We give as good as we get

Between food, cash and coupons, CROPP provided support to various events and need-based organizations totalling $2.2 million in 2008, and benefitted 586 organizations. Our giving targets projects and organizations that align with our core values, such as organic education and research, parent/ child wellness, and environmental preservation. Here are just a few samples of our programs.

Profit Sharing

When we meet our profit goals, we share the wealth. In our profit sharing structure, 45% of profits go to our farmer-members, 45% to employees, and 10% to our community support programs. The community giving funds are divided equally between two committees—one of farmers and one of employees—with each group dedicating their funds to new projects or initiatives undertaken by volunteer or non-profit organizations.

The Farmer Committee includes representatives from across the country and targets their giving to projects in the Midwest and on both coasts. One of the organizations funded in ’08 was the White River Natural Resources Conservation District in Vermont, which sought to develop a curriculum around organic agriculture to use at its day camp for children as well as at a local elementary school.

The Employee Committee voted this year to support 12 local projects, including the Viroqua Area School District Fifth Season Harvest Project. Developed as a farm-to-school effort, funds were needed to hire two AmeriCorps volunteers who helped to organize the connection between local farmers and the school cafeteria, and to educate parents and students about farms and healthy food.

Farmers Advocating for Organic (FAFO)

Dedicated to protecting and safeguarding the organic marketplace by investing in organic research, education and advocacy, the money for FAFO grants consists of voluntary contributions from CROPP farmer/ members, making this effort special indeed. FAFO funds are distributed by a committee of nine CROPP farmers from all over the country. In 2008, 77% of CROPP farmers contributed to the fund, and the committee was able to provide $568,529 in meaningful grants to 30 different projects. Here are just two examples of the initiatives funded by this outstanding committee in 2008:

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) expanded the Help Wanted program to support new and transitioning organic farmers. Since its inception in 2005, MOSES estimates that Help Wanted has reached over 6,000 farmers.

Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) projects support existing organic farmers, transitioning and new organic farmers, federal research into cutting-edge organic production and marketing issues. SAC also works to ensure that a wide diversity of new farmers receive training, credit and conservation assistance that will increase the number and staying power of new farming startups and the number of new organic farmers. SAC approaches organic policy issues from the standpoint of improving farm income and opportunities, fostering advanced environmental stewardship, and meeting the growing demand for organic products. This national-level organization fits perfectly with FAFO funding criteria, and its work will benefit CROPP farmers across the United States.

Steps to Sustainability

introduction
on the farm
humane animal treatment
operations
water stewardship
employees
partnerships
giving
sustainable trade

Excerpted from the Organic Valley/ CROPP Cooperative 2008 Annual Report.