Tag: CCOF

Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

CCOF Delivers a Roadmap to The Future

Melody Meyer
pexels-photo-732547
Photo by Jesse Zheng on Pexels.com

Most will agree that California is facing an extreme climate crisis. In fact, the entire world is experiencing rising temperatures, devastating storms, frequent heat waves, winds, and wildfires.

Years of California drought have created dwindling water supplies and the disruption of normal ecosystems. As of this writing, most locations in California haven’t received any measurable rainfall since December 26th – January and February should be the rainiest months of the season. Continue reading “CCOF Delivers a Roadmap to The Future” →

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

A Tribute to CCOF’s Cathy Calfo: Her Guiding Light Advances Organic Agriculture

Melody Meyer

2018 Cathy Calfo 2018I have witnessed Cathy Calfo’s vivacious drive since 2011 when she became the Executive Director of CCOF.  Since that time, she has been a friend, mentor, confidant and co-conspirator in advancing all things organic.

During her eight-year tenure, she achieved many policy and advocacy successes for organic agriculture in California and the Nation.

Cathy will leave the organization in March, in the good hands of Kelly Damewood.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Cathy about her work at CCOF, commitment to organic and vision for the future. Continue reading “A Tribute to CCOF’s Cathy Calfo: Her Guiding Light Advances Organic Agriculture” →

Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Meet Rhyne Cureton: The Next Generation of Future Organic Leaders

Melody Meyer

dsc03606~2-01

I first met Rhyne Cureton at the “We Are Organic” CCOF Foundation dinner. He was the guest speaker as a CCOF Foundation 2018 grant recipient. He grew up in Charlotte, NC and attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

I recently interviewed him. I first asked him to share what prompted him to choose agriculture as his career, and he said, “I always had an interest in working with animals. So, I transferred to A&T as an animal science major. I came to realize that agriculture is basically the fundamentals of human survival of civilization. It’s the background of all economics—the bread and butter of civilization. Agriculture isn’t just about farming; it’s about economics, energy research, education. It encompasses everything we do—whether it’s the clothes on your back, your housing and especially what you eat.” Continue reading “Meet Rhyne Cureton: The Next Generation of Future Organic Leaders” →

Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Time to Exhale, Organic Cannabis Regulations are Coming

Melody Meyer

cannabis-sativa-1552991
In June 2017 the California Legislature passed SB 94 which made the recreational use of cannabis products legal for adults over 21 years of age. Since cannabis is an agricultural product, it was left to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to stand up the regulations.

Buried deep inside the hundreds of pages of text was a clause that mandated CDFA to create an organic cannabis program by 2021.

The time remaining will go by like a whiff of smoke and CDFA is quickly preparing to meet the deadline.

Continue reading “Time to Exhale, Organic Cannabis Regulations are Coming” →

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Alcohol and Organic Farming – Methane, Frogs and People on Mars

Melody Meyer

Flower

I was lucky enough to visit Whiskey Hill Farms and Blume Distillation this summer. I was blown away by the scope of this 14-acre certified organic farm. Not only are they the largest producer of domestic turmeric, but they provide answers to the food waste dilemma by producing high-grade commercial alcohol. I soon learned that everything that comes from the distillery goes right back into the farm! Continue reading “Alcohol and Organic Farming – Methane, Frogs and People on Mars” →