Organic Labeling & Marketing Strategies for Meat Producers

 

Join EcoFarm and the CCOF Foundation for a deep dive into the details of the organic labeling requirements for organic meat producers, including marketing strategies for organic livestock producers who don’t have access to certified organic slaughter facilities. Expect to learn about marketing tips from successful organic meat producers, organic labeling requirements from organic certification experts, and state-wide efforts in California to address the lack of certified organic slaughter facilities.

 

Organic regulations and labeling requirements are intended to foster transparency and consumer trust in organic products. Given the limited access to organic slaughter and meat processing, many local, organic livestock producers struggle to find certified organic facilities. This creates marketing challenges, as the USDA organic seal cannot be used on products processed in non-organic facilities. 

 

In the first half of the webinar, Val Davis from CCOF Certification Services will review the basics of organic labeling for livestock producers, including what labeling is allowed for organic livestock slaughtered in non-organic processing facilities. Then learn how two successful organic livestock operations market their products. Hear how Rockside Ranch developed compliant organic labels, as well as markets both certified organic and non-certified products. Then learn how StarWalker Organic Farms developed a successful marketing strategy for their meat products. We’ll also highlight efforts by CCOF and other organizations working to address the lack of certified organic slaughtering facilities in California.

Val Davis is a Farm Certification Technical Specialist at CCOF Certification Services, LLC. In this role, she applies her expertise to help navigate complex organic compliance decisions and works to ensure organic farmers and ranchers are in compliance with the USDA organic standards. Prior to joining the CCOF team, Val worked in dairy farming, organic vegetable production, and as a research assistant at the University of California, Davis for projects aimed at utilizing livestock grazing to control invasive weeds. Davis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from California State University, Chico and a Master of Science degree in Community, Food, and Agricultural Systems from Michigan State University.

 

Craig Thompson is a 4th generation farmer from Chico, CA. During his college years at Azusa Pacific University, he spent summers leading rafting trips and programs at Kidder Creek Camp (part of Mount Hermon) and eventually served as their associate director year around. In 2010, he married his wife Jen and together they started Rockside Ranch a working ranch and residential program that assists young men get out of crisis and into a job.

 

is a 3rd generation Certified Organic and Certified Humane family-owned organic farm set at the base of the Marble Mountains in beautiful Fort Jones, California. Kristina & Jason Walker are passionate about bringing quality, organic products to the consumer. In 2020, they launched a direct-to-consumer website. Now customers can purchase StarWalker Organic Farms Beef, Pork, & Jerky and get it shipped directly to their doorstep.

 

Meaghan Donovan is the Senior Educational Program Specialist for the CCOF Foundation where she develops and coordinates educational programming for the organization’s Organic Training Institute. Prior to joining CCOF, Meaghan worked extensively in both the sustainable-agriculture and education fields. Her diverse experience includes installing habitat restoration plantings on farms and ranches, deciphering food safety regulations for farmers, promulgating grass-roots policy campaigns, developing environmental-science curricula, and working as a technician in plant science laboratories. Donovan holds a bachelor’s degree in plant science from Cornell University and a master’s degree from the Agriculture, Food, and Environment program at Tufts University.

 

The CCOF Foundation advances organic by supporting people and communities who care for the land.​ Guided by the wisdom of our farming roots, we offer intentional education, financial support, and growth opportunities for organic professionals.

 

This webinar is part of the CCOF Foundation’s Farmers’ Marketing: Tools for Success series, providing tips and tools for farmers and ranchers to strengthen their sales and income at farmers’ markets and other direct to consumer outlets. Funding for the series was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant AM180100XXXXG055.