CCOF 2024 Impact Report

www.ccof.org

Dear CCOF Members and Supporters, I want to express my gratitude for the continued resilience and dedication of our community; together, we’ve adapted to meet the evolving needs of a growing global organic marketplace.

In 2024, CCOF focused on maintaining the integrity of the organic label, developing new markets, educating consumers, and supporting American farmers transitioning to organic or expanding their organic production.

Maintaining organic integrity As the global organic market continues to grow, so does the need for robust systems that support integrity and transparency.

On March 19, 2024, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) implemented the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule to safeguard confidence in organic products and minimize fraud throughout the organic supply chain.

To implement the SOE rule, CCOF overhauled our certification processes for importers, brokers, processors, and handlers. We released a series of bilingual educational videos, selfassessment materials, office hours, and other resources to support our members in a smooth transition to complying with the USDA rule and upholding the integrity of the USDA Organic seal.

Fostering market development and consumer trust Consumer demand for organic is soaring as shoppers seek safe, healthy, and minimally processed products. Yet consumer data also

shows that consumers do not always understand how organic food production aligns with their health and sustainability values.

To help address these challenges, CCOF launched a new scope of work focused on market development and consumer education.

Market development and consumer education initiatives in 2024 included: - Building an unprecedented consumer education campaign, including a series of nationwide video ads featuring CCOF clients, which are now being broadcast on streaming platforms like Roku and YouTube and are projected to reach over 50 million views by the end of 2026.

- Launching a new CCOF website on Earth Day 2024 to better serve visitors and educate consumers about the value of organic farming and products.

- Introducing an improved CCOF member directory, enabling consumers to directly connect with producers and handlers to find organic products, processed products, and services certified by CCOF. - Leading our first organic trade mission to Mexico, connecting 10 certified organic producers with buyers in Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Our market development work aligns with research from the Organic Trade Association highlighting trends in Gen Z consumer behavior: even as more labels enter the market, younger consumers still trust the USDA

California Certified Organic Farmers

Organic seal above all other agricultural labels. The findings reinforce the importance of CCOF’s work to ensure that the organic label remains a symbol of quality and integrity.

Supporting American farmers and U.S. production The growth of organic sales continues to outpace the growth of organic farmland in the U.S., creating both an overreliance on imported organic food and inputs and a ripe opportunity for more American farmers to transition to organic production. In 2024, as a lead in the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), the CCOF Foundation helped transition nearly 70,000 acres of conventional farmland across the southwestern and western U.S., including underserved crops like cotton.

Moving forward together We recognize that our community is facing rising competition, increased costs, and more complex paperwork than in previous years. CCOF is committed to supporting you through these challenges. Your success is our priority, and we will continue to advocate for and support the growth of organic agriculture in partnership with you.

Kelly Damewood CCOF, Inc. CEO

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How We Do Our Work

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A member-based nonprofit organization that supports CCOF Certification Services and the CCOF Foundation with vital infrastructure while investing in advocacy, consumer education, and market development.

CC Ce OF Se rtifi OCa rvi cat l ce i s, L on LC

A nonprofit organic certification agency that connects organic producers across North America with personable, accessible certification services.

Certification services include USDA Organic, food safety services GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS, Regenerative Organic Certification®, and Organic Plus Trust A nonprofit certification agency (OPT) Grass Fed. that certifies legally produced cannabis adhering to California regulations mirroring the National Organic Program standards.

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A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers producers to go and stay organic. The CCOF Foundation unites the organic community through intentional education, financial support, and growth opportunities for organic professionals.

All CCOF entities undergo third-party audits annually.

Due to the timing of this publication, the financial data in this report represents preaudited 2024 numbers.

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2024 Impact Report

CCOF in the Field Domitila Tapia, a CCOF Foundation grantee who grows berries and mixed vegetables, shows off her certificate, demonstrating that she has completed the Foundation’s three-year Organic Transition Program. “I’m so happy to be able to work with CCOF, and they’ve helped me answer any questions I have.”

