C a l i f o r n i a C e r t i f i e d O r g a n i c F a r m e r s

t h e n e w s l e t t e r o f

Volume XIX, Number 3 Creating a Living Standard for Healthy Food Fall 2002

$3.50

The Best of Agroecology

STEVE GLIESSMAN UC-Santa Cruz (page 6)

PROFILE: TWO DOG FARM

page 10

APPLES~FALL’S FRESH FLAVOR

page 12

VISIT CCOF’S NEW WEBSITE!page 18

ORGANIC COSMETICS

page 14

MIGUEL A. ALTIERI

UC-Berkeley (page 2)

gram. There are now three distinctCCOF entities: 1.California Certified Organic Farmers

(CCOF) Inc. 2.CCOF Foundation3.CCOF Certification Services LLC.

The function of California CertifiedOrganic Farmers, Inc. will be to act as aclassic trade association with an emphasis

on advocacy for govern-mental policies that pro-tect and encourageorganic agriculture. Astrong, effective voiceadvocating for a healthyfarm economy based onbiological agriculturemust develop if agricul-ture is to survive eco-nomically in the quicklychanging world of foodpolitics. There is a verydefinite push by theWTO and internationalbanks to have poornations earn hard cur-rency by feeding richnations. At my localfood store, I just pur-

chased dried apricots from CCOF mem-ber Big Tree Organic Farms that weretwice the cost of the organic Turkish apri-cots in the adjacent bin. Without govern-ment polices that encourage and fosterlocal agriculture, how will farmers survivethe competition from China, Chile, orAfrica? CCOF needs to become the vehi-cle to change agriculture policy in theUnited States. As organic agriculturegrows, the premiums received will dwin-dle even more than they already have. Wewill never see a free market in food, butwe will see the federal government spendbillions of dollars on agricultural sup-ports. Some European nations are alreadyplacing a value on the environmentaleffects of organic agriculture and payingfarmers for their contributions to theenvironment instead of paying them toflood an already flooded market. Tobecome the dominant force in agricul-ture, CCOF must lead the way in effec-tive political action.

of paid staff issuing a federal license onbehalf of USDA.

CCOF has recently formed a new entityto respond effectively to the interventionof USDA into organic agriculture. As ofOctober 21, 2002, any farmer or handlerwith greater than $5,000 in sales whouses the term organic must be certified bya USDA accredited organic certifier using organic standards writtenby USDA. One of therequirements of USDA’sNational Organic Programis that no certificationagent may have on itsBoard any member who isalso certified by that samecertification agent. CCOF’sfirst attempt to meet theconflict of interest require-ment was rejected byUSDA, and CCOF wastold to separate the Boardfrom certification or bedenied USDA accredita-tion. The new entity iscalled CCOF CertificationServices LLC. It is a lim-ited liability companywholly owned by CCOF.

The certification LLC will conductorganic certification. A managementcommittee appointed by the CCOFBoard will govern it. All profits from thecertification LLC will flow to CCOF. Thecertification LLC will pay CCOF for theuse of the CCOF seal, and if you are cer-tified by CCOF you will be able to usethe CCOF seal. This new organizationwill meet USDA requirements and willallow certification to focus on the newcomplexities of certification. It shouldstrengthen the CCOF certification pro-

A GROWING

LEADER AT

30 YEARS

OLD

By Brian Leahy, CCOF President

ITHIN THE SPAN OF A LIFETIME

agriculture went from a biological-based, wealth generating activity at

the center of society to an economic bas-ket case at the margins of society, reliantupon toxic chemistry and off-farm inputs.CCOF was formed to return agricultureto an organic, biological system that fairlyrewards producers and values the culturewithin agriculture. CCOF was also formedto address another radical change thatconcurrently took place—the consumer’schanging relationship to food. Consumerswent from eating primarily locally pro-duced food, eaten in season, and preparedat home to eating highly processed food,prepared and eaten away from home,rarely produced locally or eaten in season.There have been many changes withinorganic agriculture and within CCOFitself during the thirty years of CCOF’sexistence. Organic agriculture has gonefrom being viewed as a fringe movementto a regulated industry under the controlof the United States Department of Agri-culture (USDA). And CCOF has gonefrom being a loosely connected collectionof volunteers to a centralized organization

PRESIDENT’SCORNER

A strong, effective voice

advocating for a healthy

farm economy based on

biological agriculture must

develop if agriculture

is to survive economically

in the quickly changing

world of food politics.

OUR PURPOSE

CCOF’s purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in California and elsewhere through:• A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers,

and retailers.• Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product

and to expand public support for organic agriculture.• Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.

30 Years continues page 26

TABLE OF CONTENTSFEATURE ARTICLE, Agroecology: Principles and Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

AGROECOLOGY, Making the Conversion to Sustainable Agroecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

PROFILE, Two Dog Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FOCUS ON FOOD, Apples~Fall’s Fresh Flavor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

YOUR BODY, Organic Cosmetics and You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

AGRICULTURE & EDUCATION, Organic Agriculture Taking Root at Cal Poly, SLO . . . . . 16

WORLD WIDE WEB, Organic Integrity Online~The New CCOF Website . . . . . . . . . . . 18

NEWS BRIEFS, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Other News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

THE GE REPORT, News from the Genetic Engineering Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

ASK AMIGO, The Ever Present Gopher Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

CERTIFICATION CORNER, International Trade and The National Organic Program . …. . . . . 30

MATERIALS, Acronym Update: CCOF, USDA/NOP, NOSB & OMRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

ADDITIONS TO THE OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

CCOF CERTIFIED OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

BUSINESS RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS

1115 MISSION STREET • SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060831-423-2263 • 831-423-4528 (FAX) • 888-423-2263 (TOLL FREE)General e-mail inquiries: ccof@ccof.org • Website: www.ccof.org

NEWSLETTER PRODUCTIONEditor-in-Chief: Helge Hellberg, helge@ccof.org Editor: Keith L. Proctor, keith@ccof.orgGraphic Design: Marianne Wyllie, mwyllie@cruzio.comPrinted at Community Printers, Santa Cruz, CA

The Newsletter of CCOF is printed using linseed oil-based inks on 100% recycled/50% post-consumer waste paper.Processed chlorine-free. New Leaf Paper, 1-888-989-5323.

Newsletter reprints available with prior consent and source identification. CCOF does not endorse advertisersnor guarantees their products are OMRI approved / CCOF accepted.

Conservation is ethically sound. It is rooted

in our love of the land, our respect

for the rights of others, our devotion to the rule of law.

~Lyndon Baines Johnson

ECO-AUDITEnvironmental Benefits of Using Recycled Paper

The Newsletter of CCOF is printed on New Leaf Reincarnation 80# matte paper, 100%recycled, made with 50% post-consumer waste, and bleached without the use of chlorineor chlorine compounds, resulting in measurable environmental benefits.1 New Leaf Paperhas provided CCOF with the following report of the annual environmental savings:

12 Trees 1,220 Gallons of water1,109 Pounds of solid waste 3 Cubic yards of landfill space1,591 Kilowatt hours of electricity (2.0 months of electric use in an average U.S. home)2,016 Pounds of greenhouse gases (1,632 miles equivalent driving the average American car)9 Pounds of HAPs, VOCs, and AOX combined

1Environmental benefits are calculated based on research done by the Environmental Defense Fund and the othermembers of the Paper Task Force who studied the environmental impacts of the paper industry. Contact theEDF for a copy of their report and the latest updates on their data. Trees saved calculation based on trees with a10" diameter. Actual diameter of trees cut for pulp range from 6" up to very large, old growth trees. Homeenergy use equivalent provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Francisco. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs),Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Absorbable Organic Compounds (AOX). Landfill space saved basedon American Paper Institute, Inc. publication, Paper Recycling and its Role in Solid Waste Management.

Submissions to the Newsletter of CCOFLetters to the editor are gladly accepted, providedthe letter is succinct and remains on topic. Lettersmust include complete contact information,including daytime telephone number, and mustbe signed. Letters are subject to editing and willnot be returned. Submitting a letter to the editordoes not guarantee printing.

For information about submitting articles toThe Newsletter of CCOF, or to discuss article ideas,please contact Keith Proctor toll free at 1-888-423-2263, ext. 12, or e-mail to keith@ccof.org

Classified Line Advertisement Policy & RateClassified line ads cost $10 per line. Seven wordsequal one line. There is a three-line minimum.Payment for line ads is required in advance. Line ads are free for CCOF Certified clients. Classified line ads will be posted on our websitefor three months at no additional cost(www.ccof.org/classifieds.html).

To place a classified advertisement, contact Keith Proctor at 831-423-2263, ext. 12, fax 831-423-4528, or keith@ccof.orgAdvertisements submitted via e-mail are greatlyappreciated.

To place a display advertisement, please contactHelge Hellberg, Marketing and CommunicationsDirector, at ext. 21 or helge@ccof.org to inquireabout rates or for more information.

DistributionThe Newsletter of CCOF, with a circulation of 10,000, is distributed quarterly to certifiedclients and supporting members and consumers in California and around the United States. It isalso mailed to supporting members in Australia,Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.

N e w C C O F S u p p o r t i n g M e m b e rThank you to JOHN R. SINGLETON who recentlybecame a Sustaining Supporting Member ofCCOF. Your donation and those of others thatwe receive every day will help us to continueour educational efforts to expand publicawareness of and demand for certifiedorganic product, and to help promote govern-mental policies that encourage and protectorganic agriculture.

Cover photos: CCOF Archives, Steve Gliessman,and Robert Holmgren

AGROECOLOGYPRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIES

FOR DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE

FARMING SYSTEMS

By Miguel A. AltieriUniversity of California, Berkeley

THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE

agriculture is a relatively recentresponse to the decline in the qual-

ity of the natural resource base associatedwith modern agriculture (McIsaac andEdwards 1994). Today, the question ofagricultural production has evolved from a purely technical one to a more complexquestion characterized by social, cultural,political, and economic dimensions. Theconcept of sustainability, although contro-versial and diffuse due to existing conflict-ing definitions and interpretations of itsmeaning, is useful because it captures a setof concerns about agriculture which is con-ceived as the result of the co-evolution ofsocioeconomic and natural systems (Reijntjeset al. 1992). A wider understanding of theagricultural context requires the studybetween agriculture, the global environ-ment and social systems given that agri-cultural development results from thecomplex interaction of a multitude of fac-tors. It is through this deeper understand-ing of the ecology of agricultural systemsthat doors will open to new managementoptions more in tune with the objectives of a truly sustainable agriculture.

The sustainability concept has promptedmuch discussion and has promoted the

need to propose major adjustments in con-ventional agriculture to make it more envi-ronmentally, socially and economicallyviable and compatible. Several possiblesolutions to the environmental problemscreated by capital and technology intensivefarming systems have been proposed andresearch is currently in progress to evaluatealternative systems (Gliessman 1998). Themain focus lies on the reduction or elimi-nation of agrochemical inputs throughchanges in management to assure adequateplant nutrition and plant protectionthrough organic nutrient sources and inte-grated pest management, respectively.

Although hundreds of more environmen-tally prone research projects and techno-logical development attempts have takenplace, and many lessons have been learned,the thrust is still highly technological,emphasizing the suppression of limitingfactors or the symptoms that mask an illproducing agroecosystem. The prevalentphilosophy is that pests, nutrient deficien-cies or other factors are the cause of lowproductivity, as opposed to the view thatpests or nutrients only become limiting ifconditions in the agroecosystem are not inequilibrium (Carrol et al. 1990). For thisreason, there still prevails a narrow viewthat specific causes affect productivity, andovercoming the limiting factor via newtechnologies, continues to be the maingoal. This view has diverted agriculturistsfrom realizing that limiting factors onlyrepresent symptoms of a more systemic disease inherent to unbalances within theagroecosystem and from an appreciation of the context and complexity of agroeco-logical processes thus underestimating theroot causes of agricultural limitations(Altieri et al. 1993).

On the other hand, the science of agroecol-ogy, which is defined as the application ofecological concepts and principles to thedesign and management of sustainableagroecosystems, provides a framework toassess the complexity of agroecosystems(Altieri 1995). The idea of agroecology isto go beyond the use of alternative prac-tices and to develop agroecosystems withthe minimal dependence on high agro-

chemical and energy inputs, emphasizingcomplex agricultural systems in which eco-logical interactions and synergisms betweenbiological components provide the mecha-nisms for the systems to sponsor their ownsoil fertility, productivity, and crop protec-tion (Altieri and Rosset 1995).

PRINCIPLES OF AGROECOLOGY

In the search to reinstate more ecologicalrationale into agricultural production, sci-entists and developers have disregarded akey point in the development of a moreself-sufficient and sustaining agriculture: a deep understanding of the nature of agro-ecosystems and the principles by whichthey function. Given this limitation, agro-ecology has emerged as the discipline thatprovides the basic ecological principles forhow to study, design and manage agroe-cosystems that are both productive andnatural resource conserving, and that arealso culturally sensitive, socially just andeconomically viable (Altieri 1995).

Agroecology goes beyond a one-dimensionalview of agroecosystems—their genetics,agronomy, edaphology, and so on—toembrace an understanding of ecologicaland social levels of co-evolution, structureand function. Instead of focusing on oneparticular component of the agroecosys-tem, agroecology emphasizes the interrelat-edness of all agroecosystem componentsand the complex dynamics of ecologicalprocesses (Vandermeer 1995).

Agroecosystems are communities of plantsand animals interacting with their physicaland chemical environments that have beenmodified by people to produce food, fiber,fuel and other products for human con-sumption and processing. Agroecology isthe holistic study of agroecosystems,including all environmental and humanelements. It focuses on the form, dynamics,and functions of their interrelationshipsand the processes in which they areinvolved. An area used for agricultural pro-duction, e.g. a field, is seen as a complexsystem in which ecological processes foundunder natural conditions also occur, e.g.nutrient cycling, predator/prey inter-actions, competition, symbiosis, and suc-cessional changes. Implicit in

FEATUREARTICLE

Page 2 The Newsletter of CCOF

agroecological research is the idea that, byunderstanding these ecological relation-ships and processes, agroecosystems can bemanipulated to improve production and toproduce more sustainably, with fewer nega-tive environmental or social impacts andfewer external inputs (Altieri 1995).

The design of such systems is based on theapplication of the following ecologicalprinciples (Reijntjes et al. 1992) (see alsoTable 1):

1.Enhance recycling of biomass and opti-mizing nutrient availability and balanc-ing nutrient flow.

2.Securing favorable soil conditions forplant growth, particularly by managingorganic matter and enhancing soil lifeactivity.

3.Minimizing losses due to flows of solarradiation, air and water by way of micro-climate management, water harvestingand soil management through increasedsoil cover.

4.Species and genetic diversification of theagroecosystem in time and space.

5.Enhance beneficial biological interac-tions and synergisms among agrobio-diversity components thus resulting inthe promotion of key ecologicalprocesses and services.

These principles can be applied by way ofvarious techniques and strategies. Each ofthese will have different effects on produc-

tivity, stability, and resiliency within thefarm system, depending on the localopportunities, resource constraints and, inmost cases, on the market. The ultimategoal of agroecological design is to integratecomponents so that overall biological effi-ciency is improved, biodiversity is pre-served, and the agroecosystem productivityand its self-sustaining capacity is main-tained. The goal is to design a quilt ofagroecosystems within a landscape unit,each mimicking the structure and functionof natural ecosystems.

BIODIVERSIFICATION OF AGROECOSYSTEMS

From a management perspective, theagroecological objective is to provide a bal-anced environment, sustained yields, bio-logically mediated soil fertility and naturalpest regulation through the design of diver-sified agroecosystems and the use of low-input technologies (Gliessman 1998).Agroecologists are now recognizing thatintercropping, agroforestry, and otherdiversification methods mimic natural eco-logical processes, and that the sustainabilityof complex agroecosystems lies in the eco-logical models they follow. By designingfarming systems that mimic nature, opti-mal use can be made of sunlight, soil nutri-ents, and rainfall (Pretty 1994).

Agroecological management must leadmanagement to optimal recycling of nutri-ents and organic matter turnover, closedenergy flows, water and soil conservation

and balance pest-natural enemy popula-tions. The strategy exploits the comple-mentarities and synergisms that result fromthe various combinations of crops, tree,and animals in spatial and temporalarrangements (Altieri 1994).

In essence, the optimal behavior of agroe-cosystems depends on the level of interac-tions between the various biotic (living)and abiotic (non-living) components. Byassembling a functional biodiversity it ispossible to initiate synergisms which subsi-dize agroecosystem processes by providingecological services such as the activation ofsoil biology, the recycling of nutrients, theenhancement of beneficial arthropods andantagonists, and so on (Altieri and Nicholls1999). Today there is a diverse selection ofpractices and technologies available, whichvary in effectiveness as well as in strategicvalue. Key practices are those of a preventa-tive nature and which act by reinforcingthe “immunity” of the agroecosystemthrough a series of mechanisms (Table 2).

Various strategies to restore agriculturaldiversity in time and space include croprotations, cover crops, intercropping,crop/livestock mixtures, and so on, whichexhibit the following ecological features:

1.Crop Rotations. Temporal diversityincorporated into cropping systems, pro-viding crop nutrients and breaking thelife cycles of several insect pests, diseases,and weed life cycles (Sumner 1982).

Fall 2002 Page 3

Ta b l e 1 . E c o l o g i c a l p r o c e s s e s t o o p t i m i z e i n a g r o e c o s y s t e m s

• Strengthen the immune system (properfunctioning of natural pest control)

• Decrease toxicity through elimination ofagrochemicals

• Optimize metabolic function (organicmatter decomposition and nutrient cycling)

• Balance regulatory systems (nutrient cycles,water balance, energy flow, populationregulation, etc.)

• Enhance conservation and regeneration ofsoil-water resources and biodiversity

• Increase and sustain long-term productivity

Ta b l e 2 . M e c h a n i s m s t o i m p r o v e a g r o e c o s y s t e m i m m u n i t y

• Increase of plant species and geneticdiversity in time and space.

• Enhancement of functional biodiversity(natural enemies, antagonists, etc.)

• Enhancement of soil organic matter andbiological activity

• Increase of soil cover and crop competitiveability

• Elimination of toxic inputs and residues

The Newsletter of CCOF

2.Polycultures. Complex cropping systemsin which two or more crop species areplanted within sufficient spatial proxim-ity to result in competition or comple-mentation, thus enhancing yields(Francis 1986, Vandermeer 1989).

3.Agroforestry Systems. An agriculturalsystem where trees are grown togetherwith annual crops and/or animals, result-ing in enhanced complementary rela-tions between components increasingmultiple use of the agroecosystem (Nair1982).

4.Cover Crops. The use of pure or mixedstands of legumes or other annual plantspecies under fruit trees for the purposeof improving soil fertility, enhancing bio-logical control of pests, and modifyingthe orchard microclimate (Finch andSharp 1976).

