Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: the CCOF Foundation
The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation believes in organic as a powerful solution for building climate resilience, protecting environmental health and improving local and rural food systems. Their vision is simple but ambitious: a world where organic is the norm.
The CCOF Foundation started in 2014 when concerns arose about the aging farmer population in the U.S. Now, through their three core programs (Organic Transition, Hardship Assistance and Future Organic Farmers), they’re supporting producers at every stage of their journey.
Organic Transition
The CCOF Foundation’s Organic Transition program provides multi-year financial assistance paired with technical support for farmers switching land to organic production during the federally required three-year transition period. Every farmer receives $10,000 for each year of the transition (a $30k grant in total), as well as technical assistance, mentorship, supply chain coaching and farm development.
This program has supported individual farmers and helped shape broader organic agriculture efforts. The Foundation’s Theory of Change for organic transition has informed funding and program frameworks at both the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It also served as the foundation for the USDA’s national Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
Today, the CCOF Foundation serves as the West and Southwest Regional Lead for TOPP. In this role, they work with about 50 regional partners across California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada and Hawaii to provide regionally tailored mentorship, workforce development, technical assistance and community building opportunities to more than 500 farmers.
Hardship Assistance
Funnels resources to organic farmers that are experiencing hardship from extreme weather, drought, wildfires, supply chain disruptions or other economic shocks. This is the only program in the U.S. that supports certified organic producers recovering from disasters. Any producer, regardless of certifier affiliation, may apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. These grants range between $5,000 to well over $20,000 and often support farmers during critical moments, keeping small businesses afloat.
Future Organic Farmers
Offers scholarships and educational support that expand access to organic education which equips the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain and grow the organic sector. Grants of $5,000 are awarded to students across the U.S. in a variety of educational and vocational training programs.
In 2025, OGC gave the CCOF Foundation a Mission Fund grant. "We are grateful to receive support from OGC as a values-aligned partner in the long-term movement for organic agriculture. OGC’s support of the CCOF Foundation helps us create positive environmental, social and economic change,” shared CCOF Chief Program Officer, Jessy Beckett Parr. “Since 2014 we have awarded over $8.1M in grant funding, provided tens of thousands of individuals with professional development opportunities and matched 67 farmer mentors with 152 mentees. To date, our efforts have supported the transition of over 322,298 acres to organic.”
OGC’s Mission Fund Grant Program supports organic farm viability, educating youth, increasing access to organic food and more. The CCOF Foundation is just one of many organizations the Mission Fund supported in 2025. Find the complete list of grant recipients here. To learn more about the CCOF Foundation click here.
