April 12, 2007

LA FARGE, Wis., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- When the cows come home to California State University, Chico they'll arrive from greener pastures, thanks to a starter herd of 20 cows donated by Organic Valley dairy farmers from California, Washington and Oregon.

This show of support commemorates the University Farm's transition to an all-organic dairy program, and celebrates the school's new alliance as a full-fledged member of Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation's largest cooperative of independent, organic farmers.

Baby Bell and Mom.

"Having a farm family join the cooperative is always rewarding, but welcoming a campus of aspiring young dairymen and progressive faculty dedicated to research in this field is truly a milestone," said George Siemon, CEO of Organic Valley Family of Farms. "Not only will the organic milk produced on the campus be available within the local community, but thousands of students will gain first-hand experience with grazing, animal husbandry and the benefits of organics."

The Chico State dairy, officially called the Paul L. Byrne Agricultural Teaching and Research Center, recently began shipping its milk to Organic Valley and became a full voting member in the cooperative. The University Farm -- a working farm and dairy with 75 head of cattle -- dates back to the 1960s. The agriculture department's faculty was eager to bring their department in line with the school's sustainability philosophy and give students the opportunity to experience a commercial organic dairy operation. The dairy became the obvious choice and the greatest opportunity to infuse both the message and methods of sustainability, according to Cindy Daley, Ph.D., Animal Science professor and one of the driving forces behind the dairy's organic transition.

"We chose to partner with Organic Valley because it is owned and operated by family farmers with a commitment to organic, grass-based production methods," said Daley. "Our objectives for this teaching unit are in full alignment with the Organic Valley philosophy. We are focused on developing a teaching model for students and industry that will demonstrate the best pasture-based program while using organic milk production practices."

"The goal of the organic dairy production is to optimize milk production rather than maximize it -- for the cow's sake and the land's sake," Daley added. "To that end, students will study the economics of pasture production and work to identify a more sustainable source of grain and grain substitutions rather than import it from the Midwest."

Daley wants students within Chico's Agriculture school and University-wide to understand the difference between sustainable, organic farming and conventional farming. To accomplish this goal, aspects of the organic dairy will be integrated into course offerings, and curriculum offered in other departments.

"Send a Cow to College" Program Led by Young Organic Valley Dairyman
In support of Chico State's commitment to organic dairy education, many of the region's Organic Valley milk producers from California, Oregon and Washington did what they could to personally help the campus build an organic milking herd through a program called, "Send a Cow to College." This grassroots donation program was conceived and led by 27-year old Stevinson, Calif. dairy farmer Adam Azevedo, a third-generation farmer and Organic Valley member. Azevedo tirelessly solicited donations of female cows and is orchestrating their transport to campus from far-flung farmers. His efforts have brought in 20 donations thus far.

Community Invited to Tour Dairy and Take Pasture Walk

The campus will throw open its milking parlor and invite all students and the community to see the organic dairy facility during an Open House celebration on Thursday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public can tour the dairy, meet the cows that have been transitioned to organic, taste Organic Valley cheese and milk, watch a milking demonstration, view the calf barn exhibit, and enjoy a pasture walk. For more information about this free public event, go to www.csuchicoag.org.

Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative: Independent and Farmer-Owned

Organic Valley Family of Farms is America's largest and oldest cooperative of organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents more than 940 farmers in 27 states and one Canadian province and realized a record $335 million in 2006 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming, the cooperative produces 200 organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, and juice. Its sister brand, Organic Prairie, produces organic pork, beef and poultry Look for Organic Valley For more information visit http://www.organicvalley.coop/.

Editor’s note: There’s much more to see in California than the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland. Agritourism is a European concept that gets visitors out into the country where food is actually produced. Opportunities to rub elbows with real farmers, ranchers and artisan food producers exist all over California. Travelers who’re planning on taking in the Dairy Open House at Chico State later this month can find many Lodging and Dining options in Taste California Travel’s >Resource Directory. (Though Chico is located in the Northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, relevant information about it is in the Butte Country section of the Shasta-Cascade region.)