5.Animal integration in agroecosystemsaids in achieving high biomass outputand optimal recycling (Pearson and Ison1987).

All of the above diversified forms of agroe-cosystems share in common the followingfeatures (Altieri and Rosset 1995):

a. Maintain vegetative cover as an effectivesoil and water conserving measure, metthrough the use of no-till practices,mulch farming, and use of cover cropsand other appropriate methods.

b.Provide a regular supply of organic mat-ter through the addition of organic mat-ter (manure, compost, and promotion ofsoil life activity).

c. Enhance nutrient recycling mechanismsthrough the use of livestock systemsbased on legumes, etc.

d.Promote pest regulation through enhancedactivity of biological control agentsachieved by introducing and/or conserv-ing natural enemies and antagonists.

Research on diversified cropping systemsunderscores the great importance of diver-sity in an agricultural setting (Francis 1986,Vandermeer 1989, Altieri 1995). Diversityis of value in agroecosystems for a varietyof reasons (Altieri 1994, Gliessman 1998):

• As diversity increases, so do opportuni-ties for coexistence and beneficial inter-actions between species that can enhanceagroecosystem sustainability.

• Greater diversity often allows betterresource-use efficiency in an agroecosys-tem. There is better system-level adapta-tion to habitat heterogeneity, leading tocomplementarities in crop species needs,diversification of niches, overlap ofspecies niches, and partitioning ofresources.

• Ecosystems in which plant species areintermingled possess an associated resis-tance to herbivores as in diverse systemsthere is a greater abundance and diversityof natural enemies of pest insects keepingin check the populations of individualherbivore species.

• A diverse crop assemblage can create adiversity of microclimates within thecropping system that can be occupied bya range of noncrop organisms—includ-ing beneficial predators, parasites, polli-nators, soil fauna and antagonists—thatare of importance for the entire system.

• Diversity in the agricultural landscapecan contribute to the conservation ofbiodiversity in surrounding naturalecosystems.

• Diversity in the soil performs a variety of ecological services such as nutrientrecycling and detoxification of noxiouschemicals and regulation of plantgrowth.

• Diversity reduces risk for farmers, espe-cially in marginal areas with more unpre-dictable environmental conditions. Ifone crop does not do well, income fromothers can compensate.

AGROECOLOGY AND THE DESIGN

OF SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS

Most people involved in the promotion of sustainable agriculture aim at creating a form of agriculture that maintains pro-ductivity in the long term by (Pretty 1994,Vandermeer 1995):

• optimizing the use of locally availableresources by combining the differentcomponents of the farm system, i.e.plants, animals, soil, water, climate andpeople, so that they complement eachother and have the greatest possible syn-ergetic effects;

• reducing the use of off-farm, externaland non-renewable inputs with thegreatest potential to damage the environ-ment or harm the health of farmers andconsumers, and a more targeted use ofthe remaining inputs used with a view tominimizing variable costs;

• relying mainly on resources within theagroecosystem by replacing externalinputs with nutrient cycling, better con-servation, and an expanded use of localresources;

• improving the match between croppingpatterns and the productive potentialand environmental constraints of climateand landscape to ensure long-term sus-tainability of current production levels;

• working to value and conserve biologicaldiversity, both in the wild and in domes-ticated landscapes, and making optimaluse of the biological and genetic poten-tial of plant and animal species; and

• taking full advantage of local knowledgeand practices, including innovativeapproaches not yet fully understood byscientists although widely adopted byfarmers.

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Agroecology provides the knowledge andmethodology necessary for developing anagriculture that is on the one hand envi-ronmentally sound and on the other handhighly productive, socially equitable andeconomically viable. Through the applica-tion of agroecological principles, the basicchallenge for sustainable agriculture tomake better use of internal resources can be easily met by minimizing the externalinputs used, and preferably by regeneratinginternal resources more effectively throughdiversification strategies that enhance syn-ergisms among key components of theagroecosystem.

The ultimate goal of agroecological designis to integrate components so that overallbiological efficiency is improved, biodiver-sity is preserved, and the agroecosystemproductivity and its self-regulating capacityis maintained. The goal is to design anagroecosystem that mimics the structureand function of local natural ecosystems;that is, a system with high species diversityand a biologically active soil, one that pro-motes natural pest control, nutrient recy-cling and high soil cover to preventresource losses.

CONCLUSION

Agroecology provides guidelines to developdiversified agroecosystems that take advan-tage of the effects of the integration of plantand animal biodiversity such integrationenhances complex interactions and syner-gisms and optimizes ecosystem functionsand processes, such as biotic regulation ofharmful organisms, nutrient recycling, andbiomass production and accumulation, thusallowing agroecosystems to sponsor theirown functioning. The end result of agroeco-logical design is improved economic andecological sustainability of the agroecosys-tem, with the proposed management systemsspecifically in tune with the local resourcebase and operational framework of existingenvironmental and socioeconomic condi-tions. In an agroecological strategy, manage-ment components are directed to highlightthe conservation and enhancement of localagricultural resources (germplasm, soil, bene-ficial fauna, plant biodiversity, etc.) byemphasizing a development methodologythat encourages farmer participation, use oftraditional knowledge, and adaptation offarm enterprises that fit local needs andsocioeconomic and biophysical conditions.

MIGUEL A. ALTIERI is an associate professorof agroecology at the Department of Envi-ronmental Science, Policy and Management,University of California, Berkeley.

He has published many papers and severalbooks dealing with such topics as worldhunger, agricultural biotechnology, pestmanagement, sustainable agriculture, andchemical inputs into the agroecosystem, allfrom an agroecological point of view. Born inSantiago, Chile, he studied agronomy at theUniversity of Chile, gained a master’s degreein poly-culture from the National Universityof Colombia, then moved on to studyentomology at the University of Floridawhere he earned his doctorate. In 1980 hefilled the vacated position of professor ofentomology at University of CaliforniaBerkeley where he has continued to researchand support the practices of sustainableagriculture while coordinating the UnitedNations Development Program’s SustainableAgriculture Networking and ExtensionProgram (SANE). His expertise in sus-tainable agriculture is respected around theworld. He has been called upon to advisePrince Charles and the Pope.

Reference list for this article available at www.ccof.org/newsletter/extras/agreferences-ma.pdf

MAKING THE

CONVERSION TO

SUSTAINABLE

AGROECOSYSTEMSGETTING FROM HERE TO THERE

WITH AGROECOLOGY

By Stephen R. GliessmanAlfred Heller Professor of AgroecologyUniversity of California, Santa Cruz

FA R M E R S H AV E A LWAY S H A D A

reputation for being innovators andexperimenters, willingly adopting

new practices when they perceive that somebenefit will be gained. This has been espe-cially true in organic agriculture, whereover the past 20 years creative farmers havemade bold moves into a manner of farmingthat challenges conventional wisdom onhow agriculture should be done, as well aswhat kind of agricultural products con-sumers are willing to buy. Remarkableincreases in area devoted to organic agricul-ture have been observed during the pastdecade (USDA 2000). In California alone,growth in average annual organic sales was15% while acreage growth was estimated at10% per year between 1992 and 1998(Klonsky et al. 2001). Continued growth is

predicted in organic acreage and markets(Sweezey and Broome 2000).

But as this transition occurs, we areconstantly faced with the question of howsustainable these new agricultural systemsreally are. When we examine farming sys-tems as ecological systems (more broadlyknown as agroecosystems), and use thescience of agroecology for their design and management, we begin to realize that farmers and researchers must worktogether very closely to ensure that thesenew agroecosystems are not just tradingone set of problems for others. Defined asthe application of ecological concepts andprinciples to the design and managementof sustainable agroecosystems (Gliessman1998), agroecology offers a set of guidingprinciples for making sure that sustain-ability is part of our framework while wemake the conversion to organic produc-tion. We are not satisfied with an approachthat merely substitutes conventionalinputs and practices with organicallyacceptable alternatives. We are not satis-fied with an approach that is determinedprimarily by market demands and doesnot include the economic and socialhealth of the agricultural communities inwhich food is produced. And we are notsatisfied with an approach that does notensure food security for all consumers inall parts of the world. A much broader setof tools must be developed to evaluate theconversion process. Agroecology providesthe ecological foundations for such anevaluation.

PRINCIPLES GUIDING

THE CONVERSION PROCESS

The conversion process can be complex,requiring changes in field practices, day-to-day management of the farming operation,planning, marketing, and even philosophy.The following principles can serve as gen-eral guidelines for navigating the overalltransformation (Gliessman 1998):• Shift from throughflow nutrient man-

agement to recycling of nutrients, withincreased dependence on naturalprocesses such as biological nitrogefixation and mycorrhizal relationships.

• Use renewable sources of energy insteadof non-renewable sources.

• Eliminate the use of non-renewable off-farm human inputs that have the poten-tial to harm the environment or thehealth of farmers, farm workers, or consumers.

• When materials must be added to thesystem, use naturally-occurring materialsinstead of synthetic, manufacturedinputs.

• Manage pests, diseases, and weedsinstead of “controlling” them.

• Reestablish the biological relationshipsthat can occur naturally on the farminstead of reducing and simplifying them.

• Make more appropriate matches betweencropping patterns and the productivepotential and physical limitations of thefarm landscape.

• Use a strategy of adapting the biologicaland genetic potential of agriculturalplant and animal species to the ecologicalconditions of the farm rather than modi-fying the farm to meet the needs of thecrops and animals.

• Value most highly the overall health of theagroecosystem rather than the outcome ofa particular crop system or season.

• Emphasize conservation of soil, water,energy, and biological resources.

• Incorporate the idea of long-term sus-tainability into overall agroecosystemdesign and management.

The integration of these principles creates asynergism of interactions and relationshipson the farm that eventually leads to thedevelopment of the properties of sustain-able agroecosystems. Emphasis on particu-lar principles will vary, but all of them cancontribute greatly to the conversion process.

For many farmers, rapid conversion toorganic farming is neither possible norpractical. Regulations require a three-yeartransition period, but for the re-establish-ment of many ecological processes andrelationships, this even may not be enough.As a result, many conversion efforts pro-ceed in slower steps toward the ultimategoal of sustainability, and meanwhile makethe minimal changes necessary to meetorganic standards. Studies on the conver-sion process are still very limited (for exam-ples see Sweezey et al. 1994, 1999, Hendricks1995, Gliessman et al. 1996). They tell us

Page 6 The Newsletter of CCOF

AGROECOLOGY

Conversion Study. Site of a multiple-year comparison of strawberries grown conventionally and plotsundergoing conversion to organic at Swanton BerryFarms on the north coast of Santa Cruz County, CA (see Gliessman et al. 1996).

that there is a lot of research that still needsto be done to improve yields and pest man-agement, as well as improve the indicatorsof sustainability. Current research effortspoint out three distinct levels of conver-sion. These levels help us describe the stepsthat farmers actually take in convertingfrom conventional agroecosystems, andthey can serve as a map outlining a step-wise, evolutionary conversion processorganic systems should take in order toachieve sustainability. They are also helpfulfor categorizing agricultural research as itrelates to conversion.

Level 1: Increase the efficiency of conven-tional practices in order to reduce the use andconsumption of costly, scarce, or environmen-tally damaging inputs.

This approach is what we might call the “pre-organic.” Its goal is to use conven-tional inputs more efficiently so that fewerinputs will be needed and the negativeimpacts of their use will be reduced as well. This approach has been the primaryemphasis of much conventional agricul-tural research, through which numerous

agricultural technologies and practices havebeen developed. Examples include optimalcrop spacing and density, improvedmachinery, pest monitoring for improvedpesticide application, improved timing ofoperations, and precision farming for opti-mal fertilizer and water placement.Although these kinds of efforts reduce thenegative impacts of conventional agricul-ture, they do not help break its dependenceon external human inputs, and do notqualify for organic certification.

Level 2: Substitute conventional inputs andpractices with organic practices.

We might call this approach the “com-mercial organic.” The goal at this level ofconversion is to replace resource-intensiveand environment-degrading products andpractices with those that are more environ-mentally benign. Most organic farmingresearch has emphasized such an approach.Examples of alternative practices includethe use of nitrogen-fixing cover crops androtations to replace synthetic nitrogen fertil-izers, the use of biological control agentsrather than pesticides, and the shift to

reduced or minimal tillage. At this level, thebasic agroecosystem structure is not greatlyaltered; hence many of the same problemsthat occur in conventional systems alsooccur in those with input substitution.

Level 3: Redesign the agroecosystem so that it functions on the basis of a new set of eco-logical processes.

We might call this level the “sustainableorganic.” At this level, overall systemdesign eliminates the root causes of manyof the problems that still exist at Levels 1and 2. Thus rather than finding sounderways of solving problems, the problems areprevented from arising in the first place.Whole-system conversion studies allow foran understanding of yield-limiting factorsin the context of agroecosystem structureand function. Problems are recognized, and thereby prevented, by internal site-and time-specific design and managementapproaches, instead of by the application ofexternal inputs. An example is the diversifi-cation of farm structure and managementthrough the use of rotations, multiple crop-ping, and agroforestry.

In terms of research, agronomists andother agricultural researchers have done agood job of transitioning from Level 1 toLevel 2, but the transition to Level 3 hasreally only just begun. Agroecology pro-vides the basis for this type of research.And eventually it will help us find answersto larger, more abstract questions, such aswhat sustainability is and how we willknow we have achieved it.

ON FARM CONVERSIONS

As farmers undertake to convert their farmsto organic management, it becomes impor-tant to develop systems for evaluating anddocumenting the success of these effortsand the changes they engender in the func-tioning of the agroecosystem. Such evalua-tion systems will help convince a largersegment of the agricultural communitythat conversion to sustainable organic prac-tices is possible and economically feasible.

The study of the process of conversionbegins with identifying a study site. Thisshould be a functioning, on-farm, com-mercial crop production unit whose owner-operator wishes to convert to organicmanagement and wants to participate inthe design and management of the farmsystem during the conversion process(Sweezey, et al. 1994; Gliessman, et al.1996). Such a “farmer-first” approach isconsidered essential in the search for viablefarming practices that eventually have thebest chance of being adopted by otherfarmers.

The amount of time needed to completethe conversion process depends greatly onthe type of crop or crops being farmed, thelocal ecological conditions where the farmis located, and the prior history of manage-ment and input use. For short-term annualcrops, the time frame might be as short asthree years, and for perennial crops andanimal systems, the time period is probablyat least five years or longer.

Study of the conversion process involvesseveral levels of data collection and analysis:1.Examine the changes in ecological fac-

tors and processes over time throughmonitoring and sampling.

2.Observe how yields change with chang-ing practices, inputs, designs, and man-agement.

3.Understand the changes in energy use,labor, and profitability that accompanythe above changes.

4.Based on accumulated observations,identify key indicators of sustainabilityand continue to monitor them well intothe future.

5. Identify indicators that are “farmer-friendly” and can be adapted to on-farm,farmer-based monitoring programs, butthat are linked to our understanding ofecological sustainability.

Each season, research results, site-specificecological factors, farmer skill and knowl-edge, and new techniques and practices canall be examined to determine if any modifi-cations in management practices need to bemade to overcome any identified yield-lim-iting factors. Ecological components of thesustainability of the system become identi-fiable at this time, and eventually can becombined with an analysis of economicand social sustainability as well.

THINKING AHEAD

Converting an agroecosystem to organicmanagement, as well as to sustainability, isa complex process. It is not just the adop-tion of a new practice or a new technology.There are no silver bullets. Instead it usesthe agroecological approach describedabove. The farm is perceived as part of alarger system of interacting parts—anagroecosystem. We must focus on redesign-ing that system in order to promote thefunctioning of an entire range of differentecological processes (Gliessman 1998,2001). As the use of synthetic chemicalinputs is reduced and eliminated, and recy-cling is reemphasized, agroecosystem struc-ture and function change as well. A rangeof processes and relationships begin totransform, beginning with aspects of basicsoil structure, organic matter content, anddiversity and activity of soil biota. Majorchanges begin to occur in the activity ofand relationships among weed, insect, andpathogen populations, and in the function-ing of natural control mechanisms. Ulti-mately, nutrient dynamics and cycling,energy use efficiency, and overall agro-ecosystem productivity are affected.Changes may be required in day-to-daymanagement of the farm, planning, mar-

keting, and even philosophy. The specificneeds of each agroecosystem will vary, butthe principles for conversion can serve asgeneral guidelines for working our waythrough the transition. It is the role of theagroecologist to work with the farmer tomeasure and monitor these changes duringthe conversion period in order to guide,adjust, and evaluate the conversion process.Such an approach provides an essentialframework for determining the require-ments for and indicators of sustainability.

Reference list for this article available atwww.ccof.org/newsletter/extras/agreferences-sg.pdf

After earninghis doctoratein plant ecol-ogy at UCSanta Bar-bara, STEVE

GLIESSMAN

spent nineyears in LatinAmericawhere hefarmed coffeeand vegetablesin Costa Rica,ran a nursery inGuadalajara,Mexico, andtaught and didresearch at a small college of tropical agricul-ture in Tabasco, Mexico. He was foundingdirector of the Agroecology Program andteaches in Environmental Studies at UCSanta Cruz. Presently he occupies the HellerEndowed Chair of Agroecology at UCSC and has been a Kellogg Fellow. Gliessman has published extensively on traditional agri-culture in Mexico, agroecology, and sustain-able agriculture. His textbook Agroecology: Ecological Processes in Sustainable Agriculture, now appears in four languages.He leads short courses and training seminarsin agroecology in many parts of the world. He also farms organic wine grapes and oliveswith his wife at their family ranch in CentralCalifornia. Gliessman can be reached atgliess@zzyx.ucsc.edu or visit www.agroecology.org

Page 8 The Newsletter of CCOFThe Newsletter of CCOF

Steve Gliessman harvestingorganically produced shirazgrapes at the family ranch inthe Cuyama Valley of SantaBarbara County, CA. Thetraditional head-pruned styleis being combined with dry-farmed techniques to producea unique quality of grape.

TWO DOG FARM

By Ann Baier, CCOF Organic Inspector

IN AUGUST, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY

to inspect Two Dog Farm, a CentralCoast Chapter farm

located near Davenport, justnorth of Santa Cruz. Often atthis time of year and day, astiff cold wind and fog blowalong this stretch of coast. I recall my first season ofinspecting, shivering throughan inspection near here at theend of July. But today, I sat withNibby Bartle in their field of dry-farmed tomatoes on a plateau justsouth of the town of Davenport. Papersrustled only gently in the breeze as Ireviewed her Organic System Plan andinput records for the year. I looked upoccasionally to gaze out across the bluePacific Ocean.

This parcel is one of two leased parcels thatmake up Two Dog Farm. There are nobuffer concerns here! The land drops offsteeply on three sides, and on the fourth,no one is farming. No irrigation water isavailable. Is the lack of water a deterrent?Hardly. Nibby draws on 17 years of farm-ing experience. Together with her husband

and farming partner Mark, they havelearned to grow successfully in this envi-ronment. I imagine there has been a gooddeal of wisdom shared among other innov-ative CCOF certified organic farmersgrowing in this area.

