisement listing in the Membership Directory, and in the Newsletter Bumper Sticker SUSTAINING $250 to $499 $500 to $1,249 All of the above plus a one-time listing in All of the above plus a one-time 1/8 page the Newsletter space for your advertisement in the Newslet- ter (instead of a 1/12 page ad) LIFETIME $500 and over $1,250 and over All of the above plus a one-time listing All of the above plus a one-time full with picture in the Newsletter, CCOF page space for your advertisement in the Supporting Member Sign, and Lifetime Newsletter (instead of a 1/8 page ad), Supporting Member Certificate CCOF Supporting Member Sign, and Life- time Supporting Business Certificate AG ADVISOR — $50 Receive our Newsletter, Membership Direc- tory, Handbook, and Bumper Sticker STUDENT/ $20 — LIMITED INCOME Receive our Newsletter and Bumper Sticker

YES, I want to make a difference and would like to become a CCOF Supporting Member! Promoting Individual $40 to $74 Promoting Business $75 to $249 Name: ______Choose: T-shirt or Membership Directory Contributing Business $250 to $499 Contributing Individual $75 to $249 Business: ______Sustaining Business $500 to $1,249 Sustaining Individual $250 to $499 Address: ______Lifetime Business $1,250 and over Lifetime Individual $500 and over City: ______Ag Advisor $50 State/Zip: ______T-shirt color: Natural Granite Sage Student/Limited Income $20 T-shirt size: S M L XL Phone/Fax: ______Please select your membership level, include a check payable to CCOF, and mail to: E-mail: ______CCOF, 1115 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3526. STATE ORGANIC LAW TODAY

THE CALIFORNIA from label abuse by requiring certain com- California without changing the label to pliance measures for certain non-food conform to our state’s law. The use of the ORGANIC PRODUCTS products: cosmetics, pet food, and supple- word “organic” on the front label of per- ments. But why was this needed? sonal care products with less than 70% ACT OF 2003 One of the problems with a government certified organic product is now prohib- By Gay Timmons as large and as compartmentalized as our ited, thus protecting our right to know, Federal Government is its jurisdictional and the integrity of the word “organic.” LOT OF YOU “ OLD TIMERS” areas, in this case, the differences between may remember that CCOF was Other changes in the law to be aware of: A instrumental in writing the origi- • Do Not Use “Grown in accordance with nal California Organic Foods Act of 1990 the COFA of 1990” on your labels! It is —while there is some controversy about no longer necessary. this law, it came from a need to protect • Brokers and other sellers who do not producers and consumers of organic prod- take title or possession of organic products. It created a spot inspection program ucts must register. that has allowed the State to prosecute • “…retailers who are engaged in the pro- fraudulent organic claims; it funded a posi- duction of products sold as organic, and tion that has allowed the State to augment retailers who are engaged in the process- the USDA and the FDA. In simplest producer and consumer access to “organic” ing, as defined by the NOP, of products terms, FDA oversees processed products, information; and it created a California sold as organic, shall register...” medical devices and complex scientific Organic Food Advisory Board (COFAB). • Every person engaged in this state in the processes that effect food, cosmetics, and This board was designed to be and has processing or handling of processed drugs —and health and human safety. So acted as a voice for California organic products... pet food..., and cosmetics..., there were a few ruffled feathers at FDA producers to the State, National Organic fish and seafood, shall register...” when the USDA indicated (at OTA in Program (NOP) and other sectors of the • “Producers that sell processed product May of 2002) that they would enforce the USDA. When the NOP regulations were shall pay fees based on the value of raw NOP over ALL products. A few large com- proposed, COFAB helped form a task force product prior to being processed and the panies that manufactured under the juris- that assisted in writing the amendments value of any product sold as unprocessed.” that became AB 2823—the California What is the biggest impact of this law? It Organic Products Act of 2003. There are allowed the State to apply to the NOP as 14 members on COFAB—four of whom an enforcement program. This State pro- have strong affiliations with CCOF (and gram will include random inspections, its best interest at heart). It is important to response to consumer and registrant con- note that board members are appointed to cerns and complaints, and jurisdiction over represent all California organic producers offenders that abuse the “organic” label— —not just CCOF. All state registered protecting us all and assuring California organic producers have the right to attend diction of the FDA took exception to consumers that there is an agency that can and participate in these organic advisory USDA (those farmers!) telling them what actually prosecute, if necessary. As more board meetings. to do. Fortunately, here in California, we and more is invested in a strong “organic” On September 15, 2002, Governor Gray have a wonderful Department of Health marketplace, an active enforcement agent Davis signed AB 2823 into law—making Services (the State equivalent to FDA) that is a support system we can all use. California the most progressive govern- was willing to support and enforce a State The expanded oversight of “organic” ment in the world when it comes to laws law defining exactly how the word label claims is expected to expand the mar- defining “organic.” While the amendments “organic” could be used on processed sup- ket for growers and processors. The public to the California Organic Foods Act of plements, cosmetics, and pet food. may view the new law on the web at: 1990 were primarily intended to bring the Now with this new law, misleading www.leginfo.ca.gov and enter AB 2823 State into compliance with the National labels claiming organic in products that and/or contact: Organic Program (NOP), it additionally contain only a miniscule amount of Ray Green, CDFA California Organic attempts to protect the word “organic” organic ingredient can no longer be sold in Program Manager at 916-654-4905.

Page 44 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue

TITLE

Page 46 TheThe Newsletter Newsletter of of CCOF CCOF ~ ~ 30th 30th Anniversary Issue

HANDLER HIGHLIGHTS

SANITIZERS IN ORGANIC FOOD The mechanism of sanitizing functional- allowed due to food safety reasons, all ity is based on the ability of the quat to residual quat sanitizer must be removed PROCESS OPERATIONS: bind and surround the microbial cell mem- before organic process operations begin. QUATERNARY brane causing rupturing of the cell wall Because quat sanitizers leave a film, they MMONIUM which causes cell inactivation. are sometimes difficult to remove with a A When quats are applied to a food contact simple water rinse. Therefore online testing COMPOUNDS surface they form a film on the surface. for residue levels should be conducted to Even when dry after application this film document complete removal of the quat By Joe Montecalvo, Ph.D. offers sanitizing functionality. This is one of sanitizer. the primary advantages of the use of quats Test kits are available from chemical sup- MONG THE MOST WIDELY USED in the food industry. For example if the sec- ply companies such as Hach Chemical Co. sanitizers in the food industry are ond shift in a food processing plant con- in Colorado. These kits can be used in a class of compounds called qua- A ducts all cleaning and sanitizing operations, both high and low range (i.e. 6 ppm to 0). ternary ammonium compounds, usually quat sanitizer is applied as the last step to Results of surface residue testing should be abbreviated as “quats.” This class of sani- insure that the processing line and equip- documented on the sanitation log. tizer is an excellent penetrant. These are ment remains sanitized so risk of microbial However, the most common sanitizer good for porous surfaces. They are used in growth or contamination is reduced prior used in the food industry is chlorine and plants on floors, walls, furnishings and to start up on first shift. Therefore quats chlorine type sanitizers, due to chlorine’s process equipment. They are excellent wet- have residual sanitizing functionality which excellent sanitizing ability and very low ting agents with built in detergent proper- other sanitizers, such as chlorine sanitizers cost. We will cover the very complex and ties. Chemically, they are synthetic surface and peroxyacetic acid, do not. controversial issue of chlorine in a future active agents. Quats are especially effective Now that we have a good idea of what edition of the Newsletter. sanitizers for Listeria monocytogenes and quats are, what do we need to know about reduction of mold growth. them with respect to organic integrity and Dr. Joe Montecalvo is a professor of Food Chemically, quats are complex. Basically potential residue contamination? Science at California Polytechnic State they are ammonium compounds in which According to 7CFR Part 205 Section University, organic processor inspector, four chemical groups (i.e. alkyl, benzyl) are 205.605, the following sanitizers are advisor to the CCOF Board of Directors, linked to a nitrogen atom that produces a approved by the USDA for sanitizing and past board member of the Independent positively charged ion or cation: hence the process equipment and food contact sur- Organic Inspectors Association. term “quaternary.” This is why this sani- faces prior to organic food process opera- Article reprinted by permission from tizer is called a “quat.” tions: chlorine sanitizers, hydrogen the IOIA Inspectors’ Report. peroxide and ozone. However, if quats are