CCOF staff on a farm tour in July, where they learned more about how ALBA’s farm incubator programs help farmers pursue their goal of land ownership. Training institutes like ALBA are essential for nurturing new generations of organic farmers.

CCOF CEO Kelly Damewood gives an organic update to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, standing with former USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

Salvador Ruiz, a CCOF Foundation Organic Transition Program grantee, surveys his crop.

Salvador and his family run a farm that grows specialty crops, including nopales, an edible cactus.

California Certified Organic Farmers

The CCOF Foundation’s Program Director Adrian Fischer and Donor Relations Manager Shawna Rodgers explore how to best serve communities of organic producers across the U.S. at a 2024 meeting at CCOF-certified Pie Ranch.

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Certification Services CCOF Certification Services, LLC provides personable and accessible certification services to nearly 5,000 growers, ranchers, handlers, retailers, brokers, importers, and restaurants across North America. We provide certification services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP), organic transition, Regenerative Organic Certified® program, GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS food safety standards, Organic Plus Trust’s Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program, and the OCal Cannabis Certification.

Learn More CCOF updated our Organic System Plan (OSP) forms to a compliance with the USDA’s new, more specific Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS).

CCOF initiated and CCOF launched a improved systems to new financial assistance send clients their Organic program, including reduced Integrity Database (OID) fees and hardship assistance certificate at the beginning of for members impacted every year. Clients can now Our client base by declared disasters, access certificates at any keeps growing! In 2024, disbursing over $44,000. time.

CCOF saw strong growth across our certification programs—we gained 701 new NOP clients, 123 Food Safety Program operations, 328 GLOBALG.A.P. clients and 38 PrimusGFS clients, and CCOF removed 62 new clients in our the minimum annual ROC® program. certification fee requirement CCOF implemented a more

efficient inspection billing process that saves time and boosts data accuracy.

for Mexico-based clients to help make certification accessible to operations across regions where we offer services.

CCOF supported organic trade by issuing 1,399 NOP import certificates in a timely, efficient manner.

Organic wine maker, David Lucas, at a CCOF Foundation lunch.

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2024 Impact Report

Certification Integrity CCOF Certification Services, LLC upholds organic standards, provides superior customer service, and, above all, maintains its commitment to organic integrity. The CCOF seal is one of the most recognized and trusted seals in the organic market.

In 2024, 79 CCOF inspectors conducted 6,480 inspections to ensure clients are upholding standards across NOP, Food Safety, OCal, COR, and ROC certifications.

CCOF performed

224 residue tests.

179 resulted in no detection. 59 resulted

CCOF improved our risk-assessment system to ensure we are performing Supply Chain Traceability Audits on high-risk operations and aligning oversight accordingly.

in detection that CCOF investigated. Of those 59 investigations, 28 resulted in exclusion from organic sale.

CCOF inspectors performed 272 unannounced inspections to ensure the integrity of the organic label.

CCOF suspended the certifications of 29 operations and revoked the certification of 1 operation to ensure that all CCOF-certified clients uphold the NOP standards.

Employee at Earl’s Organic Produce prepping boxes of organic squash.

California Certified Organic Farmers

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What Our Clients Are Saying “Thank you very much for supporting us with such a quick turnaround for our inspection review. I must commend you and the rest of the CCOF team, especially Christine, Marli, and Jane, for the clear information, guidance, patience, and support that you showed us along this long process of certification.”

– Pablo Gutzalenko, Dalla Terra Winery Direct

“CCOF has been very good to work with so far because of all of the resources that you have given. We’re looking forward to continuing your partnership in obtaining our organic certification!”

“I also want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the continuous support and guidance provided by CCOF throughout our certification journey. Your assistance has been invaluable in helping us achieve this milestone.”

– Quadra Chemicals

– Green Jeeva Canada

CCOF Certification Services offers bilingual assistance to reach clients in both English and Spanish. Please contact us today at getcertified@ccof. org or call us at (831)423-2263), extension 1. Our assistance is free of charge.

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“Our greatest organic farming triumph was achieving certification from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) in 2008 for our Mt. Harlan vineyards.