There is clear evidence that Nibby andMark have learned to work with the forcesof nature. The tomato plants are darkgreen, vigorous, and loaded with fruit.They know when to plant and how tocultivate. Well acquainted with the wonder-ful flavor of dry-farmed tomatoes, they

know that good tomatoes fetch aprice worthy of their

quality at the Heartof the City Farmers’

Market. Twice a weekMark makes the trek upHighway 1 and into San

Francisco to sell theirproduce—vegetables

and flowers—to appre-ciative city-dwellers on

Wednesdays and Sundays.Their marketing strategy consists of thesetwo markets, and direct to retail sales atSanta Cruz’s array of natural food stores.Nibby described the tomatoes as the cropthat will pay for orthodontia and college.The vegetables and flowers provide for thedaily needs of their family. Nibby andMark have two children: Lily who is 3, and Miles who is now 8.

Paperwork complete, we proceeded north.We stopped briefly by the produce coolerwhich resides next to Swanton Berry Farm’sproduce stand where the south end ofSwanton Road meets Highway 1. I

recommend this stop to anyone travelinganywhere in the region. As is my habitwhen in the area, I went into the historicbuilding after our inspection was complete.I tasted the first and second year Chandlervariety berries, labeled as such at Swanton’ssampling table. Last time I came through,the sampling table had Seascape andChandler varieties. While the Seascapevariety is quite good when picked ripe—as they do—Chandlers still top the list. I confirmed my discerning taste recentlywhen I spoke with a Swanton Berry Farmemployee. In her obvious good taste, (andthe opportunity to know the very best), shesaid “Oh, I only eat Chandlers.” Is theresuch a thing as berry snob? So, I picked upa few baskets of the sweet, flavorful, smallersecond-year Chandler berries, and left mymoney in the basket. Honor system. It stillworks. Now, with that diversion, I willleave you with one emphatic recommen-dation for visiting Swanton Berry Farm’sstand: Buy more than two baskets.Otherwise, you won’t have any left by the time you get home!!

Two Dog’s other parcel is located next toWaddell Creek Beach and Marsh (part ofBig Basin State Park), behind a locked gatejust past the Nature Center. Going in tothis land made me smile at its beauty. Richdark bottomland and the most aestheticallypleasing planting arrangements. On theway we passed some fields that are part ofRoute 1 Farm (also CCOF certified),planted in gorgeous rows of different colorsof lettuces and other greens. All the plantswere neatly spaced on long beds that fol-lowed the contour of the gentle slope, allexpertly cultivated. Two Dog’s parcels are

Page 10 The Newsletter of CCOF

PROFILE

Fall 2002 Page 11

an absolutely gorgeous array of sunny sun-flowers, zinnias, snapdragons, lettuces andcabbages and several other varieties. Twohealthy smiling young guys said hello asthey finished putting in transplants andmoved sprinkler pipe into place. This acreand a half of rich soil receives the luxury of irrigation. However, the hillside portionadjacent to this field is planted in dryfarmed tomatoes, as well as dry farmedwinter squashes and pumpkins, all thrivingand setting fruit that will carry the farm’sharvest well into the fall.

Nibby walked through the trials of a dozenor more different tomatoes, at least half adozen squashes. I asked about their pestprevention and any materials used. Nibbydescribed their rotation and strategies thatkeep plants strong and help prevent disease.She said, “If you are looking at sprayingcopper, you’re already on your knees.”That’s one way of describing the circum-stances for use of a “regulated” material(which they have not had to do for a coupleyears now). Nibby’s comment demonstratesthe ecological systems-approach thinkingthat is behind the actions described inNOP section 205.206, that “the producermust use management practices to preventcrop pests, weeds, and diseases.” They arealso well aware of minimizing the risk oferosion. Nibby says that dry farming alongthis slope reduces that possibility. In thewinter, this ground will be protected by a soil-enriching cover crop.

Nibby’s quiet observations make it obviousthat she is not new to this profession.Another great part of the visit was hearingthe change in her tone of voice as she came

across the beginning flowering of a newvariety of sunflower she planted this year.Experience, knowledge of plants, weeds,diseases, insects, keen observation, skillfuluse of equipment, creative marketing, abil-ity to make a plan, and the capacity toadapt to the changing reality of circum-stances are all critical elements for farmingsuccessfully. Still, of the many things thatmotivate and enable people to farm, Ithink that taking delight in seeing thingsgrow is essential.

It’s not part of my inspection protocol, butI asked anyway. “So, is farming compatiblewith parenting?” Nibby said she doesn’tknow how she’d do it otherwise. “I dropLily off to play at that house” (she indicatesto the house up the hill just above theother dry farmed tomato field). The otherday, Nibby said, her daughter came out onthe deck at the house above.

“Hi Mommy!”

“Hi Lily!” she called back from the field,and continued her work.

I do hope that USDA’s Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS)’s new Con-servation Security Program comes throughfor farmers nationwide, so that all thosewho have been practicing good farm stew-ardship can be rewarded. I think that thereis great potential for the organic commu-nity can work closely with NRCS whenthat time comes. There is a striking com-monalities among the goals of naturalresources conservation, the requirements ofthe Conservation Plan required for NRCSprograms, and the Organic System Planrequired by the NOP for all certified oper-

ations (as outlined in NOP section205.201, together with nutrient manage-ment, erosion control requirementsdescribed in sections 205.203 (c), 205.203(d), 205.205, and 205.207).

No one can legislate attitude or belief. The NOP addresses only actions and use of materials related to organic farmingpractices. But I can say with certainty thatcharacter, belief, and attitude sure help. Ihave found that overwhelmingly, organicfarmers believe in their work and theirapproaches. They rely on their experience,develop awareness, and work with theactual nature of their environments. And in so doing, they will do much better thanthose who think they have to fight natureall the way.

I wish I could bring some of those folkswho have to sit in agency offices out to seethese farms. Any old notions that organicfarming is about unkempt weedy fields andbug-infested produce would crumble. Andthey would meet some innovative and ded-icated people who represent some of therich diversity of organic farming in thiscountry. For all the challenges and changesthat the National Organic Program brings,I like their basic definition of organic pro-duction: “A production system that ismanaged…to respond to site-specific con-ditions by integrating cultural, biological,and mechanical practices that foster cyclingof resources, promote ecological balance,and conserve biodiversity.” Two Dog Farmis one of several farms along this coast thatis both beautiful and a productive manifes-tation of an agriculture that is well adaptedto its environment.

Photos courtesy of Ann Baier

Page 12 The Newsletter of CCOF

Ap pl e sFALL’S FRESH FLAVOR

By Lisa M. Hamilton

HISTORY

Let’s start by clearing the record: the wholefall-of-the-Garden-of-Eden thing was notthe apple’s fault. For one, the Bible doesnot mention an apple specifically; it is pos-sible the fruit was not even known in theMiddle East when Genesis was written.That is not to say that apples are not asymbol of pleasure—even the earliest soci-eties recognized that fruit and honey arenature’s most tangible embodiments of joy.They planted orchards to harness the wildversions, and ever since, apples have beenassociated with love, luck, fertility, health,and wisdom. But blame the fruit for beingtantalizing? That is our fault—we are theones who made it taste so good.

The progenitor of today’s edible fruit,Malus X domestica, is thought to be one ora mix of the wild apples native to WesternAsia and Europe. While possible ancestorM. sieversii is sweet, the sour fruit of mostwild apples encouraged early farmers totame the trees for taste and beauty. As earlyas 5000 B.C., Chinese diplomat Feng Lihad to resign his position due to an obses-sion with grafting apple and other fruittrees. Alexander the Great moved some ofthe dwarfed varieties of Central Asia toGreece in 300 B.C., and by 79 A.D., Plinythe Elder described 20 varieties in his Natural History.

By 1903, there were 7,000 varieties ofapples growing in the United States. By1983, more than 6,000 of those wereextinct. Today, 10 kinds make up 90% ofU.S. production, and the centuries-oldorchards of the Northeast are declining as

California and Washington take over themarket. So what happened? The shortanswer is that the few varieties we know bestare uniform in size and color, and toughenough to store for months and ship aroundthe world. What has been sacrificed is taste.

Tim Bates of The Apple Farm in Philo,CA, grows nearly 80 varieties—no RedDelicious, he is proud to note, but plentyDuchess of Oldenburg, Ashmead Kernel,and Rhode Island Greening. He adds oneor two varieties each year, coaxed by storiesof perfect pies that someone’s grandmotherused to make from these special apples. Inits variety, his orchard is proof of how com-plex and specific apples are. Some ripenperfectly in the Andersen Valley’s hot sum-mers. Others, like his Westfield Seek-no-further trees, prefer cool Julys and soproduce a good crop maybe every fiveyears. While his friend in Sonoma grewCalleville Blanc D’hiver apples that tastedgreat, they came out mushy over themountains at Bates’ place. You never knowif a tree will work, he admits. But when itdoes, you realize what delicious really is.

GROWING

When you plant an apple seed in theground, the tree that arises will not neces-sarily be identical tothe one that borethe seed. However,you can decide atree’s identity bygrafting a branchfrom a desired vari-ety onto an existingrootstock — it hashappened since evenbefore old Feng Li.This simple tech-nology has enabledgrowers to tailor trees to an orchard’s microclimate. In turn,apples can now grow nearly anywhere, evenin places that might have seemed impossi-ble centuries ago.

Still, bound by basic genetic material, all apples maintain some elemental traits.They bloom late, which allows them togrow farther north than most fruits with-out danger of cold-temperature damage toblossoms and fruit. All require a modicumof winter in order to meet chilling require-

ments, the certain time spent below 45° Fduring which the tree rests. All rely on beesfor pollination and taste best when pickedat peak ripeness. But beyond that, it is amatter of variety—and opinion.

Take thinning. The idea is to eliminatesome percentage of the fruit to direct thetree’s energy into a crop that is well-sized andas sweet as possible. Even the largest orchardsthin, but most perfunctorily; others, such asBill Denevan of Happy Valley, take extracare. “It’s like we’re creating a piece of art,”he says. “We go crazy.” He and his workersbegin in spring, thinning blossoms; follow-ing are a light thinning for the young fruit, a heavy-handed thinning mid-season, and a clean-up thinning that leaves only perfectFuji apples. He even prunes mid-season, “sothe sun shines all around the apples.” Mostgrowers would not bother, but Denevanswears it makes the difference between Fujisthat simply taste okay and, well, his.

Water is another variant. Denevan watershis Fujis in Watsonville only twice a season,for less water means less foliage, and thusmore energy to the fruit. With no irrigationin his orchard of Pippins and pears, he relieson rain. But then, his trees are older vari-eties with deep root systems planted in a

wet area. Plus, theyare planted on claysoil, which acts “likea reservoir.” By con-trast, orchards in theCentral Valley havesandy soil that actslike a sieve, andtheir dwarf trees(essential for inten-sive commercialplanting) have shal-low roots. For this,they need frequent

watering, especially in the hot summer months.

Fertilizing is a matter of choice. Somethink too much nitrogen encourages foliagegrowth to a fault, making for smaller fruitand disorders such as bitter pit. Others,including Tim Bates, swear by cover cropsand compost. Industrial-sized orchards haveno choice: their soils so depleted fromintense cultivation that the trees cannot survive without supplemental nutrients.

FOCUS ON FOOD

What plant we in this apple-tree? Sweets for a hundred flowery springs

To load the May-wind’s restless wings, When, from the orchard row, he pours Its fragrance through our open doors;

A world of blossoms for the bee, …We plant with the apple-tree.

~William Cullen Bryant The Planting of the Apple Tree

Fall 2002 Page 13

Along the same lines, larger orchardshave greater issues with diseases, damaginginsects, and weeds. Common large-scaleconventional practice includes fumigatingthe soil before planting to rid it of nema-todes and lingering diseases, spraying pesti-cides throughout the year to control insects,and laying down weeds with repeated herbi-cide applications (see below).

Small farms fall prey to the same prob-lems, but the methods of control, especiallyon organic farms, are quite different. Theycontrol weeds by mowing and cultivating.They plant cover crops to increase water fil-tration, reduce soil compaction, fertilize,and attract beneficial insects. Some evenbuild homes to attract owls, which eat therodents that damage young trees. They usebiological sprays and parasites to controlpests such as leafrollers and San Jose scale,and boost tree health naturally so they canfight insects on their own (or at least with-stand damage). There is even a county-widealarm system around Watsonville, a sort ofphone chain that alerts farmers to whencodling moths will likely mate so they canset traps. But that is a story unto itself.

CODLING MOTH

If you have ever been unfortunate enough todiscover a worm in your half-eaten apple,then you know what a codling moth is. Andif you are an apple or pear farmer, you havelikely laid awake at night, obsessing like Cap-tain Ahab about how to conquer the damnedthings. They would be harmless enough, tinymoths whose copper-rimmed wings span lessthan an inch—if only they did not repro-duce. But they do, up to three generations aseason, each round bringing larvae that borethrough developing fruit. Hosting a codlingmoth quickly renders fruit unmarketable, notjust for its unsightly holes but for the rot theypromote. Catch it early and the fruit can goto the cannery; too late, and it is pure loss.

Farmers who apply chemicals have obviousrecourse: spray the hell out of the apples—three to six times a year. But the codlingmoth has fooled them, developing resistanceto insecticides and demanding that farmers—organic and not—pay more attention.

Cultural practices provide some controlbut are labor-intensive. Fruit where pupaecan overwinter must be cleaned up andburied. Bark must be covered in burlap or

cardboard to prevent gestation within.During the season, some farmers take thetime to inspect for codling moths whilethinning, then cull the fruits and destroythem. But because one moth can lay up to40 eggs, and the cycle can repeat itself threetimes a season, it takes a real commitment.Some choose to have the parasitoid Tri-chogramma platneri do the work for them,preying as it does on codling moth larvae,but even huge doses of them—200,000per acre per week for three months—usually cannot control the moth alone.

The most effective control is that whichstarts at the source. Codling moth copula-tion happens when the male tracks downthe female by her pheromone, a scent likean airborne path leading to her fecundbody. When mating begins, farmers canconfuse the sorry males by releasing a cloudof like pheromones (one puff equal to thescent of seven to 10 million moths), render-ing the real female’s trail just one anony-mous enticement in a sea of perfume.

Between culling, pruning, andpheromone release, Bill Denevan hasreduced his codling moth damage from acrippling 20% a decade ago to 1% today.Because scab is Tim Bates’ main peril, herelies on pheromones alone to control hiscodling moth population, and reports 6–9%damage. And even that is not a total loss.When the fruit has been hurt but not theflavor, the apples simply go toward value-added products without cosmetic demands.In a northern version of the old lemons-to-

lemonade adage, when life gives him codlingmoths, he makes apple cider vinegar.

NUTRITION

Yes, an apple a day will keep the doctorsaway, but not for the obvious reasons.Apples are not nutritional powerhouses,though they do contain small amounts ofminerals such as potassium, magnesium,and calcium and Vitamins A, C, and B-complex. (Unfortunately, these are easilylost; Vitamin C in cooking, and VitaminA in drying.) The fruit’s real benefit is itshigh content of pectin, a fiber used tocoagulate jam. That gel-forming propertybenefits the gastrointestinal tract by bothimproving the muscle’s ability to propelwaste, and attaching to and guiding outtoxins, even mercury and lead. On top ofthat, pectin lowers cholesterol and pro-motes weight loss.

More of apples’ gifts to the digestive sys-tem include malic and tartaric acids, whichferment and inhibit disease-producing bac-teria in the intestines. Plus, the whole bodybenefits from the anti-cancer properties ofraw apples’ ellagic, chlorogenic and caffeicacids. It is true, though, that the seeds con-tain trace amounts of cyanide, and soshould not be eaten in quantity. Likewise,raw apples can be too good for you, causingdigestive trouble when eaten too many, toooften. So track down a perfect Fuji, or aCox’s Orange Pippin if you can find it, andwhile you savor its juicy flesh, thank Eve fortaking that first bite.

A s A m e r i c a n a s P e s t i c i d e R e s i d u e ?

MAYBE THOSE KIDS WHO GAVE THEIR TEACHERS APPLES WERE NOT SO SWEET AFTER ALL.Maybe they already knew what the Environmental Working Group found in its 1995 report:apples have more kinds of pesticides on them than any other fruit or vegetable—36, to be

precise. What’s more, the EPA identified eight of those as possible or probable human carcinogensand 15 as neurotoxic organophosphorous compounds. Not as rosy as we thought.

The USDA’s 1999 survey of 11 apple growing states found that insecticides were used on 97% ofthe acreage, fungicides from 80–99%. Chemicals are used to control several things, but the pri-mary targets are codling moths and apple scab spores. For codling moth, the chemicals of choiceare Azinphos-methyl and Chlorpyrifos. The former is being phased out for acute toxicity, meaning alikely increase in the use of Chlorpyrifos. Like all organophosphorous compounds, it inhibits thebody’s production of cholinesterase (an enzyme essential to the nervous system) and in turn cancause poisoning and death.

While the most common fungicides, sulfur and lime sulfur, are approved for organic use, a 1994study showed sulfur was responsible for the highest number of farmworker injuries in California.Used up to once a week or every time it rains (whichever is more often), and in great quantities,sulfur causes skin and eye poisonings in workers who encounter its potent residues. Of course, itremains preferable to the top non-approved fungicides—in California that would be Mancozeb, acarcinogen and developmental/reproductive toxin.

Page 14 The Newsletter of CCOF

OR G A N I C ”has moved beyond thefarm, beyond the food processor

and into the world of body care…howmuch do you care for your body?

Whenever I write an article I like toidentify my audience. In preparing this arti-cle for The Newsletter of CCOF , I realizedthat, even though many of the readers aregrowers and processors of organic products,all of us (hopefully) use soap, shampoo,lotions, and other body care products. So,while you may benefit from this emerginguse for organic agricultural ingredients as aproducer, you will also be affecting yourbody and health by the products you useevery day.

This article will look at what is happen-ing out there in the “organic view” of thepersonal care world—and what it meansfor the organic industry—growers, proces-sors, and consumers.

THE WORLD OF CONSUMER DEMAND

Americans assume that our governmentprotects us—sort of. We all know that theydropped atoms bombs on sheep and theirfarmers before WW2 and gave them can-cer; we know they let a major pharmaceuti-cal company damage people’s hearts withPhen-Phen…but for some reason mostpeople think that if they buy a product offthe shelf it should have some governmentalblessing of safety. After all, what does FDAget paid to do with our tax dollars?

What they are not paid to do is monitorhow much of any given organic ingredientis in a cosmetic. They are also not paid tomonitor what other questionable chemicalsare in that product. This means that, as of

today, body care products claiming to be“organic” can have a milliliter of an organicingredient in them and the rest be filledwith some of the most toxic ingredientsknown to man, woman, or child.