Page 48 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue HOME & GARDEN

ARE LAWN CARE Why doesn’t my doctor Long term problems include: lower male diagnose pesticide fertility, miscarriage, birth defects, chemical CHEMICALS poisoning? sensitivity, immune suppression, cataracts, Pesticide manufacturers are not liver and kidney dysfunction, heart distur- required to release health bances, and cancer. By Steven M. Zien, information to the medical Are lawn chemicals safe when dry? Executive Director of profession. Doctors are not NO. Many chemicals remain active from Biological Urban Gardening Services knowledgeable about pesticide a month to over a year. During this time, poisonings and often misdiagnose these they can release toxic vapors. Breathing ERE ARE SOME COMMON symptoms as allergies, flu, or some other these vapors, even from neighbors lawns or questions and answers about the illness. Doctors often state that the symp- while playing on or mowing contaminated Hlawn care products you might be toms are psychosomatic or “all in your grass, can cause illness. using, as well as the effects they may have head.” They are also afraid of a large chem- Can lawn care chemicals contaminate on your lawn, your family, and you. ical company taking them to court over a my drinking water? pesticide poisoning diagnosis—taking a YES. Pesticides and fertilizers can and do What are lawn care chemicals? toll on their time and finances. They include more than just fertilizers. leach into private and public wells and Chemicals that kill weeds, insects, and a Is the government allowing unsafe water supplies. Unfortunately, there cur- variety of diseases are sold separately and chemicals on the market? rently is no program to monitor our drink- Sadly, YES. EPA makes no claims to pro- in combination with fertilizers such as ing water for this type of contamination. tect us from harmful pesticides. In fact, it is weed and feed. Thirteen of the 18 most widely use lawn a violation of federal law to label any pesti- care chemicals have been detected in Can lawn care chemicals make me cides as “safe,” “harmless,” or “non-toxic to ground water (e.g., 2,4-D, Sevin, Diazinon, or my family ill? humans or pets.” The United States Con- and Roundup). YES. Pesticides used in controlling weeds, gress states 90% of pesticides in current use insects, etc., are toxic. “Cide” means kill. Are there alternatives to toxic lawn lack health and safety tests required for reg- care chemicals? These chemicals have been created to kill istration, yet they continue to be sold and pests and most are broad-spectrum bio- YES. Natural landscape maintenance pro- used. Of the 34 most widely used products grams can achieve a healthy, pest-free land- cides. This simply means they are poiso- on lawns, 32 are lacking health and safety nous to a wide variety of living organisms, scape using the latest scientific developments data required for registration. Four have in organic agriculture and horticulture. including garden plants, wildlife, pets, your been identified as carcinogens. neighbors, your family, and you. Inert Who uses lawn care chemicals? ingredients, which may comprise 50 to What are the symptoms of lawn care If you or your neighbor hire a conventional 99% of a pesticide formula, may actually pesticide poisoning? lawn care company or buy any lawn prod- They are deceptively simple and similar to be more toxic than the active ingredients. ucts that contain any pesticides, You Do! those of other illnesses. Pesticides attack How can I or my family be poisoned the central nervous system and other vital Reprinted by permission from Biological by lawn care chemicals? body centers. Some symptoms include: Urban Gardening Services (BUGS), an Poisons are absorbed through the skin, by sore nose, tongue, or throat, burning skin international membership organization the mouth, or by breathing sprays, dusts, or ears, rash, excessive sweating or saliva- (established in 1987) devoted to reducing or vapors. You or your children can be poi- tion, chest tightness, asthma-like attacks, our reliance on potentially toxic agricultural chemicals in our highly populated urban soned if: you apply or are present during coughing, muscle pain, seizures, headaches, landscape environments. Members receive the application of the chemical. Also if you eye pain, blurred or dim vision, numbness touch contaminated grass, shoes, clothing, latest environmentally sound urban horticul- or tingling in hands or feet, nausea, vomit- tural information through the newsletter, lawn furniture, etc., or put contaminated ing, cramps, diarrhea, tissue swelling, anxi- “BUGS Flyer—The Voice of Ecological objects (toys, golf tees, blades of grass, etc.) ety, suicidal depression, irritability, angry Horticulture” and a catalog of educational or fingers in the mouth. A recent govern- outbursts, disturbed sleep, learning disabil- brochures. BUGS also provides soil analysis ment report states, until new guidelines for ities, fatigue, dizziness, unexplained fever, with extensive organic recommendations. conducting exposure studies are developed, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, For more information, contact BUGS at P.O. Box 76, Citrus Heights, CA 95611, EPA will not know how much exposure is stroke, death. Even without apparent or visit BUGS on the web: associated with lawn care pesticides and asso- symptoms, exposure may still be harmful. ciated health risks, especially for children. www.organiclandscape.com Winter 2002–2003 Page 49 SMALL FARMS

DIVERSITY IN in total number of farms has slowed since sensus to hold the organization together 1974, the concentration of output has been when there are such diverse world views AGRICULTURE consolidated onto fewer and fewer very among its members. large farms. USDA calls a farm any entity In the early days of CCOF, support of By Brian Leahy, CCOF President that sells more than $1,000 worth of prod- organic agriculture was enough to hold uct annually, and has broken down farms together large and small growers, hobby FRIEND OF MINE, who has been into a number of categories with defini- farmers and “back to the land” hippies. an organic farmer for 20 years, tions (see facing page). Both the make up Today, that unification is more fragile. recently told me that he was leav- A of CCOF farms and California farms CCOF members include farmers whose ing farming. The reasons he cited were: the reflect the national trends. interest is in making a profit by feeding desire to spend more time with his family; The United States Census counted people healthy food and who know that back pains; and concern about the future. 74,126 farms in California in 1997. Farms organic farming is the best way to farm. His farm is one of the just over 2 million with less than $10,000 in sales accounted CCOF membership also includes small farms in the United States and one of just for 32,487 of those farms. More than half land owners whose main interest is politi- under 900 in CCOF. He is a good farmer, of the farms were under 50 acres, while cal, or environmental, and who have no and a good marketer. He handles a lot of only 5,084 farms had over 1,000 acres. connection with the economics of agricul- money, but is able to keep very little of it With its history of Spanish Land Grants, ture or its basic responsibility to feed for his family income. He is caught in an California has had a long tradition of very humanity. We have individuals who truly economic system that is squeezing him, large farms. But within California are believe in the greater good of the move- and most of the middle-sized family farm- found many different farm cultures and ment, and we have individuals who are ers, out of full time farming. patterns of land ownership. CCOF reflects mainly interested in the cheapest certifica- According to USDA, approximately the diverse make up of California agricul- tion and are happy to shift the full costs of 150,000 farmers produce most of the food ture. Some of CCOF’s chapters are domi- certification to others. By going back to and fiber required to feed this nation and nated by full-time family farms, others are our roots and revisiting why some 90 farm- fill the large export orders that end up in dominated by residential/lifestyle farms. ers came together at Morro Bay in Febru- foreign markets. Some 8% of U.S. farms Some have very large family farms as their ary 1973 to form CCOF as a mutual account for 68% of all farm output. Just backbone, and at least one has a large num- benefit organization to promote organic over 2 million farms are left to fill market ber of limited-resource farms. CCOF’s agriculture, we can build the consensuses niches and to find a place for their prod- strength is its diversity. It is also one of necessary to become a major voice seeking ucts. In 1935, there were 6.8 million farms CCOF’s challenges—keeping enough con- to change agriculture to a system that is in this country. While the drastic decrease ecologically sound, socially just, and eco- nomically viable for all participants. Share of farms and value of production by farm typology group, 1998 Large and very large family farms account for 55 percent of the value of production Percent of farm or production Find the shortest, 50 Farms Value of production simplest way 40 40.4 36.5 30 between the earth, 20 20.4 16.9 16.6 14.1 13.5 the hands and the mouth. 10 7.3 7.8 8.3 6.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 2.0 0 0.8 Limited Retirement Residential/ Low High Large Very Non-family ~Lanza Del Vasto Resource Lifestyle Sales Sales Large Farms Farming Occupation Small family farms Other (sales less than $250,00 family farms

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, 1998 Agricultural Resource Management Study, version 1

Page 50 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue Farms California CCOF by Sales Total Farms (%) 1997 2002

Less than $50,000 64.6 65.7 $50,000 to $99,999 8.8 8.4 $100,000 to $499,999 15.9 20.0 More than $500,000 10.7 5.9

Farm Typology Group Definitions, 1998 (U.S.)

S MALL FAMILY FARMS (sales less than $250,000) • Limited-resource farms (150,268 households). Small farms with sales less than $100,000, farm assets less than $150,000, and total operator household income of less than $20,000. Operators may report any major occupation, except hired manager. • Retirement farms (290,938 households). Small farms whose operators report they are retired.* • Residential/lifestyle farms (834,321 households). Small farms whose operators report a major occupation other than farming.* This is the largest category of farms within CCOF. Nationwide they average a loss of –$4,309 on their farm, and an average off-farm income of $83,800. Farming-Occupation farms Crop production is enhanced by routine use Small farms whose operators report farming as their major of fine-grade high quality gypsum occupation.* ™ • Low-sales farms (422,205 households). Sales less than Good Stuff Gypsum $100,000. Guaranteed Analysis…100% Calcium Sulfate • High-sales farms (171,469 households). Sales between “Certified organic” $100,000 and $249,999. Other Farms There are over 30 known benefits to plants and soils by applying high analysis • Large family farms (91,939 households). Sales between $250,000 and $499,999. Art Wilson Company Gypsum • Very Large family farms (61,273 households). Sales of $500,000 or more. • Non-family farms (40,296 entities). Farms organized as non- family corporations or cooperatives, as well as farms oper- 100% Good Stuff Gypsum™ is SUPERIOR ated by hired managers. to all other gypsum products… *Excludes limited-resource farms whose operators report this occupation. no brag, just fact! Get Maximum Economic Yield for your Money Farms by Size Farms by Sales (CA) To order contact your fertilizer dealer. For more information about 1 to 50 acres 44,912 Less than $10,000 32,487 100% Good Stuff Gypsum™ call toll free: 50-999 acres 24,130 $10,000 to $99,999 21,912 1-888-GYP-MINE (497-6463) over 1000 acres 5,084 $100,000 or more 19,727 www.awgypsum.com

Winter 2002–2003 Page 51 NEWS BRIEFS

LASSY WINGED RGANIC EWS NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION G - O N COST SHARE PROGRAM SHARPSHOOTER MIXED GROWER REACTION TO NOP The 2002 Farm Bill has allocated $5 mil- As the new law spreads across the country, lion to the National Organic Certification UPDATE some growers are now complaining that the Cost Share Program. This program provides financial assistance to organic crop THE MOST RECENT GLASSY-WINGED amount of paperwork and the cost of or livestock producers and handlers “to SHARPSHOOTER (GWSS) UPDATES organic certification, as required by the new become certified under the National INCLUDE: federal law, discriminate against them in favor of larger growers. Some say they will Organic Standards program.” Money will • On October 17 and 18, 2002, Santa abandon the use of the term “organic” and be available to “all interested states,” from Clara County staff organized a visual start using other descriptors like “natural” which states can allocate up to $500 (or survey in the Branham infestation area. and “pesticide free.” Unfortunately, that is 75% of costs) to their individual producers The survey yielded 14 adults and 12 just the kind of confusion the new law was to offset costs of certification. CDFA nymphs. The area was treated with Merit designed to avoid. But they have a point. expects that money will be available for as a soil and foliar application. Both growers and consumers say the California organic growers as soon as • On October 18, a GWSS was trapped growing trend toward organics will favor February 2003. More information at: on one property, while two nearby prop- large producers who can command super- www.ams.usda.gov/ erties had multiple life stages present market shelf space, relegating smaller pro- nop/StatePrograms/CostShare.html upon visual inspection in the Strathmore ducers to roadside stands, farmers’ markets, area in Tulare County. The Strathmore BROMIDE POISONING AT BYNUM WINERY and CSA plots. Indeed, companies like H.J. area has been declared an infested area, Four people at the CCOF-certified David Heinz Co., Gold Medal, General Mills, and but officials will most likely wait until Bynum Winery in Healdsburg have reported Frito-Lay have moved into organics springtime to treat. being sickened by methyl bromide applica- recently. According to recent research, 65% • On October 21, the Fresno County tions at an adjacent winery. Blood test results of consumers say they buy organic products Agricultural Commissioner detected show there were elevated levels of bromide because of health and safety issues and 38% GWSS in two citrus groves in the found in the four, but it is still uncertain if because of taste. But some consumers relate Reedley area. At the Agricultural the fumigant was responsible. As of early organic production to family farming and Commissioner’s request, the citrus December, DPR said it was still investigating. locally grown food, attributes they believe growers immediately treated the groves. large companies cannot deliver. Approximately 23 acres were treated to eliminate GWSS. • In the Foothill Farms area near Sacra- mento, one adult GWSS female was collected on October 28. Treatment plans are underway. No other updates have been posted to the CDFA’s daily updates section of their GWSS website. But why no updates since October? This is because the GWSS does not normally reproduce after September/ October until about March. The GWSS enters a semi-dormant state during the winter, making adults harder to find and harder to treat effectively. Please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdcp for links to other important and useful information for growers and the general public regarding the GWSS, Pierce’s Disease, and treatment options.

