April Joy Farm Talks Food Insecurity
Growing Future Organic Farmers
April Joy Farm is a 24-acre diver- sified certified organic farm in Ridgefield, Washington Owner/ farmer and Organic Farming Re- search Foundation (OFRF) board member April Thatcher is inter- ested in improving soil health and native habitat and growing organic food for a CSA program and a local commu- nity partnership that addresses food insecurity. April Joy Farm utilizes solar energy and partners with its utility company’s “Green Lights Program” to offset 100 percent of its electricity use each year. In 2020, 61.5 percent of the farm’s energy came from an on-farm solar array, avoiding roughly 7.2 metric tons of CO2 and sequestering carbon equivalent to 120 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. “I’ve reduced my energy expenses and im- proved my farm’s carbon footprint,” says Thatcher. “I’m proud to be providing leadership for my entire community around energy efficiency, and my cus- tomers appreciate that their farmer is focused on reducing the environmental impacts of our collective ‘food-print.’”
The CCOF Foundation’s Future Organic Farmers grant is the only fund in the nation that provides grants exclusively to organic agriculture students. Along with funding partners, CCOF supports this new genera- tion of organic professionals through direct financial assistance for organic education. These students are the future of organic agriculture! Adelio Coronel, a Future Organic Farmer grant re- cipient, is committed to growing heathy organic food to support his local community and the environment. Coming from a long line of farmers, Coronel always knew that he wanted to continue the tradition. “Chem- icals may be easier and faster, but at the same time it’s hurting us in the end. Many people built this organic movement, and I believe in moving it forward by pro- viding healthy food and a better environment,” he says. Armed with the technical and educational support of ALBA’s PEPA program and the direct financial sup- port from the CCOF Foundation, Coronel now runs his own small organic farm. “The grant was the motivation that enabled us to move on,” he says. “It helped pay for my studies and buy the things I needed to get started farming. Every dollar was well invested, and it served me a lot. It was an emotional realization to know that I can do this; I’m not alone—it was really tremendous.” The CCOF Foundation will continue supporting the vi- sion of students like Adelio Coronel—to help them thrive as organic farmers and land stewards.
FAMILY FIRST. ALWAYS.
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OPN State of Organic Produce 2021
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