CCOF 2025 Impact Report
CCOF Member Kelly Brown, Owner, Do Right Flower Farm
Letter From the CEO
In 2025, CCOF focused on deep listening and strategic planning. We shaped meaningful priorities for the years ahead by incorporating member feedback through surveys, listening sessions, and strategic partner interviews.
Our vision is to stand alongside organic producers and help them succeed. We recognize that 2025 was a difficult year, marked by inflation, shifting market dynamics, and unpredictable conditions. In response to the challenges our members expressed, we are enhancing our customer service and streamlining certification forms and paperwork to ensure organic certification remains accessible to operations of all scales and types.
We are also strengthening consumer and producer trust in the organic seal. Our national consumer education marketing campaign has surpassed 200 million views, bolstering demand for organic products. The CCOF Foundation distributed over $5 million in direct grants to organic producers for education, hardship, organic transition, and other organizations to advance organic agriculture.
Organic agriculture is built through the shared efforts of the organic community. We take seriously our responsibility to steward trust and strengthen the systems that organic producers rely on, and we remain focused on supporting the organic community with integrity and care.
KELLY DAMEWOOD CEO, CCOF
FROM THE BOARD
“I grew up on a small organic farm and helped grow that operation into a viable business. That experience shaped my understanding of what farmers need to sustain their livelihoods, what consumers need to access affordable organic food, and why common‑sense policies matter.
At CCOF, that perspective guides my commitment to advancing policies and programs that uplift organic farmers and support innovation rather than creating unnecessary barriers. That’s why I’m looking forward to serving as Chair—to help CCOF advance our vision for a world where organic is the everyday way we grow, eat, and live.”
– Thaddeus Barsotti, Chair of the CCOF, Inc. Board of Directors Owner, Capay Organic
CCOF Vision 2030
By 2030, CCOF will stand alongside organic producers to build a just and economically strong organic sector.
Together, we are laying the foundation for a future where organic is not the alternative—but the everyday way we grow, eat, and live.
Streamlining Certification with Care
Delivering the most accessible, efficient, and personable certification services in North America, reducing barriers so more producers can thrive in organic.
Equipping Producers for Success
Accelerating the development of tools, training, and resources that empower organic producers— no matter their size, background, or location—to grow resilient businesses.
Shaping Policy Through Lived Experience
Advocating for smart, practical public policies that reflect the realities of organic production— grounded in the voices of those who live it every day.
Driving the Future of Consumer & Producer Trust
Proactively shaping the narrative around USDA Organic to build lasting trust and recognition of its rigor, relevance, and value.
How We Do Our Work
CCOF, Inc.
A member-based nonprofit organization that supports affiliated and subsidiary CCOF entities with vital infrastructure while investing in advocacy, consumer education, and market development.
CCOF Certification Services, LLC.
A nonprofit certification agency that provides producers across North America with personable, accessible organic, food safety, and other agricultural certification services.
CCOF OCAL Certification Services, LLC.
A nonprofit certification agency that certifies legally produced cannabis adhering to California regulations mirroring the National Organic Program standards.
CCOF Foundation
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 financial audits annually. Due to the timing of this publication, the financial data in this report represents pre-audited 2025 numbers.
CCOF Certification Services
We provide certification services for:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP)
GLOBALG.A.P. & PrimusGFS (Food Safety)
CCOF Certified Transitional
Organic Plus Trust’s Certified GrassFed Organic Livestock
INSPECTOR HIGHLIGHT
The Regenerative Organic Alliance’s Regenerative Organic Certified®
OCal Cannabis Certification (California)
Ariel Russell, Senior Organic Inspector and ROC Social Auditor II
“I enjoy working as an organic inspector for CCOF because it gives me the opportunity to uphold the organic standards and interact with the highest caliber organic operations. Inspectors are often the only representatives of CCOF that the members meet face to face, and it’s a great privilege and responsibility to be able to represent our organization.”