Page 52 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue OTHER NEWS FROM diesel pump emissions. Beginning next ventional foods receives as much as 90 May, EPA is requiring permits for farms times the acceptable exposure of POPs. CALIFORNIA, THE and diaries releasing more than 25 tons The top ten foods containing the highest annually of smog-producing emissions. levels of these banned chemicals are: butter, UNITED STATES, AND The Farm Bureau says that EPA should cantaloupe, cucumbers, meat loaf, peanuts, AROUND THE WORLD return to its original position of taking popcorn, radishes, spinach, summer squash three years to develop the sound science and winter squash. MEXICAN FRUIT FLY QUARANTINE AREA on which to base its decision. LOST FARMLAND SET IN VALLEY CENTER As expected, officials have mapped out a PESTICIDE USAGE OFF SUBSTANTIALLY IN ’01 A new study from the American Farmland quarantine area in San Diego County in DPR is projecting a 36-million pound Trust (www.farmland.org) claims that two the hope of stopping an infestation of decline in pesticide applications and attrib- acres of prime farmland are lost to develop- Mexican fruit fly that was discovered there utes that drop off to good weather condi- ment every minute in the U.S. With data on November 18. The boundaries enclose tions and its push toward less toxic from USDA and the Census, the report a 117-square mile area from which no chemicals. Sources indicate that pesticide points out that almost half of the lost farm- fruit can be exported and must be juiced, applications declined due to more land land is carved up into 10-acre lots. The processed or subject to other treatments being left fallow following water uncertain- National Association of Homebuilders before it can move anywhere out of the ties, and many growers skipped applica- agrees with this conclusion and says that quarantine zone. The zone runs from north tions because poor market conditions did kind of development is “an inappropriate of Escondido to the Riverside County line not justify the added expense. DPR’s report us of land.” The greatest loss of land over and from I-15 eastward into the Pauma shows 131 million pounds of chemicals the previous five years is taking place in Valley. The quarantine will stay in effect applied in 2001, down from 167 million Arkansas, New York, Illinois, Alabama, and for at least three life cycles of the fly, which pounds in 2000. Mississippi. But by sheer numbers of acres, Texas leads with 332,800 acres lost in the could stretch well into next summer. BANNED TOXIC CHEMICALS: last five years. California, which has lost The eradication program will likely IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER include malathion sprays, probably from Everyday consumers of 85,200 acres, is credited for having done ground rigs and limited aerial sprays in non-organic foods are order to protect the area’s organic growers. ingesting toxic levels of DPR is granting emergency registration for pesticides, some of the organically-approved form of spinosad which were banned for use on all crops including citrus and avo- decades ago, says a new cado trees that predominate in the area. 80 article in the Journal of million sterile flies per week may be released Epidemiology and Com- in the area once the program gets going. munity Health, also reported in the Toronto CALFED DIES IN REPUBLICAN HOUSE Globe and Mail The U.S. Senate approved Senator Dianne (10/15/02). According Feinstein’s bill, allocating $1.6 billion over to the report, an aver- the next three years, in the closing hours of age diet consists of the 107th session and sent it to the House 60–70 hits per day of where it died when that body concluded its toxins like DDT, Diel- work for the year without considering it. dren and Dioxin. These CFBF V. US-EPA poisons, known as Per- Citing a lack of jurisdiction, the U.S. 9th sistent Organic Pollu- Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the tants (POPs), are California Farm Bureau lawsuit which categorized among a sought to block EPA from ending the agri- class of chemicals that cultural exemption from air pollution regu- are “among the most lations. The court did not rule on the merits insidiously dangerous of the suit and the Farm Bureau says it will compounds ever pro- file another appeal. The EPA ruling came duced,” says the report. in a settlement with environmental organi- The article goes on to zations in the spring that required holding say that an adult eating farms accountable for animal waste and a balanced diet of con-

Winter 2002–2003 Page 53 a good job of balancing farmland preserva- just two more years before all MB use in the sider applications from processors to use tion with development. U.S. is stopped. The millers’ group argues less emotional descriptive words. The new that competitive farming nations can con- guideline will now allow the use of “cold HOBBY FARMS AND CORPORATE FARMS tinue to use MB after it is eliminated from pasteurization” and other words as long as SQUEEZE OUT FAMILY FARMS New research from USDA-ERS shows that use in the US, according to UN rules, and processors can provide research showing since 1974, farms with fewer than 50 acres points out that the $100 million search for consumers understand the proposed label. and farms with more than 500 acres have alternatives is not showing much success. FDA impaneled focus groups of consumers increased their share of a declining number MB is used by millers to keep grain mills in suburban DC, Sacramento, and Min- of farms in the U.S. The number of U.S. clean, sanitary, and free from insects. neapolis. According to published reports, consumers in all three locations unani- farms peaked in 1935 at 7 million; in 1997 U.S. APPLE CROP DOWN mously rejected the use of such terms as there were just 1.9 million. The number of The 2002 U.S. apple crop is smaller for “cold pasteurization” and “electronic pas- farms with 500 acres or more has remained the third consecutive year due to adverse teurization” as substitutes for “irradiation.” between 350,000 and 370,000. The num- weather during the growing season, which A search at the FDA website using the term ber of farms with 1-49 acres has also been might serve to drive up apple prices. Apple “cold pasteurization” will reveal much in relatively stable between 540,000 and production in 2002 is forecast to decline to the way of comments for and against. Addi- 640,000. Farms between 50 and 499 acres, 9.2 billion pounds—the smallest crop since tionally, USDA-APHIS published a final while still accounting for 52% of all farms, 1988. Production is down significantly in rule in the Federal Register establishing reg- have declined steadily since 1935. both the Eastern and Central states. In ulations for the use of irradiation as a phy- Sonoma County, some are calling it the AG GROUP APPEALS METHYL BROMIDE BAN tosanitary treatment of fruits and vegetables poorest crop in 100 years, with yields about Saying it would cost its members up to entering the U.S. from foreign nations. half of last year’s. Growers blame last year’s $60 million annually, the North American Irradiation is intended to control fruit fly big crop, unfavorable spring weather, and Millers’ Association has filed an application and mango seed weevil pests. Fruits and a lack of bees for pollination as reasons for with US-EPA for an exemption to the vegetables that are not individually labeled the low yields. The Sonoma apple industry methyl bromide ban. The phase out of MB, must have a sign nearby saying if they have has dwindled from 20,000 acres in the which will be at 70% in January 2003, has been irradiated. Restaurants are not 1940s and 50s to just 3,000 acres now. required to cite which, if any, ingredients IRRADIATION COMING have been irradiated. YOUR WAY Concerned that con- USDA LAUNCHES NEW FARM BILL WEBSITE sumers may be turned Complete information about the Farm off by the words “irradi- Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ation” or “treated with is now available on a new USDA website radiation” on packages (www.usda.gov/farmbill). The website of beef and poultry (fed- includes the entire Farm Bill, program eral law requires that details, questions and answers, program irradiated foods carry applications, and sign-up forms. It is also labels saying so), the linked to the USDA main website Food & Drug Adminis- (www.usda.gov). tration said it will con-

Sources: CDFA, www.cdfa.ca.gov and County Ag Commissioners’ offices of Santa Clara, Tulare, Fresno, and Sacramento counties; Field Talk, a weekly e-newsletter of Rincon Publishing, www.rinconpublishing.com; CalDPR, www.cdpr.ca.gov; Fetzer, www.fetzer.com; CFBF, www.cfbf.com; AFT, www.farmland.org; USDA-ERS, www.ers.usda.gov; ATTRA, www.attra.org; USDA, www.usda.gov; North American Millers Assoc., www.namamillers.org; Organic Consumers Association, www.organicconsumers.org; FDA, www.fda.gov; Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/irraguid.html; SF Chronicle, www.sfgate.com; USDA-APHIS, www.aphis.usda.gov

Page 54 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue THE CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM Newly Created Program Assists Organic Farmers

The largest new program in the recently passed Farm Bill is the Conservation Security Program, an innovative conservation program that will provide farmers and ranchers with annual payments for implementing conservation plans on their working lands, beginning in 2003. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, acting through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), is drafting rules for the CSP. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit conservation security plans for approval in 2003. To track changes and receive updates on the CSP or other conservation initiatives, please log on to the NRCS website: www.nrcs.usda.gov/program/farmbill/2002. For additional information, go to CCOF’s website (www.ccof.org); CA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s website (www.calsawg.org); or Minnesota Project’s website (www.mnproject.org). To receive important notices of when your input to the rulemaking process is needed, send your name, e-mail or address to: CA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, P.O. Box 1599, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. [email protected] ELIGIBILITY Any agricultural producer—an owner, operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper who shares in the risk of producing any crop or livestock—is entitled to develop a conservation security plan. CONSERVATION PRACTICES THAT MAY BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER A CONSERVATION SECURITY CONTRACT: ¥ Nutrient management ¥ Contour farming ¥ Integrated pest management (IPM) ¥ Strip cropping ¥ Water conservation and quality management, ¥ Cover cropping including irrigation ¥ Controlled rotational grazing ¥ Grazing, pasture, and rangeland management ¥ Resource-conserving crop rotation ¥ Soil conservation, quality, and residue ¥ Conversion of portions of cropland from soil management depleting to soil conserving use ¥ Invasive species management ¥ Partial field conservation practices ¥ Fish and wildlife habitat conservation, ¥ Native grassland and prairie protection and restoration, and management restoration ¥ Air quality management ¥ Other practices approved by USDA ¥ Energy conservation measures ¥ Biological resource conservation and regeneration THE GE REPORT