THE BIG BAD GOVERNMENT……is actually pretty good—considering…The National Organic Program office has

committed to address organic cos-metic claims—to state minimally

that if they say there are“organic” ingredients that theymust be from a certified agri-

cultural source. Score one forthe farmers—but, there are no

rules at the federal level, yet, about aminimum content required before thatclaim is made. One could put a hundredthof an ounce in and it would be a true“organic” statement. This is to be addressedby an NOSB sub-committee whosereported task it will be to assess issuesaffecting organic body care products andmake some recommendations for standardsto the NOP.

On the State of California side, AB 2823is moving through the legislature—it willset a minimum of 70% organic contentbefore an “organic” claim can be made,although the other potentially toxic ingre-dients can still go in the bottle.

WHAT DOES THIS DO FOR ORGANIC

GROWERS AND PROCESSORS?The passage of AB 2823 will create a wholenew market for organically grown and pro-duced ingredients. There will be a potentialto sell everything from organic walnutshells to olive pits to dried aromatic herbs.Personal care companies that have createdand promoted organic labels are growing atthe rate of 30% plus per year. As con-sumers learn more and care more, they areasking for “cleaner” body care products.This is the promise of a new and creativeoutlet for organic growers and processors.Stay tuned to the possibilities.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE CONSUMER?Get informed and share your knowledge.Look at the list of frightening ingredients(facing page) and try to protect your familyfrom products that contain them.

• Write a letter to the state and to theNOP about these issues.

• Ask for cleaner products at the store—and then ask again. Consumer demanddrives the market.

• Ask your CCOF Chapter representativeto include discussion about personal careproducts as part of the CCOF certifica-tion effort.

Most of all—read labels and becomefamiliar with what you are putting onyour body. The skin is the largest organyou have—and it absorbs minimally40% of what you put on it. The very ideaof putting petroleum products on mychildren’s skin frightens me for theirfuture. Let’s get the oil fields out of per-sonal care products and get organic fieldsinto them!

YOUR BODY

“U p d a t e

During the last week of the Californialegislative session, the State passed

a series of amendments to the CaliforniaOrganic Foods Act of 1990 (COFA).These amendments will:• Allow the creation of a full enforce-

ment program for the USDA/NOP.• Prohibit the use of the word “organic”

on the front label of personal careproducts with less than 70% certifiedorganic product.

• Let Californians take the “Grown andprocessed in accordance with…”statement off of labels.

• Allow the State to offer mediation ser-vices for disagreements between certi-fiers and certified parties.

• NOT allow the State to certify productsor operations.

California Department of Food and Agri-culture (CDFA) and Department ofHealth Services (DHS) will apply toUSDA/NOP as “State organic programs”in the next few weeks.

The expanded oversight of “organic”label claims is expected to expand themarket for growers and processors. Thepublic may view the new law on the webat: www.leginfo.ca.gov and enter AB2823 and/or contact Ray Green, CDFACalifornia Organic Program Manager:916-654-0919.

ORGANIC COSMETICS

AND YOUBy Gay TimmonsHandler/Processor Chapter President

ALUMINUM: Found in antiperspirants, cosmetics, aspirin and processedfoods—links between Alzheimer’s and the toxicity of aluminum.

AMMONIUM CUMENE SULFONATE: Derived from coal tar or petro-leum, used as a solvent.

BUTYLENE GLYCOL: See Propylene Glycol.

CETYL ALCOHOL: Found in spermaceti, derived from the head of thesperm whale.

COLLAGEN: Protein substance found in connective tissue, derived fromanimal tissue.

DEA (diethanolamine): Hormone-disrupting chemical known to be car-cinogenic. Restricted in Europe, but still readily available in the UnitedStates. Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents in shampoos, shavingcreams and bubble bath. The FDA is currently investigating.

DMDM Hydantoin: See Urea.

FABRIC SOFTENERS: See Quaternary Ammonium Compounds.

FD&C COLOR PIGMENTS: Synthetic colors made from coal tar, con-taining heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin. Studies haveshown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

FRAGRANCES, synthetic: Chemical components found in pure essentialoils are duplicated synthetically and used widely in the perfume and fra-grance industry. Often contain animal urine or feces, and many are toxicor carcinogenic. Can affect the central nervous system, causing depres-sion, hyperactivity, irritability and other problems.

HYALURONIC ACID: A protein found in umbilical cords, sperm, testes,and the fluids around the joints, used as a cosmetic oil.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: Prepared from Propylene, a petroleum by-prod-uct. A drying, irritating, dehydrating solvent that strips the skin’s mois-ture, encouraging bacteria, molds, and viruses. Used to make antifreeze,it is found in many skin and hair products. May cause headaches, nau-sea, depression, and vomiting. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

MEA (monoethanolamine): See DEA.

MINERAL OIL: Petroleum derivative. Clogs the pores and blocks theskin’s ability to eliminate toxins.

PARAFFIN: Petroleum wax obtained from the residue of gasoline andmotor oil.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG): A product of petroleum gas or dehy-dration of alcohol, widely used in hand lotions.

PROPYL ALCOHOL: A synthetic substance derived from crude fuel oil.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): A petroleum plastic used in everythingfrom deodorants, to lipstick, to baby lotions. The EPA considers PG sotoxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing, andgoggles in order to avoid brain, liver, and kidney damage. In 1992, theFDA proposed a ban on PG, but this ingredient is still allowed in con-centrations up to 50 percent with no warning label. PG is the mainingredient found in antifreeze and brake fluid.

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS: (Fabric Softeners): Syn-thetic derivatives of ammonium chloride widely used in deodorants,shampoos, hand creams and other personal care products.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE(SLES): Detergents and surfactants used as foaming agents in carwashes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Abundantly used inpersonal-care products such as shampoos, lotions, bubble baths andtoothpastes. Prolonged use poses serious potential medical problemsincluding eye damage, skin irritations, depression, labored breathing,weakening of the immune system, and cancer.

SQUALANE: Unless it says Olive Squalane (which is derived fromolives), this ingredient has traditionally been obtained from shark liveroil. Also found in human sebum, a fatty matter secreted by certain glandsin the skin.

TALC: Chemically similar to asbestos, a known cancer causing agent.Found in baby and body powders; and as a lubricant in condoms,resulting in fallopian tube fibrosis and infertility. An American Journalof Epidemiology study found talcum powder to cause increased risk ofovarian cancer and urinary tract disorders.

TALLOW: The fat from the fatty tissue of bovine cattle and sheep inNorth America. Used in shaving creams, lipsticks, shampoos, and soaps.

TEA (triethanolamine): See DEA.

TRICLOSAN: A synthetic antibacterial ingredient, registered by the EPAas a highly toxic pesticide. With a chemical structure similar to AgentOrange, this carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting chemical is widelyfound in popular antibacterial cleansers and hand washes, toothpastes,deodorants and household products. Potential problems include birthdefects and liver, kidney, brain, heart, and lung dysfunctions.

UREA (Imidazolidinyl): A product of protein metabolism excreted fromhuman urine. Used as a preservative. The second most identified cosmeticpreservative causing contact dermatitis, according to the American Academyof Dermatology. Often releases formaldehyde which may cause joint pain,skin reactions, aller-gies, depression, andan assortment ofmedical problems.Carcinogenic.

URIC ACID: The endproduct of nitrogenmetabolism of birdsand scaly reptiles.

*Sources: ConsumersDictionary of CosmeticIngredients, U.S. Dept.of Health & HumanServices’ NationalToxicology Program—NTP.

-ORGANIC COSMETICS AND YOUBy Gay Timmons, Handler/Processor Chapter PresidentNON

FTER HAVING MY FIRST CHILD, I STARTED READING THE LABELS OF EVERYTHING I used on her perfect little body. I tossed the baby powder because it was talc (acts a bit like asbestos on the lungs). I banned baby oil because it was mineral oil (a petroleum derivative, blocks pores, damages skin). I bought only soaps that were “glycerin” because

I (mistakenly) thought that all the other soaps were full of animal fat and horse hooves. Then I got rid of all the bleach and fabric softener in the house. Why? Every one of those products contains toxic ingredients. Why would I use them on an infant?Why would I use them on myself? Why would you use them on yourself?

Here are a few of the really bad ingredients…and a brief explanation that tells why.

A

Page 16 The Newsletter of CCOF

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

TAKING ROOT AT

CAL POLY, SLO

By Hunter Francis

IN THE SPRING OF 2000, CAL POLY

State University in San Luis Obispooffered its first ever course in Organic

Agriculture. Taught as an “experimental”course and co-coordinated by Dr. JohnPhillips (Crop Science), Dr. Tom Ruehr(Soil Science) and Hunter Francis (a gradu-ate student in Soil Science), this introduc-tory-level course explored the fundamentalaspects of organic agriculture, including itshistory, production, certification, and mar-keting. The course was unique since it wastaught largely by guest lecturers. Studentshad the opportunity to learn about thetopic first hand from leading organic grow-ers, researchers, certifiers and inspectors.Speakers traveled from as far as MarinCounty to participate in the course andbrought with them a wealth of informationto the benefit of both students and facultyin attendance. The course was offered againsuccessfully in the spring of 2001. In thatoffering, it was expanded to include a hands-on, field-oriented laboratory component.

Cal Poly is pleased to announce that inMay of this year, Organic Agriculture (nowAG 315), was approved for General Educa-tion credit. In the future, most Cal Polystudents (especially those outside the Col-lege of Agriculture) will be able to take thecourse to fulfill a degree requirement.Enrollment in the course is expected toincrease significantly as a result. Previously,the course was popular with agriculturestudents and “non-ag” students alike, butwas taken as an elective only and notapplicable to specific graduation require-ments. The new status of the course makesit one of the few full-fledged universityofferings dedicated specifically to organicagriculture in the country and an impor-tant addition to one of the nation’s largestundergraduate programs in agriculture.

The development of the Organic Agri-culture course is part of a wider movementat Cal Poly to increase campus and com-munity awareness about organics. The Student Experimental Farm, established in 1989 and CCOF certified since 1995,has served as the primary venue for studentprojects in organic agriculture in the past.In the fall of 2000, the Sustainable Agri-culture Resource Center (SARC) was estab-lished, in part, to help coordinate StudentFarm programs. Initiated by a small groupof College of Agriculture students and fac-ulty, the SARC is dedicated to promotingsustainable food and agricultural systems,and now receives support from dozens ofCal Poly staff and faculty involved inSARC programs. Helping the universityrespond to the burgeoning role of organicagriculture in the food production industryby developing curricula (such as AG 315),providing professional training for futuremanagers of organic operations, expandingresearch in organics and improving the Stu-dent Farm as a model demonstration site isa priority of the SARC workgroup.

One of the most successful SARC/Student Farm projects in recent years hasbeen Cal Poly’s Community SupportedAgriculture (CSA) program. Initiated inJune, 2000 by SARC co-founder and thenStudent Farm Manager, Terry Hooker, theCSA is now in its third season and pro-

vides weekly, fresh organic produce for 40memberships. The CSA is run by studentsenrolled for credit in Cal Poly’s hands-onStudent Enterprise for Organic VegetableProduction under the direction of the cur-rent Farm Manager, David Beller. In addi-tion to the CSA and the Enterprise project,the Student Farm has been the home tonumerous SARC workshops, seminars andExtended Education classes on a widerange of topics, including Biodynamics,Permaculture, market gardening, nutri-tion, strawbale building and agriculturaleducation for youth.

The creation of the Campus Sustainabil-ity Initiative (CSI) at Cal Poly earlier thisyear has helped link SARC to a larger net-work of people and organizations who areinterested in promoting sustainable prac-tices on campus through education, con-servation of resources, and the protectionof health and the environment. Newfriendships are being formed across disci-plinary lines that are assisting the SARC inproviding a focus for sustainability withinthe College of Agriculture. These and olderrelationships are very valuable to SARCsince much of its support and funding todate has come from outside sources. We areespecially grateful to CCOF and many fel-low CCOF members who been exceedinglygenerous with their time and support, andhave helped make these new initiatives pos-sible. Thank you all!

For more information about SARC and theCal Poly Organic Program and ways youcan support them, please contact:

Hunter Francis, Program CoordinatorSustainable Agriculture Resource Centerc/o Horticulture and Crop Science Dept.California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis Obispo, California 93407(805) 756-5086; sarc@calpoly.edu

AGRICULTURE &EDUCATION

ORGANIC INTEGRITY

ONLINE

THE NEW CCOF WEBSITE

ITH THE COMING IMPLEMENTATION

of the USDA National OrganicProgram, and the overall increase of

business within the organic industry, it wastime to make a few more changes at CCOF.In order to provide greater access to docu-ments and information, both for CCOFcertified clients and the general public,CCOF Marketing recently redesigned thewebsite for California Certified OrganicFarmers, located atwww.ccof.org

After some months of reviewing designoptions and layouts for the site, CCOFlaunched a completely redesigned website in August. This new site features a revisededition of CCOF’s “Organic Directory,” an organic search engine to locate certifiedorganic products, farms, and services in Cali-fornia, throughout the U.S., in Canada, andMexico. It is the online version of the annu-ally printed CCOF Membership Directory.

The new web site easily enables farmers,producers, consumers, retailers, the media,and other interested organizations andbusinesses to find information on organicagriculture, organic food, organic certifica-

tion, the new National Organic Program,and organic nutrition and health. With thehelp of the searchable Organic Directory,visitors can find CCOF certified organicfarms, processors, handlers, packers, orretailers. In addition, visitors can search forCCOF certified organic crops, livestock,processed organic products, or organicbusiness services. The use of the CCOFweb site and the CCOF Organic Directorysearch engine is free of charge.

“CCOF has always emphasized organiceducation and outreach, and with this newweb site everyone can access superb organicinformation right here, on one site, just amouse-click away,” says Helge Hellberg,Marketing and Communications Directorfor CCOF. “Our goal is to re-establish a connection, a better understanding, a dialog,between the consumer, the organic farmer,and the retailer. This new site will help usaccomplish this goal,” Hellberg adds.

LAYOUT OF THE NEW SITE

The front page of the new website allowsthe visitor to either enter the website, orview a five-minute video about organic, inwhich Miguel A. Altieri of UC Berkeley,Judith Redmond of Full Belly Farm, CarlRosato of Woodleaf Farm, and CCOFPresident Brian Leahy are all interviewed.Once inside, the new website has beendivided into two sections: CCOF Certifi-cation and CCOF Foundation. Two lists of links for both sections are available onthe screen at the same time. Other importantlinks are located at the bottom of the lists.

CCOF CERTIFICATION

Here visitors and certified clients can access:• the Seven Steps to Certification• information on becoming CCOF

Certified Transitional• the Chapter Map with RSR (Regional

Service Representative) contact info• a comprehensive page with the CCOF

Application, Certification Affi-davit, certification manuals, andevery OSP (Organic SystemPlan) page, and

• the Certified Clients Corner

The Certified Clients Corneroffers information to CCOF certi-fied operations regarding variousaspects of the CCOF certifica-

tion program, the USDA National OrganicProgram standards, and CCOF Internationalcertification under our accredited IFOAMprogram (the International Federation ofOrganic Agricultural Movements). It was created to answer some frequently askedquestions and offer for download some of the most often needed forms.

INFORMATION IN THE CERTIFIED CLIENTS

CORNER INCLUDES:• Add acreage/parcels/products/processes• Assessment fees• Buffers• Certification manuals• CCOF contacts• Certificates• Certified transitional• Clopyralid• Commercial availability• Compost• Fertility• Genetic engineering• IFOAM/CCOF International Standards• Inspections• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)• Labeling• Manure (raw and processed)• Materials/OMRI List• National Organic Standards Board

(NOSB)• Organic System Plan (OSP)• Parcel Transfer • Pesticide Drift• Pheromones• Post-Harvest Handling• Renewal Contract/Fees• Regional Service Reps (RSRs)• Seed (Treated)• Strawberry Crowns• Trade Association• Transplants• USDA/NOP• Water Use• Withdraw Parcel/Operation

WORLD WIDE WEB

Page 18

CCOF staff will add new informationand pages to the Certified Clients Corneras needed. Staff will also add each Certifi-cation Corner article and Handler High-lights article from recent issues of TheNewsletter of CCOF.

CCOF FOUNDATION

The CCOF Founda-tion offers programsfor farmers, con-sumers, educators,and researchers toincrease awareness ofand demand for cer-tified organic prod-ucts and to expandpublic and govern-mental support fororganic agriculture.The Foundation portion of the websitecontains a variety of information directedmainly at the consumer, but is also of greatuse to certified clients.

Here, visitors can:• become a CCOF Supporting Member• search the Organic Directory of CCOF

certified clients and services (formerlythe Find-A-Farmer search engine)

• read and download the online version ofThe Newsletter of CCOF

• read the Industry News Briefs, includingreports on organic vs. conventional pro-duce, updates on the Glassy-wingedSharpshooter and Pierce’s Disease,organic industry news, and other news of agriculture from around California,the nation and the world

• read about agricultural genetic engineer-ing and get CCOF’s GE Report

• take action against the untested andunregulated releaseof agricultural biotechnology into ourenvironment and our bodies at ourAction Alerts page, including links tostate and federal government websites(executive and legislative branches)

• view the ApprenticeshipList to search for arich learning experi-ence with a CCOFcertified business

• explore the Classifieds for land for saleor lease, employment opportunities,equipment for sale, etc.

• peruse the Calendar of Events• visit the CCOF Store to purchase a

CCOF t-shirt, hat, bumper sticker, orsupplies for certified clients (signs, stick-

ers, twist-ties,stamps, etc.),and• continue

your jour-ney in theorganiccommunityat ourOrganicLinks page.

ODDS AND ENDS

Want to learn more about CCOF, its struc-ture and history?Then simply visit the About CCOF pageat the end of the list of links on the left.

Need to contact a staff member or a RegionalService Representative? Click on Contact CCOF.

Want to work for CCOF? We would be honored! Visit Employmentwith CCOF.

The staff of CCOF has worked long andhard on this exciting new website. We hada lot of fun putting it together and we hopeyou enjoy it and find it very useful. If certi-fied clients and the general public havequestions, comments, or suggestions aboutthe website, please send e-mail to:webmaster@ccof.org

Thank you for supporting CCOF! We appreciate your confidence in CCOFand belief in its mission!

G o v e r n m e n t L i n k s o nt h e A c t i o n A l e r t s p a g e

a t w w w . c c o f . o r g

STATE GOVERNMENT

• California Homepage—Linksall state agencies

• California Department of Foodand Agriculture (CDFA)

• California Department of Pesti-cide Regulation (CDPR)

• California State Assembly• California State Senate

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• The White House—Links allstate agencies

• United States Congress• THOMAS: A Service of the

Library of Congress—U.S.Legislative Information on theInternet

• U.S. House Committee on Agriculture

• U.S. Senate Committee onAgriculture, Nutrition andForestry

• United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA)

• Food and Drug Administration(FDA)

• Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA)

• National Organic Program(NOP)

1973 ~ 2003Celebrating 30 Years of Leadership in the Organic Community

CCOF will celebrate its 30th Anniversary of organic certification, integrity, and advocacyin February 2003 at the Annual General Membership Meeting, hosted by the Sierra

Gold and Processor/Handler Chapters of CCOF.

