Organic Valley—Fact Sheet

Overview: In 1988, a group of Wisconsin farmers, who shared a desire to save family farms and a belief in sustainable agriculture, founded Organic Valley. Today, Organic Valley is proudly the largest independent, farmer-owned organic dairy cooperative in the United States and one of America's leading national organic brands.

Farmers: Organic Valley represents more than 1,200 organic farmers in 34 states and one Canadian province, up from 361 farmers in 15 states in 2002. Farmers by region are: Heartland, 765; Northeast, 162; Northwest, 71; New England, 146; California, 15; and Rocky Mountain, five. Farmers by type or "pool" are: Dairy, 937; Produce, 127; Pork, 26; Poultry, three; Beef, 146; Egg, 87; Juice, 14; Soy, 12. (Note: some farmers produce for more than one pool.) The average age of Organic Valley farmers is 47.4 years old; the average age of U.S. farmers is 55.3 years old.

Model: Organic Valley provides its members with a stable, fixed annual pay-price, a rarity in an industry where farmers' paychecks typically reflect unpredictable, fluctuating markets. A board of farmer-owners sets Organic Valley's annual milk prices and oversees every aspect of the organic process. They also uphold sustainable farming practices, such as pasturing animals and treating them humanely, ensuring Organic Valley farmers meet and generally exceed USDA organic requirements.

Sales: (2007) $432.5 million; (2006) $334 million; (2005) $245 million; (2004) $208 million; (2003) $156 million. In the past five years, Organic Valley's total sales have increased 250 percent and its increases have consistently outpaced the food industry overall.

Products: Organic Valley farmers produce a variety of products, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and Organic Prairie meat. The products are sold in food cooperatives, natural foods stores and supermarkets nationwide. Some Organic Prairie meats are available online at http://store.organicprairie.com.

Awards: Organic Valley has been recognized as a pioneer in the organic industry by such media as Vanity Fair, Organic Style and Fast Company. The cooperative has received numerous awards for its work, including the Earth Trustee Award from the Earth Society Foundation and the Living Economy Award from Business Ethics magazine. Organic Valley products have received some of the highest honors in the international food community. Visit www.organicvalley.coop for a list of awards.

Employees: 250 employees work at Organic Valley headquarters in the Village of La Farge, Wis.; 80 employees work at the cooperative's distribution center in Cashton, Wis.

Management Team: George Siemon, chief executive officer and a founding farmer; Mike Bedessem, chief financial officer; Louise Hemstead, chief operating officer; Eric Newman, vice president of sales; Theresa Marquez, chief marketing officer; Cecil Wright, director of operations; Jerry McGeorge, director of cooperative affairs.

Headquarters: One Organic Way, LaFarge, Wis., 54639, 608-625-2602.

Web Site: www.organicvalley.coop and www.farmers.coop