All I can say to California farmers is: don’t be the European Union’s moratorium on new required labeling of genetically engineered “fooled. The biotech industry will ruin your biotech food products. Despite passing leg- foods dealt a sharp blow to consumer export markets, contaminate your crops, take islation in October aimed at ending its groups battling the biotech movement. away your right to save seed, and then sue ban, EU members indicated they would A coalition of corporate giants including you for patent infringement. GE crops ruined not accept most genetically engineered chemical makers Monsanto and DuPont my farm, but they don’t have to ruin food until additional rules on labeling were and food producers like General Mills and California farms. in place. As the world’s largest producer of H.J. Heinz spent some $5.5 million to ~ Percy Schmeiser” on October 22, 2002, biotech crops, the United States has defeat Ballot Measure 27, which would at a press conference in Sacramento demanded an immediate lifting of the have required all processed foods sold in moratorium, saying it is illegal under inter- the state containing gene-spliced ingredi- GE CROPS ARE ECONOMIC DISASTER, national law. In a letter to U.S. Trade Rep- ents such as corn, wheat and soy, and even NEW REPORT SAYS Genetically engineered (GE) crops have resentative Robert Zoellick, the farm milk produced by cows eating those feeds, been an economic disaster in the USA and groups said the Bush administration should to be identified on product packaging. Canada, according to a new report pub- “engage the EU in a WTO dispute settle- Activists in a handful of states, including lished by the Soil Association, Britain’s ment proceeding” immediately. U.S. farm California, Washington and Colorado, leading organic organization. Engineered groups signing the letter include the Amer- have tried to pass labeling laws similar to soybeans, corn and canola are estimated to ican Farm Bureau Federation, the Ameri- the Oregon proposal, but with no luck. Far have cost the U.S. economy at least $12 can Soybean Association and the National from being discouraged, the Oregon grass- billion in farm subsidies, lower crop prices, Corn Growers Association. roots group that pushed the labeling initiative said the battle would go on. It has loss of major export orders and product MEXICAN INVESTIGATION VALIDATES founded a national organization called recalls since 1999. Farmers are not achiev- UC-BERKELEY CORN STUDY ing the higher profits promised by the New evidence has emerged regarding a “Labeling for U.S.” to work with other biotechnology companies as markets for controversial report by a University of Cali- states for mandatory labeling. GE food collapse. Widespread GE contam- fornia-Berkeley assistant professor and BIOTECH CROP GUIDELINES RAKED ination at all levels of the food and farming graduate student on the existence The Bush administration’s pro- industry is the major cause of these diffi- of genetically engineered corn in posed guidelines for protecting culties. The severity of problems with GE Mexico. Mexico’s National the food supply from crops crops has led to more than 200 groups rep- Institute of Ecology released a engineered to produce medi- resenting farmers and the organic sector in statement in August confirm- cines and vaccines do not go the USA and Canada to call for a ban or ing the findings of UC-Berke- far enough, said Margaret Mel- moratorium on the introduction of the ley assistant professor Ignacio lon of the Union of Concerned next major proposed GE food crop, GE Chapela and graduate student Scientists. The recommendations wheat. The Soil Association’s report is the David Quist. The presence of transgenic include engineering special colors into first to reveal the serious widespread DNA threatens the native species of corn biotech plants so they can be readily identi- impacts of GE crops in North America on in Mexico, both reports stated. The insti- fied, and growing crops that cross-polli- the food and farming industry, where tute hired two academic institutions, the nate, such as corn, in areas where those three-quarters of the world’s GE food is Center of Investigations of Advanced Poly- crops are not grown for human food or grown. “Seeds of Doubt: experiences of technic and the Center of Ecology for the animal feed. The recommendations are North American farmers of genetically University of National Autonomy of Mex- included in a long-awaited policy proposed modified crops,” is available from the Soil ico, to investigate Chapela’s findings. After by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Association Mail Order Department at: using several types of methodology, includ- the Food and Drug Administration. The [email protected] or from ing Chapela and Quist’s, the institute’s agencies said companies should “give care- www.soilassociation.org/GE results maintained that the pair’s original ful consideration” to the plants they decide findings were accurate. to engineer, including their potential to be U.S. FARM GROUPS SEEK WTO ACTION toxic or cause allergic reactions in humans. ON EU BIOTECH BAN OREGON GEO LABEL DEFEAT More than 25 U.S. farm groups urged the SPELLS UPHILL BATTLE AHEAD The policy would “strongly recommend”— Bush administration to file a World Trade The overwhelming defeat of an Oregon but not necessarily require—that compa- Organization (WTO) complaint against measure in November that would have nies develop tests for identifying the novel gene in a pharmaceutical crop before plant-

Page 56 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue ing it. That way, the biotech crops could bean harvested with the GE corn be quar- company spokesperson Trish Jordan said. be identified if they ever got mixed in with antined. These products did not enter the Confusion over Monsanto’s plans arose crops intended for food. human or animal food supply. when a Reuters article suggested that Mon- santo was delaying the introduction of the CORN ENGINEERED TO YIELD SCHMEISER WANTS TO TAKE IT wheat and trying to shift the focus of the PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TO THE SUPREME COURT debate over it to the benefits the wheat FOUND IN FOOD CROP Having lost before the Canadian Federal Both friends and foes of the use of genetic Court of Appeal, Saskatchewan farmer could offer to farmers, millers, bakers, and engineering in U.S. agriculture have criti- Percy Schmeiser will seek to take his case consumers. Jordan said it was always Mon- cized a recent accident in which a food to the next and highest level—the Supreme santo’s intention to work on the varietal crop was contaminated by a crop from the Court of Canada. The three-judge panel development of its GE wheat “so we can previous year designed to yield pharmaceu- unanimously decided in favor of Monsanto offer enhancements down the food chain tical products. The U.S. Department of Canada, Inc. by dismissing all of the 17 such as better milling and baking charac- Agriculture and the Food and Drug points that counsel to Schmeiser had used teristics.” Administration announced in November in contending that a May 2001 lower court SUPERWEED STUDY FALTERS AS SEED FIRMS that they had found such genetically engi- decision should be set aside. The judge in DENY ACCESS TO TRANSGENE neered corn growing in soybean plots in that case ruled that Schmeiser had Two major seed companies stand accused the state of Nebraska. The GE corn had infringed the patent on the canola Mon- of hindering attempts to assess whether germinated from seeds left from 2001 santo genetically engineered to resist genetically engineered sunflowers can turn plantings by the Texas-based company glyphosate, the active ingredient in its their wild counterparts into “superweeds.” ProdiGene. The company is attempting to Roundup herbicide. Schmeiser acknowl- Allison Snow, a plant ecologist at Ohio grow different medications, from hepatitis edges that the Supreme Court, if it agrees State University in Columbus, has been left B vaccine to an insulin-making enzyme, to hear the case, is his last shot. unable to follow up her experiments to test inside the kernels of genetically engineered whether transgenes can cause wild sunflow- MONSANTO: NO CHANGE TO corn. The company was required to screen ers to proliferate as weeds. A team led by ROUNDUP READY APPROVAL STRATEGY and remove these plants as part of its gov- Despite media reports to the contrary, Allison Snow has uncovered preliminary ernment permit. The volunteer corn stalks Monsanto says it has no plans to change its evidence that a transgene that confers were harvested in the soybean field and strategy for the introduction of Roundup insect resistance can increase the number subsequently commingled with approxi- Ready wheat in the United States and of seeds produced by wild sunflowers. This mately 500,000 bushels of soybeans. To abroad. The company presented regulators could allow the wild plants to proliferate as prevent any spread of the altered corn or its in Canada, the United States and Japan weeds. But Pioneer Hi-Bred International genes, the U.S. government ordered that with a formal application last summer for of Des Moines, Iowa, and Indianapolis- 155 acres of surrounding corn be burned approval of its Roundup Ready wheat, based Dow AgroSciences have now blocked and that the half million bushels of soy- a follow-up study by refusing to allow the team access to either the transgene or the seeds from the earlier study. The results of Farm Use of Pesticides Linked to Two Behavior Disorders Snow’s initial study were revealed this August at the Ecological Society of Amer- armers who apply two pesticides, the fumigant phosphine, and the herbicide Roundup ica’s annual meeting in Tucson, Arizona, (glyphosate), are more likely than farmers who do not use these pesticides to have children and have been accepted for publication in Fwho develop attention deficit disorder, autism, and other behavior disorders. These are the Ecological Applications. startling results of a new study authored by Dr. Vincent Garry and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota. Sources: Garry studied farm families in Minnesota’s Red River Valley, a major wheat, sugar beet, and CropChoice news, and Soil Association; potato growing region. He collected detailed information about pesticide use on their farms and Reuters; Kelsey Demmon & Amanda Paul, the occurrence of a variety of birth defects in their children. He found that farmers who use phos- Daily Californian (UC-Berkeley); Deborah phine had more than twice as many children with autism and other behavior disorders as farmers Cohen and Carey Gillam, Reuters; Philip who did not. Children with attention deficit disorder were over three times as likely to have a father who used glyphosate herbicides as children without this disorder. Brasher, Des Moines Register, Washington This study also found that birth defects generally were more common in children conceived in Bureau; Associated Press, and NewScientist.com the spring, when herbicide use in the area peaks. In addition, there were significantly more girls news service; Robert Schubert, CropChoice born to pesticide applicators than boys. news; Alex Binkley, Food Chemical News; Source: The Journal of Pesticide Reform, Roundup (glyphosate) Causes Birth Defects, Vol. 22, Rex Dalton and San Diego, Nature 419, Number 3, Fall 2002; page 12, by Caroline Cox, staff scientist for NW Coalition for Alternatives to 655 (2002). Pesticides. GE Report compiled by Brian Sharpe

Winter 2002–2003 Page 57 WISDOM FROM THE NEXT GENERATION OF ORGANIC FARMERS

The following was written by Dynamic DNA Cisco Greco, an eighth grade Boosting Agricultural Bounty with Genetics, OT student, budding organic N farmer, and son of Lorraine S A FARMER AND AN EIGHTH GRADER, I find it worrisome that biotech and Nick Greco of Greco companies are funding this contest. I have farmed organically with my family since Farming, a CCOF certified I was born. I have been active and successful in 4-H for the past 6 years and I organic farm. This is Cisco’s A am currently president of Mt. Pleasant 4-H, the largest 4-H club in Placer County, California. No where in this contest is there a place to write about organic or sustainable entry into a contest for students agriculture. If the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology wishes to reach a wider writing on agriculture, audience with their message, they should not be bought out by biotech companies. organized by CAST (Council Having said that, I will attempt to discuss genetically modified organisms. These organisms have for Agricultural Science and not been proven to be safe and they are turning up in our food supply. Genetically modified Technology). The contest was organisms (GMO’s) have been found in much of our food. sponsored by Aventis (a GMO Tests have proven that any GM DNA of soy flour eaten in a hamburger and milkshake has been transferred to bacteria in the human digestive. Pro-biotech scientists have been saying this producer). Cisco received an A+ couldn’t happen for years. The scientists have been genetically modifying soy for years to make it from his school; he is waiting to tolerant to the herbicide Roundup. This allows farmers to spray more herbicides and make more see how he does in the contest by money for Roundup Corporation [Monsanto], not the farmer. But now the weeds growing are CAST’s standards. Cisco gives used to Roundup. The genes that are in the crops to make them “Roundup Ready” are now being us great hope for the future. found in the weed mare’s tail. This herbicide-tolerant “super weed” is now plaguing GM soy and cotton fields in the U.S. and threatens to infest all agriculture. There has been worldwide rejection of GM crops. As a farmer, I don’t want to grow a crop that has no market and that will hurt my other crops with contamination. New Zealand’s new government is adopting a tough stand on all GM imports. It is banning them. New Zealand just forced a giant seed company to burn 30 tons of maize. It was burned because they found it contaminated with GMs. A landmark agreement in Australia this May allowed for the establishment of GM-free zones. More than 35 countries have made laws restricting the import of GM foods. This is more than half of the world’s population. “The latest USDA report reveals for the first time from an official US government source using unequivocal language, that most of the basic claims made for GM crops are either false or suspect.” “Perhaps the biggest issue raised by these results is how to explain the rapid adoption of GE crops when farm financial impacts appear to be mixed or even negative.” The myth about economic “benefits” shows a great deal about the way modern agricultural science has not really benefited the farmer with GM, except that we now know what not to do. The entire introduction of GM crops in the US has been a slick marketing campaign that could hurt everyone, except the bottom line of some companies. Cisco Greco Sheridan, CA