This milestone validated our years of steadfast commitment to organic practices…Through these efforts, we’ve created a thriving ecosystem where beneficial insects and natural pest control methods flourish, ensuring sustainable vineyard management and unparalleled grape quality year after year.”

– Brittney Clyde, Calera Winery

2024 Impact Report

Certification Financials CCOF Certification Services, LLC Revenue: $21,551,824

CCOF Certification Services. LLC Expenses: $21,578,830

California Certified Organic Farmers

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OCal Financials CCOF OCal Certification Services, LLC (CCOF OCAL) serves California licensed commercial cannabis operations with a comparable-to-organic California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) program. OCal certification ensures that cannabis operations meet standards consistent with the National Organic Program.

OCal Certification Services, LLC Revenue: $64,035

OCal Certification Services, LLC Expenses: $65,765

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2024 Impact Report

CCOF Foundation Achievements In 2024, the CCOF Foundation granted a record amount of funding for organic producers, with $125,000 in funding to Future Organic Farmers, $280,000 in funding to farmers transitioning to organic, and $1,145,000 granted to farmers in crisis.

CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer grantee Dysha Waites | Alison Marlborough Photography

Granted over $1.5M to 123 aspiring organic farmers and those experiencing hardship.

Supported

Contracted with 38 nonprofit organizations and educational institutions across seven states to implement TOPP.

68,444 acres

transition to organic through Organic Transition grants and the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).

Coordinated with 5 TOPP leads across the country to provide technical assistance and mentorship programs for producers transitioning to organic production.

Provided nearly

200 hours of 1:1

Supported 248 organic technical assistance and community building events throughout the Western/Southwestern region, reaching 13,300 producers and service providers.

technical assistance to producers in their preferred language of English or Spanish.

California Certified Organic Farmers

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CCOF Foundation Endowment Planting the seeds for a future where organic is the norm.

Guided by the wisdom of our farming roots, the CCOF Foundation unites the organic community to advance organic agriculture. We offer intentional education, financial support, and growth opportunities for organic professionals.

CCOF’s work has been rooted in community from the beginning, when founding members came together over 50 years ago, united by a shared commitment to an important cause.

Our community has grown into a network of thousands of organic producers across North America and dedicated CCOF staff who are passionate about making a difference.

Becky Blythe, one of the most tenured staff at CCOF, chose to carry forward that passion when she bequeathed funds to the CCOF Foundation as seed money to grow our new CCOF Endowment. An endowment is a permanent source of funding that supports the CCOF Foundation’s vision of creating a world where organic is the norm. The fund’s principal is invested and preserved while a portion of the earnings is paid out each year to ensure ongoing support of organic agriculture. Essentially, the CCOF Endowment will enable the CCOF Foundation to support organic farmers, ranchers, and producers forever.

A donation to the endowment is your chance to ensure that your legacy gift has a lasting impact. Endowment funds will support critical CCOF Foundation programs, including: » » » »

Scholarships for future organic farmers Disaster relief for organic farmers suffering hardship Wrap-around services for farmers transitioning land to organic Unrestricted funds to enhance the CCOF Foundation’s efforts to support farmers as they go and stay organic

Gifts can be made through: - Donor-advised funds - Gifts of stock - Launching a fundraising effort at your store or online - Check or cash - Bequests and estate planning - Multi-year commitment

Your legacy gift helps protect our natural resources and environmental well-being while increasing organic food access, public health, and socioeconomic benefits to all Americans. Contact CCOF Development Director Willow Aray at waray@ccof.org with questions or interest.

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2024 Impact Report

Meet CCOF Foundation Grantees Future Organic Farmers Future Organic Farmers gives $5,000 grants to students and farmers for organic-focused studies in higher education and vocational programs to advance their careers.

With the Future Organic Farmers grant, Tommy Contreras is expanding his hands-on knowledge of farming practices. “I was able to accomplish finishing the Organic Farm School and not be so stressed out about tuition costs,” he says. “In finishing the program and writing a business plan...I was able to reach an agreement with a very successful blueberry farm who will host me in having an incubator farm on their property.”

