California Certified Organic Farmers magazine Volume XXI, Number 2 Organic Certification ~ Public Education ~ Trade Association Summer 2004 COF s sor es es of C oc ofil d Pr Pr e . 6 tifi p Cer Mainstreaming America to Organic Processed Food ~ page 2 WHY ORGANIC? CALIFORNIA ORGANICS ’92–’02 GMO PHARM RICE USDA POLICY STATEMENTS page 12 page 14 page 22 page 33 FIRST WORD GRASS ROOTS & cern for the integrity of one of the staples of Those advantages may be tangible or intan- human life. gible, but they must be real and they must GRASSROOTS CCOF started off as a grassroots organi- be articulated to the consumer. Just as early zation drawing substance from a diverse organic farmers knew what organic was in By Brian Leahy community of producers, gardeners, and their gut long before organic standards were NYONE WHO HAS EVER TRIED consumers. The early members performed codified, core organic consumers know the to pull up native grasses by the actual work of the organization. CCOF underlying principles behind the move- hand knows the strength of grass volunteer members developed standards, ment. If the organic industry abandons A conducted inspections, and performed file those key principles, organic consumers will roots. To take advantage of nutrients and moisture in the soil, grass roots spread wide reviews. The volunteer members taught new move to a marketplace that does lives up to and deep to provide substance to the plant organic producers key organic concepts and those values. and slowly increase the plants influence on helped them fill out certification paper The farmers and processors of CCOF the surrounding environment. Much like work. And they built the organic market by carry the knowledge and skills necessary to natives grasses, CCOF has used its grass- educating the media and consumers about guide a grassroots movement that can return roots structure to protect the integrity of the benefits of organic agriculture. The humans to a relationship with the earth that organic agriculture and the environment in integrity of CCOF’s standards and the will allow the continued existence of life on which organic producers operate, as it has integrity of its members was enough credi- this beautiful planet. Without deep roots a slowly spread the influence of organic agri- bility in the marketplace to give consumers plant will uproot and wither under stress. It culture into the mainstream culture. confidence to purchase CCOF certified is my hope that CCOF continues to draw We witnessed a grassroots victory in May food. As the organic market grew, and gov- upon the deep roots that sustained a hand- when USDA Secretary Ann Veneman ernments and corporate buyers began to ful of individuals to create a remarkable directed the National Organic Program staff intervene in the certification process, a pro- institution—an institution that has lead to work with the National Organic Stan- fessional staff took over the functions of the way for a small movement to become dards Board and the organic industry to organic certification. Today, certification is a a major market force that is changing the reach workable solutions to policy directives technical process overseen by the federal production of food, and that has given the NOP staff had issued only a month ear- government and administered by a trained many farmers the opportunity to receive lier. Had the original directives been imple- bureaucracy. a fair return for their work. It has been an mented, they would have weakened organic Perfect organic standards will not guaran- honor to serve as your executive director standards and created confusion in the tee a fair return to the farmers. An agricul- these past four years. tural system that is ecologically sound, organic marketplace. Last year a similar Ed: Brian Leahy left CCOF in June of this socially responsible and economically viable grassroots campaign beat back another year. He is now the new Executive Director will only occur if true change is made in attack on the integrity of the organic stan- of the California Association of Resource current government policies and values. A dards by defeating an attempt to allow non- Conservation Districts in Sacramento. fair system that allows farmers to prosper organic feed in the production of livestock. We wish him well in his new position. Another recent grassroots victory in long-term will only be created by constant, which CCOF producers played a critical persistent and thoughtful grassroots action role was the set back of an attempt to allow by producers and consumers working the first commercial production of a geneti- together. No farmer ever converted to OUR PURPOSE cally engineered pharmaceutical crop. organic because they wanted to subject CCOF’s purpose is to promote Thanks to the work of CCOF staff member themselves to the process of certification. and support organic agriculture in Brian Sharpe and the other members of the Farmers convert to organic because they California and elsewhere through: Californians for GE Free Agriculture coali- want to produce food using a sustainable • A premier organic certification tion, an effective grassroots campaign was production system that offers them the best program for growers, processors, able to convince the Secretary of the Cali- chance at receiving a fair return in the mar- handlers, and retailers. fornia Department of Food and Agriculture ketplace. • Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic to intervene and protect California rice pro- Is organic a market or a movement? The product and to expand public ducers from certain financial loss and movement created the market, and the mar- support for organic agriculture. genetic contamination. The grassroots ket grew the movement and gave it credibil- ity. Consumers will only choose organic • Advocacy for governmental coalition generated powerful media public- policies that protect and food over non-organic food if they believe ity and several thousand contacts with the encourage organic agriculture. Secretary’s office expressing genuine con- there are distinct advantages to organic. Corrections ABLE OF ONTENTS The OMRI Brand Name Products List Update in T C CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, the Organic FEATURE ARTICLE, Mainstreaming America to Organic Processed Food . 2 Seed Issue, was incorrectly labeled as the update PROCESSORS, Profiles of CCOF Certified Processors . 6 for March 2003. The correct date is March 2004. WHY ORGANIC?, Growth in Organic Processing . 12 The editor apologizes for this error and any incon- CALIFORNIA ORGANICS 1992–2002, Organic Agricultural Production in California. 14 venience it may cause to OMRI, product suppli- CCOF FOUNDATION, CCOF Growers Keep Salmon Safe . 20 ers, clients and the general public. MEMBERS . 21 In CCOF Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, the CALIFORNIA, CCOF Helps Prevent GMO Pharmaceutical Rice Planting . 22 Organic Seed Issue, two seed businesses were FOCUS ON FOOD, Plums: Hearty Symbol of Strength & Happiness . 24 unintentionally omitted from the Organic Seed HOME & GARDEN, Preventing Pests . 27 Source Directory on pages 8–11. The editor apol- ogizes to these businesses, clients and the general NEWS BRIEFS . 28 public for any inconvenience this omission may THE GE REPORT, News from the Genetic Engineering Front . 29 have caused. Please see complete seed listings for CCOF MARKETING, Committed to Your Needs . 31 these companies on page 21. CERTIFICATION CORNER , USDA National Organic Program Guidance Statements . 33 Company Name: Snow Seed Company HANDLER HIGHLIGHTS, Business Resources for Organic Processors . 36 CCOF Certified Business OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST UPDATE . 39 Company Name: Rijk Zwaan USA CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS . 42 CCOF Supporting Member CLASSIFIEDS. 44 CALENDAR . 45 Letter to the Editor CCOF appreciates reader feedback. Please read a letter to the editor from supporting ECO-AUDIT member Phil Persons on Environmental Benefits of Using Recycled Paper page 21. CCOF Magazine is printed on New Leaf Opaque 70# paper, 80% recycled, made with 80% post- consumer waste, and bleached without the use of chlorine or chlorine compounds, resulting in mea- surable environmental benefits.1 New Leaf Paper has provided CCOF with the following report of the annual environmental savings: Submissions to the CCOF Magazine 123 Trees Letters to the editor are gladly accepted, pro- 60,884 Gallons of water vided letters are succinct and remain on topic. 5,945 Pounds of solid waste Letters must include complete contact informa- 93 Million BTUs of energy (0.9 Years of electricity required by the average US home) tion, including daytime telephone number, and 12,403 Pounds of greenhouse gases (10,842 miles equivalent driving the average American car) must be signed. Letters are subject to editing 30 Pounds of air emissions (HAPs, VOCs, TRSs combined) and will not be returned. Submitting a letter 371 Pounds of hazardous effluent (BODs, TSSs, CODs, AOXs) to the editor does not guarantee printing. 1 Environmental benefits are calculated based on research done by Environmental Defense, the For information about submitting articles other members of the Paper Task Force, and Conservatree, who studied the environmental to CCOF Magazine, or to discuss article ideas, impacts of the paper industry. Contact ED for a copy of their report and the latest updates on please contact Keith Proctor toll free at 1-888- 423-2263, ext. 27, or e-mail to [email protected] their data. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Absorbable Organic Compounds (AOX). Advertisement Policy & Rates Display advertising available. Discounts available for CCOF Certified clients and for annual MAGAZINE PRODUCTION advertising commitments. Please inquire for Editor: Keith L. Proctor, [email protected] Printed at Community Printers, Santa Cruz, CA rates and a quote. 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