Page 58 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

2002 FARM BILL • A National Organic Certification Cost- organic farmers, and one—Agricultural Share Program is established to assist Management Assistance—now specifically ORGANIC AGRICULTURE producers and handlers of agricultural mentions organic farming among the prac- PROVISIONS products in obtaining certification under tices that qualify for assistance to mitigate the National Organic Program risk through market diversification and KEY CHANGES established under the Organic Foods resource conservation practices. The 2002 Farm Act contains several first- Production Act of 1990. The program For more information, please visit: time research and technical assistance pro- provides $5 million in FY 2002 to www.ers.usda.gov/Features/farmbill/ visions to assist organic crop and livestock remain available until expended. The analysis/organicagriculture.htm producers with production and marketing. maximum Federal cost share is 75 The Act authorizes $15 million in new percent annually, with payments up funding for advanced organic production to $500 per producer or handler. systems research and $5 million for a • Certified organic producers who pro- national cost-share program to help defray duce and market only organic products the costs of certification incurred by and do not produce any conventional or organic crop and livestock producers. For nonorganic products are exempt from the first time, organic producers who pro- paying an assessment under any com- duce and market only organic products will modity promotion law. Organic growers be allowed an exemption from paying con- had concerns about paying assessments ventional marketing assessments. that did little or nothing to market organic products. Methods for improv- SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS ing the treatment of certified organic • The Organic Agriculture Research and agricultural prod- Extension Initiative authorizes $3 mil- ucts under Federal lion per year in new mandatory appro- marketing orders priations in fiscal years (FY) 2003–07. will be evaluated as Funds will be used to administer com- part of the research petitive research grants, largely through and extension pro- USDA's Cooperative State Research, visions authorized Education, and Extension Service. under the Farm Research is to focus on determining Act. desirable traits for organic commodities; Several other provi- identifying marketing and policy con- sions in the 2002 straints on the expansion of organic agri- Farm Act indirectly culture; and conducting advanced affect organic crop research on organic farms, including pro- and livestock produc- duction, marketing, and socioeconomic ers. Processes used to research. produce agricultural • Other research and extension provisions commodities (includ- for organic agriculture that are autho- ing organically pro- rized, but not mandated, include data duced products) are development on organic agricultural pro- now included in the duction and marketing; facilitated access definition of products to organic research conducted outside that qualify for value- the United States for research and exten- added market devel- sion professionals, farmers, and others; opment grants. and a mandated report on the need for Several of the conser- additional funding for research and pro- vation assistance promotion of organic agricultural products. grams may interest

Winter 2002–2003 Page 59 “A Healthy Way to Grow”

Salinas ¥ Five Points ¥ Holtville BOARD NOTES

BOARD RETREAT At the retreat, the Board restated its IV. GOALS TO INCREASING AWARENESS OF commitment to: establish CCOF as a new AND EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR ORGANIC NOVEMBER 15~16, 2002 leader in agriculture; to create linkages with AGRICULTURE. GREEN GULCH FARM & CONFERENCE CENTER environmental, nutrition, and other • Activate the CCOF Foundation. groups; to inform and educate the public, • Build CCOF’s presence to a larger HE WINTER BOARD MEETING government, growers and industry about audience. of CCOF took place at the retreat the advantages of organic; to promote and V. A DVOCACY GOALS center of long-time CCOF mem- T differentiate the CCOF “brand” and mes- • Monitor and influence government ber Green Gulch Farm. The Board also sage; and to promote the economic viabil- involvement in organic. participated in a retreat to begin the ity of organic agriculture. process of developing a clear agenda and The Board also set the following goals: The CCOF Board of Directors meetings are goals for the organization. open to CCOF Certified and Supporting I. GENERAL GOALS Members and take place quarterly on the At this meeting, the Board approved four • Solidify and clearly define the CCOF third Saturday of February, May, August, main motions: structure and make operational the new and November, unless otherwise announced. • a new budget for 2003; structure. Please contact your Chapter Board Repre- • the date of the next annual meeting • Develop 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year sentative or the Home Office in Santa (February 28 and March 1, 2003); plans and establish a way to monitor Cruz for locations, dates and times. • a new database program for certification; and re-evaluate those goals. • and making all certified clients of CCOF • Develop a CCOF Code of Ethics. LLC automatically members of CCOF • Re-invigorate the Inc. (the trade association) unless they chapters. opt out of this membership. • Re-develop prototype bylaws for The budget approved by the Board is the the chapters. first budget under the new CCOF structure, where certification is conducted by II. BOARD/ STAFF GOALS CCOF Certification Services LLC, and • Define the roles of 35% of all revenue received by the LLC Board Committees. will go to CCOF Inc. CCOF will use its • Establish Standard share of the certification money to: provide Operating Procedures administrative services to the LLC; provide for the Board. marketing services; pay for board, commit- • Define the President’s tee, and chapter development expenses; Role and Respon- publish The CCOF Magazine; conduct sibilities. government affairs; and inform and edu- III. CERTIFICATION cate the public on the advantages of GOALS organic agriculture. • That CCOF The Board reversed the policy adopted Certification Services last year in which certified parties needed to LLC conducts a pay an additional $30 to become a member premium certification of CCOF Inc., the trade association. All cer- that is competitive in tified parties will automatically become the marketplace. members of CCOF Inc. unless they request • CCOF expand its role not to be a member. The confusion and rea- as a trade association, son for last year’s change of policy stemmed finding new ways to from additional confusion between both serve the members of USDA and ISO-65 accreditation require- CCOF. ments, which have been the motivating fac- tors behind many of the recent structural changes occurring in CCOF.

Winter 2002–2003 Page 61 BUSINESS RESOURCES

WHAT IS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERTS Milt McGiffen, UCCE plant physiologist, ON ORGANIC FARMING: UC Riverside, (909) 560-0839, ORGANICALLY GROWN? Sean L. Swezey, director, UC-SAREP, [email protected] McGiffen studies organic vegetable pro- ASK UC EXPERTS. (530) 752-2379 or (408) 459-4367, [email protected] duction in desert regions, sustainable agri- Swezey has studied organic farming of culture, weed science, and alternatives to HE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL methyl bromide. He is investigating the organic standards on October 21, strawberries, cotton, apples and artichokes “organic effect” of increased yield and weed 2002, may send U.S. farmers and for more than 20 years. He is the technical T representative to the California Organic and disease control associated with com- consumers looking for clarification on post and cover crops. what constitutes “organic.” One source of Products Act Advisory Committee. He will information is the University of California’s begin a study of organic feed grain produc- Paul Vossen, UCCE Marin & Sonoma, statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research tion in the western states. (707) 565-2621, [email protected] and Education Program (SAREP), and its William E. “Bill” Chaney, UC Cooperative Vossen is an expert on organic apples and website at www.sarep. ucdavis.edu/ Extension (UCCE) Monterey farm advisor, olive oil. He has focused on reducing pesti- Organic/index.htm. The site provides links (831) 759-7350, [email protected] cide use by using cover crops, biological to the national rules for organic farming, Chaney has studied the effectiveness of pesticides, release of predators and parasites, allowed inputs, and alternatives to pesti- “trap” crops to attract natural enemies of and insect pheromone confusion techniques cides and herbicides that cannot be used aphids, the most serious lettuce pest in the for the control of serious apple pests. by organic growers. Central Coast. SAREP’s Organic Farming Research & A $100,000 grant announced by the Mark Gaskell, UCCE Santa Barbara & San Information Website www.sarep. California Department of Food and Agri- Luis Obispo farm advisor, (805) 934-6240, ucdavis.edu/Organic/index.htm The Web- culture (CDFA) as part of the Buy Califor- [email protected] site includes links to the UC Organic Farm- nia Initiative will allow SAREP to expand Gaskell studies organic nitrogen and other ing Research Workgroup, research projects the website. The grant will also help fund plant nutrient sources for organic vegetable (searchable by crop, topic and organic rele- development of organic production manu- production. vance), USDA programs, production infor- als for strawberries, olives, winegrapes, veg- mation, regulations and statistics. etables, artichokes and small-scale organic Karen Klonsky, UCCE economist, Source: UCANR press release, 10/17/02. farming. UC Davis, (530) 752-3563, www.ucanr.org Butte County organic rice grower Bryce [email protected] Lundberg says the university’s organic Klonsky has examined the transition to farming recommendations will help sustainable production and the costs and organic growers, processors and input sup- benefits of selected practices in organic and pliers meet the national standards. “I’ve conventional cropping systems. used SAREP’s Organic Soil Amendments and Fertilizers publication to help me select For Sale to Clients and the General Public appropriate amendments, and determine Application Packet $25.00 CCOF CERTIFIED CLIENTS ONLY (Grower/Processor/Handler/Retailer/Livestock) CCOF Logo Stickers (1000 per roll) quantity and timing of application,” said • Large (grower only) $10.00 Certification Handbook (Manuals 1–4) $20.00 Lundberg, a CCOF certified grower. • Small (logo only) $ 6.00 Membership Directory $10.00 SAREP funds organic research, coordinates • Transitional (grower only) $10.00 UBBER TAMP county-level extension programs, and col- SUPPORTING MEMBERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC CCOF R S Supporting Member Sign $25.00 • Grower/Processor/Certified by CCOF $21.00 lects information on organic farming • Small (logo only) $10.00 inputs. The program has funded almost Organic Cotton CCOF T-shirt $15.00 (Colors: sage, natural, blue • Sizes: S,M,L,XL) Twist Ties (per 900/case 10,200) $2 million directly to research focused on Baseball Hats $15.00 6" — $6.00/$35.00 • 12" — $8.00/$55.00 organic practices, and more than $4 mil- 18" — $11.00/$90.00 Bumper Sticker: $.50 each or 3/$ 1.00 Grower Signs $25.00 “Support Organic Farmers” lion to projects that indirectly support (24" x 18" plastic or aluminum) organic farming. “Support Yourself: Eat Organic” “¡Viva La Agricultura Organica!” (Please) Do Not Spray Signs $16.00 (2 styles, black on yellow, 12" x 18")

