Guest Author - Katie Byrd
Farming for most small farmers is a losing proposition. But that didn’t stop seven Wisconsin organic dairy farmers who got together back in 1988 to save their family farms. The cooperative they formed is now the model of success for farmers all over the world.
Under the leadership of George Siemon, who prefers to be known as the “C-E-I-E-I-O”, Organic Valley™ has become the largest organic farmers’ cooperative in North America, serving over 630 farmers in eighteen states from Maine to California and from Florida to Oregon.
Organic Valley™ delivers high quality, strictly organic milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products to all fifty states and Japan. It also supplies organic milk and other organic ingredients to dozens of the nation’s leading organic manufacturers. And recently, the co-op launched a second brand, Valley Family of Farms™ organic meats.
The Organic Valley™ co-op farmers found the perfect solution to their mutual financial problems. And, since the beginning, they’ve grown at an astounding 20% a year and are expected to do close to $190 million in business in 2004.
By avoiding conventional dairy farming tactics, like growth hormones, antibiotics and feed grown with pesticides, the coop members are committed, as they say, ”to market nutritious, wholesome food as directly as possible to our customers.” They’re also committed, in a world of rising and falling agricultural prices, to pay themselves the stable, equitable and sustainable income they deserve.
Under adverse conditions, Organic Valley™ coop farmers put their heads together and found a way to do what they love. In the process, they also support small family farms, promote the ethical, humane treatment of farm animals, practice environmental awareness and provide consumers with healthy, safe, high quality organic milk products. And I’ll drink to that!
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