CCOF will also publish a special 60-page full-color Anniversary Issue of The Newsletter of CCOF in January 2003. Watch for it in your mailbox in the New Year!

Detailed information about next year’s Annual Meeting will be published on the CCOFwebsite (www.ccof.org) and in the 30th Anniversary Issue of The Newsletter of CCOF.

We hope you’ll come celebrate with us!

Page 22 The Newsletter of CCOF

NEWS OF THE

GLASSY-WINGED

SHARPSHOOTER

LOCAL ASSESSMENTS WIN BIG!The Napa Valley Grape Growers Associa-tion reports that the local Glassy-wingedSharpshooter assessment, known as theNapa County Winegrape Pest and DiseaseControl District, passed with 87.5% of theballots cast in favor of the tax. This assess-ment, in its first year, is $4.51/planted acre(max. $20/acre). This assessment will helplocal and state budgets deal fiscally withthe PD/GWSS problem.

STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT LOWERED

The State Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-wingedSharpshooter Control Board met in Juneand set the statewide PD/GWSS Assess-ment for the 2002 crush at $2.00/$1,000grape value. The 2001 assessment was$3.00/$1,000 grape value. The statewideassessment was established to generate consistent funding for Pierce’s Diseaseresearch. The State PD/GWSS ControlBoard manages the funds collected andawards money to research project proposalsthat have been submitted to the CaliforniaDepartment of Food and Agriculture andmeet the Board’s approval.

ORGANIC NEWS BRIEFS

ORGANIC FARMERS TO BE EXEMPT FROM

ONEROUS PROMO PROGRAM ASSESSMENTS

An eleventh-hour change to the 2002 FarmBill exempts farmers who produce onlyorganic products from paying assessments tomandatory commodity promotion programs.

“This is a major victory for organicfarmers, who have often felt disenfran-chised because the dollars they pay intosuch programs generally are not used topromote their products,” said KatherineDiMatteo, executive director of the

Organic Trade Association. “In fact, theyhave been voicing increasing frustrationwith such requirements.”

The provision exempts only farmers whosolely produce and market 100 percentorganic products. It does not exempt thosewho grow both organic and non-organicproducts, nor handlers of organic products.This amendment requires the Secretary ofAgriculture to promulgate regulationsregarding eligibility for and compliancewith such an exemption within a year ofthe Farm Bill’s enactment.

With this change, a proposal that wouldhave allowed certified organic producersand handlers to credit some of their assess-ments to a national voluntary genericresearch and promotion check-off programfor organic products was dropped.

Other last-minute changes to organicprovisions within the Farm Bill secured $5million for a national organic certificationcost-share program, and removed languagethat would have set aside money specificallyfor marketing value-added organic prod-ucts. However, the amount of money allo-cated for marketing value-added products,including organic products, was raised to$240 million, from an original $75 million.

“These provisions plus a requirement thatdata be collected specifically on the produc-tion and marketing of organic agriculturalproducts will be very beneficial to U.S.organic farmers and everyone who valueshow organic agriculture protects the environ-ment and public health,” DiMatteo added.

RESEARCH SHOWS MORE VITAMIN C INORGANIC ORANGES THAN CONVENTIONAL

Organically grown oranges contain up to30% more vitamin C than those grown con-ventionally, it was reported in June at aGreat Lakes Regional meeting of the Ameri-can Chemical Society, the world’s largest sci-entific society. Theo Clark, a visitingchemistry professor at Truman State Univer-sity (Kirksville, Mo), reported the findingbased on work done by him and a group ofundergraduate students. He decided to con-duct the analysis because of a lack of analyti-cal information about the nutritionalcontent of organically grown produce.

Clark chose oranges to begin the assess-ment because they are high-profile fruits.“The orange is the traditional source of

vitamin C, and it is highly commercialized,but no one to our knowledge has thoughtto compare organic and conventionallygrown oranges.”

Conventional oranges are larger thanorganically grown oranges, and they have a deeper orange color. Because of their size,“we were expecting twice as much vitaminC in the conventional oranges,” said Clark.But to his surprise, chemical isolation com-bined with nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy revealed that theorganically-grown oranges contained 30%more vitamin C than the conventionallygrown fruits—even though they were onlyabout half the size.

In addition to the chemical analysis, Clarkand his team conducted a survey of 27households (approximately 71 individuals)in the rural town of Miller, Mo., to gaugetheir expectations of organic oranges. Eightyfive percent of respondents believed thatorganic oranges would have a higher nutri-tional content than their conventionally-grown counterparts, and Clark’s researchshows that “they were right on.”

Clark says these issues are importantbecause consumers have a right to knowthe real nutritional content of organic pro-duce, and hard numbers such as the vita-min C content can validate the claims ofthe burgeoning organic industry.

ORGANIC CHICKEN FEED UPDATE

USDA has backed away from consideringmodifications to the new organic standardsset to go into force in October. It says itwill not change the rules as requested bychicken processor Fieldale Farms Corp. inorder to allow it to feed non-organic feedto its organic chicks. The USDA also saidit would look into how much organicchicken feed is available in the U.S.

ORGANIC DAIRYMEN GO TO COURT

Straus Family Creamery, which producesCalifornia’s premium-quality organic dairyproducts, and Horizon Organic HoldingCorp., America’s leading brand of organicfoods, have filed a lawsuit in the U.S.District Court for the Northern District ofCalifornia stating that California’s MilkStabilization & Pooling Plans violate theirstate and federal constitutional rights toequal protection and due process. Horizon

NEWS BRIEFS

Fall 2002 Page 23

Organic and Straus Family Creamery are also seeking an injunction to prohibitthe continued application of the MilkStabilization & Pooling Plans to theirorganic dairy operations. The complaintalleges that the state-imposed pooling feesrequire the two companies to subsidize theconventional dairy industry.

GROWING ORGANIC

Another sign of the growing importance oforganic products comes as Heinz announcesthe introduction of organic ketchup to theU.S. market. On supermarket shelves inEurope and Canada for some time now,Heinz Organic Ketchup will begin sprout-ing up in supermarkets and organic foodstores nationwide. The decision to launchorganic ketchup was spurred by increasingconsumer demand for organic products,with sales of organic condiments alone ris-ing 15 percent in the past year.

OTHER NEWS FROM

CALIFORNIA, THE NATION

& AROUND THE WORLD

PRESIDENT BYPASSES SENATE; MAKES

CONTROVERSIAL APPOINTMENT AT USDAPresident Bush took the “enough isenough” attitude and used his “recess ap-pointment” power to bypass the U.S. Sen-ate and directly install Iowa farmer ThomasDorr as Undersecretary for Agriculture andRural Development. Before the senate’s re-cess, the Ag Committee voted to make norecommendation on the nomination at thistime. Shortly after Dorr’s nomination inApril of 2001, reports came out that heand his family were forced to repay thegovernment $17,000 after USDA reviewedtheir farm operation in 1995 and deter-mined that they had not complied withfederal payment limits. Iowa’s DemocraticSenator and chairman of the Senate AgCommittee, Tom Harkin, has said manytimes that he is not convinced Dorr is theright man for the job. Iowa’s RepublicanSenator, Chuck Grassley, says Dorr canhold the undersecretary position through2003, and there might be a more friendlysenate at that time. Through this appoint-ment, Dorr will also serve as a member ofthe Commodity Credit Corporation.

BLACK FARMERS CRITICIZE VENEMAN

It started when a group of black farmersfrom the Black Farmers and Agricultural-ists Association stormed a USDA office inTennessee to protest what they allege isslow and unfair treatment of black farmersawaiting settlement payments from USDAfrom a 1999 lawsuit. Now it has escalatedinto a call by that group for the firing ofSecretary Ann M. Veneman in a letter sentto President Bush. The protesters, whooccupied the Farm Services Agency officeconference room, complained Venemanrefused to take their phone calls during theoccupation. To date, USDA has paid outabout $615 million to settle half of the22,600 claims filed in a class action suitthat charged the USDA had discriminatedin making loans to white and not blackfarmers.

HASS AVOCADO PRODUCERS/IMPORTERS

APPROVE NAT’L PROMOTION PROGRAM

Producers and importers of Hass avocadoshave voted to approve a national promo-tion program. In the referendum, 86.6%of those who voted favored implementa-tion of the order. The promotion programwill be administered by a board of 12members under USDA supervision,appointed by the Secretary of Agriculturefrom nominees submitted by the industry.Producers and importers of Hass avocadoswill pay an initial assessment of 2.5 centsper pound on domestically produced andimported Hass avocados. This will financea coordinated program to develop, main-tain, and expand markets for Hass avoca-dos in the United States. For further

information, contact Julie Morin at (888) 720-9917 (toll free) or e-mailjulie.morin@usda.gov.

PAYING WITH PLASTIC

Farm labor employers in Salinas, SantaMaria and Oxnard now have the ability topay their workers with an ATM debit card.Instead of paper checks, which often weredifficult for farmworkers to cash at banks if they did not have checking accounts, thenew plastic cards issued by Goleta NationalBank in Santa Barbara, require no checkingaccounts and charge no fees for cashing thepayroll checks. The employer deposits thepayroll into the bank along with records ofwho gets paid how much. Each worker hasa pin number that allows him to access hisown records.

CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

• A coalition of agricultural organizations,including the California Farm Bureau,removed their opposition to legislationthat would keep clopyralid (a.k.a.Transline) and other herbicide residuesout of compost.

• A bill to extend the Farmland SecurityZone protections against annexations to other enforceably restricted lands, was also approved by the Senate LocalGovernment Committee.

• The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill to extend the income tax carryover provisions forlandowners that choose to donate all or a portion of a conservation easement.

Sources: Napa Valley Grape Growers Assoc.,www.napagrowers.org; Organic TradeAssociation (OTA); American ChemicalSociety, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/06/020603071017.htm; StrausFamily Creamery, www.strausmilk.com;www.heinz.com; Cyndi Young,www.brownfieldnetwork.com; BFAA,www.coax.net/people/lwf/bfaa.htm;USDA, www.ams.usda.gov/news/179-02.htm; California Farm Bureau,www.cfbf.com; Field Talk, a weekly e-newsletter of Rincon Publishing, www.rinconpublishing.com

C l o p y ra l i d U p d a t e

Dow AgroSciences has asked U.S.EPA to pull the permit for home andgarden products containing clopy-

ralid. The A.I. would continue to be avail-able for use by landscape maintenancefirms. In Feb. Calif. DPR issued an emer-gency ban on clopyralid products. Thestate Assembly has passed a bill banningthe chemical from Calif. and the Senate isexpected to approve the measure soon.

Source: Field Talk, a weekly e-newsletterof Rincon Publishing; website: www.rinconpublishing.com

Page 24 The Newsletter of CCOF

Beggars can’t be choosers.An unnamed State Department official,

commenting on Zimbabwe and othernations’ resistance to accepting shipments

of U.S. food aid containing geneticallyengineered ingredients.

Washington Post 8/2/02

KUCINICH INTRODUCES

GE FOOD LEGISLATION

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)has introduced five bills that he said willprovide a “comprehensive regulatory frame-work for all genetically engineered, plants,animals, bacteria and other organisms.”

The five bills would:

• require food companies to label all foodscontaining ingredients from geneticallyengineered plants or animals;

• improve the Food and Drug Administra-tion’s (FDA) oversight and testing oftransgenic foods;

• better protect farmers and ranchersagainst powerful biotech companiesand restore farmers’ traditional right to save seed;

• clarify and reform liability and otherlegal issues associated with geneticallymodified crops and foods; and

• expand research to help developingnations better feed themselves.

AFRICAN COUNTRIES REJECT

U.S. AID FOR GE MAIZE

A handful of African nations have rejecteda proposal by the United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID) thatthe nations use $50 million in aid to pur-chase genetically modified maize. Zim-babwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,Swaziland and Zambia face widespreadfood shortages after two years of droughtand floods. The U.N. World Food Pro-gram says the region needs 1 million metrictons of food aid in the next few months.Zimbabwe rejected the maize until an

agreement was reached between the gov-ernment and international aid agencies.The agreement provides for the U.N.agency to deliver U.S. corn to the Zimbab-wean government, which in turn wouldgive the agency an equal amount of domes-tic corn from its own reserves to be distrib-uted to hungry Zimbabweans, sources said.The U.S. corn would be milled beforerelease, in order to prevent GMO contami-nation of Zimbabwe fields. In Zambia,bio-safety regulations have not yet beenpassed by parliament, which is necessaryprior to any importation of GMOs.

U.S. THREATENS TO TAKE EU TO WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

OVER BIOTECH CROP BAN

A senior U.S. official said that the UnitedStates was considering suing the EuropeanUnion at the World Trade Organi-zation over its four-year-oldfreeze on approving geneticallymodified crops. The UnitedStates has called the EU freezean illegal trade barrier. If theWTO agreed, Washingtoncould impose tariffs on the equiv-alent amount of EU exports. An EUParliament committee voted on June 4 torequire strict labeling of genetically modi-fied organisms, as a latest step towardEurope reopening the process of approvingthe sale and production of new varieties ofGE grains. U.S. grain sector officials saidthe labeling rules are unworkable andwould lead to higher food costs.

GE THREAT TO ORGANIC FARMING

Organic farming will be forced out of pro-duction in Britain and across Europe if GEcrops are grown commercially, a startlingnew EU report concludes. The reportshows that organic farms will become socontaminated by genes from the new cropsthat they can no longer be licensed or willhave to spend so much money trying toprotect themselves that they will becomeuneconomic. It was drawn up as a result oftwo years of studies in Britain, France, Italyand Germany. The report studies theeffects of growing modified maize, potatoesand oilseed rape commercially on severaltypes of farms. It found that even if only a tenth of a country or region was planted

with them - far less than the 54 per cent of Canada now under GE crops—keepingcontamination at a level that would alloworganic farming to continue would be“extremely difficult for any farm-crop combination in the scenarios considered.”

WHITE HOUSE OPPOSES BIOTECH LABELS

The Bush administration opposes thelabeling of genetically engineered food,Health and Human Services SecretaryTommy Thompson told the world’s pre-mier biotechnology industry gathering.“Mandatory labeling will only frightenconsumers,’’ he said during a breakfastspeech recently at the BIO 2002 confer-ence. “Labeling implies that biotechnologyproducts are unsafe.’’ Labeling food pro-duced through genetic engineering is atouchy subject for the U.S. biotech indus-

try, both at home and abroad.Domestically, the industry wor-

ries that labels would sour con-sumer demand. Abroad,however, 19 countries requirelabeling and the European

Union has since 1998 bannedthe sale of any new engineered

products. U.S. officials have said thelabeling could cost U.S. companies $4billion a year.

USDA TOUGHENS RULES

ON BIOTECH CROPS

The government is tightening plantingrestrictions on corn engineered for pharma-ceutical uses to ensure the crops don’t cont-aminate grain supplies and end up in food.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rulesare meant to prevent biotech corn fromcross-pollinating with other crops or fromgetting mixed with other grain. Corn andother “bio-pharm” crops are being devel-oped to provide vaccines as well as prod-ucts needed in manufacturing drugs. TheUSDA is requiring the biotech corn to beplanted at different times than corn innearby fields so that the crops don’t polli-nate simultaneously. Beginning next year,there also will be a tougher restriction onthe distance between biotech crops andother corn fields. The USDA’s rules willgenerally prevent biotech corn from beingplanted within a half-mile of any other cornto prevent the crops from cross-pollinating.

THE GE REPORT

Earlier this year, a committee of theNational Academy of Sciences warned that“crops transformed to produce pharmaceu-tical or industrial compounds might matewith plantations grown for human con-sumption,” and introduce novel chemicalsinto the food supply. The academy panelconcluded that the USDA came up shortin its oversight of such crops, prompting theUSDA’s tightening of planting restrictions.

FOOD LABELS ON OREGON BALLOT

A measure to give consumers the right toknow whether the food they purchase hasbeen genetically engineered will appear onOregon’s statewide ballot this fall. Stateelection officials said that sponsors of thefood labeling measure turned in more thanenough signatures to qualify for a spot onthe November ballot. That sets the stagefor a high-profile campaign that couldprompt agricultural and food industryinterests to spend millions to defeat themeasure. If approved by voters, the mea-sure would require labeling of all food andfood additives that have been geneticallyengineered. The requirement would applyto all foods sold in Oregon as well as foodsdistributed from the state. Agricultural andfood industry groups have hired a Portlandconsulting firm to help them defeat themeasure this fall. Pat McCormick, spokes-man for the firm, said there’s already plentyof government regulation of food qualityand the measure’s broadly written labelingrequirements would be overly burdensome.Katelyn Lord, co-chief petitioner for the

measure, said that such labeling require-ments already exist in Japan and parts ofEurope. “Why shouldn’t we be able toknow what people in other parts of theworld get to know?”

POWERFUL INSECTICIDE FROM GE CORN

RELEASED INTO SOIL

Researchers at New York University haveshown that BT corn, the genetically modi-fied seed variety which is resistant to cornborer pests, releases an insecticide throughits roots into the soil. The powerful toxinremains in the soil as it is not easily brokendown. It retains its insecticide propertieswhich could help to control pests or pro-mote insects resistant to the pesticide—the scientists aren’t sure which. The report,published recently in the science journalNature, is the first to show that the toxinfrom BT corn can seep into the soil. Theresearchers describe their findings as “sur-prising and unexpected,” raising fresh fearsabout the environmental impact of suchcrops. The concern is that beneficial soilorganisms might be killed and that insectsliving in the soil might become resistant tothe poisons. Because the roots are con-stantly leaking the toxin, there is also therisk that pests in the soil might rapidlybecome immune to the poison triggeringnew, resistant strains.

MONSANTO SHIFTING STRATEGY

ON GE WHEAT

Leading biotech agricultural concern Monsanto Co. said it was shifting its strategy for introducing the world’s first

biotech wheat to include an emphasis ondeveloping enhanced health, taste and tex-ture traits to appeal to food companies andconsumers and hopefully open up worldmarkets to the controversial grain. For thelast several years, Monsanto has stressed thehigh-yield value that a genetically modifiedRoundup Ready wheat can bring to farmers.But staunch opposition to biotech wheat inmany key international markets has madeU.S. farmers fearful about adopting thetechnology and virtually the entire orga-nized U.S. wheat industry has demandedthat Monsanto move cautiously in anyintroduction. The shift came about in thelast few months after input from differentplayers in the wheat industry. Monsanto hasbacked off of its previously-stated timeline forintroducing Roundup Ready wheat by 2005.

