Certifying Your Dairy Organic - 5/24/06

To help answer questions on organic certification and production, Cooperative Extension, the Marin Agricultural Commissioner's office and the Marin Agricultural Land Trust offered a half-day workshop on "Certifying Your Dairy Organic" on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Tomales History Center in Tomales. The price premium paid to dairy producers of organic milk is more than double that for conventional milk, and has been holding steady for the past five years. As conventional prices now descend again on the rollercoaster ride of national milk pricing, producers are taking a very serious look at transitioning their operations to organic. The Marin and Sonoma dairy industry, with it's fine pastures and mid-sized herds, is well positioned to take advantage of the increased customer demand for fresh organic milk.

Speakers:

Anita Sauber - Marin Organic Certified Agriculture, Agricultural Commissioner's Office

Jeffrey Stiles - Marin Organic Certified Agriculture, Agricultural Commissioner's Office

Ray Green - California Department of Food & Agriculture/State Organic Program

Albert Straus - Straus Family Creamery

Dan Giacomini - Pacific Nutrition Consulting

Elizabeth Whitlow - California Certified Organic Farmers

Resources:

An Overview of Organic Feeds and Feeding
Organic Dairy Certification Requirements Overview
ed Organic Farmers website