Organic Valley

Organic Valley

Type	Agricultural cooperative
Founded	1988 (1988)
Headquarters	La Farge, Wisconsin, United States
Key people	George Siemon, CEO
Industry	Dairy, Produce, Eggs
Products	Butter, cheese, milk, eggs
Revenue	$527 million (2008)
Website	organicvalley.coop

Organic Valley is the largest cooperative of organic farmers in the United States, based out of La Farge, Wisconsin.^[1]

Company history

Organic Valley was originally founded in 1988 under the name CROPP (Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool) Cooperative.^[2] What began as a group of family farms selling their produce soon expanded into the production and local distribution of vegetables, and dairy products. The brandname Organic Valley was soon adopted, and the abbreviation "CROPP" was adjusted to Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools. Today, Organic Valley is the nation's largest, independent cooperative of organic family farmers and one of the largest producers and distributors of organic produce (in season), dairy, soy, and eggs. They market their line of beef, pork, turkey, and chicken products under the Cooperative's Organic Prairie brand. To date, Organic Valley comprises 1643 farmer-owners located in 32 states and one Canadian province that specialize in sustainable, organic agriculture practices.

The original CROPP farms are located throughout southwest Wisconsin, primarily in the Kickapoo River Basin area. Southwest Wisconsin is the home of many small and mid-sized farms, both organic and non-organic. However, the cooperative network of over 1,300 family farms that now make up Organic Valley's production base are located throughout the midwest and the continental United States, and range from farms supported by multiple families to small, family owned-and-operated farms. Organic Valley's revenue from sales of its products topped $527 million in 2008.

Mission statement and company policies

The mission of Organic Valley/CROPP is to save family farming culture through organic farming and distribute the highest quality organic food in the nation. Company policy includes high rates-of-returns to the farmers that sustain the company and the attempt to maintain consistent prices set forth by the Farmer-owner Board of Directors of the company, who base sums on the cost of production and manpower that goes into the growth and distribution of their products.

Organic agriculture is rooted in the growth of the animal, plant or seed that is to be harvested. Guidelines for the growth and care of organic products were set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) upon the creation of the National Organic Program (NOP), which was passed on April 21, 2002.^[3] Any farm that wishes to be certified as organic must meet the requirements of the NOP. Organic crops must be raised without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. They also cannot be treated with any chemicals post-harvest. Alternatively, livestock whose meat or milk are to be harvested cannot be treated with any antibiotic or synthetic hormones or ingest any genetically modified plants or organisms during their growth or milking years (all livestock food must be certified as organic). In addition to the growth of the product, the harvest and post-harvest treatment of the product is strictly regulated, prohibiting the use of some chemicals and post-harvest production methods.

An interesting note on the certification of organic farms: farms that make the switch to organic practices will not be certified as organic until three years after they stop using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals. Thus, farms cannot simply alternate between organic and non-organic production when they wish due to this three-year "cleansing" rule.

George Siemon, one of the founding farmers of CROPP, acts as CEO of the Organic Valley. Once a member of the National Organic Standards Board^[4], George Siemon has been instrumental in the adoption and propagation of organic agricultural practices and helps to set the standards for Organic Valley. Each of the farms that sustain this company are certified as organic (i.e. they follow all of the guidelines set forth by the NOP). Organic Valley also uses pasteurization and homogenization in many of their dairy products, even though they have been criticized in this area for not being fundamentally aligned with organic food preservation. In January 2008, Organic Valley opposed Food and Drug Administration’s ruling that food from cloned animals and their offspring is safe [1].

Sales and distribution locations

Organic Valley is primarily run and owned by the farmers that sustain it. The company's income returns primarily to the farmers and community in which the crops are grown, which is a contributing factor to the steady prices that Organic Valley attempts to maintain. While some criticize Organic Valley (and indeed, the organic food market in general) for being overpriced, the organic food market is continually growing, with communities showing more and more interest in the theory and practices of organic agriculture.

Products displaying the Organic Valley logo and USDA Certified organic stamp can be found in all 50 states, Canada, and Japan. The United States is divided into three selling markets: The Western, Central, and Eastern Divisions.^[5] Each division is managed by sales staff, producers, and distributors directly associated with the cooperative. Organic Valley has a regional vision and they produce six regional milks that are produced, processed and distributed in New England, Northeast, Heartland, Rocky Mountain, California and the Pacific Northwest. Total sales in 2003 peaked to $156 million dollars^[6], with an annual organic market growth rate of 20%.^[5] Organic Valley's revenue from sales of its dairy products topped $527 million in 2008.

Awards and recognitions

2008 Ecological Farming Association Sustie Award The Ecological Farming Association awarded Organic Valley farmer-member, Tony Azevedo the 2008 Sustie Award at their annual Eco-Farm Conference in Pacific Grove, CA.

