|
CCOF Press Releases
Press Release
December 3, 2008
For Immediate Release |
Contact:
Jane Baker
CCOF Director of Sales & Marketing
(831) 423-2263, ext. 27
jane@ccof.org |
Download the pdf
Click here for print ready graphics and logos
Healthy Farms, Healthy People: Organics in Action
(December 3, 2008) Santa Cruz, CA –‘Healthy farms, healthy people: organics in action’ is the theme of CCOF’s second annual educational conference to be held January 20-21, 2009 at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA. Experts from the organic sector will cover topics of interest highlighting the connections between the commitment of organic production methods to foster healthy soil, animals, crops and foods and the health and well-being of consumers and growing communities.
The conference kicks off with a half-day, afternoon session in which Jim Riddle of the University of Minnesota and former Chair of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will talk about the ‘Organic Big Picture’. Steve Bird of CCOF certified Celtic Gardens Organic Farm will then take participants back down to earth with a presentation on why soil health is crucial. Cindy Daly of CCOF certified CSU Chico Organic Dairy will pick-up the theme with a talk on the importance of healthy cows.
The afternoon will conclude with a presentation about connecting to your community by Shawn Harrison of CCOF certified Soil Born Farm, an urban agriculture project with numerous food access and education and outreach programs. The farm’s aim is to empower youth and adults to discover and participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment and grows a sustainable community.
Second day participants are offered a choice of sessions in both the morning and afternoon. Conventional farmers interested in transitioning to organic will want to attend the panel discussion on Farm Bill opportunities and funding programs available to help with the cost of transition as well as hear from Fred Thomas, CCOF Going Organic Project Manager, as he talks about how to complete an organic system plan (OSP), the first step towards organic certification. The alternate morning session will feature Gary Zimmer, Midwestern BioAg, who will discuss balancing minerals in the soil for optimal vegetable production.
In the afternoon, the choice is between a session on food safety that includes the perspectives of both the farm and the environment as well as a discussion on inspections of food processing facilities with a focus on sanitizers, or a session on pasture management for healthy livestock. Participants are sure to go home inspired by the value of organics in action.
Find out more.
Download a registration form.
About CCOF
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies, educates, advocates and promotes organic through:
- A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers.
- Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic products and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
- Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.
CCOF certifies more than 2,000 organic farmers, processors, handlers, retailers and private labelers in 29 states and five foreign countries and serves over 350 supporting members - consumers, suppliers, businesses and individuals - interested in supporting its work.
More information: About CCOF, CCOF History, CCOF Fact Sheets and Statistics .
CCOF Logos:
|
