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Growing Demand for Organic Feed Ensures Strong Market, Top Opportunity. La Farge, WI - February 21, 2007
Organic Valley/CROPP Partners with OFARM to Increase Feed Supply The growing demand for organic feed ensures a strong market and a top opportunity for farmers considering getting into the organic marketplace, according to George Siemon, CEO and a founding farmer of the Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, the nation's oldest and largest cooperative of organic farmers. "Providing a sustainable and consistent price to the farmer has always been the goal of Organic Valley/CROPP cooperative, and we want to see sustainable and stable prices to the farmers supplying feed goods for our livestock operations as well," stated Siemon. The growth of organic livestock across the country over the last two years has been estimated to be 50 percent, while organic feed acres have increased by only 8-10 percent. This rate of growth, combined with the increase in conventional grain prices, has meant that on farm prices for organic goods have continued to stay strong. "For those farmers new to organic methods, taking land coming out of CRP (the Conservation Reserve Program) and putting it into certified organic production is an easy way to enter the organic marketplace," said Siemon. He noted that land must be free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for a three year transition period in order to be certified organic. CRP land usually qualifies immediately and provides the organic premium to the grower in the first year of production. Committed to expanding its role in helping the cooperative's farmers source feed, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative has hired Lowell Rheinheimer, its former Mid-East Region Pool Coordinator and a 15-year veteran of the organic farming movement, to be the co-op's first Farm Resources Manager. In his new post, Rheinheimer will expand feed operations and assist with education on alternative feed options, forage maximization, and other feed-related issues. Organic Valley/CROPP is also working with the Organic Farmers Association for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) to expand the number of organic grain and forage suppliers in the U.S. Both groups are committed to meeting the need for additional growers of organic feedstuffs through open dialogue and careful planning. "By connecting the members of OFARM and Organic Valley/CROPP, we hope to ensure a steady supply of feed for their livestock while ensuring a market for the grain grown by our members. It's a win-win solution for all involved," said Oren Holle, OFARM President and Kansas organic livestock and grain producer. About the Organic Farmers Association for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) An organization of producer groups dedicated to a farmers' best interest, the Organic Farmers Association for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) strengthens marketing returns for members, tracks production inventories, and exchanges pricing and marketing information. Organized in 1999, OFARM has grown to become an organic cooperative with eight farmer cooperatives/associations representing grain, dairy and livestock producers in 22 states and Ontario, Canada. For further information, call OFARM at (866) 846-5544, or visit their website at www.ofarm.org Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative: Independent and Farmer-Owned CROPP Cooperative (Cooperative Regions ofOrganic Producer Pools) markets under the Organic Valley Family of Farms label. Independent and farmer-owned, Organic Valley is America's largest cooperative of organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 922 farmers in 27 states and one Canadian province, and achieved $355 million in 2006 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming, the cooperative produces over 200 organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. The same farmers who produce Organic Valley also produce a full range of delicious organic meat under the Organic Prairie label. For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop, www.organicprairie.com and the cooperative's farmers' website, www.farmers.coop http://www.organicvalley.coop/newsroom/article.html?cat=1&id=410 |
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