Sources: CropChoice, www. cropchoice.com;Rick Weiss, The Washington Post; Reutersand Paul Elias, The Associated Press;Geoffrey Lean, Institute for Food andDevelopment Policy/Food First; PhilipBrasher, Des Moines Register; WashingtonBureau and Mike Toner, The AtlantaJournal and Constitution; Andrew Pollack,NET and Larry Bohlen, Friends of theEarth; Brad Cain, The Associated Press;Rex Warren, ACTA; Carey Gillam, Reuters.

Compiled by Brian Sharpebsharpe@ccof.org

The function of CCOF Foundation will beeducation of consumers to promote aware-ness of and demand for organic productsand education of producers and their advi-sors to help foster the growth of organicagriculture. The Foundation will allowindividuals and businesses to receive taxdeductions for contributions to CCOF.Additionally, it will allow government andprivate foundations that require IRS taxdeduction status to give grants to CCOF.The CCOF Foundation will focus on pro-jects, such as creating a school curriculumthat explains how the production oforganic food interacts with the environ-ment and the importance of eating healthyfood, or programs that help farmers under-stand the complexity of certification underUSDA regulations. One goal of the CCOFFoundation will be to put a face on thefarmer —to help consumers understandthat they are in partnership with those thatfeed them and that a local, vibrant farmeconomy is good for the State of Califor-nia. The Foundation will also be able tosecure grants that will help organic farmersin various ways, such as connecting ourcertified clients with schemes that encour-age local food, or energy savings or wildlifepreservation. CCOF will help further thegoal of the funding organization and enrichour farmers and handlers at the same time.

The function of the CCOF CertificationServices LLC will be to conduct organiccertification in accordance with USDA reg-ulations and organic certification that meetsthe regulations of other nations that organicproducers may require. It may also enterinto certification of eco-labels such as smallfarm, locally grown, or wildlife-friendly.

Application Packet $25.00(Grower/Processor/Handler/Retailer/Livestock)

Certification Handbook (Manuals 1–4) $20.00Membership Directory $10.00

SUPPORTING MEMBERS AND GENERAL PUBLICSupporting Member Sign $25.00

Organic Cotton CCOF T-shirt $15.00(Colors: sage, natural, blue • Sizes: S,M,L,XL)

Baseball Hats $15.00

Bumper Sticker: $.50 each or 3/$ 1.00“Support Organic Farmers”“Support Yourself: Eat Organic”

CCOF CERTIFIED CLIENTS ONLY

CCOF Logo Stickers (1000 per roll)• Large (grower only) $10.00• Small (logo only) $ 6.00• Transitional (grower only) $10.00

CCOF RUBBER STAMP• Grower or Processor w/COFA ’90 $21.00• Small (logo only) $10.00

Twist Ties (per 900/case 10,200)6" — $6.00/$35.00 • 12" — $8.00/$55.00

18" — $11.00/$90.00Grower Signs $25.00(24" x 18" plastic or aluminum)

(Please) Do Not Spray Signs $16.00(2 styles, black on yellow, 12" x 18")

30 Years from inside front cover

C C O F I n c .

• A trade association.• Primary focus: Government Relations;

Public Relations; Education; New Standards • The members of CCOF will elect the

Board of Directors.• Act as an agent of change in the political

process to create governmental policiesthat return agriculture back to a biologicalbase and create an economic system thatallows a fair return for producers of food.

• Members: certified organic farmers, han-dlers and other supporting members ofthe industry.

• Develop new standards, such as a smallfarm or wildlife-friendly. Standards thatwill give value added to the farmer andallow the consumer to support activitiesthey believe in.

C C O F F o u n d a t i o n

• Education of farmers, handlers, and consumers.

• The Board of CCOF Inc. appointsTrustees of CCOF Foundation.

• Will have IRS tax deductible status.• Will use education to help farmers and

processors understand organic principalsand how to meet the requirements oforganic certification.

• Educate consumers about organic agri-culture and nutrition.

• Secure funding for projects that will helpfarmers and handlers financially, such asschemes to encourage direct marketing offood in local areas.

• The Newsletter of CCOF (a budding maga-zine), the web page, and media outreachwill be conducted through the Foundation.

C C O F C e r t i f i c a t i o n S e r v i c e s L LC

• Conduct organic certification.• The LLC (a limited liability company)

meets USDA conflict of interest require-ments by creating a separate legal entitywith a board (Management Committee)free of conflict of interest.

• The Board of CCOF Inc. appoints theManagement Committee.

• Clients: any entity that desires USDAorganic certification.

• May certify to other standards, includingforeign nations, or other new standards,such as small farm or wildlife-friendly.

• 100% of the LLC stock is owned byCCOF, and all profits from certificationwill flow to CCOF.

For S a l e to Cl i ents a nd th e G enera l P u bl i c

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

CONGRESSMEN

FARR VISITS

CCOF GROWER

PHIL FOSTERCongressmen Sam Farr(D-CA 17th), a longtime friend of organicagriculture, called ameeting at CCOF-

certified Earthbound Farm to discuss federal farm policy and research issues that affect organic farmersand processors. Later that day, the group touredCCOF-certified Foster Ranch in San Juan Bautista.Congressmen Farr was instrumental in the passage of the California Organic Foods Act of 1990. He iscurrently on the House Appropriations Subcommitteeon Agriculture and has worked hard to gain federalmoney and programs for organic agriculture.

THE EVER-PRESENT

GOPHER QUESTION~How can I control gophers

without resorting toprohibited poisons?Q&A with Amigo Bob Cantisano

of Organic Ag Advisors

S W I T H M O S T PE S T P RO B L E M S

a mixture of techniques may bethe best solution for dealing with

the Pocket Gopher, Thomomys bottae. Thisarticle outlines a variety of options thatgive growers effective gopher control with-out using poisons or other prohibited tech-niques. The key to making them work ispersistence and learning the intricacies ofthe technique or tool. Not all are appropri-ate in every location or crop, but all areused by organic growers with success.

To achieve success, get to know thegopher’s biology. Fresh crescent or horseshoeshaped mounds are the active feeding areasof the gopher, although its nest may bemany feet away and several feet deeper thanthe active mounds. Main burrows are often6–12" deep, but can be deeper. Early detec-tion and action are important to limit dam-age. Gophers are active year round, withpeak activity associated with spring, summerand fall birthing. They primarily feed onsucculent underground parts of plantsincluding roots bark from root or trunks,but occasionally will graze aboveground.

Biological control methods include estab-lishing barn owl boxes and red tail hawkperches. Gophers are among their favoritefoods. A nesting pair of barn owls can con-sume more than 500 rodents in a season.You can build or purchase nesting boxes andperches for these raptors. It is important tohave adequate numbers of nest boxesand perches to make a significant dent

in a gopher problem. Ask your supplier foradvice on placing nests and perches. Othernatural predators include snakes, especiallygopher snakes and rattlesnakes.

I continue to receive reports from grow-ers who are successfully using ultrasonicsound devices for gophers. This appears towork best on localized problems and smal-ler areas, but may be worth using on largerfields as well. Small acreage growers andgardeners report success with wind-poweredpinwheels and vibrating stakes.

There have been lots of laughs over theidea of using bubble gum as gopher killer,but I have seen it work for two growers, so Iam not laughing any more. They put a pieceof bubblegum or Juicyfruit gum in a freshmound, and often are able to kill the gopher.

I have yet to succeed with interplantinggopher repelling plants such as GopherPurge or Castor Bean. However vegetablegrowers in Guatemala with whom I workhave used Castor Beans as a rotation crop toclear fields of gophers, with much success.A product called Mole & Gopher Med,which is made from castor oil, has provensuccessful for use in landscapes and orna-mentals. It is applied with a sprayer and canrepel gophers for 1–3 months, dependingon frequency of irrigation or rainfall.

A popular old time technique was theplanting of Sour Clover (Melilotus indica),which contains Coumarin in its roots. Feed-ing on this plant is toxic to gophers, as it thinsthe blood leading eventually to death. Sourclover is nitrogen fixing; a cool weather annualclover that re-seeds readily and can grow upto 4–5 feet of biomass per season. The flow-ers are attractive to some species of wasps,lacewings, honeybees and syrphid flies. Dueto the slow-to-establish nature of this plant,it is probably best used in perennial crops.

Some weeds, especially Bermuda grassand nutsedge, seem to improve gopher pop-ulations, either through additional food orprotection from predators. Long term clover(except Sour Clover) and alfalfa stands alsofavor gopher activity. Tillage can have a greatimpact on gophers. The use of a disc, plow,or especially a spading machine, if properlytimed with gopher activity near the surface,can have very negative impact on them.

Exclusion can work on smaller areas orindividual plants. Wire gopher basketscan be purchased or home made and give

good protection while the plants are youngand getting established, the most vulnerabletime for a perennial. Lining the bottom ofraised bed boxes and planters with 1" aviarynetting will exclude them from plantings.Others have successfully dug an 18" deeptrench around the area to be protected. Using2-foot wide aviary metal netting or plasticnetting with smaller than 1" openings, sinkthe netting to the bottom of the hole, allow-ing a 6" fence above ground to stop themwhen they forage above and backfill. I met agrower recently who has “fenced” them outof a 11⁄2 acre parcel by digging a trench with aDitch Witch and filling the hole with a mix-ture of soil and glass fragments. He swears itworks and was pretty cheap, since it haslasted nearly ten years since installation. I saw only one set of gopher mounds insidehis protected field, which he was attackingwith a McAbee trap.

The most popular control is the use oftraps. There are a number of traps available,all used with success by growers once theylearn how to set them correctly. The key issetting them in active main runs, or activeside mounds. The common two prongedpincher trap, a.k.a. McAbee, are set in themain run after it has been opened with ashovel. It is best to set traps in both direc-tions if possible. A single trap can be set inthe end of a fresh burrow. It is important tomake sure that no light enters the run orthe gopher is likely to push dirt towards thetrap to close off the light. Growers reportimproved results by baiting the trap withgarlic, peanut butter and cabbage leaves.Others use roots or tops from the cropbeing attacked as a bait attractant. If thetrap fails to catch a gopher in two days,move to another part of the mound area.

The squeeze type box trap and the BlackHole Gopher Trap are placed in a main runor in a fresh mound. The gopher thinksthese are part of the tunnel, enters and is caught in a noose. These can be littlemore difficult to place, but are very effective.

We have been hearing glowing reportsfrom most growers who are using CinchTraps. These are tricky to learn how to use,but once people get the technique they havea very high success rate. The Cascade modelseems to work best for the gophers in ourarea, which make a fairly small burrow.

ASK AMIGO

A

?Page 28 The Newsletter of CCOF

The Agri Zap trap uses 6000 volts toelectrocute gophers, ground squirrels, ratsand mice. These portable easy-to-use toolsare set in the opening of a new mound,where the rodent walks onto them and iszapped. Many growers praise them highlyfor ease and effectiveness.

Explosive burrow devices (Rodex 4000 andRodent Torch) are very highly rated by grow-ers and Pest Control Advisors (PCAs). Theseuse a mixture of propane and oxygen, appliedthrough a probe pushed into a fresh mound,which is then ignited by an electronic lighterat the bottom of the probe, powered by a bat-tery or solar panel on the tractor, truck orATV. These have a high degree of success, are quick to operate (usually less than aminute per mound), and are safe in the handsof a trained operator. Downsides include thesound (similar to a shotgun blast), dust (oper-ator wears ear and eye protection), and risk offire in dry sites with dry vegetation (dealt withby staying on the gophers during the moisttimes of the year, when is also a high periodfor gopher activity.) Another drawback maybe the price ($2–3,000). For smaller growersthis would be the perfect tool to co-own with

others. There are few parts to break or wearout, growers normally only need to use themfor a few hours or days per month, and theyare relatively easy to transport. These devicesare also highly effective against ground squir-rels, moles, voles, field mice and other bur-rowing animals. There are a few companiesoffering custom pest control with these tools.Contact the manufacturers on the ResourceList for information and PCAs in your area.

RESOURCE LIST

BARN OWL BOXES AND HAWK PERCHES

Raptor Works 209-385-6470Air Superiority 760-789-1493Bio Diversity Products 209-369-8578Wildlife Research Associates 707-763-6492

PLANS FOR BUILDING BARN OWL BOXES

AND HAWK PERCHES

California Raptor Center 530-752-6091Audubon Society 916-481-5232www.owlpages.comwww.bsc-eco.org/barnowlbox.html

CINCH TRAPS

Don Sprague Co. 800-841-5676

AGRI ZAPPER

Agri Zap 800-946-4376

BLACK HOLE, WIRE TRAPS, MOLE & GOPHER MED

Harmony Farm Supply 707-823-9125Peaceful Valley Farm Supply 888-784-1722

RODENTORCH

Rid-A-Rodent 800-743-7177

RODEX 4000Rodex Co. 800-750-4553

SOUR CLOVER SEED

S & S Seeds 805-684-0436

AMIGO CANTISANO, an organic farmer since1974, has advised organic and transitionalfarmers since 1978. Organic Ag Advisorsprovides technical assistance for all crops withemphasis on soil and plant nutrition, soilecology, biological pest and disease manage-ment, weed management, equipment selectionand use, composting, compost tea, covercropping, foliar feeding, crop rotations,beneficial insectaries and more.

Amigo Cantisano, Organic Ag Advisors530-292-3619 office • 530-292-3688 fax

ORGANIC GEM

To place an order or for further information, please contact Michelle – Bella Coola Fisheries Ltd.Phone: 604-583-3474 Fax: 604-583-4940 Email: mvecchio@belcofish.com

Organic Gem Brand–FOB Delta BC—$U.S.

275 gallon IBC $2.50/gallon$50 credit for IBC’s returned in good condition

55 gallon drum $2.50/gallon$10 credit for drums returned in good condition

5 gallon pail $3.25/gallon

1 gallon $4.00/bottle

Organic Gem is a cold processed, enzymatically digested fresh fish fertilizerproduced from the pacific dogfish at our plant in Delta, B.C. When applied tothe soil, OG performs as a natural bio-stimulant, with the enzymes biologicallyunlocking nutrients contained in the soil. Because the natural oils and collagenshave not been removed, our fertilizer does not leech out into the local watertable, but remains in the soil providing a time-release effect. In addition tobeing a root-feeder, OG is suitable as a foliar spray and compost starter.

OG is completely natural, other than the addition of 3% phosphoric acidneeded for pH stabilization. For application, it is mixed with water at a ratioof at least 10 parts water to 1 part OG in order to bring the pH level to neu-tral to initiate bio-activity. OG has been filtered through an 80-mesh screenand can be applied through conventional methods including aerial sprayingand underground drip systems.

Application rate: 5-10 gallons of undiluted OG per acre (diluted at least 10:1,3 times per year)

Organic Gem is a cold processed, enzymatically digested fresh fish fertilizerproduced from the pacific dogfish at our plant in Delta, B.C. When applied tothe soil, OG performs as a natural bio-stimulant, with the enzymes biologicallyunlocking nutrients contained in the soil. Because the natural oils and collagenshave not been removed, our fertilizer does not leech out into the local watertable, but remains in the soil providing a time-release effect. In addition tobeing a root-feeder, OG is suitable as a foliar spray and compost starter.

OG is completely natural, other than the addition of 3% phosphoric acidneeded for pH stabilization. For application, it is mixed with water at a ratioof at least 10 parts water to 1 part OG in order to bring the pH level to neu-tral to initiate bio-activity. OG has been filtered through an 80-mesh screenand can be applied through conventional methods including aerial sprayingand underground drip systems.

Application rate: 5-10 gallons of undiluted OG per acre (diluted at least 10:1,3 times per year)

Ask Amigo! Send your organic farming-related questions to Ask Amigo,

c/o CCOF, 1115 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060;or via e-mail to keith@ccof.org

Got Q?

Page 30 The Newsletter of CCOF

INTERNATIONAL TRADE,THE NATIONAL

ORGANIC PROGRAM &

CCOF INTERNATIONAL

By Brian McElroy, Certification Services Managerand

Janning Kennedy, Handler Certification Director

TH E R E A R E M O R E S I M I L A R I T I E S

than differences in organic standardsthroughout the world, but for inter-

national trade the devil is in the differences.During the course of evolution of organicstandards in individual countries there havearisen different forms of the same idea. Theinternational trade of organic products causesimporting countries to analyze the standardsof exporting nations and determine if thestandards are “compliant with” or “equivalentto” its own. Prior to governmental regulation(state and national programs) of organicfood, the evaluation of “equivalence” wasdone on a private level and was not consistentfrom one certifier or importer to another.

IMPORTED PRODUCTS

One of the goals of the implementation of the USDA’s National Organic Program(NOP) is to standardize the meaning of“organic” in the United States. Productslabeled or represented as “organic” in theU.S. must be produced in accordance withthe NOP standards, whether produced hereor abroad. Importers of foreign organicfood products must be aware that, as ofOctober 21, 2002, those products musteither be certified by a USDA accreditedcertification agent (“compliant”), or be cer-tified by a foreign program that the USDAhas determined is “equivalent” to the NOP.

Only imported products that are certifiedby another accredited certification agent, orthat are from programs accepted by theUSDA will be accepted by CCOF for labelingor sale as “organic,” or use as “organic ingredi-

ents.” Many certification agencies based out-side the U.S. have already been accredited bythe USDA. To see a list of all accredited certi-fication agents, visit www.ams.usda.gov/nopand click “Accreditation.” Presently, theUSDA is working on equivalency assessmentswith India and Japan, and it is also workingwith several governments (including NewZealand, the UK, Canada, Israel, Spain, andDenmark) to determine whether their accred-itation processes meet USDA/NOP programrequirements. However, as of September 3,2002, only products certified by a USDA accredited certification agent may be ap-proved by CCOF. (See the USDA website forupdates on this information under the topicof “Imported Agricultural Products”).

EXPORTED PRODUCTS

Another goal of the NOP is to facilitate inter-national trade of organic products by present-ing foreign buyers with a single U.S. standardfor organic products. However, there is not yetwidespread understanding or acceptance ofNOP standards by importing countries.While governments are actively seeking agree-ments between themselves, CCOF has devel-oped the CCOF International program tosatisfy requirements of importing countries.This program places additional requirementson producers and processors beyond theNOP, and is allowed under the NOP. CCOF’sInternational program has been in place forseveral years and is accredited by the Interna-tional Federation of Organic AgriculturalMovements (IFOAM). For this reason it isalso referred to as CCOF’s IFOAM program.

If you produce, process, or handle prod-ucts that may be exported, you should enrollin the CCOF International program. Prod-ucts that are commonly exported includedried fruits and nuts, grains, wine, tomatoproducts, and some fresh products such asgrapes or salad ingredients. Check with yourbuyer to determine whether you should par-ticipate in the CCOF International program.

To accept organic products into theircountries, most countries require that theproducts must be accompanied by an ExportCertificate (or an “Import Certificate,”depending on which way you look at it)issued by the certification agent. CCOFissues these certificates to CCOF Interna-tional program clients. Many countries alsorequire a copy of the most recent inspection

report before they will approve the importa-tion of a particular product into theircountry. Most of the information they seekis found in the CCOF IFOAM report, anadditional report written only for clients inthe CCOF International program.