400K
Fallow, Rangeland, Pastures 28K
Nuts
Spotlight on Full Belly Farm
Celebrating 40 years of Organic Certification with CCOF in 2025
Full Belly Farm is a 400-acre certified organic farm in Guinda, CA. Established in 1984 by Dru Rivers and Paul Muller, Full Belly Farm became CCOF’s ninth certified member in 1985 and has farmed organically ever since.
“CCOF has provided an invaluable support network for so many growers throughout the 40 years that we have been involved,” says Dru. “The Transition to Organic Partnership Program in particular has helped many growers with the leap from conventional to organic and has been a wonderful educational resource. CCOF has done a tremendous job rolling out this program!”
After over 40 years of farming and watching the produce yields grow, Dru has some advice for new farmers:
“Never underestimate the power of good, healthy soil, and never underestimate the power of community. Be a good neighbor; get involved. Community mirrors what we’re learning about the soil; the more complex and rich it is, the better the farm does.”
Full Belly Farm now has three generations of their family helping at farmers markets, sending out CSA boxes, and running educational offerings on soil health.
“It’s such a fallacy that we need all these chemicals and pesticides and fertilizers to grow food for the world,” Dru says. “I’m a big believer in the Native American philosophies that we should be thinking many generations out, not just for our own moment here on earth. Organic farming makes sense for a long-term healthy planet.”
Certification Services Key Achievements
6,422 inspections conducted
225 residue tests performed
$28,149 covered in certification fees for new organic members and members facing hardship
255 unannounced inspections
1,680 certified clients used the MyCCOF portal to navigate organic certification more easily
Foundation Achievements
$1.11M awarded to organic farmers experiencing hardship
$3.3M awarded to organizations to support organic transition
$550K awarded to farmers transitioning to organic
$125K awarded to Future Organic Farmers
390+ hours of direct 1:1 organic technical assistance provided to producers
Meet Sean Bettles
CCOF Foundation Grantee, who transitioned half of his family’s avocado ranch to organic (Rincon Farms in Carpinteria, CA).
“The
CCOF Foundation grant
is extremely helpful because it gives us what we need most: money. .
Organic farmers have to farm organically for three years before being certified, so it helps to have extra cash to play catchup. Also, CCOF Foundation provided technical assistance to help me with the paperwork for transitioning—this saved me hours and hours of time, so I am very grateful for that.
I felt very proud when I received the organic certificate. The certification offers me many advantages: I can get a premium for my fruit, access better markets with buyers who prioritize California fruit over offshore fruit, and access more direct-to-consumer markets, such as farmers’ markets. I also think the public likes to tour organic farms, so there could be an agritourism component too; small family farms must stay adaptable!
I farm organic because I can produce nutrientdense food in a safe way for my family and my community, and it can help the bottom line—all while seeing the birds, insects and all animals thrive on the same land.”
“I knew organic farming was in my futureit made sense to me and the planet.”
TOPP Program
The CCOF Foundation leads the Western & Southwestern U.S. region of USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
“We received some great feedback from mentees who have gone through the program on how helpful it has been, and how mentoring allowed for the certification process to be seamless. It is vital that once a farm has reached certification, there is a support network in place to maintain certification year over year.”
– HAWAII FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
186 resources on food safety, record keeping, cover cropping and more
121,614 acres transitioned or maintained as organic
67 mentors enrolled in West/Southwest region
54 newly certified organic operations SCAN HERE FOR TOPP PARTNERS
152 mentees enrolled in West/Southwest region
Foundation Donors
CHANGEMAKERS
CULTIVATORS
Anonymous VISIONARIES
CHAMPIONS
Advocates
Bolthouse Farms
Bonterra Organic Estates
CCOF Processor/Handler Chapter
Friends
Abundant Harvest Organics
AgroThrive, Inc.
