Organic certifiers CCOF and Oregon Tilth announce plans to merge

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Oregon Tilth have announced plans to merge.

Founded in 1973, CCOF is the oldest and largest third-party organic certification agency in the United States. It certifies more than 2,321 organic operations in 34 states and three foreign countries and serves 350-plus supporting members.

Oregon Tilth certifies more than 1,400 organic operations in 46 states and six countries, with over 200 supporting members.

The two will form one organization, CCOF Tilth, to strengthen the visibility and voice of organic, according to a joint press release.

Membership of both organizations will be asked to ratify the merger before Oct. 31, 2012.

“The merger will create the strongest mission-driven certification program in the country,” said CCOF Executive Director Cathy Calfo, “supported by a trade association of nearly 4,000 certified farmers, ranchers, and processors, and a robust educational foundation.”

The two nonprofits have collaborated before. During the 1980s, CCOF and Oregon Tilth formed the Western Alliance of Certifying Organizations to ensure integrity and consistency in organic certification. In the 1990s, they helped form the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), which determines if input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing.

During the past decade, organically grown products have become the fastest growing sector in agriculture as consumers have become more concerned about how their food is grown and processed. Sales of organic products have increased annually by as much as 20 percent and represent a $31 billion sector of the agricultural industry, the organizations reported.

Farmers and food processors who currently use CCOF or Oregon Tilth labels on their products will continue to do so; however, a new CCOF Tilth label will be released this fall.

For more information visit www.ccoftilthmerger.org.