The CCOF International programscreens growers and processors for materialsand practices that may not be allowed out-side of the U.S. These include the use ofsodium nitrate, potassium chloride, andgiberillic acid for products headed to theEuropean Union countries. Recently theUnited Kingdom has determined that giber-illic acid is not allowed for use under the EUregulations. Fresh grape and raisin producersare significantly affected by this ruling.Operations must also demonstrate activeorganic management for 12 months prior toannual crop harvest or 18 months prior toperennial crop harvest. For products headedto Japan under the U.S.-Japan exportarrangement, three products must not havebeen used after April 29, 2002: lignin sul-fonate, potassium bicarbonate, and humicacids derived by alkali-extraction.

For multiple-ingredient products certifiedunder the CCOF International program,whether they are commingled single ingredi-ent-products like rice or nuts, or processedproducts with multiple ingredients, onlyproducts or ingredients that are certified byCCOF International may be used. CCOFInternational is able to review and may“approve” products certified by other certifi-cation agencies under its document reviewprogram. This essentially provides “certifica-tion transference” from one agency to theCCOF International program, and usuallytakes several weeks to complete.

CCOF International is working to provideits clients with the assistance they need tomove their products into international mar-kets, to understand new NOP requirementsfor ingredients not available from domesticsources, and to allow certified importers con-tinued access to the overseas suppliers.CCOF staff is aware that individualimporters may demand additional documen-tation and that each country’s regulatoryprocess is a bit different. Our goal is to ensurethat CCOF certification is respected by alland supports the sale of your product.

CERTIFICATIONCORNER

Page 31

ACRONYM UPDATE:CCOF, USDA/NOP,

NOSB & OMRIBy John McKeon, Grower Certification Associate

AS THE FEDERAL RULE APPROACHES

on October 21, growers andprocessors have many unanswered

questions about materials that were previ-ously allowed but are now awaiting reviewand action by the National Organic Stan-dards Board (NOSB) or reclassification bythe Environmental Protection Agency (inthe case of list 3 inert ingredients requestedto be re-classified to list 4). There are alsoconcerns about compost and organic/untreated seed availability and seed treat-ments. Many people are working hard onmaterials issues. Changes in materials deter-minations are happening weekly and shouldbe expected to continue through October.The following is current information andresources from CCOF, OMRI, and USDA.

CCOF/OMRICCOF uses the Organic Materials ReviewInstitute Materials Lists to determine allow-able/restricted products. Note the updatedlist on the next page. We have issuedGeneric and Brand Names Lists to all mem-bers. If you have not received these lists,please contact the CCOF Statewide Office.Page 26 of the OMRI Brand Names Listdetails products removed from the OMRIlist. Note that CCOF will treat the use ofthese products as a minor non-complianceuntil April 21, 2003. For current completeOMRI listings by generic material, productname or supplier, visit www.omri.org

“But what if I want to use a material that isnot on the OMRI materials lists?” Our posi-tion is this; if it is not on the OMRI list, it isthe producer’s responsibility to verify that allthe product ingredients meet the NOP rule.Get the product label and check the ingredi-ents against the OMRI generic list. If you can

verify that all ingredients, including inerts, areallowed, then the product can be used. Youthe producer are assuming full responsibilityfor the use of the material. If CCOF deter-mines the material used does contain prohib-ited materials, the organic status of thecrop(s) and land may be in question. Keeplabels and any other information used todetermine the product’s allowability on filefor your inspections and to evidence that youhave researched the product.

Two non-USDA/NOP related sites forpesticide labels and fertility product infor-mation are: • California Department of Pesticide

Regulation Product and Use Databases.You can search them online atwww.cdpr.ca.gov/dprdatabase.htm

• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) website,www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/plantNote that these products do not indicateallowability under the NOP rule.

Advertisers within this Newsletter are also agood source for products and they do caterto organic producers. Look for the OMRIlogo on advertisements in this and everyNewsletter.

A quick note on seed. Treated seed is pro-hibited under the Federal Rule. Prohibitedseed treatments may not be allowed afterOctober 21, 2002. Note the OMRI updatein this newsletter and the OMRI website asthere are new allowed seed treatments listed.Treated seed used after October 21, 2002will be dealt with as a minor non-complianceuntil April 30, 2003. The OMRI websitenow maintains an organic seed list, andATTRA maintains a comprehensiveorganic/untreated seed listing atwww.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/altseed.html

USDA/NOPBy the time you read this Newsletter, theSeptember NOSB meeting will have comeand gone. This meeting’s agenda includesmaterials review and NOSB actions formany crop, livestock and processing mate-rials. The determinations of the NOSB willaffect the allowability of many genericmaterials and their use in brand nameproducts. For a list of all materials consid-ered at this recent NOSB meeting, pleasevisit www.ccof.org/newsletter/extras/nosbupdate.pdf

The NOSB is currently doing TechnicalAdvisory Panel (TAP) reviews on inertingredients used with pheromones and otherproducts and determinations will be madeat the next NOSB meeting. A complete list-ing of petitioned products and their currentstatus is maintained on the USDA/NOPwebsite: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/nop2000/nosb%20recommedations/Petitions/petiton_list.htm The NOSB Compost TaskForce did issue a final report including thefollowing that was accepted by theUSDA/NOP:

COMPOST

• must be made from only allowed feed-stock materials

• must undergo an increase in temperatureto at least 131°

• remains at that temperature for 3 days• pile is mixed or managed to ensure all feed

stock heats to the minimum temperature • monitoring of this process must be docu-

mented and available at inspection.

VERMICOMPOST

• must be made from only allowed feed-stock materials

• aerobicity is maintained by regular addi-tions of thin layers of organic matter at1–3 day intervals

• moisture is maintained at 70–90%• duration for outdoor windrow compost-

ing is 12 months, indoor and angledwedge systems is 4 months, continuousflow reactors is 60 days.

PROCESSED MANURE MATERIALS

• must be made from manure heated to tem-perature in excess of 150° for one hour ormore and dried to a moisture level of 12%or less or equivalent drying process.

COMPOST & VERMICOMPOST TEAS

• Still under review and therefore not eligibleto satisfy the section of the rule (as yet).

The USDA/NOP website contains valuableinformation and has regular NOP policyupdates, accreditation information, FAQsand NOSB meeting minutes (among otherthings). As October approaches, a weeklycheck of the NOP website at www.ams.usda.gov/nop will be a good source for current information.

MATERIALS

www.omri.org

ADDITIONS TO THE OMRI BRAND NAME PRODUCTS LIST

AUGUST 2002

† = see IFOAM Appendix in the most current OMRI Generic Materials List © 2002 Organic Materials Review InstituteA = Allowed; R = Regulated

PRODUCT MANUFACTURER GENERIC STATUS

CROP PRODUCTS

Acadian Kelp Meal (Crop) Acadian Seaplants Limited kelp meal AAllDown Green Chemistry Herbicide Summerset Products herbicides, nonsynthetic RBio Nutrient “S” Bio Master Inc sulfur, elemental† RBull Enterprises Pelleted 9-2-2 Bull Enterprises Inc fertilizers, blended RCompost Tea Catalyst Growing Solutions Inc microbial products ACyto-Gem Organo Organic Natural Resources Group kelp extracts AdinoSoil dinoSoil mined minerals unprocessed† AEcoExempt IC Eco SMART Technologies botanical pesticides AEcoTrol Eco SMART Technologies botanical pesticides AFortify Botanic Solutions Inc micronutrients, synthetic RGarden Treasure Humic Powder Western Industrial Clay Products humates AGarden Treasure Hydro Powder Western Industrial Clay Products humates AGarden Treasure Leonardite Western Industrial Clay Products humates AGarden Treasure Soil Amendment Western Industrial Clay Products diatomaceous earth† AGarden Treasure Worm Castings Western Industrial Clay Products worm castings† AGriffin 8-5-5 Organic Fertilizer Griffin Industries / Nature Safe Fertilizers fertilizers, blended AGriffin 9-4-0 Organic Fertilizer Griffin Industries / Nature Safe Fertilizers fertilizers, blended AGuardian Film American Biodynamics adjuvants, nonsynthetic ALM-32 Live Earth Products fulvic acids AMycormax JH Biotech Inc microbial products ANatural & Organic Lawn Fert 7-4-2+2Fe California Organic Fertilizers fertilizers, blended RNatural Organic Phosphate Fertilizer Archipelago Bat Guano LLC mined minerals, unprocessed† ANaturalis H&G Troy BioSciences Inc biological controls† ANaturalis L Troy BioSciences Inc biological controls† AOrganic and Natural Turf Fert 8-2-2+2Fe California Organic Fertilizers fertilizers, blended ROrganic BioLink Micronutrient Fertilizer Westbridge Agricultural Products micronutrients, synthetic ROrganic BioLink Seaweed-29 Westbridge Agricultural Products kelp extracts APhyto-Plus Calcium 5% Baicor LC calcium chloride (CaCl2)† RPhyto-Plus Iron 5% Baicor LC iron products RProGibb 4% Valent BioSciences Corp gibberellic acid APyGanic Crop Protection EC 1.4 II MGK Company pyrethrum† RPyGanic Crop Protection EC 5.0 II MGK Company pyrethrum† RRex Lime Sulfur Solution OR-Cal Inc lime sulfur† RSafer Brand Houseplant Woodstream Corporation soap A

Insecticidal Soap Safer Brand Houseplant Woodstream Corporation soap A

Insecticidal Soap Concentrate Safer Brand Insecticidal Soap Concentrate Woodstream Corporation soap ASafer Brand Insecticidal Soap Woodstream Corporation soap A

Multi-purpose Insect Killer Safer Brand Insecticidal Soap Woodstream Corporation soap A

Multi-purpose Insect Killer Seednique BioGenesis Systems Inc seed treatments ASymbex 4X Agro-K Corp micronutrients, synthetic RSymspray 10X Agro-K Corp micronutrients, synthetic RTAP Organic Powder Acadian Seaplants Limited kelp extracts ATender Loving Compost Fessenden Dairy LLC compost--windrow† ATender Loving Compost - Vermi Fessenden Dairy LLC worm castings† A

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS

Acadian Kelp Meal (Livestock) Acadian Seaplants Limited kelp meal AEC&S C1 3-4 Poultry Enviro Consultant Services LLC enzymes, natural AEC&S C1 5-4 Swine Enviro Consultant Services LLC enzymes, natural AK-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RP-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RSe Top Choice Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RS-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RT-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RTS K-Mix Helfter Feeds Inc minerals, synthetic RUTREsept Integrated Bio Systems Inc botanicals A

PROCESSING PRODUCT

Real Salt Redmond Minerals Inc salt A

MAY 15–AUGUST 15, 2002

NEWLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS

CGD FARMS (NV)Manuel & Mary MassaP.O. Box 295Princeton, CA 95970530-519-8628Acres Certified: 22.9Products Certified: Rice

CANTISANO FOODS (PR)Ed Maguire815 W. Whitney RoadFairport, NY 14450716-377-9151Products Certified: Pasta SauceCertified Services: Processing Pasta Sauce

& Salsa

CHRISTOPHE BAKERY (PR)Alex Hamade518 Lighthouse AvenueMonterey, CA 93940831-375-8464Products Certified: Cookies, Granola

CINNAMON RANCH (FT)Richard Moss1049 Cinnamon Ranch RoadBishop, CA 93514760-933-2295Acres Certified: 940Products Certified: Alfalfa, Oat Hay,

Sudan Grass

CROSSLAND RIVER RANCH (FT)Bill CrosslandPMB 364, 7081 N. MarksFresno, CA 93711559-675-1121Acres Certified: 275.37Products Certified: Cherries, Grapes (raisin)

DEBENEDETTO ORCHARDS (FT)Rich DeBenedetto26393 Road 22 1/2Chowchilla, CA 93610559-665-1712Acres Certified: 145Products Certified: Figs

DEWIT DAIRY (NV)Jack DeWitP.O. Box 603Maxwell, CA 95955530-438-2920Acres Certified: 144.3Products Certified: Alfalfa, Rice, Sudan Grass

EARLS ORGANIC PRODUCE (PR)Chris Riley1910 Jerrold AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94124415-824-7419Services Certified: Repacking & Distribution

EBC FARMS (FT)Steve Dabbs and Ernie CostamangaP.O. Box 857San Joaquin, CA 93660559-693-2700Acres Certified: 150Products Certified: Oat Hay, Tomatoes

(processing)

EGGOLOGY INC.Brad Halpern6728 Eaton AvenueCanoga Park, CA 91303818-610-2222Service Certified: Egg Packing (Liquid Egg

Whites)

FANTOZZI FARMS (BV)Paul Fantozzi1825 Walnut AvenuePatterson, CA 95363209-892-2554Acres Certified: 52Products Certified: Apricots

FMP VINEYARDS, LLC (KE)Frances Pavich232 Hermosa DriveBakersfield, CA 93305661-631-1849

Acres Certified: 687Products Certified: Grapes

FOOTEPATH FARMS (PS)Dean Foote36650 Glen Oaks RoadTemecula, CA 92592909-693-9008Acres Certified: 20Products Certified: Avocados, Figs, Grapes

(table), Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes,Pomegranates, Quince, Tangelos,Tangerines

GORDON & GORDON (NV)Ben, Tina, and Betty GordonP.O. Box 329Princeton, CA 95970530-439-2353Acres Certified: 125Products Certified: Rice

HARMS VINEYARD AND LAVENDERFIELDS (NC)

Patricia Damery and Donald Harms3185 Dry Creek RoadNapa, CA 94558707-255-6818Acres Certified: 7.5Products Certified: Lavender

HEATH & LEJEUNE INC.Harland Heath & Patrick LejeuneP.O. Box 21387Los Angeles, CA 90021213-614-1909Services Certified: Handling

HOLLYHOCK FARMS (SL)Richard Rogers200 Hollyhock LaneTempleton, CA 93465805-239-4713Acres Certified: 28.79Products Certified: Apples, Cantaloupe,

Cucumbers, Flowers, Peaches, Plums,Pluots, Pumpkins, Squash (summer),Tomatoes (fresh market)

KOZLOWSKI FARMS (NC)Perry Kozlowski5566 Gravenstein Hwy N.Forestville, CA 95436707-887-1587Acres Certified: 64Products Certified: Apples

KRUEGER FARMS (NV)William and Dianne Krueger3748 Co. Rd. MMOrland, CA 95963530-865-3126Acres Certified: 18Products Certified: Almonds

MACULANS’ FARMS (FT)Raimonds & Livia Maculans13368 Avenue 19Chowchilla, CA 93610559-665-3311Acres Certified: 55Products Certified: Almonds, Pasture

MARK EVANS (NV)Mark Evans9266 N. Butte RoadLive Oak, CA 95953530-695-2547Acres Certified: 101.38Products Certified: Rice

MAZAZUL ORGANIC (PR)Cara SmileyCalle Chiapas 98-01, Colonia RomaMexico D.F., Mexico, 06700011-525-5574-9862Acres Certified: 242Products Certified: Mangos

MORRIS FARMS (FT)Richard Lee RoseP.O. Box 310Avenal, CA 93204559- 386-5748Acres Certified: 3296Products Certified: Pasture, Wheat

MULTI FRUIT USAGreg PalmerP.O. Box 316Haddon Heights, NJ, 08035856-547-2713Certified Services: Handling

NICK KORETOFF RANCHES (FT)Nick Koretoff8025 W. Kearney Blvd.Fresno, CA 93706559-289-0275Acres Certified: 20Products Certified: Almonds

OCCIDENTAL MUSHROOMS (NC)Don LareauP.O. Box 101Occidental, CA 95465707-874-1704Acres Certified: .375Products Certified: Mushrooms (Maitake,

Oyster, Reishi, Shitake, Turkey Tail)

ROYAL MEDJOOL DATE GARDENS (DV)David NelsonP.O. Box 930Bard, CA 92222760-572-0524Acres Certified: 18Products Certified: Dates

STEPHENS RANCH INC. (YO)Jeff Stephens8540 Garden Hwy.Yuba City, CA 95991-9413530-674-1204Acres Certified: 25Products Certified: Peaches

UC DAVIS STUDENT FARM (YO)Mark Van HornStudent Farm, Pomology Dept., UC DavisDavis, CA 95616530-752-7645Acres Certified: 21.5Products Certified: Alfalfa, Beans (dry),

Cotton, Grain, Grapes (table), MixedVegetables, Olives, Popcorn, Sweet Corn

YUMA ORGANIC (DV)Martin J. Lara2517 E. Co. 16th St.Yuma, AZ 85365928-317-0548Acres Certified: 10Products Certified: Herbs

DECERTIFIED

BRIANS ORGANIC FARMING (CC)Grant Brians

CALIFORNIA PACIFIC RICE MILLING (PR); Patrick Brandon

CARRIAGE HOUSE COMPANIES (PR)Merianne Morris

CEBRIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. (SC)Joe Cooper

COLLEGE CITY WAREHOUSE LLC (PR) John Wallace, Pat Daddow & Joe Lauwerijssen

FLAGSTONE FARM (CC)Bradley Keith Partin

FLORIDA SELECT CITRUS INC (PR)Thomas Resler

HEDONE ORGANIC FOODS (PR)Hans H. Kim

IIDA SAKE RICE INC. (PR)Fred Hirata & Tom Sato

PACIFIC GRADING SERVICE (PR)Brenden Aragon

RINCON FARMS, INC. (CC)Wayne & Robert Gularte

SEASON PRODUCE CO. (PR)Pat & Bob Carnavelli

SID, BRENT, & LEO LAGRANDE (NV)Sid, Brent & Leo LaGrande

SONORA MILLS (PR); Martin Basch

STAGG FARMS (BV); Mark Spilker

VEG COOL (PR); James Kerns

INACTIVE

BERA RANCH (YO); Frank Bera

DE VERA RANCH (KE)Reydante De Vera

SUSPENDED

ALEX R. THOMAS & CO. (PR)Tom Thomas

PARKER ORGANIC PRODUCE (NV)Karen, Bob, John, Rob Parker

SANDRA & ELIAS C YUSTE (CC)Sandra Yuste

SANTA BARBARA OLIVE CO., INC. (PR)Craig Makela

WITHDRAWN

AVP-I (PS); Richard I. Taylor

CARLSON FARMS (FT)Gary & Susan Carlson

CURRAN RANCH (FT); Samuel Curran

DAVICO FARMS (YO); Runjit Davit

FELIPE ELIAS (CC); Felipe Elias

GREEN HILL FARMS (YO); Michael Ridolfi

HIDDEN VALLEY ORGANIC FARM INC.(HT); Louis & Jackie Rapacilo

J. YRIBARREN FARMS (FT); Jeff Yribarren

KOBAYASHI SHIMIZU SHIMIZU (YO)Sharman Kobayashi &

Shirley & Sharon Shimizu

LARREY FARMS (FT); Ken & Martin Larrey

LEMON HILLS RH. (PS); Richard Hart

MAKANI FARMS, LLC. (ME); Jonathan &Katrina Frey & Caroline & Ryan Pote

MALIBASTA RANCHES (DV)Rick Bradford & Nick & Mike Bozick

NEPTUNE FARMS (CC)Jo Ann Baumgartner & Sam Earnshaw

NEW LEAF COMMUNITY MARKET (PR)Sarah Miles

NOR SUN FOOD GROUP INC. (PR)Travis Blacker

OIL SEEDS INTERNATIONAL (PR)John Gyulai, Yoko Ozawa

PUCCI & PUCCI (YO); Kenneth Pucci

RALPH JOHNSON/DAN QUARESMA (SL)Dan Quaresma & Ralph Johnson

ROBERT J. STINEMAN (YO)Robert J. Stineman

SINGH FARMS/NCFS/HAPPY VALLEYORCHARDS (SG); Paul Singh

SPAICH BROS., INC, PASEO RANCH (YO)Milan Tica & Gavrilo N. Spaich

TERRA VIN, INC. (NC)James William Pawlak

TRAYNHAM (LEE) (YO)Lee Traynham

CCOF CERTIFIEDOPERATIONS

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL VIRTUAL

INFORMATION CENTERShowcasing some of the most beneficialinsects and where to purchase them, includinglinks to government, university, nonprofit,and commercial websites focusing on bio-logical control/integrated pest management.