Organic Transition Program The Organic Transition Program provides three-year grants of $10,000 per year to farmers transitioning their land to organic production. Grantees also receive 1:1 organic technical assistance and access to farmer-to-farmer mentorships.

Verónica Mazariegos-Anastassiou is a first-generation American and first-generation farmer who farms organically for three reasons: responsible stewardship of the land, commitment to healthful foods, and an understanding that extractive practices have ripple effects throughout generations. With the help of the Organic Transition grant, she was able to transition 20 acres into organic certification in 2024.

The CCOF Foundation received an incredible generous anonymous donation of $60,000 in 2024 to support the Organic Transition Program.

Hardship Assistance The Hardship Assistance Fund gives direct financial assistance of up to $20,000 per year to organic farmers and processors recovering from disasters like drought and flooding.

“Our dairy means everything to us, and we vow to keep it going even in the hard times...The grant we were awarded...came at exactly the right time, giving us much needed relief.” - Marissa Silva

California Certified Organic Farmers

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TOPP Program Demand for organic products continues to grow. However, beginning in 2022, the U.S. began to see a decline in total certified organic acreage, partly due to the retirements of the first certified organic farmers, as well as farmland and farm business consolidation.

The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is reversing this trend by providing mentorship, technical assistance, community building, and support to farmers who are looking to transition to organic production.

As the TOPP leader of the West/Southwest Region of the U.S., the CCOF Foundation connects 32 organizations across seven states, as well as thousands of producers each year, with events, technical assistance, and mentorship.

Bob Whitney began working with the CCOF Foundation Western and Southwestern Regional Center for Organic Transition through TOPP at its inception in 2023. He supports a wide network of growers in Texas seeking organic certification by helping them solve fertility issues, weed control, and various aspects of organic production.

“TOPP helped me give more focus to bringing in new growers.”

NRCS training for TOPP on cover crops (photo courtesy of Bob Whitney)

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2024 Impact Report

Foundation Financials CCOF Foundation Revenue: $5,344,648

CCOF Foundation Total Expenses by Program: $5,105,294

California Certified Organic Farmers

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Foundation Donors Thank you to our 2024 CCOF Foundation donors for supporting organic!

Changemakers

Cultivators

Visionairies

Champions

Advocates Argus Media Bejo Seeds Bolthouse Farms Bonterra Organic Estates Earl’s Organic Produce

CCOF Processor/Handler Chapter Farm Credit Front Porch Farm New Hope Network

Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) Pam Marrone Sun-Maid Growers

Spottswoode Estate Vineyard Traditional Medicinals True Organic Products Whole Foods Market

Organic Farms Fertilizers Good Earth Natural Foods Lundberg Family Farms

Morty Cohen Santa Cruz Community Credit Union

Sheppard Mullin Soil Health Lab Vitalis Organic Seeds

Friends Abundant Harvest Organics AgroThrive, Inc. Farmer and the Cook

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2024 Impact Report

CCOF, Inc Key Achievements CCOF. Inc. provides cost-effective infrastructure for all CCOF entities while advancing organic advocacy, consumer education, and market development.

Choose Your Farmer, Choose Organic

170

Connected over organic farmers and producers through 11 chapter meetings.

Provided over

180

Launched a series of video ads featuring CCOF clients, broadcasting to consumers nationwide through streaming TV – expected to reach more than

Introduced an improved CCOF member directory, enabling consumers, institutions, and businesses to directly connect with organic producers and handlers.

500 million views!

annual meeting attendees with updates on CCOF’s progress toward our vision of a world where organic is Launched a new CCOF the norm. website with an upgraded Resource Library, easy-tonavigate hubs for certification services, organic advocacy, Foundation resources, and Led our first organic Released a Small consumer education. trade mission to Producer Marketing Mexico, connecting Toolkit designed specifically for organic farmers and producers certified organic to grow their organic producers with buyers businesses and connect in Guadalajara and with more customers.

Mexico City.

