Farmers to Lead Regional "Organics 101" Educational Initiative
A national "Local from the Ground Up" campaign was launched today by Organic Valley Family of Farms, America's largest and oldest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation's leading organic brands.
"As organic agriculture takes its place as a staple of the U.S. food industry, citizens are facing increasing misinformation about organic's purpose and value," said Travis Forgues, 34, an Organic Valley dairy farmer from Vermont who heads the cooperative's national Farmer Ambassadors Program.
"Organic Valley's 'Local from the Ground Up' campaign will inform people of the true benefits of supporting local and regional organic food systems, which include the health of our families, environment and future generations."
Together with Jon Bansen, the Oregon Organic Valley dairy farmer who heads the co-op's Western Farmer Ambassador Program, Loretta Jaus, the Wisconsin Organic Valley dairy farmer who heads the co-op's Midwestern Farmer Ambassador Program, and Regina Beidler, the Vermont Organic Valley dairy farmer who heads the Eastern Farmer Ambassador Program, Forgues announced a full program of educational initiatives that will take place throughout the year in every region of the country.
The "Local from the Ground Up" campaign includes:
- Speakers Bureau, providing local organic speakers on topics of regional interest such as organic farming, water quality, cloning and more.
- Regional Giving Program, providing small starter grants to community activities that support sustainable agriculture, the environment and rural culture.
- Regional Cartons, Organic Valley's line of purely regional milks produced by local organic farmers, processed in local facilities, and distributed to local retailers. They include: New England Pastures, Northeast Pastures, Heartland Pastures, Rocky Mountain Pastures, Texas Pastures, Northwest Pastures and California Pastures.
- Local Events, where consumers from all walks of life can meet Organic Valley farmers and sample some of their delicious organic products.
- Barn Meetings, where farmers interested in organic agriculture can learn from Dr. Paul Dettloff, the co-op's staff veterinarian and the nation's leading authority on holistic herd health.
- Regional Partnerships, which allows Organic Valley's local farmers and staff to get actively involved in regional groups who share their commitment to organic agriculture.
- Regional Web Pages at www.organicvalley.coop that highlight all of the activities of its farmers and "farm friends" in regions throughout the country.
- Educational Literature, offering citizens an in-depth understanding of the benefits of organic, often written by leading authorities in the field like ecologist/biologist Sandra Steingraber and pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene.
- Regional Earth Dinners. In cities throughout the country, Organic Valley hosts Earth Dinners to honor the connection between food and the health of our planet. Citizens, families and community groups can get tools for hosting Earth Dinners in their own hometowns at www.earthdinner.org
- Regional Recipes. Thanks to Organic Valley's regional foods aficionado Terese Allen, Organic Valley's website www.organicvalley.coop offers recipes highlighting foods and flavors from locales across the country.
- Cultural Events, Organic Valley celebrates the revival of rural culture in America today by hosting signature events like the Kickapoo Country Fair on July 31st in La Farge, Wisconsin.
- Annual Farmer Quality Awards, saluting the high quality and stewardship of Organic Valley farmers in each region of the country.
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative: Independent and Farmer-Owned
Organic Valley Family of Farms is America's largest and oldest cooperativeof organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organizedin 1988, it represents more than 922 farmers in 27 states and one Canadian provinceand realized a record $335 million in 2006 sales. Focused on its foundingmission of keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming, the cooperative produces200 organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams,eggs, produce, and juice. Its sister brand, Organic Prairie, produces deliciousorganic pork, beef and poultry. (www.organicprairie.com) Lookfor Organic Valley and Organic Prairie in leading supermarkets, natural foodsstores and food cooperatives nationwide. For more information, call 1-888-444-MILKor visit www.organicvalley.coop.
