Consolidation in Organic Agriculture - CCOF

health, environmental and economic impactsof GE crops and products in California.CCOF President Brian Leahy and CCOFrice grower Bryce Lundberg both gave testimonyto the shocked committee members,who were appalled at learning how prevalentGE products are in the American food supply,and how little Americans know aboutwhat they are eating.CCOF has long been an active memberin the statewide focus on genetic engineering,and has lent its name and resources toother organizations in collaborative effortsto inform consumers, farmers, and processorsabout agricultural biotechnology. Thegreatest impact on agbiotech in Californiacame from a coalition of sustainable agorganizations, of which CCOF was afounding member in the hands of staffmember Brian Sharpe. Formed in 2002,Californians for a GE-Free Agriculture(CGFA) includes CCOF friends CommunityAlliance with Family Farmers, EcologicalFarming Association, OrganicConsumers Association, Occidental Artsand Ecology Center, The Center for FoodSafety, Genetic Engineering Action Network,and Four Elements Farm.At present, California is nearly free of GEcrops, with the major exception of GE cottongrown in the Central Valley. In the nextfew years, however, the agbiotech industryhopes to commercialize a new generationof GE crops in the state, including: Bayer’sherbicide-tolerant rice; Ventria Bioscience’spharmaceutical rice (with human genes);and, Monsanto’s herbicide-tolerant strawberries,lettuce and rice. Bayer’s GE rice wasrecently approved by the federal governmentand could soon be grown in California. TheCGFA coalition has recognized the immediateand future threat to California agriculturethat is the new untested and virtually unregulatedagricultural biotechnology industry.To try to prevent these crops from forevertaking root in California, considering genepollution, the coalition seeks to educatefarmers as the first line of defense. The coalitionis largely successful in that it gives informationto farmers presented by their peersand other knowledgeable industry leaders.Farmers learn of the promises and the realitiesof GE crops, and the effects on theirfarm economy and the environment. Conventionalfarmers are responding positivelyto the coalition’s message, but for CCOF,CGFA, and all of California agriculture, thisis just the beginning.HARVESTIn February 2004, CCOF will celebrate its30th Anniversary in Monterey on the CentralCoast of California—the same area thatwitnessed CCOF’s birth in 1973, and thatnurtured it back to health after its near-collapsetwo years later. It is astounding at timesto reflect on the long strange trip this organizationhas had over these last 30 years, fromits creation as a fringe movement to arespected worldwide player in the organicmovement. Started with the commitmentof 90 organic farmers and Rodale’s OrganicGardening & Farming magazine, CCOF surviveddecentralization with a handful offarmers who were dedicated to an organizationin which they saw great social and politicalpotential. With their hard work, CCOFquickly grew to help create the first organiclaw in the state of California. In the 1980s,news of human illness due to toxic syntheticpesticides helped propel organic even furtherinto the public eye. In response, with StateAssembly member Sam Farr’s help, CCOFhelped write the second organic law in California,the most comprehensive in the nationat the time. The 1990s saw a steady surge inorganic sales, further solidifying it as ahealthy and natural alternative to chemicalagriculture and overly processed foods. TheNational Organic Program appeared withagribusiness special interests included in thelaw—and the organic community found itscollective voice, forcing an awestruck federalgovernment to revise the law. Such a moveworried the agrichemical industry, and a PRcampaign was launched against organic—with little success. The final NationalOrganic Program was released in 2000 andimplemented in 2002, with a revised Californiaorganic law appearing in the followingyear. Forced to reorganize with the desire tokeep the long-held member control, CCOFwas successful in satisfying the new federallaw and maintaining its historical structure—inthe end, assuring organic supportersin California, the nation, and worldwideof its continued commitment to and protectionof this traditional farming system.Three organizations from one—CCOFInc, CCOF Certification Services LLC, andCCOF Foundation—started in 1973 toconduct organic certification with only 13standard points, and after 30 years still goingstrong in the face of challenges, modifications,and government regulation. It is thededication of the people that make upCCOF and the organic community as awhole that have made this possible. Certifiedand Supporting Members and staff, andthousands more like them, have helpedCCOF grow to become the politically andpublicly respected organic organization thatit is today.Thanks to Brandon Lee, Tammy Hansen,Ron Nielsen, and Sy Weisman for theirprevious writings on the history of CCOF.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000Third and final version of theFederal Rule is publishedin the Federal Register2001 ~ March 20NOP rule becomes law, startingan 18-month implementationperiod.2001 ~ October 17CCOF applies for accreditationwith the USDA. CCOF isaccredited in the first round ofaccredited organic certifiers onApril 29, 2002.2002 ~ October 21USDA Organic Seal is releasedfor use. Implementation periodends. All organic businesses inthe United States earning over$5000 in annual organic sales(excluding retailers) must nowbe certified by law.2003 & beyondCCOF remains committed toserving organic farmers,handlers, and consumers.Winter 2003–2004 Page 25