Marlin Sauder of Kentucky is first certified organic dairy farmer in state
Organic Valley, the nation's oldest and largest organic farmers cooperative, recognized Marlin Sauder of Kentucky as its 600th organic dairy farmer at a barn meeting on his farm Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Sauder, who officially joined Organic Valley as a farmer-member on Aug. 1—the day his organic certification became effective—is the first dairy farmer to be certified organic in Kentucky. He's one of more than 800 Organic Valley farmer members.
"I've always wanted to be part of a cooperative that operates on behalf of its farmers," said Sauder, 34, who lives with his wife, Alma, and their seven children in Sharon Grove, Ky. "After turning down at least five offers from other outfits wanting to market our milk, some for higher prices, my family and I decided to sign on with Organic Valley because it operates with high standards for organic milk production and for its members."
Thirteen years ago, Sauder began grazing cows on a farm in Ohio as a way to lower costs of production, and found it only natural to farm organic. In 1995, he moved to his current all-grass farm in Sharon Grove, near the north central Tennessee border, so he could graze almost year round. Sauder built and uses a low-cost, high-throughput New Zealand-style swing parlor. With its 16 milking machines it has a design that allows for efficient milking of the pastured animals.
Sauder has been working with Irvin Ramer, 28, who lives near his farm and who also was certified organic this month. Together, Sauder and Ramer form the foundation for a growing pool of Organic Valley milk producers in western Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. Approximately15 Mennonite and Amish farm families in western Kentucky are transitioning to organic dairy production. Sauder hopes they will also join Organic Valley and begin shipping organic milk within the next two or three years.
Sauder and Ramer represent "Generation Organic," Organic Valley's term for a new generation of organic family farmers who are taking the lead in producing high-quality food to meet America's growing demand for organics. Sauder is proud to be a member of "Gen-O" and is happy to have found a cooperative that lets him make farming decisions that are best for his family and the environment.
"At Organic Valley, we the farmers get to have a say in policies," said Sauder. "We're the owners and we're still in control. I like that we actually own part of a very popular brand in the market, and get a chance to have a direct relationship with our consumers."
Gen-O: The New Generation of Organic Farmers
Organic Valley started Generation Organic in 2004 to nurture a new generation of organic farmers who are the heart of family farming. America lost 4.7 million farmers since 1935 and most of the 2.1 million who remain are over 55 years old. Organic Valley cooperative offers Gen-O educational initiatives including organic educational workshops, educational literature, support of existing farmer training programs, mentoring and internship opportunities. Organic Valley also offers certification assistance and financial and technical support for farmers transitioning to organic, counseling by the co-op's nationally renowned staff veterinarian, a farmer speakers' bureau, a farmer hotline, web resources at www.farmers.coop and other services. To further support rural communities, the Organic Valley co-op gives a portion of profits back into the communities in which the farmers reside.
Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer Owned
Organic Valley Family of Farms is America's largest cooperative of organicfarmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organizedin 1988, it represents more than 800 farmers in 25 states and realized a record$245 million in 2005 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keepingsmall and mid-sized farmers farming, Organic Valley produces 200 organic foods,including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce,juice and meats which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and foodcooperatives nationwide. For more information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop.