To Order, Call Toll Free 888-423-2263, ext. 10 or visit the CCOF Store at www.ccof.org

Page 62 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue ORGANIC INFORMATION regularly reported. Reported prices reflect are presented by State and commodity. transactions by wholesalers for sales of less Data for 2000 and 2001 for the first time FROM THE ECONOMIC than a carload or truckload and for prod- include the number of certified operations ucts that are of good quality and condition, by State. www.ers.usda.gov/Data/organic RESEARCH SERVICE unless otherwise noted. USDA-ERS Report: Recent Growth Patterns OF USDA www.ers.usda.gov/Data/OrganicPrices in the U.S. Organic Foods Market By Carolyn Dimitri and Catherine Greene TRACKING ORGANIC PRICES STATS ON ORGANIC PRODUCTION ERS Agriculture Information Bulletin Limited data on wholesale prices for organic Organic farming has been one of the fastest No. AIB777. 42 pp, September 2002 produce are available from USDA’s Agricul- growing segments of U.S. agriculture for tural Marketing Service (AMS). The Market nearly a decade. Certified organic cropland As consumer interest in organic products News Service of AMS has occasionally for corn, soybeans, and other major crops continues to gather momentum, many included wholesale prices for organic items in more than doubled from 1992 to 1997, U.S. producers, manufacturers, distribu- its daily wholesale fruit and vegetable reports, and doubled again between 1997 and 2001. tors, and retailers are specializing in grow- which cover terminal markets in 15 U.S. Two organic livestock sectors— poultry and ing, processing, and marketing an ever- cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle. dairy—grew even faster. ERS collected data widening array of organic agricultural and Organic produce prices first appeared in the from State and private certification groups food products. This report summarizes Boston and Philadelphia Wholesale Fruit and to calculate the extent of certified organic growth patterns in the U.S. organic sector Vegetable Report in 1992. Since then, Mar- farmland acreage and livestock in the in recent years, by market category, and ket News has occasionally reported organic United States. These are presented in 39 describes various research, regulatory, and prices in six other wholesale markets, but tables showing the change in U.S. organic other ongoing programs on organic agricul- the Boston and San Francisco markets are acreage and livestock numbers from 1992 ture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. the only ones for which organic prices are to 2001. Data for 1997, 2000, and 2001 www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib777

AgExport A Service of the Foreign Ag Service (FAS) of the USDA

Organic Perspectives Newsletter & Buyer Alerts! The Organic Perspectives Newsletter contains reports on organics from around the world gleaned from U.S. attaché reports, trips made by FAS staff, and other sources. The newsletter also covers items of interest about the U.S. National Organic Program and the domestic organic industry. A list of upcoming conferences, trade shows and other events is included in every issue. The FAS Buyer Alerts service is a proven way to inform foreign buyers about products and the companies that offer them. This biweekly newsletter distributed by FAS overseas offices allows a “for sale” ad to be read in 75 countries, often in the local language, by over 17,000 buyers worldwide. Whether a company has a new product or is new to FAS Services, Buyer Alerts are well worth experimenting with as $30 million in sales were attributed to this service in the last two years. To take advantage of the offer, visit the FAS Organic Products website at: www.fas.usda.gov/agx/organics/organics.html and follow the link to complete the registration form on-line. For more information, contact Claire Klotz at (202) 720-8557 or [email protected]

Winter 2002–2003 Page 63

ADDITIONS TO THE OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST NOVEMBER 2002

PRODUCT MANUFACTURER GENERIC STATUS CROP PRODUCTS Alaska Fish Fertilizer 5-1-1 Lilly Miller Brands fish products, stabilized R AQ-10 Biofungicide Ecogen biological controls† A Aqua Comp 101 S Natural Resources Group fertilizers, blended, allowed A Aspire Biofungicide Ecogen biological controls† A Biobit HP Valent BioSciences Corp Bacillus thuringiensis A BioHume Southwest Microbials Inc humic acid derivatives, regulated R Black Gold All Organic Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc transplant media, nonsynthetic A Black Gold Garden Compost Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc transplant media, nonsynthetic A Black Gold Seedling Mix Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc transplant media, nonsynthetic A Bone Char Fertrell Company ash R California Plant’s Choice Alimentos Concentrados California SA fish products, stabilized R CheckMate OLR Suterra LLC pheromones† A CheckMate SF Dispenser Suterra LLC pheromones† A Concern Citrus Home Pest Control Woodstream Corporation plant extracts† A Concern Diatomaceous Earth Woodstream Corporation diatomaceous earth† A Crawling Insect Killer DeVine Encore Technologies LLC herbicides, nonsynthetic R DiPel 2X Valent BioSciences Corp Bacillus thuringiensis A DiTera WDG Valent BioSciences Corp biological controls† A Ecosense Agro Logistic Systems Inc neem extract R EcoSide Agro Logistic Systems Inc botanical pesticides, regulated R EnviroSul Iron 22% +S Tiger Industries micronutrients, synthetic R Feed-N-Gro Omega Grow Fertrell Company fish products, stabilized R Feed-N-Gro Sea Cide Fertrell Company oils, nonsynthetic sources† A Fish Protein 9-0-0 Bio Ag Services Corp fish products, allowed† A Fish-Zyme 2-3-0 Bio Ag Services Corp fish products, stabilized R Foliar Friend Surfactant Baicor LC wetting agents A Garden Safe All Purpose Potting Mix Schultz Company transplant media, nonsynthetic A Garden Treasure Granular Humates Western Industrial Clay Products humates A Garden Treasure Granular Nutrients Western Industrial Clay Products humates A GemStar LC Certis USA virus sprays† A Granubor 15% US Borax Inc boron products, regulated R GroundsKeeper’s Pride Blood and International Compost Ltd fertilizers, blended, allowed A Bone Meal 7-5-0 GroundsKeeper’s Pride Blood Meal International Compost Ltd blood meal† A 12-0-0 www.omri.orgGroundsKeeper’s Pride Kelp Meal International Compost Ltd kelp meal A 1-0.15-1.5 GroundsKeeper’s Pride Naturally International Compost Ltd fertilizers, blended, allowed A Green Lawn Food 10-3-3 GroundsKeeper’s Pride Organic International Compost Ltd fertilizers, blended, allowed A Advantage Garden Fertilizer 8-4-5 GroundsKeeper’s Pride Steamed International Compost Ltd fertilizers, blended, allowed A Granulated Bone Meal 2-14-0 Healthy Gro 2-5-4 Pearl Valley Organix Inc compost--windrow† A HI-CAL TETRA Technologies Inc calcium chloride† R Huma Gro Activol Bio HumaNetics botanical pesticides, allowed A Huma Gro Proud Bio HumaNetics botanical pesticides, allowed A Lakeland Peat Moss Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc - transplant media, nonsynthetic A Liquid Bat Guano 2-1-1 Ultimate Organics International LLC guano, bat or bird† R Mega Zone Residue (ORG lot #) Teva Corporation fertilizers, blended, allowed A Mega Zone Spring (ORG lot #) Teva Corporation fertilizers, blended, allowed A Meyfer Processed Chicken Manure Progasa de CV manure, processed R Mora-Leaf Calcium Wilbur-Ellis Company calcium chloride† R NatureCoat Harris Moran Seed Co seed treatments A Nature’s All Organic Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc - transplant media, nonsynthetic A

† = see IFOAM Appendix in the most current OMRI Generic and Brand Name Products © 2002 Organic Materials Review Institute A = Allowed; R = Regulated Nitrate of Soda 16-0-0 SQM North America Corp sodium nitrate (Chilean nitrate)† R Organic BioLink 0-12-0 Westbridge Agricultural Products bone meal† A Organocide Organic Insecticide Organic Laboratories Inc botanical pesticides, allowed A Pelletized Gypsum Soda Springs Phosphate gypsum (mined source)† A Phyto-Plus Micro-Plenty Baicor LC micronutrients, synthetic R (2% N from Chilean Nitrate) Phyto-Plus Plant Stimulator Baicor LC adjuvants, regulated R ProGibb 40% Valent BioSciences Corp gibberellic acid A Pro-Gro 5-3-4 North County Organics fertilizers, blended, regulated R (1% N from Chilean Nitrate) ReTain Valent BioSciences Corp amino acids, non-synthetic A Ringer All Natural Lawn Restore 10-2-6 Woodstream Corporation fertilizers, blended, regulated R (2% N from Chilean Nitrate) RyzUp Valent BioSciences Corp gibberellic acid A Safer Ant & Crawling Insect Killer Woodstream Corporation diatomaceous earth† A Safer Brand Fire Ant Killer Woodstream Corporation limonene A Safer Brand Houseplant Woodstream Corporation soap A Insect Killing Soap Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Woodstream Corporation soap A Safer Brand Roach & Ant Killing Powder Woodstream Corporation boric acid A Sea Soil Sea Soil - Feonix Forest Technology Inc compost--windrow† A Soil Food 2-2-0.5 Bio Ag Services Corp fish products, multi-ingredient R SoilStart California Liquid Fertilizer LLC fertilizers, blended, allowed A Solubor US Borax Inc boron products, regulated R Solubor DF US Borax Inc boron products, regulated R SP-1 AgriEnergy Resources microbial products, regulated R Spod-X LC Certis USA virus sprays† A Stimplex PGR Acadian AgriTech cytokinins A ThermX-15P American Extracts wetting agents A Total AG Gorton Industries Inc./Ultimate microbial products A Organics Int’l LLC Tri-Fol Wilbur-Ellis Company adjuvants, regulated R Victor Poison Free Ant & Roach Killer Woodstream Corporation botanical pesticides, allowed A Victor Poison Free Ant Killer Woodstream Corporation botanical pesticides, allowed A

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS BioFos IMC Inc phosphorous, synthetic R Broiler Balance Pac Plus Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R DynaFos IMC Inc phosphorous, synthetic R Dyna-K IMC Inc potassium chloride A Dynamate IMC Inc potassium sulfate R Free Choice 1:1 Mineral Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R Free Choice 2:1 Mineral Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R Free Choice Hi Phos Mineral Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R www.omri.orgK-S IMC Inc potassium sulfate R Layer Balancer Pac Plus Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R Mineral Feed Supplement Live Earth Products iron R M-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R MultiFos IMC Inc phosphorous, synthetic R Pullet Balancer Pac Plus Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R Royal Optimum Powder Van Beek Global/Ninkov LLC calcium carbonate A Sila-Prime (Granular) Forage Research Inc / Star Labs microbial products, regulated R Turkey Balancer Pac Plus Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic R

PROCESSING MATERIALS Aquamin F Marigot Ltd minerals, nutrient A BeeCoat BC-Z 646 BioCoat Ltd wax R Decco Lustr 505 Organic Decco Cerexagri Inc wax R

NEWLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS FIG GARDEN PACKING, INC. (PR) MARTINEZ & MORENO (YO) QUETZAL FARMS (NC) Mike Jura, Jr. Santiago Moreno & Dan Martinez Kevin McEnnis BECKMANN’S OLD WORLD BAKERY, P.O. Box 13157; Fresno, CA 93794 P.O. Box 605; Winters, CA 95694 499 Umland Drive; Santa Rosa, CA 95401 LTD. (PR) 559-271-9000 530-795-8059 707-579-3973 Rolfe Schreiner Products Certified: Figs, Fig Paste Crops Certified: Walnuts Crops Certified: Flower, Mixed Vegetables 104 Bronson St. # 6; Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831-423-9242 FILIGREEN FARM / YGGDRASIL LAND MCGUCKIN PACKING (PR) SANTA BARBARA GOURMET, LLC (PR) Products Certified: Bread FOUNDATION (ME) Jon McGuckin Lee M. Schlossberg Services Certified: Baking Chris Tebbutt 10290 Gold Dr.; Grass Valley, CA 95945 201 C Industrial Way; Buellton, CA 93427 11800 Anderson Valley Way 530-477-2676 805-686-0951 BETTENCOURT & WALKER (BV) Boonville, CA 95415 Services Certified: Repacking Services Certified: Cooking, Preserving Dan & Annmarie Walker, 707-895-2111 Steve & Julie Bettencourt MOISES MAGANA SIGNATURE COFFEE CO. (PR) Crops Certified: Apples, Asian Pears 9323 Griffith Rd.; Delhi, CA 95315 & ANGEL MUNGUIA (CC) Karyn Lee-Thomas 209-632-1499 FIRST DATE CO. (DV) Angel Munguia & Moises Magana P.O. Box 1789; Redway, CA 95560-1789 Crops Certified: Almonds Joanne Foss P.O. Box 5161; Salinas, CA 93915 707-923-2661 Rt. 1-1456 Aaron Rd.; Winterhaven, CA 92283 831-320-3224 Products Certified: Coffee BUENA TIERRA FARM, LLC (PS) 760-572-0730 Crops Certified: Bean (fresh), Cilantro, Services Certified: Tea Distribution, Brian Roach Crops Certified: Dates Parsley, Squash (summer) Tea Repacking 1863 Wilstone Ave.; Leucadia, CA 92024 760-942-8464 FLORES FARMS (YO) MORNING SONG FARM (PS) SUENRAM RANCH (ME) Crops Certified: Avocados, Chermoyas, Annette Love Donna Buono Robert and Susan Suenram Lemons, Limes, Pomelos 970 La Vista Ct.; Morgan Hill, CA 95037 1545 Av. Salvador; San Clemente, CA 92672 7755 Red Hill Rd.; Kelseyville, CA 95451 408-778-5290 949-388-2141 707-279-4580 CACHE CREEK ORGANIC ORANGES (YO) Crops Certified: Walnuts Crops Certified: Avocados, Berries, Citrus, Crops Certified: Walnuts Frances Burke Fruit, Macademia Nuts P.O. Box 85; Rumsey, CA 95679 GFARM (HT) THIEVING MAGPIE 530-796-3521 Greg Holder MORRISON-OBA FARMS (PS) VINEYARDS/APRICOT ORCHARDS (YO) Crops Certified: Oranges P.O. Box 4846; Arcata, CA 95518 Robert Morrison & Donna Oba Janelle Fraser 707-498-4154 30829 Saddleback Lane 27375 Carmelo Way; Winters, CA 95694 CALIFORNIA PISTACHIO Crops Certified: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauli- Valley Center, CA 92082 530-795-4879 ORCHARDS (PR) flower, Kale, Lettuces, Peas (fresh), Spinach 760-751-1590 Crops Certified: Apricots, Grapes (wine), Paul, Stephen, and Christopher Couture Crops Certified: Grapefruit, Oranges Nectarines, Peaches P.O. Box 247; Kettleman City, CA 93239 GOLD HILLS NUT COMPANY (PR) 559-386-9865 Cathy Phipps and Rick Kindle NEUPOORT FARMS (FT) UNCOMMON GROUNDS, INC (PR) Services Certified: Nut Processing, P.O. Box 50; Ballico, CA 95303 Mary and Craig Cantrell Derek Lenter Nut Roasting, Nut Packing 209-634-2022 10738 E. Bullard; Clovis, CA 93611 2813 Seventh Ave.; Berkeley, CA 94710 Products Certified: Almonds 559-299-4846 510-644-4451 CAPELLO, INC. (PR) Services Certified: Almond Processing, Freezing Crops Certified: Mandarins Products Certified: Coffee Michael Hat Services Certified: Coffee Roasting 9701 Sedan Ave.; Manteca, CA 95337 JACARANDA RANCH (PS) NORTH RIVER FARMS LLC (PS) 209-239-4030 Doug & Roxanne Parady Robert Uyematsu VELLEMA RANCHES (FT) Services Certified: Wine Processing, 24027 Calle del Mundo; Temecula, CA 92590 3601 West Pendleton Ave. Ken & Mary Vellema Juice Processing 909-695-4422 Santa Ana, CA 92704 35212 Rd. 206; Woodlake, CA 93286 Crops Certified: Avocados, Oranges, Crops Certified: Radicchio, Strawberries 559-564-3197 DODSON FARMS (BV) Pomegranates Crops Certified: Oranges David & Barbara Dodson NORTHERN MERCED HULLING (PR) 1400 East Jahant Rd.; Acampo, CA 95220 KASSENHOFF GROWERS (BV) Donald Harcksen VERITABLE VEGETABLE INC. (PR) 209-333-7182 Peggy Kass and Helen Krayenhoff P.O. Box 305; Ballico, CA 95303 Mary Jane Evans & Bu Nygrens Crops Certified: Grapes, Ryegrass 3629 Dimond Ave.; Oakland, CA 94602 209-667-2308 1100 Cesar Chavez St. 510-482-1314 Products Certified: Almond Hulls, San Francisco, CA 94124 DYNAPAC HARVESTING, INC (CC) Crops Certified: Greenhouse Grown Shelled Almond Meat 415-641-3500 David Black and Tom Russel Ornamentals, Greenhouse Grown Services Certified: Produce Handling P.O. Box 3737; Salinas, CA 93912 OLIVAS DE ORO (NV) Vegetable Transplants 831-595-7176 Frank Menacho, Jr. VIE-DEL COMPANY (PR) Crops Certified: Beans (fresh), Broccoli, LAUENROTH TRUCKING (ME) 24339 Mountain Charlie Rd. Dianne Nury Cilantro, Leeks, Lettuces, Salad Mix, Paul Lauenroth Los Gatos, CA 95033 P.O. Box 2908; Fresno, CA 93745-2908 Spinach P.O. Box 73; Kelseyville, CA 95451 408-353-1229 559-834-2525 707-279-8561 Crops Certified: Olives Products Certified: Grape Juice, Juice EAST WEST FRESH FARMS, LLC (PR) Crops Certified: Walnuts Concentrate, White Wine Varick Warren OLSEN ORGANIC (FT) Services Certified: Concentrate Processing, 20 Governor Drive; Newburgh, NY 12550 LITTLE RIVER FARM (HT) Kenneth Olsen Juice Processing, Packing, Storage, 845-567-1747 John Severn 25328 Burr Rd.; Lindsay, CA 93247 Wine Processing Products Certified: Salad and Spinach Mixes P.O. Box 911; Blue Lake, CA 95525 559-562-5005 707-496-7852 Crops Certified: Avocados, Citrus, Fallow, Services Certified: Processing Salad and Spinach INACTIVE Mixes Crops Certified: Salad Mix Mandarins, Oranges, Tangerines BAMBOO CREEK CSA GARDEN (FT) ELLIS RANCH (PR) LUCERO ORGANIC FARMS (BV) POINDEXTER NUT CO. (PR) John & Jenny Morgan Carol & Steve Ellis Ben Lucero Ron & Sherian Poindexter P.O. Box 1557; Lower Lake, CA 95457 P.O. Box 797; Lodi, CA 95041 5414 E. Floral Ave.; Selma, CA 93662 LAHR’S GREENHOUSES (DV) 707-994-7520 209-334-6136 559-834-1555 Jerry Lahr Services Certified: Drying Walnuts, Crops Certified: Beans (fresh), Cucumbers, Products Certified: Shelled Walnuts Hulling Walnuts Garlic, Peppers, Raspberries, Squash Services Certified: Walnut Processing WITHDRAWN (summer), Strawberries, Tomatilloes, OASIS FARMS (DV) ELSIE REBENSDORF (FT) PYBAS VEGETABLE SEED COMPANY, Tomatoes (fresh market) Jerald Rebensdorf INC. (PR) Scott Howington 6199 N. Rolinda; Fresno, CA 93722 LUSCOMBE FARMS (NV) Robert Pybas OUTBACK FARMS (DV) 559-275-4275 Brad & Kathleen Luscombe P.O. Box 868; Santa Maria, CA 93456 Mark Bendixen 16622 Lower Klamath Lake Rd. 805-922-4624 Crops Certified: Grapes (raisin) STOREY ROAD FARMS (CC) Tulelake, CA 96134 Products Certified: Lettuce Seed Karen Hoye 530-667-3237 Services Certified: Seed Processing Crops Certified: Barley, Oats Winter 2002–2003 Page 67 CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE/LEASE Experienced Farm/Field Manager needed INTERNSHIPS For lease along Santa Cruz coast: Green- for 2003 season. We are a small certified Herb Pharm offers an Herbaculture house with 180,000 square feet at organic vegetable farm located in Sonoma Work/Study Program on our 85-acre certi- $5,400/month. Warehouse, Coolers, County. The successful candidate must be fied organic farm in southern Oregon. The Offices with 6,400 square feet at experienced in all aspects of a vegetable program runs May 5–July 18, 2003. 30 $1,920/month. Both for $7,000/month. farm: irrigation, planting and harvesting, hrs/wk of work includes cultivation and Active well with storage tank on ten acres use of appropriate equipment including harvest of medicinal herbs in exchange for of sandy soil. Available January 2003. tractor, flamer, etc. Must have a valid dri- 10–12 hrs of classes covering topics on Contact Miriam Chu at 650-965-9006. ver’s license. Knowledge of Spanish would organic farming and herbalism. A strong be helpful. Salary commensurate with interest in organic farming is essential. Organic farmland for lease in Soquel, CA. experience. Housing is available. Reply to: Must be in excellent physical condition Three + acres. Well water. Robert Yonts, Flying Frog Farm, 6033 Volkerts Road, and prepared for hard work. No monetary 831-479-0756 or [email protected] Sebastopol, CA 95472. fee. Communal housing provided. For Phone: 707-823-5198; EMPLOYMENT application write: Work/Study, Herb Farm Manager. 50-acre established organic Fax: 707-823-5128; [email protected]; Pharm, P.O. Box 116, Williams, OR farm. (Half dedicated to native habitat). http://users.ap.net/~flyingfrogfarm 97544. E-mail: [email protected] Focused on sustainable farming practices in or phone: 541-846-9121. For more details Monterey/Salinas area. Beautiful setting. visit www.herb-pharm.com/ Great opportunity for right person. CSA Education/workstudy_fw.html planned, salary negotiable. 831-484-2190, [email protected]