10

California Certified Organic Farmers

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Advocating for Organic Organized an organic dairy farm tour that connected 40 legislators, agency officials, industry Engaged stakeholders, and over 60 CCOF partners to suport members on a organic in the California State Board marketplace. of Food and Agriculture definition of regenerative, securing reference to organic agriculture in the final recommendation.

Assisted 300 members with applications to the Organic Cost Share Program, including an in-person workshop offered with Spanish translation.

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As part of a California statewide coalition, secured the approval of Prop 4, which included a $300 million investment in agriculture.

CCOF Policy Team with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, and officials from the CA State Assembly Committee on Agriculture, and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

Launched a policy campaign to uplift organic food in Food is Medicine programs and other institutional procurement initiatives.

CCOF Policy Team connects CA Assemblymember Damon Connolly with dairy farmer Mike Moretti.

2024 Impact Report

CCOF, Inc Financials CCOF, Inc Revenue: $6,980,347

CCOF, Inc Expenses: $6,524,280

CCOF, Inc. donates 2% of its certification revenue back to the community through the CCOF Foundation.

In 2024, this contribution of $320,241 allowed the Foundation to raise an additional $5,024,804 to fund organic transition programs, scholarships, and hardship assistance!

California Certified Organic Farmers

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CCOF Volunteer Board and Executives 2024 CCOF, Inc. Board of Directors: Phil LaRocca, Chair, LaRocca Vineyards, North Valley Chapter

Esteban Macias Padilla, Grupo U, Mexico Chapter

Malcolm Ricci, Vice Chair, Bolthouse Farms, Kern Chapter

Lily Nugent, Coke Farm, Central Coast Chapter

Justin Miller, Twin Peaks Orchard, Sierra Gold Chapter

Thaddeus Barsotti, Treasurer, Capay Organic and Farm Liz Niles, Wise Ranch, South Coast Chapter Fresh to You, Yolo Chapter Nickie Salyer, Lundberg Family Farms, Processor/ Handler Chapter Ted Vivatson, Secretary, Eel River Brewing, HumboltTrinity-Mendocino Chapter Chad Crivelli, Live Oak Dairy, Big Valley Chapter Andrea Davis-Cetina, Quarter Acre Farm, At-Large Robin Taylor, Sun Grown Organics, Pacific SW Chapter Chapter Genevieve Albers, Traditional Medicinals, North Coast Chapter

Steven Cardoza, Cardoza and Cardoza Farms, FresnoTulare Chapter

JoAnn Cherry / Camille Cherry*, MAHA Estate Wine/ Villa Creek Cellars, San Luis Obispo Chapter

*In Memoriam: CCOF is grateful for the contribution of JoAnn Cherry, who sadly passed away in 2024. Thank you to JoAnn’s daughter, Camille Cherry, for carrying on JoAnn’s legacy on the CCOF, Inc. Board of Directors.

CCOF Certification Services, LLC Management Committee:

CCOF Foundation Board of Trustees:

Tom Willey, T&D Willey Farms (Retired)

Kelly Damewood, CCOF, Inc.

Kelly Damewood, CCOF, Inc.

Phil LaRocca, LaRocca Vineyards

Charles Fowler, Fowler Ranch (Retired)

Jess Newman, McCain Foods

Gina Colfer, Wilbur Ellis Organics

Ted Vivatson, Eel River Brewing

Janning Kennedy (Retired)

John McKeon, Taylor Farms

Staff Executives: Kelly Damewood, Chief Executive Officer, CCOF, Inc. Felipe Sandoval, Chief Financial Officer, CCOF, Inc. April Vasquez, Chief Certification Officer/Chief Operations Officer, CCOF Certification Services, LLC Jessy Becket Parr, Chief Program Officer, CCOF Foundation

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2024 Impact Report

CCOF

877 Cedar Street, Suite 248, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-2263 · fax (831) 423-4528 ccof@ccof.org · www.ccof.org

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit #262 Santa Cruz, CA

You can cultivate an organic world.

Domitila Tapia CCOF Organic Transition Grantee Photo by Adam Perez

Help fund the CCOF Foundation programs in perpetuity.

Donate to our endowment fund today using the enclosed envelope or online by visiting www.ccof.org/donate.