Tag: Organic Farmers

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Molino Creek Farm Ablaze with Fire and Hope – Give Them the Lift They Need to Alight Again

Melody Meyer
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

I will never forget the first time I bit into a dry-farmed, early-girl tomato. It was 1984, and I was working at Community Foods, a natural foods collective. A coveralled man offered me a box of these red orbs to sell in our store.

I found them to be a bit small. Since they were organic, which was hard to source in those days, I took a bite.

The sweet, seedy richness exploded and dripped. The very essence of tomato-hood danced in my mouth. They were exquisitely sweet and firm with a touch of tartness—like a complex wine.

The dusty local farmer, Mark Lipson, would someday become USDA’s first organic policy advisor. He is one of the founders of California Central Coast’s oldest dry-farmed organic tomato endeavors, Molino Creek Farming Collective.

Last week, this historic and iconic community farm was ravaged by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that exploded across the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

The pictures of the devastation are mortifying and terrifying!

Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash
Continue reading “Molino Creek Farm Ablaze with Fire and Hope – Give Them the Lift They Need to Alight Again” →
Culinary Delights, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

111 Million People Just Saw the USDA Organic Seal. Do They Know What It Means?

Melody Meyer

 

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While a good portion of America was jostling around their televisions rooting for the winning touchdown, I was waiting for The Ad. Sunday’s primetime event heralded the first time in our nation’s history that millions of Americanswould witness and be inspired by the USDA Organic seal—all at the same time.

The Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Super Bowl ad may have been a milestone for organic, but do most football fans understand what it really means? Continue reading “111 Million People Just Saw the USDA Organic Seal. Do They Know What It Means?” →

Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Meet Rhyne Cureton: The Next Generation of Future Organic Leaders

Melody Meyer

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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” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Part 2: Gary Hirshberg Reflects on Why He Works So Hard on Organic Voices

Melody Meyer

This is the second of a two part interview with Gary Hirshberg. He has worked tirelessly for years building a better food system. He’s followed his heart to encompass a love for the planet and its people. From building a business with seven cows, his heart has driven his mission. Tirelessly defending people from toxic chemicals, protecting the environment all the while selling some darn good yogurt, propels him still tirelessly to this day.

With his accomplishments and accolades in hand many like him would have sauntered off into the sunset of retirement. But Gary keeps pressing and driving hard for a better tomorrow. With such passionate energy I had to sit down and ask him: “Why do you do it?”    Continue reading “Part 2: Gary Hirshberg Reflects on Why He Works So Hard on Organic Voices” →

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

It’s Time to Support Future Organic Farmers

Melody Meyer

I have been honored to be the Executive Director for the UNFI Foundation since its inception in 2012. Early on my board asked me how we could bring together like-minded Foundations to make a larger impact in our priority areas, together as a community.

I began holding monthly calls with other funders who supported organic agriculture and we all coalesced around the idea of fostering new organic farmers. We were concerned that the average age of the US farmer was over 65 and we knew that organic farming provided a clear path to prosperity.

When Cathy Calfo from the CCOF Foundation joined those funders’ calls she immediately resonated with the idea. How could we make a difference and grow the next generation of organic farmers? Continue reading “It’s Time to Support Future Organic Farmers” →