Press Releases

Five national thought leaders on organic, one common theme: Organic agriculture benefits not only our health, but our climate as well. And the more we embrace organic, the more we can foster change for good.

That was the primary theme shared by experts within the organic food movement who gathered on the grounds of Organic Valley Family of Farm’s rural southwest Wisconsin headquarters Sunday to share their thoughts on the impact and future of organic agriculture and food. Organic Valley, which hosted the “Organic Heroes” panel as part of its annual Kickapoo Country Fair gathering this past weekend, is posting the symposium as a Webcast at www.organicvalley.coop/organicheroes and on Organic Valley’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/OrganicValleyFarms.  read more…

Underscoring its commitment to fostering the next generation of organic farmers, Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, recently recognized three of its young farmer-owners, with Generation Organic (Gen-O) awards.

The Gen-O Awards were created in 2008 to recognize individual 18-35 year old Organic Valley farmers who have demonstrated commitment to organic farming and preserving the family farm and rural community through leadership, stewardship and innovation. One winner from the western, central and eastern regions was selected and awarded an all-expense paid trip to the Kickapoo Country Fair, an annual event celebrating rural heritage and the future of farming in La Farge, Wis. The winners also had a chance to meet with Organic Valley leadership and were awarded a $500 donation to a non-profit or community organization of their choice in their name. read more…

Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation's largest cooperative of organic farmers, announced today that they have hired Mary Sacksteder as their Pacific Northwest regional sales manager. Ms. Sacksteder will head up sales efforts for the farmer-owned organic dairy and meat cooperative, calling on mainline grocer retailers in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho & Alaska.  read more…

Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, today announced its expanded investment in and commitment to Wisconsin-based 7 Rivers Alliance and Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA). The cooperative’s financial contribution will support a number of initiatives to stimulate and enhance economic development in southwestern Wisconsin. read more…

Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation's largest cooperative of organic farmers, announced today that a well-known California egg farmer has joined their cooperative. Judy and Steve's Egg Farm will produce organic eggs for the Organic Valley label for retail distribution in California and other western states.

Judy and Steve's Egg Farm has been widely recognized for its sustainable and humane approach to raising hens, as well as for the superior quality and nutritional value of the eggs produced by their flocks.The addition will allow Organic Valley to offer locally produced, certified organic eggs to its California customers, and will expand the cooperative's line of locally produced offerings, which include fresh milk and cream. read more…

Generation Organic (Gen-O), Organic Valley’s next generation of organic farmers, came together on Saturday, June 27, at the Double J Jerseys farm in Monmouth, Ore., for a day of learning, sharing and connecting through activities surrounding the future of organic farming. The young farmers had the opportunity to learn from health and sustainable food systems experts, a veterinarian specializing in organic and natural treatments, and participate in small-group strategy sessions.  read more…

At a time when consumers are looking to get the most value from their food purchases while doing the best for body and planet, two leading organic food manufacturers have joined together to launch “Organic Heroes”, a cause marketing campaign that rewards both consumers and farmers for their roles in improving America’s food choices through organic production.

Organic Valley, America’s pioneering cooperative of organic farmers, and Nature’s Path Organic Foods, North America’s number one maker of organic cereal, have joined with Organic Gardening magazine in creating the “Organic Heroes” campaign to support the Rodale Institute’s “Farmers Can Be Heroes” farmer education program. The Rodale Institute is the nation’s leader in on-farm organic research and education.
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Organic Valley Family of Farms joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WasteWise Program in February 2009, demonstrating its commitment to conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. WasteWise is the country’s first national voluntary solid waste reduction program.

WasteWise encourages organizations to reduce municipal solid waste through waste prevention, recycling, and buying or manufacturing recycled content products. The WasteWise program focuses on waste prevention—actions that minimize or eliminate the generation of waste before it is created—with the goal of decreasing the amount of material that must be managed through recycling or landfilling. WasteWise partners have saved millions of dollars in purchasing costs and waste disposal fees by reducing, reusing and recycling solid waste materials. read more…

Harley riders have Sturgis. Music lovers have South by Southwest. Film fans have Sundance. All are destinations for like-minded individuals to meet and celebrate their passions as a shared experience. If you love organic food and are looking for a bit of local flavor, then you now have your own Sturgis: Organic Valley Family of Farms will host Kickapoo Country Fair, the Midwest’s largest organic food and sustainability festival of its kind, in the verdant hills of southwestern Wisconsin.

Daniel Webster wrote, “When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.” Organic Valley – a farmer-owned cooperative of more than 1,300 organic family farmers nationwide – launched the Kickapoo Country Fair six years ago as an annual celebration of life in the Kickapoo River Valley. Today, it’s an event venue where fair-goers from across the country, along with nationally recognized organic leaders, celebrated musicians, renowned authors and others, connect around food, arts and regional culture. read more…

Generation O (Gen-O), Organic Valley’s next generation of organic farmers, came together on Saturday, June 13 at the Holm Girls Dairy farm in Elk Mound, Wis. for a day of learning, sharing and connecting through activities, including presentations by organic industry leaders, small-group strategy sessions, a farm tour and locally-grown, organic meals.  read more…