Foster Farms dba Organic Farms Fertilizers
Good Earth Natural Foods
Green Hope Vodka
Supporters
Abbey Asher
Allen Harthorn
Amber Goldfield
Betty Lo
Briarpatch Food Coop
Catherine & Stephen Lindsay
Cathy Calfo
Family Fund
Earl’s Organic Produce
Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA)
Heath & Lejeune
Lundberg Family Farms
Morty Cohen
Organic Farmers Association
Organically Grown Company
Charles and Anna Pedrazzini Family
Foundation
Charlotte Vallaeys
Christopher Hall
Creekside Organics
Dina Garcia
Forager Project
J.C. Cockrell
Jane Sooby
Kenneth Lyons
Kim Kaput
Marlaina Alexander
Nicole Behar
Phil LaRocca
Tonya Antle
True Organic Products Whole Foods Market
Rotary Club of Los Gatos
Seed Dynamics
Straus Family Creamery
Traditional Medicinals
Wild Roots Market
Producer’s Meat and Provision, Inc.
Susan Clifford
Teresa and Mark West
United Produce
Veronica Aguirre Dutton
Joe Edmonds & Linda Smith
115 attendees $135M in federal funds for organic farmers safeguarded through supported advocacy efforts
44 meetings with elected officials
8 chapter meetings held with
2 farm tours for legislators and agency staff hosted
200+ attendees at the annual membership meeting
Growing Markets
CCOF, Inc. focused on bold initiatives to grow the organic marketplace by reinforcing public confidence in the USDA Organic Seal, reaching new consumer audiences, and equipping producers with tools and guidance to effectively tell their stories to buyers.
257M+
consumers reached with educational streaming and digital ads featuring real organic farmers
550+
producers provided with direct support to better market their businesses through toolkits and trainings in both English and Spanish
Released a comprehensive media relations toolkit to help organic producers work more effectively with the media by providing practical tips for telling their stories and educating the public about organic farming
By proactively shaping the narrative around organic certification, CCOF builds lasting trust and recognition of its rigor, relevance, and value for consumers and producers alike.
CCOF Volunteer Board and Executives
2025 CCOF, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Phil LaRocca, Chair, LaRocca Vineyards, North Valley Chapter
Ben Diesl, Grimmway Farms, Kern Chapter
Thaddeus Barsotti, Treasurer, Capay Organic and Farm Fresh to You, Yolo Chapter
Ted Vivatson, Secretary, Eel River Brewing, Humboldt-Trinity-Mendocino Chapter
Andrea Davis-Cetina, Quarter Acre Farm, At-Large Chapter
Esteban Macias Padilla, Grupo U, Mexico Chapter
Genevieve Albers, Traditional Medicinals, North Coast Chapter
Camille Cherry, MAHA Estate Wine/Villa Creek Cellars, San Luis Obispo Chapter
Justin Miller, Vice Chair, Twin Peaks Orchard, Sierra Gold Chapter
Lily Nugent, Coke Farm, Central Coast Chapter
Adam Novicki, UC Hansen Research and Extension Center, South Coast Chapter
Nickie Salyer, Lundberg Family Farms, Processor/Handler Chapter
Frank Olagaray, Blossom Vineyards, Big Valley Chapter
Robin Taylor, Sun Grown Organics, Pacific SW Chapter
Steven Cardoza, Cardoza and Cardoza Farms, Fresno-Tulare Chapter
Kelly Damewood, CCOF, Inc.
Phil LaRocca, LaRocca Vineyards
Jess Newman, McCain Foods
Ted Vivatson, Eel River Brewing
John McKeon, Taylor Farms
Nina Ichikawa
Rebecca Gildiner, Leading Harvest
Kelly Damewood, CCOF, Inc.
2025 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 Beckett Parr, Chief Program Officer, CCOF Foundation
Charles Fowler, Fowler Ranch (Retired)
Gina Colfer, Wilbur Ellis Organics
Janning Kennedy (Retired)
Allen Harthorn, Friends of Butte Creek CCOF
Humberto Maldonado, Organically Grown Company
877 Cedar St, Suite 248
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-2263 · fax (831) 423-4528 ccof@ccof.org · www.ccof.org