Visit www.ccof.org/classifieds.htmlfor more employment opportunities WILLING WORKERS ON ORGANIC FARMS: CCOF APPRENTICESHIPS WWOOFERS www.ccof.org/apprenticeships.html The International WWOOF Association is dedicated to helping Have you ever wanted to work on an organic farm? those who would like to volunteer on organic farms internationally. You can work as an apprentice on many CCOF certified farms. Working towards a Food Science degree? The aims of WWOOF are to... Some of our handler/processor clients also offer apprenticeships in • enable people to learn first-hand about organic growing techniques their CCOF certified facilities. T• to enable city-dwellers to experience living and helping on a farm • to help farmers make organic production a viable alternative The CCOF 2003 Apprenticeship list is taken from our annual • to improve communications within the organic movement. CCOF Organic Directory. The list includes CCOF clients who have WWOOF organizations compile a list of organic host farms that indicated that they offer apprenticeships on their farm or at their (from time to time) welcome volunteer help. When you join a operation. Some certified clients offer one or more of the following: WWOOF organization, you will be put in contact with these host room, board, wages, and the learning of a trade. You should contact farms. It is then up to you to contact the host farms that interest each certified client directly to find out more information. Oppor- you and make your own arrangements with them. tunities are arranged alphabetically by chapter name. Please visit our website or call our office (toll free) 888-423-2263 THE INTERNATIONAL WWOOF ASSOCIATION for a list via U.S. Mail, e-mail, or fax. www.wwoof.org

WWOOFERS USA www.wwoofusa.com/usa/homeusa.html WWOOFERS HAWAII www.wwoofusa.com/hawaii/homehawaii.html E-WWOOFERS ONLINE: www.organicvolunteers.com

Page 68 The Newsletter of CCOF ~ 30th Anniversary Issue CALENDAR

JANUARY 22-25 FEBRUARY 27-28 MAY 27-30 The 23rd Annual Ecological Farming Organic Strawberry Production: A Short “For a Sustainable and Ecological Conference: Planting Local Values in a Course on Whole System Management; for Agriculture in Harmony with Nature and Global Environment, Pacific Grove, CA, growers and ag professionals interested in Society,” Fifth Conference on Organic 831-763-2111, fax: 831-763-2112, organic strawberry production practices, Agriculture, in Havana, Cuba will focus www.eco-farm.org research results, and compliance issues. on the analysis of the results achieved by JANUARY 28-30 7:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: Richard W. ecological agriculture in the determination Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, Nutter Agricultural Center, UC Cooperative of transforming the rural area in order to Sacramento, CA, 916-932-2244, Extension, Monterey County, 1432 Abbott guarantee not only the current but also the www.unifiedsymposium.org Street, Salinas, CA. $125 includes course future feeding of the people. Individuals materials, breakfast and lunch each day, interested in these exhibitions should JANUARY 30 field trip transportation. Mail to: contact: Ms. Violeta Rodredguez, CCQC Annual Meeting, Visalia, CA, Registration Office, UC Davis Extension, Specialist, Palacio de Convenciones, Cuba. 530-885-1894, [email protected] 1333 Research Park Dr., Davis, CA 95616. fax: (537) 2028382 / 2087986 / 2083470, FEBRUARY 2-4 1-800-752-0881, fax: 530-757-8558, [email protected] Assoc. of Applied IPM Ecologists Annual [email protected] JUNE 10 Meeting, San Luis Obispo, CA, MARCH 23-25 Avocado Grower Seminar, Ventura, CA, 707-265-9349, www.aaie.net Grape & Tree Fruit League Annual Meeting, [email protected] FEBRUARY 4-6 Santa Barbara, CA, JUNE 12 Varietal Winegrape Production, Davis, CA, 559-226-6330, www.cgtfl.com Avocado Grower Seminar, Escondido, CA, 800-752-0881. MARCH 25-27 [email protected] FEBRUARY 11 Cherry Short Course, Stockton, CA, JULY 26-30 Avocado Grower Seminar, Ventura, CA, http://universityextension.ucdavis.edu/ Soil & Water Conservation Society Annual [email protected] courses Meeting, Spokane, WA, 515-289-2331, EBRUARY F 13 APRIL 8 [email protected] Avocado Grower Seminar, Escondido, CA, Avocado Grower Seminar, Ventura, CA, AUGUST 12 [email protected] [email protected] Avocado Grower Seminar, Ventura, CA, EBRUARY F 21-23 APRIL 10 [email protected] Camp Stevens Family and Adult Programs: Avocado Grower Seminar, AUGUST 14 Cool Weather Garden Projects, Julian, CA, Escondido, CA, [email protected] Avocado Grower Seminar, Escondido, CA, 760-765-0028, fax: 760-765-0153, MAY 16-18 [email protected] [email protected], Camp Stevens Family and Adult Programs: www.campstevens.org Growing Your Summer Garden, Julian, CA, 760-765-0028, fax: 760-765-0153, [email protected], www.campstevens.org LAST WORD “World-wide practice of Conservation and the fair and continued access by all nations to the resources they need are the two indispensable foundations of continuous plenty and of permanent peace.” ~ Gifford Pinchot (1865–1946) • Chief Forester of the U.S. Division of Forestry, 1898–1910. • Formed the National Conservation Association. Served as president, 1910–1925. • Governor of Pennsylvania. 1923–1927 & 1931–1935. www.pinchot.org

Winter 2002–2003 Page 69 REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES (RSRS) FOR CCOF CHAPTERS

At-Large Fresno-Tulare (FT) North Coast (NC) San Luis Obispo (SL) (Unassigned counties (Fresno, Kings, Tulare) (Marin, Napa, Sonoma) Glenn Johnson and outside California) Cynthia Ortegon Elizabeth Whitlow 685 Grade Mountain Road Elizabeth Whitlow 25334 Grove Way P.O. Box 11 Nipomo, CA 93444 (See North Coast) Madera, CA 93638 Camp Meeker, CA 95419 T: (805) 929-3081/F: 929-3081 Big Valley (BV) T: (559) 664-0471/F: 664-0471 T: (707) 874-1022 [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, Earl Hiatt (Handlers, Packers, (Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Placer, Tuolumne) 13507 Quince Avenue Processors, Retailers) Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Raoul Adamchack Patterson, CA 95363 Nadya Peattie Tehama, Yuba) 26951 County Rd. 96 T: (209) 892-8170/F: 892-6143 (see Processor/Handler) Tom Harter Davis, CA 95616 [email protected] Humboldt-Trinity (HT) P.O. Box 817 T: (530) 753-8003 Central Coast (CC) (Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity) Biggs, CA 95917 [email protected] (Alameda, Monterey, San Benito, Elizabeth Whitlow T/F: (530) 868-1814 South Coast (SC) San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa (See North Coast) [email protected] (Santa Barbara, Ventura) Clara, Santa Cruz) Kern (KE) Pacific Southwest (PS) Glenn Johnson Jamie Collins Cynthia Ortegon (Riverside, San Diego) (see San Luis Obispo) 918 Sinex Avenue (see Fresno-Tulare) Lois Christie Yolo (YO) Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (see Desert Valleys) Mendocino (ME) (Colusa, Nevada, Placer, T: (831) 375-2332 (Lake, Mendocino) Processor/Handler (PR) Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo) [email protected] Tim Bates (Handlers, Packers, Raoul Adamchack Desert Valleys (DV) 18501 Greenwood Road Processors, Retailers) (see Sierra Gold) (Imperial, Riverside) Philo, CA 95466 Nadya Peattie Lois Christie T: (707) 895-2333/F: 895-2333 c/o CCOF Home Office 40911 Via Ranchitos [email protected] T: (888) 423-2263, ext. 23 Fallbrook, CA 92028 F: 831-423-4528 T: (760) 451-0912 [email protected] View the CCOF Chapter Map at F: (760) 723-3775 www.ccof.org/chapters.html [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOME OFFICE STAFF CERTIFICATION SERVICES STAFF Philip LaRocca (nv), Chairman Brian Leahy, President, ext. 17, [email protected] Brian McElroy, Certification Services Manager, ext. 16, Eric Gordon (me), Vice Chairman Armando Bonifacio, Accountant, ext. 15, [email protected] [email protected] Vanessa Bogenholm (cc), Secretary Amber Proaps, Accounting Assistant, ext. 15, [email protected] Janning Kennedy, Director of Handler Certification, ext. 20, Greg House (yo), Treasurer Keith Proctor, Office Manager, ext. 12, [email protected] [email protected] Jim Zeek (sg), CSC Chair Brian Sharpe, Office Coordinator, ext. 10, [email protected] John McKeon, Certification Services Associate, ext. 19, [email protected] Bill Reichle (bv), Vanessa Bogenholm (cc), Helge Hellberg, Marketing and Communications Director, Cynthia Ritenour, Handler Certification Assistant, ext. 18, Sharon Krumwiede (dv), Kurt Quade (ft), ext. 21, [email protected] [email protected] Patti Rose (ht), Malcolm Ricci (ke), Kerry Glendening, Certification Services Assistant, ext. 14, Charles Fowler (me), Kate Burroughs (nc), [email protected] Philip LaRocca (nv), Will Daniels (pr) Erica Chernoh, Certification Services Assistant, ext. 13, Richard Taylor (ps), Hank Sharp (sc), [email protected] Steven Bird (sg), Roy Reeves (sl), Visit our NEW Website at: Nadya Peattie, Handler Service Representative, ext. 23 Greg House (yo) [email protected] www.ccof.org Sean Feder, Inspection Operations Director, [email protected] (530) 756-8518, ext. 11 (Davis Office)

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS Non-Profit Organization U.S. 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