Other highlights included announcement of 700th organic dairy farmer member; speech by Temple Grandin, one of world's most celebrated animal advocates
An Organic Valley founding farmer and Organic Valley board president Wayne Peters received the cooperative's highest honor, the Ray Hass Organic Pioneer Award, at the co-op's 19th annual meeting, held recently in La Farge, Wis.
Each year, Organic Valley recognizes a deserving farmer with the award, which acknowledges the recipient's devotion to organic farming and the cooperative as a whole.The award is named for the late Ray Hass, also an Organic Valley founding farmer.
"Wayne has been a pivotal leader for Organic Valley since he helped form the co-op in 1988," said George Siemon, chief operating officer for Organic Valley. "When the bank wouldn't give us a loan, he personally signed notes to get the first milk truck going. As a steadfast ambassador and visionary for Organic Valley, Wayne continues to steer the co-op's future as board president and a farmer member. We are very grateful for the countless ways he has helped hundreds of Organic Valley family farmers thrive."
Wayne and his two sons, Roger and Rory, own and operate Peters Farm, Inc., an organic farm in Chaseburg, Wis. The Peters grow organic corn, oats, wheat, barley, and alfalfa, and milk 80 to 90 organic cows. Their milk is delivered to Organic Valley's Chaseburg Creamery, four miles from their farm, where it is processed and used to produce milk, cheese and butter. The Peters also raise chickens for eggs, which are sold under the Organic Valley brand, as well as beef cows, which are sold through the cooperative's wholly-owned subsidiary, Organic Prairie.
"I'm truly humbled by this honor," said Peters. "I've always been proud to be part of what this cooperative represents, and what it is achieving for family farmers across America."
700th Organic Dairy Farmer: A Co-op Milestone
Organic Valley also announced the co-op's 700th organic dairy farm member, Julie and Chuck Johnston from Philadelphia, Tenn.
The Johnstons own and operate Skipping Rock Dairy, where they have 110 organic acres, 50 organic cows and are transitioning 50 more cows to organic. After running their dairy as a conventional farm for five years, they began extensively researching Organic Valley and talking to farmer members. Soon they realized the co-op's values and business model aligned with their beliefs, and the decision to become members was simple.
"We're so thankful and proud to be Organic Valley producers that it doesn't matter what number we are," said Julie Johnston. "But considering the co-op started with seven people, it's amazing to have hit this milestone. Joining Organic Valley was an answer to our prayers. There is no way we could have earned enough money to continue farming conventionally."
Accomplished Animal Advocate Praises Organic Valley
Another meeting highlight was a keynote address by Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world's most celebrated and accomplished animal advocates and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Grandin has unique insight into how animals think and feel, based on her professional training as an animal scientist and her experience as a person with autism.
Grandin revolutionized animal movement systems and spearheaded reform of the quality of life for animals in U.S. agriculture, primarily through the design of livestock handling facilities. She is the author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller, "Animals in Translation."
Applauding Organic Valley's attention to animal well-being, Grandin emphasized the ongoing need for measurable results that honestly gauge each aspect of animal health within a farming operation.
"Organic Valley has led the cry for strong USDA standards for animal well-being, such as pasturing and preventative health," said Siemon. "In fact, our internal policies meet or exceed those promoted by animal well-being organizations. This year, we will continue to demonstrate our strong leadership role on this very important issue to the organic industry and organic consumers."
Co-op Breaks More Records in 2006
In 2006, the co-op experienced record increases for farmer pay-price and sales. The average national price paid by the co-op to its organic dairy farmers was $24.87 per hundredweight, compared to $21.80 per hundredweight in 2005. Sales grew to $335 million for 2006, a 38 percent increase over 2005. Farmer membership grew from 730 farms to 917.
In other annual meeting business, farmers discussed the Farmer Renewable Energy Program, an Organic Valley initiative to help its farmer members, as needed, become more energy efficient and independent through the use of cutting-edge technologies such as bio-diesel, wind turbines, energy-efficient equipment and biomass conversion.
The meeting was held Saturday, March 31 at the co-op's headquarters in La Farge, Wis.
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative: Independent and Farmer-Owned
Organic Valley Family of Farms is America's largest and oldest cooperative of organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents over 960 farmers in 27 states and one Canadian province and realized a record $334 million in 2006 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keeping family farmers farming, the cooperative produces 200 organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice. Its sister brand, Organic Prairie (www.organicprairie.com ), produces delicious organic pork, beef, chicken and turkey. Look for Organic Valley and Organic Prairie in leading supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. For more information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop .
