Organic Valley

Organic Valley is a cooperative of organic farmers based in La Farge, Wisconsin, United States near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Founded in 1988, its 2013 annual sales neared $1 billion. The largest organic farmer cooperative in the world, Organic Valley markets products in all 50 states including exports to Canada, China, Japan and 24 other countries.

Company history
Organic Valley was founded in 1988 under the name CROPP (Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool) Cooperative. What began as a group of Wisconsin family farms selling their produce soon expanded into the production and local distribution of vegetables, and dairy products. The brand name "Organic Valley" was soon adopted, and the abbreviation "CROPP" was adjusted to Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools. The original CROPP farms were located throughout southwest Wisconsin, primarily in the Kickapoo River Basin area near the cooperative's headquarters.

Today Organic Valley comprises 1,834 farmer-owners located in 32 states and three Canadian provinces that specialize in sustainable, organic agriculture practices. Organic Valley has become the world's largest independent cooperative of organic family farmers and one of the nation's largest producers and distributors of organic produce, dairy, soy, and eggs. It also markets its line of beef, pork, turkey, and chicken products under the Organic Prairie brand.

Products are marketed in all 50 states, Canada, China, Japan, and 24 other countries. The United States is divided into three selling markets: the Western, Central, and Eastern Divisions. Each division is managed by sales staff, producers, and distributors directly associated with the cooperative. Organic Valley produces six regional milks that are produced, processed and distributed in New England, Northeast, Heartland, Rocky Mountain, California and the Pacific Northwest. Total sales in 2003 were $156 million and reached $929 million in 2013.

In 2009, Organic Valley launched a partnership with Stonyfield Farm and HP Hood agreeing to license the Stonyfield fluid milk brand, and manage sales and distribution. The deal also invited the farmers supplying that milk into the cooperative starting January 1, 2010.

Company mission
The mission of CROPP is to create and operate a marketing cooperative that promotes regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products. Each of the farms that participate in CROPP is certified as organic by the National Organic Program. Organic Valley uses pasteurization and homogenization in many of its dairy products. In January 2008, Organic Valley opposed the Food and Drug Administration’s ruling that food from cloned animals and their offspring was safe.

Management
George Siemon, one of the founding farmers of CROPP, is the CEO of Organic Valley. Once a member of the National Organic Standards Board, Siemon helps to set the standards for Organic Valley.

Organic Valley is primarily run and owned by the farmers that sustain it. The company's income returns largely to the farmers and community in which the crops are grown. As of 2013, the cooperative employed roughly 400 at its La Farge headquarters and more at its Cashton, Wisconsin distribution center and offices.

Awards and recognitions
Source:
 * 2008 – Fast Company Social Capitalist Award – Organic Valley was among 10 companies to receive the award.
 * 2007 – Co-op America Green Business Leadership Award – Award given to Organic Valley for its commitment to innovative environmental practices and proving that being green and being successful can walk hand in hand.
 * 2007 – Ecological Farming Association Sustie Award – awarded to George Siemon, CEIEIO and founding farmer of Organic Valley
 * 2007 – Farm Stewardship Association Business of the Year Award – awarded to Organic Valley in recognition of the company's efforts to help conventional dairy farmers establish organic dairy farms in North Carolina
 * 2007 – Glynwood Center Award – awarded to the farmer-members of Organic Valley
 * 2006 – Trustee Award – awarded by the Earth Society Foundation for outstanding contribution as a dedicated Earth Trustee.
 * 2006 and 2007 – 1st Place Blue Vein Cheese Competition at World Dairy Expo
 * 2006 – Food and Wine Magazine Freshest Butter Flavor award
 * 2006 – 2nd Place in Unsalted Butter and American Original/Colby American Cheese Society Competitions
 * 2005 – Wisconsin Employer of Choice Award – awarded by the Workforce Development Board, Inc. for a businesses in the Western Wisconsin region that exemplifies best practices in workforce attraction and retention
 * 2005 – Midmarket Manufacturer of the Year Award from Start Magazine – awarded for excellence in the manufacturing industry
 * 2005 – 2nd Place American Cheese Society Aged Cheddar Category
 * 2005 – Bronze Medal for Organic Valley Raw Sharp Cheddar World Cheese Awards
 * 2005 – Best of Class from U.S. Championship Cheese Contest 2005
 * 2005 – Top pick by Family Circle Magazine
 * 2004 – 1st place for Sharp Cheddar by American Cheese Society
 * 2004 – 2nd place for Reduced Fat Milk, Cottage Cheese, and Lightly Salted Butter at World Dairy Expo
 * 2003 – 1st place for Lightly Salted Butter at World Dairy Expo
 * 1996 and 2000 – 1st place for Sharp Cheddar by American Cheese Society