CCOF Achieves Half Million Acres of Certified Organic Production

(March 28, 2008) Santa Cruz, CA - CCOF, one of North America’s oldest and largest organic certifiers, this month surpassed a half million organic acres in its certification program. This is a major milestone for the organization that was started in 1973 by a small group of organic farmers.

CCOF experienced a 129% growth in certified organic acreage over the last two years, along with a phenomenal 141,317 acre increase in 2007, representing a 40.7% single-year acreage growth. CCOF’s 501,066 organic acres is split roughly evenly between livestock and produce operations. Certified pasture and field acreage has risen from just 38,611 in 2004 to 241,511, reflecting the growth in the organic dairy and livestock sector. CCOF now has 62 certified members producing milk. The main areas of growth in crops have been oats, rice, wine and table grapes, wheat, and alfalfa. Certified organic oat acreage increased by 51.6% in 2007, rice acreage by 49.3%, and table grape acreage by 39.3%.

Another interesting trend is the number of small to medium sized growers who are expanding their operations to include post-harvest activities, such as organic processing, handling or packaging, as means of adding value to their produce. “Much of our current growth is attributed to existing members adding acreage, facilities and products”, states Peggy Miars, CCOF Executive Director. “We’re excited that many CCOF members are experiencing growth and progress, and we support their continued success.”

In 2007, CCOF completed more than 2,300 on-site inspections of land and facilities to ensure their compliance with the standards of the National Organic Program. “That means we are overseeing on average 10 inspections per work day”, says Jake Lewin, Certification Services Director. “It’s evidence of the dedication and commitment of our staff to serve and support the efforts of our clients out there in the fields, growing the organic market.”

The organization also expanded its geographic reach. CCOF certifies acreage in 29 different states as well as five foreign countries. And, its growing Global Market Access Program assists CCOF certified operations looking to export their produce worldwide.

CCOF’s growth is reflective of the organic sector as a whole that has seen growth in organic sales revenue jump to $17 billion in 2006 from just $13 billion one year earlier.

About CCOF
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies, educates, advocates and promotes organic in California and elsewhere through:

• A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers.
• Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic products and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
• Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.

OMRI receives ISO-65 accreditation of product certifications

EUGENE, ORE. (March 4, 2008) - The OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) Review Program has achieved USDA accreditation under International Organization for Standardization Guide 65:1996 (ISO-65). Best known for its work as an independent nonprofit certifying the compliance of fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to organic agriculture, OMRI received final notice of ISO-65 accreditation for its product certifications at the end of January 2008.

OMRI had already implemented a new quality control system in May, 2007 to comply with ISO-65 guidelines. Among other improvements, the new system builds upon OMRI's trusted input certification process with random inspections of a small percentage of OMRI Listed products and associated production facilities.

"ISO accreditation represents a milestone for OMRI in terms of formal recognition of our input product certifications as well as increased quality control in accordance with internationally recognized standards," said Miguel Guerrero, OMRI marketing director.

Official ISO-65 accreditation represents the culmination of a long-term project for the Eugene, Oregon-based organization after two years of standards and policy development, including a public comment period. The USDA completed a desk audit last fall, and in December 2007, two agency auditors visited the OMRI office for a two-day intensive review of the quality system and records.

"Our recent accreditation under ISO-65 by the USDA identifies that we have an acceptable quality system that uses National Organic Regulations as its standards to certify input products," explains OMRI executive director David DeCou.

Changes implemented to achieve ISO accreditation have greatly improved the organization’s ability to monitor ongoing product compliance. The new quality control system displays a strengthened commitment to do random inspections of facilities and unannounced sampling of product from the stream of commerce.

"Our ISO quality system moves us significantly forward in compliance monitoring of our products," explains DeCou, "OMRI's policies now require that we re-review every product every three years and audit at least one percent of our clients every year."

OMRI currently works with over 600 companies in its Review Program. This year’s OMRI Products List, an annual directory of all products OMRI has determined are allowed for organic agriculture or food processing and handling, has almost 1,600 products.