The Biological Control Virtual Informa-tion Center is part of the National IPMNetwork and is maintained by the NSFCenter for Integrated Pest Managementand the Consortium for International CropProtection. Additional funding for this sitehas been provided by USDA/APHIS.

Contributing authors include DavidOrr, Steve Bambara, and Jim Baker, andWebmaster Ron Stinner, all from theDepartment of Entomology, No. CarolinaState University.

http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/biocontrol/biocontrol.html

BUSINESS RESOURCES

¡Ola! NCAT tiene el gusto de comunicarle que hay un nuevo numero teléfonogratis (800-411-3222) en Español para la agricultura sostenible. Llame porteléfono entre ocho de la mañana y cinco de la tarde Lunes a Viernes, o salgauna mensaje durante las horas de no negocios. Este servicio nuevo a escalanacional da información en Español por teléfono o por escrito de opcionescomercializados, producción orgánica de frutas y verduras, manejo de plagas,producción animales, y mucho mas.

¡Ola! NCAT is pleased to announce a new, toll-free Spanish languagesustainable agriculture helpline at 800-411-3222. Call between 8AM to5PM (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday, or leave a message duringnon-business hours. This new nation-wide service provides callers withinformation in Spanish over the phone or in writing about marketingoptions, organic production of fruits and vegetables, pest management,livestock production, and much more. Of course, the ATTRA Englishlanguage service can still be accessed at 800-346-9140 or www.attra.ncat.organd has tons of information useful for farmers and those folks who workwith farmers.

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) in the new farm bill hassome exciting provisions for organic growers, or for those interested intransitioning to organic or sustainable production. If the CSP is imple-mented on a nationwide basis, farmers will be paid (not a cost-share, it’s an entitlement) to implement a range of sustainable practices. ATTRA hasmuch information that is likely to be applicable to CSP requirements. Inaddition to the 14 new and 10 updated publications listed below, ATTRAhas literally hundreds of other useful publications, available free of charge!

NEW ATTRA PUBLICATIONS

Cucumber Beetles: Organic & Biorational IPMOrganic Pumpkin and Winter Squash

Production Water Quality Protection in Organic Crop

Production Organic Alternatives to Treated Lumber Flame Weeding for Vegetable Crops Scheduling Vegetable Plantings for

Continuous Harvest Creating an Organic Production and

Handling System Plan: A Guide toOrganic Plan Templates

Freeze Protection for Solar-powered LivestockWatering Systems

Poultry Processing Facilities for Use byIndependent Producers in the SouthernRegion

Biodiesel: A Brief Overview Rye as a Cover Crop Edible Soybean Production and Marketing Woody Ornamentals for Cut Flower Growers Stored Grain Pest Management

UPDATED ATTRA PUBLICATIONS

Suppliers of Plugs for Medicinal Herb Crops Organic Plug and Transplant Production Constructed Wetlands Echinacea as an Alternative Crop Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Other Native Roots Agroforestry Overview Evaluating a Rural Enterprise Sustainable Agriculture Curricula K–12 Conservation Tillage Suppliers of Seed for Certified Organic

Production (Note Title Change—Used to be Suppliers of Organic and/orNon-GE Seeds and Plants)

NCAT/ATTRA ANUNCIA NUEVO NUMEROTELÉFONO GRATIS EN ESPAÑOL

ANNOUNCES NEW SPANISH LANGUAGE HELPLINE7

ATTRA: Appropriate Technology Transfer

for Rural Areasw w w. a t t r a . n c a t . o r g

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Experienced Farm Manager needed for exist-ing 85-acre certified organic herb farm inSouthern Oregon. Must be experienced infarm/crew management, organic farming tech.& working with diversified crops. Permacultureexperience helpful. See our web site fordetails: www.herb-pharm.com. Reply to: Herb Pharm, HR 197, P.O. Box 116, Williams,OR 97544; Fax: (541) 846-6891 or e-mail:gmcdaniels@herb-pharm.com

Work/Study Program in HerbaCulture atHerb Pharm offered on our 85-acre certifiedorganic farm in southern Oregon. The programruns May 5–July 18, 2003. 30hrs/wk of workincludes cultivation and harvest of medicinalherbs in exchange for 10–12hrs/wk of classescovering topics on organic farming and herbal-ism. A strong interest in organic farming isessential. For application write: Work/Study,Herb Pharm, P.O. Box 116, Williams, OR 97544;E-mail: workstudy@herb-pharm.com or phone:(541) 846-9121. For more details visit www.herb-pharm.com/Education/workstudy_fw.html

Caretaker/Farm Manager needed for 40-acrewalnut and mixed fruit & vegetable farm,CCOF certified since 1987, in the NorthernSacramento Valley, 14 miles north of Chico, CA(zone 8). We are looking for a motivated,responsible individual or couple to live on andrun the farm from June to October 2003(including 1-month training), with possibilityof long-term position. Salary is negotiable.

Duties include irrigation, mowing, cover croprotation, orchard maintenance and miscella-neous caretaking chores. The ability to commu-nicate in Spanish is required. Must have basictractor driving and mechanical skills; knowledgeof farm equipment is a strong asset. However,willingness to learn, attention to detail and seri-ous interest in sustainable agriculture is asimportant as past experience. The farm has alarge home garden (excellent vina loam soil) andfruit orchard for personal consumption, as wellas potential for market income if applicant isinterested. It is secluded, on beautiful groundswith swimming pool. Housing is provided.Please send resume together with letter tellingus why you would be the ideal applicant. Wewould like to interview in Fall 2002. Contact:Robert Clark & Katie Getchell, Rancho Sandia,15345 Cana Pine Creek Rd., Chico, CA 95973

Ceres Center Farm StewardHeifer International, a progressive non-profitworld hunger organization, seeks a farm manager for Ceres Center, an education centerabout sustainable agriculture near Modesto, CAto develop a master plan to demonstrate sus-tainable agricultural, educational, & environ-mental systems at the Ceres Center.

Responsibilities include planning and manag-ing education programs and all agriculturalaspects of the six-acre center, including the gar-dens, livestock, buildings, etc., to share thework of Heifer w/visitors. Requires collegedegree with 5 yrs farm operations (preferably inorganic/sustainable ag), plus exp relatingfarm/livestock practices in an educational set-ting. Salary DOE, plus benefits. For more infoabout Heifer, detailed job desc & a download-able application please visit www.heifer.orgSend resume, cover letter & application to: HR, Heifer Int’l, 1015 Louisiana St.Little Rock, AR 72202 fax: (501) 907-2805; e-mail: jobs@heifer.org

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL IS AN EQUALOPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONEMPLOYER BY CHOICE.

CLASSIFIEDS

V i s i t w w w . c c o f . o r g / c l a s s i f i e d s . h t m lf o r m o r e e m p l o y m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s

OCTOBER 4, 2002Farm to Cafeteria: Healthy Farms, HealthyStudents, organized by the Community FoodSecurity Coalition, will be held at the SeattleCenter, Seattle, WA. For more info visitwww.foodsecurity.org or call 310-822-5410.

OCTOBER 5–7The 6th Annual Community Food SecurityCoalition Conference “Eating Locally, ThinkingGlobally,” organized by the Community FoodSecurity Coalition, will be held at the SeattleCenter, Seattle, WA. For more info visitwww.foodsecurity.org or call 310-822-5410.

OCTOBER 5Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: Two-hourtour of organic gardens, which preserve thou-sands of varieties of rare and endangered food,medicinal, and ornamental plants. Begins at10:00A.M. Suggested donation of $10.00, Occidental, CA. 707-874-1557 ext. 201.

OCTOBER 6–9 Crop Life America Annual Meeting (with Calif. Plant Health Assoc.) Indian Wells,202-296-1586, chorner@croplifeamerica.org

OCTOBER 11–12 California Ag Leaders Conference, Fish Camp, CA. 800-678-GROW rincon@rinconpublishing.com

OCTOBER 12 Produce for Better Health Foundation Banquetand Auction, Fish Camp, CA. 800-678-GROW; rincon@rinconpublishing.com

OCTOBER 13Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: OpenHouse. 12:00–5:00PM. Tickets are $25–$100per person, Occidental, CA. 707-874-1557 ext. 201.

OCTOBER 22 & 23Soil and Soul~From Microcosmos to CosmicForces: Dr. Elaine Ingham and Glen Atkinsonwill share their innovative research, observationsand practical techniques of holistic and dynamicfarming systems at this exciting workshop. CA,TBA, $195, 877-246-6337 ext. 111, www.bioneers.org

OCTOBER 27Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: Two-hourtour of organic gardens, which preserve thou-sands of varieties of rare and endangered food,medicinal, and ornamental plants. Begins at10:00A.M. Suggested donation of $10.00, Occidental, CA. 707-874-1557 ext. 201.

OCTOBER 28–30 Agricultural and Food Processing Applications of Ozone, Fresno, CA. 559-561-0112, confcoordozone3@earthlink.net

OCTOBER 31 21st Agribusiness Conference, Fresno, CA. 559-278-4405; mpaggi@csufresno.edu

NOVEMBER 8Northwest Symposium on Organic and Bio-Intensive Farming, “Advances in Research andEducation.” For more information or to receivethe full symposium announcement later thissummer, contact David Granatstein at 509-663-8181 ext. 222, granats@wsu.edu, or go to theSymposium web page at http://csanr.wsu.edu

NOVEMBER 8–10Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association’sAnnual Conference: Lectures and workshopsgiven by Trauger Groh, Gloria & Steven Decater,Hugh Courtney, Gunther Hauk, and many oth-ers address topics from milk processing and holis-tic animal care to pest management and compostmicrobiology, Eugene, OR. Ph: 888-516-7797,fax: 415-561-7796, biodynamic@aol.com,www.biodynamics.com

NOVEMBER 10–13 Western Growers Association Annual Meeting, La Quinta, CA. 949-885-2265; www.wga.com

NOVEMBER 12–14 Ag Fresno, Fresno, CA. 559-650-3255, ballison@fresnofair.com

NOVEMBER 12–15 Almond Production Pomology Short Course,Davis, CA. 530-757-8899, kprice@unexmail.ucdavis.edu

NOVEMBER 15–17Introduction to Permaculture Course, Fee:$350.00 ($50.00 discount with 30-day advanceregistration) Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, CA. 707-874-1557 ext. 201.

NOVEMBER 17–19 17th Annual Small Farm Conference, Ventura,CA. 530-756-8518 ext. 16, will@caff.org

NOVEMBER 17–19 North American Agromedicine ConsortiumAnnual Meeting, San Diego, 530-752-5232,gaoliver@ucdavis.edu

NOVEMBER 17–2017th Symposium of the International FarmingSystems Association, “Small Farms in an Ever-Changing World: Meeting the Challenges of Sus-tainable Livelihoods and Food Security in DiverseRural Communities,” will be held in Lake BuenaVista, FL; information is available on the Internetat http://conference.ifas.ufl. edu/ifsa

NOVEMBER 20 Napa Valley Grape Growers Association Viticultural Fair, Napa, CA. 707-944-8311, nvgga@i-cafe.net

DECEMBER 11–13 Western Alfalfa & Forage Conference, Reno, NV,530-752-8982, dhputnam@ucdavis.edu

DECEMBER 11 Olive Committee Fiscal Year Meeting, Fresno,jnelson@calolive.org

JANUARY 22–25, 2003 The 23rd Annual Ecological Farming Conference: “Planting Local Values in a Global Environment,” Pacific Grove, CA. Ph: 831-763-2111, fax: 831-763-2112, www.eco-farm.org

FEBRUARY 21–23, 2003Camp Stevens Family and Adult Programs: Cool Weather Garden Projects, Julian, CA. Ph: 760-765-0028, fax: 760-765-0153, info@campstevens.org, www.campstevens.org

APRIL 14–OCTOBER 17, 2003The Farm and Garden Apprenticeship: Six-month training course in organic gardening andfarming at the Center for Agroecology and Sus-tainable Food Systems, U.C. Santa Cruz, CA.Application deadline: November 1st, 2002.831-459-3240, www.ucsc.edu/casfs, apprenticeship@cats.ucsc.edu

MAY 16–18, 2003Camp Stevens Family and Adult Programs: Growing Your Summer Garden, Julian, CA. Ph: 760-765-0028, fax: 760-765-0153, info@campstevens.org, www.campstevens.org

MAY 27–30, 2003Fifth Conference on Organic Agriculture,“For a Sustainable and Ecological Agriculture in Harmony with Nature and Society,” inHavana, Cuba will focus on the analysis of theresults achieved by ecological agriculture in thedetermination of transforming the rural area inorder to guarantee not only the current but alsothe future feeding of the people. Individualsinterested in these exhibitions should contact:Ms. Violeta Rodredguez, Specialist, Palacio deConvenciones, Cuba, Fax. (537) 2028382 /2087986 / 2083470, violeta@palco.cu.

CALENDAR

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS

1115 Mission Street • Santa Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 423-2263 • FAX (831) 423-4528

TOLL FREE: 1-888-423-2263

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Permit #262Santa Cruz, CA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Philip LaRocca (nv), ChairmanEric Gordon (me), Vice ChairmanVanessa Bogenholm (cc), SecretaryGreg House (yo), TreasurerJim Zeek (sg), CSC Chair

Bill Reichle (bv), Otto Kramm (cc),Sharon Krumwiede (dv), Kurt Quade (ft),Patti Rose (ht), Malcolm Ricci (ke),Charles Fowler (me), Kate Burroughs (nc),Philip LaRocca (nv), Will Daniels (pr)Richard Taylor (ps), Hank Sharp (sc), Steven Bird (sg), Roy Reeves (sl), Greg House (yo)

STATEWIDE OFFICE STAFF

Brian Leahy, President, ext. 17, bleahy@ccof.org

Armando Bonifacio, Accountant, ext. 15, armando@ccof.orgKeith Proctor, Office Manager, ext. 12, keith@ccof.orgBrian Sharpe, Office Coordinator, ext. 10, bsharpe@ccof.org

Helge Hellberg, Marketing and Communications Director,ext. 21, helge@ccof.org

CERTIFICATION SERVICES STAFF

Brian McElroy, Certification Services Manager, ext. 16,brian@ccof.org

Janning Kennedy, Director of Handler Certification, ext. 20,janning@ccof.org

Erica Chernoh, Certification Services Assistant, ext. 13,erica@ccof.org

Kerry Glendening, Certification Services Assistant, ext. 14,kerry@ccof.org

John McKeon, Certification Services Associate, ext. 19,john@ccof.org

Cynthia Ritenour, Handler Certification Assistant, ext. 18,cynthia@ccof.org

Sean Feder, Inspection Operations Director, sean@ccof.org(530) 756-8518, ext. 11 (Davis Office)

Big Valley (BV)(Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus)Earl Hiatt13507 Quince AvenuePatterson, CA 95363T: (209) 892-8170/F: 892-6143ehent@evansinet.com

Central Coast (CC)(Alameda, Monterey, San Benito,San Francisco, San Mateo, SantaClara, Santa Cruz)Jamie Collins918 Sinex Ave.Pacific Grove, CA 93950T: (831) 375-2332serendipity_farm@excite.com

Desert Valleys (DV)(Imperial, Riverside)Lois Christie40911 Via RanchitosFallbrook, CA 92028T: (760) 451-0912F: (760) 723-3775fiestafarms@dslextreme.com

Fresno-Tulare (FT)(Fresno, Kings, Tulare)Cynthia Ortegon25334 Grove WayMadera, CA 93638T: (559) 664-0471/F: 664-0471omtibet@thegrid.net

Handler/Processor (PR)(Handlers, Packers, Processors, Retailers)Cynthia Ritenour, CCOF Staff(see Processor/Handler)

Humboldt-Trinity (HT)(Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity)Elizabeth Whitlow(See North Coast)

Kern (KE)Cynthia Ortegon(see Fresno-Tulare)

Mendocino (ME)(Lake, Mendocino)Tim Bates18501 Greenwood Rd. Philo, CA 95466T: (707) 895-2333/F: 895-2333applefarm@pacific.net

North Coast (NC)(Marin, Napa, Sonoma)Elizabeth WhitlowP.O. Box 11Camp Meeker, CA 95419T: (707) 874-1022ecwhitlow@mindspring.com

North Valley (NV)(Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc,Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou,Tehama, Yuba)Tom HarterP.O. Box 817Biggs, CA 95917T/F: (530) 868-1814tomharter@juno.com

Pacific Southwest (PS)(Riverside, San Diego)Lois Christie(see Desert Valleys)

Processor/Handler (PR)(Handlers, Packers, Processors, Retailers)Cynthia Ritenour c/o CCOF Statewide OfficeT: (888) 423-2263, ext. 18F: 831-423-4528cynthia@ccof.org

San Luis Obispo (SL)Glenn Johnson685 Grade Mountain RoadNipomo, CA 93444T: (805) 929-3081/F: 929-3081shadyglenn@pronet.net

Sierra Gold (SG)(Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado,Placer, Tuolumne)Raoul Adamchack26951 County Rd. 96Davis, CA 95616T: (530) 753-8003rwadamchak@ucdavis.edu

South Coast (SC)(Santa Barbara, Ventura)Glenn Johnson(see San Luis Obispo)

Yolo (YO)(Colusa, Nevada, Placer,Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo)Raoul Adamchack(see Sierra Gold)

REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES (RSRS) FOR CCOF CHAPTERS

V i s i t o u r N E W W e b s i t e a t :

www.ccof.org

View the CCOF Chapter Map atwww.ccof.org/chapters.html