2008 Fast Company Social Capitalist Award Traditionally reserved for non-profit organizations, the Social Capitalist Award was awarded to for-profit companies for the first time in 2008. Organic Valley was among 10 companies to receive the award. CEIEIO, George Siemon accepted the award on behalf of Organic Valley.

2007 Co-op America Green Business Leadership Award Co-op America awarded the 5th annual Green Business Leadership Award to Organic Valley for their commitment to innovative environmental practices and proving that being green and being successful can walk hand in hand.

2007 Producer of the Year Award from Oregon Tilth Organic Valley farmer-member, Jon Bansen was awarded Oregon Tilth's Producer of the Year Award. Jon was commended for his outstanding organic livestock operation as well as his willingness to share knowledge and experience with his peers.

2007 Ecological Farming Association Sustie Award George Siemon, CEIEIO and founding farmer of Organic Valley received the prestigious Sustie Award from the Ecological Farming Association at the organization's annual Eco-Farm Conference.

2007 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Business of the Year Award The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA)awarded their Business of the Year Award to Organic Valley in recognition of Organic Valley's efforts to help a number of conventional dairy farmers establish the first certified-organic dairy farms in North Carolina. The award was accepted by CEIEIO, George Siemon on behalf of Organic Valley.

2007 Glynwood Center Award The Glynwood Center awarded the 1200+ farmer-members of Organic Valley the Glynwood Harvest Farmer Award. NY-based Organic Valley farmer, Maureen Knapp accepted the award on behalf of all the farmer-members of Organic Valley.

2006 Earth Trustee Award The Earth Society Foundation International Earth Day Award was presented to Organic Valley in recognition for outstanding contribution as a dedicated Earth Trustee. Organic Valley farmer, Regina Beidler accepted the award and was present for the ringing of the UN Peace Bell at the exact moment of the Spring Equinox on Earth Day.^[5]

2006 and 2007 1st Place Blue Vein Cheese Competition at World Dairy Expo Organic Valley was awarded 1st place in the World Dairy Expo Blue Vein Cheese Competition in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, the cheese received 99.75 points out of a possible 100 points.

2006 Food and Wine Magazine Freshest Butter Flavor Food and Wine recognized Organic Valley for the Freshest Butter Flavor after testing a group of 20 butters.

2006 2nd Place in Unsalted Butter and American Original/Colby American Cheese Society Competitions The American Cheese Society awarded Organic Valley 2nd place for their European Style Cultured Butter and Colby cheese.

2005 Wisconsin Employer of Choice Award Workforce Development Board, Inc. An award based upon identification of businesses in the Western Wisconsin region who exemplify best practices in workforce attraction and retention.^[5]

2005 Midmarket Manufacturer of the Year Award from Start Magazine This award singles out manufacturing companies that have excelled in the manufacturing industry as a whole. Companies with revenues between $200 million and $1 billion are considered to be in the midmarket.^[5]

2005 2nd Place American Cheese Society Aged Cheddar Category Organic Valley won 2nd Place for their Raw Sharp Cheddar.

2005 Bronze Medal for Organic Valley Raw Sharp Cheddar World Cheese Awards At the World Cheese Awards in London, England, Organic Valley received the bronze medal for their Raw Sharp Cheddar.

2005 Best of Class from U.S. Championship Cheese Contest 2005 Organic Valley awarded Best of Class for their Raw Sharp Cheddar at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest held in Milwaukee, WI.

2005 Top Pick by Family Circle Magazine Organic Valley recognized as "Top Pick" by Family Circle magazine for their Cheddar.

2004 Organic Valley Awarded 1st Place for Sharp Cheddar by American Cheese Society

2004 Organic Valley Awarded 2nd Place for Reduced Fat Milk, Cottage Cheese, and Lightly Salted Butter at World Dairy Expo

2003 Organic Valley Awarded 1st Place for Lightly Salted Butter at World Dairy Expo

1996 and 2000 Organic Valley Awarded 1st Place for Sharp Cheddar by American Cheese Society

Footnotes

1. ^ Nelson, Brett. Dean Foods To Street: Green Is Good. Forbes. 14 Sept 2004.
2. ^ "Organic Valley - The Truest Meaning of Organic". United Natural Foods, Inc.. June 2004. http://www.unitedbuyingclubs.com/PRODUCTS/v_OrgValley_Jun04.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-16. 
3. ^ Kuepper, George. Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program. National Sustainable Agriculture Information Services. 2002.
4. ^ Martin, Andrew. How to Add Oomph to ‘Organic’. New York Times. 19 August 2007.
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} Organic Valley Farms Homepage Organic Valley.
6. ^ Citrano, Virginia, and Penelope Patsuris. The Naturals. Forbes. 17 Sept. 2004.

External links

• Official website
• Official website of Organic Prairie
• Organic Farmers, an information portal for current members and farms that are interested in joining
• Earth Dinner, a campaign to start an Earth Day tradition