Is organic farming as “sexy” a profession as rock star or major league athlete? Are college courses on organics the first to fill up? Do children say they want to be organic farmers when they grow up? Not yet, says Organic Valley farmer Travis Forgues, but that day will come.
Forgues, 32, together with his cooperative, Organic Valley Family of Farms, the largest of its kind in the nation, has launched “Generation Organic,” an outreach and education program that seeks to increase the number of organic family farmers in America.
“Our country has lost 4.7 million farmers since 1935 and most of the 2.1 million who remain are over 55 years old. We can’t let family farmers become extinct,” said Forgues. “’Gen-O’ will help new people become aware of the advantages of family farming as a career and way of life. It will alert them to the economic and environmental benefits of organic agriculture, a lifeline for today’s family farmer.”
The Organic Valley “Gen-O” Program offers educational initiatives to nurture the next generation of organic farmers, including organic educational workshops, a farmers speakers bureau, web resources at www.farmers.coop, a farmers hotline, financial and technical support for farmers transitioning to organic, and guidance to farmer training programs such as organic farmer mentoring and internship opportunities.
The co-op also has an Organic Valley Farmer Ambassador Program, headed by Forgues. Though most of his time is spent running a 200-acre, 80-cow Organic Valley dairy farm in Vermont with his father, Forgues still travels the country speaking to farmers, students and community groups about the benefits of organic and the need for more farmers.
At Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., Forgues will moderate “Family Farmers: Where Will the Next Generation Come From?” an education seminar featuring Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid, Bob Scowcroft, executive director of Organic Farming Research Foundation, and Jeff Moyer, farm manager at the Rodale Institute and a new member of the National Organic Standards Board. The event will take place in room 207B, Anaheim Convention Center, on Fri., March 24th, 10:30 – 12 noon.
On display for the occasion will be the “Generation Organic Photography Exhibition,” a collection of photographs by renowned photographer Carrie Branovan. The exhibit features portraits of the dedicated young farmers, both women and men, who are joining the ranks of “Generation Organic.”
Some of these young farmers will be on hand for a tribute to Generation Organic being held as part of The Earth Dinner (www.earthdinner.org). A new meal tradition, The Earth Dinner was designed by Organic Valley and award-winning author Douglas Love to celebrate the Earth. It is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center, room 303A, on Sat., March 25th, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
For further information about “Generation Organic,” visit the Organic Valley website at www.organicvalley.coop. It features photos and profiles of organic farmers and the “Heart of Farming,” a new monthly multimedia storytelling feature that connects America’s new generation of organic farmers to their urban counterparts www.organicvalley.coop/heart, and an e-commerce section offering the “Organic Valley Gen-O 2006 Calendar,” which showcases young farmer portraits by Carrie Branovan.
The Organic Valley “Gen-O” Agenda
Organic Valley has a five-point agenda for developing the next generation of organic farmers:
1. Save the family farmer, an endangered species - Five million family farmers have been lost since 1935 and most of those remaining are 55 years or older. Gen-O will bring new farmers into the fold and plant the seed for future generations of organic farmers.
2. Keep diversity in agriculture – Do we want all our food from factory farms? Gen-O will educate about the risks of allowing our food to be sourced from chemically-intensive factory farms where profit is the goal, and work to promote a sustainable and diverse organic agriculture that works in harmony with nature to produce healthy food.
3. Preserve farmer wisdom and knowledge - Farming is a time-honored craft whose technical and intuitive knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. The Gen-O movement will not let this vital treasure become extinct.
4. Unify rural and urban communities – Fostering the connection between city and country dwellers will increase our appreciation for the people who grow our food as well as the people who eat it. Gen-O will tell the story of America’s family farmers.
5. Offer hope for a safe and healthy future – By supporting farming methods that work in harmony with nature, Generation Organic promises to deliver food that is safe and healthy, protects the environment and nurtures a sustainable way of life.
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative:
Independent and Farmer-Owned
CROPP (Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools) markets under the Organic Valley Family of Farms label. Organized in 1988, the cooperative represents nearly 775 farmer-owners in 24 states. It owes its success to staying independent and true to its mission: keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming. Regional production is organized to serve local markets, uses local processors, and features packaging that highlights area farmers. The cooperative produces more than 130 organic products, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meats. They are sold in leading supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. For further information, contact Organic Valley at 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop. Further information about farming with CROPP Cooperative can be found at www.farmers.coop.
