[Scpg] New California Hemp Legislation Represents Huge Opportunity for Organic Farmers

[Chrys Ostrander]

>  New California Hemp Legislation Represents Huge Opportunity for Organic
>Farmers
>
>March 02, 2005 - By California Certified Organic Farmers
>
>
>
>SANTA CRUZ, CA-California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) is the first
>major agricultural organization to support Assemblyman Mark Leno's (13th
>District, San Francisco) new industrial hemp bill based on the huge
>economic potential represented by the production of organic hemp in
>California. Currently, all hemp products sold in California are grown in
>Canada or other foreign markets. Assemblyman Leno's bill attempts to
>bring these revenues into the state while providing a regulatory
>structure for production and licensing of industrial hemp grown for
>fiber and seed.
>
>In a move to secure unique economic opportunities for California's
>organic farmers, CCOF has announced its support of Assemblyman Leno's
>industrial hemp legislation. To show its support, CCOF participated in a
>press conference with Assemblyman Leno at the California State Capital
>on Wednesday, February 23. As one of the nation's oldest and largest
>organic certification organizations, CCOF has put the full weight of its
>organization behind this new legislation.
>
>"We contacted many of our growers throughout the state and found that
>they were excited about this opportunity and welcomed hemp production
>options for their farms. In a time when business in California is harder
>than ever and agricultural industries depend on every opportunity, every
>new crop and income option cannot be ignored. As the certifier of more
>than 75% of California's organic acreage, CCOF welcomes every new legal
>crop planted in the state," said CCOF's Director of Marketing and
>International Programs Jake Lewin.
>
>This legislation provides for the legal production of industrial hemp in
>the state and represents an important move forward for California's
>consumers, farmers and agricultural community. Currently, numerous
>hemp-based products are produced in Canada and imported into the state
>for processing and sale. This bill provides the opportunity to bring the
>several thousand acres of hemp production to California where farmers
>can enjoy the income opportunity and rotation crop options.
>
>Because the majority of hemp food products sold are certified organic,
>CCOF sees this as an important step towards expanding the market
>viability of organic growers in the state. "CCOF is aware of companies
>that are ready to develop production contracts with organic growers as
>soon as this legislation is passed. With the U.S. hemp foods industry
>poised for dramatic growth, CCOF is pleased to see the courageous
>actions of Assemblyman Leno, Whole Foods Markets, Nutiva Hemp Foods and
>all the other organizations that are supporting this legislation" said
>Vanessa Bogenholm, CCOF Board Chair and owner of VB Farms.
>
>Under the bill, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
>will oversee hemp production locations and issue specific production
>permits. Nutiva Hemp Foods, a leading supplier of organic hemp food
>products, is projecting a need for well over 10,000 acres of contracted
>hemp acres in 2008. CCOF fully supports awarding these contacts to
>California's organic growers. Assemblyman Leno's legislation makes this
>a very real possibility.
>
>About CCOF:
>
>CCOF, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the
>nation's largest and oldest third-party organic certifying agencies.
>CCOF's purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in
>California and elsewhere through:
>* A premier organic certification program for growers, processors,
>handlers, and retailers.
>* Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic
>product and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
>* Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic
>agriculture.
>
>For more information, contact:
>Jake Lewin, Director of Marketing & International Programs
>California Certified Organic Farmers
>Telephone: (831) 423-2263, ext. 21
>jake at ccof.org
>www.ccof.org <http://www.ccof.org/>

Chrys Ostrander, Organic Farmworker
1720 Alamo Pintado
Solvang, CA 93463
805-693-5108
chrys at thefutureisorganic.net
http://www.thefutureisorganic.net