>>
>> Organic Forum Intl, Inc
>> 514 Lynne Ave
>> Ypsilanti, MI 48198-3828
>> Tel / Fax: 313-480-4262
>> organicforum@ameritech.net
>>
>> Mission Statement:
>>
>> To establish a service-oriented organic certification program for
>> producers, processors, manufacturers, and traders in North and South
>> America, while actively seeking international recognition and admission
>> via primary links to the Pacific Rim and Europe.
>>
>> To join established certification organizations together as one
>> organization, one voice, one Forum, while providing national and
>> international representation for smooth integration into the world
>> markets.
>>
>> To follow and maintain established organic industry standards and to
>> seek continuous improvements of the same with input from all.
>>
>> To create an organization which is responsive and responsible to all
>> clients. To receive input, process that input and present it in a
>> responsible manner which best suits ALL within Organic Forum.
>>
>> Whos is Organic Forum Intl?
>>
>> Organic Forum Intl is a movement initiated by several respected members
>> of the organic community. It was founded by Mr. Michael Pratt, former
>> International Certification Coordinator for a major international
>> certification organization.
>>
>> While Organic Forum Intl recognizes the contributions of the over forty
>> existing private, state, and not-for-profit certification organizations
>> in the United States alone, it is apparent there is an existing service
>> void which needs to be filled. Organic Forum Intl shall voluntarily
>> fill this void with:
>>
>> PROMPT AND RESPONSIVE SERVICE - EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT
>> INTEGRITY - RESPECT
>> REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATION
>>
>> The major impetus behind the formation of this organization is to
>> re-establish a strong service link to the organic member, with an
>> effective management plan, qualified management and staf, and solid
>> communications with national and international governing agencies such
>> as the USDA and equivalent European supervising authorities.
>>
>> Organic Forum Intl will seek prompt USDA accreditation when the National
>> Organic Standards are approved, while acquiring European accreditation
>> during this interim phase. European accreditation will be coordinated
>> through one of the various supervising authorities which emphasizes
>> respect for established IFOAM organic standards.
>>
>> Organic Forum Intl recognizes and embraces the "Chapter" as the basic
>> certification and clientele body which is intended to serve the farmer.
>> Emphasis will be upon impowerment within USDA guidelines, camaraderie
>> among growers and education of the grower and consumer public.
>>
>> A goal of Organic Forum Intl is to increase the number of approved
>> organic Inspectors which are located relatively close to the region
>> being served, to reduce costs associated with Inspector travel, and in
>> time to work with various professional agencies towards regulating the
>> range of Inspector fees. At the same time, competency, agronomic
>> background, accounting background and professional Inspector training
>> are key to Inspector approval, to self-improvement and for inspection
>> assignments.
>>
>> Organic Forum will establish a transitional recognition program for
>> public promotion and recognition of the value of transitional crops,
>> which as we all know are crops grown as if they were organic but which
>> have not yet reached the critical point where the lands and the crops
>> are truly certifiable organic. This is seen as a key program to assist
>> growers in creating more marketable crops until actual certification as
>> organic is obtained.
>>
>> Organic Forum will be working with regional organizations towards
>> developing appropriate regional and intra-regional crop rotations.
>> These rotations will identify appropriate goals which permit more
>> realistic flexibility within a regional rotation, which are consistent
>> with proposed USDA gudelines, which provide variable rotation guidelines
>> appropriate for the region and intra-region in which they are applied,
>> yet continue to create and maintain a sustainable farmland and
>> environmental operation.
>>
>> Organic Forum Intl will strongly consider a public stock offering for
>> the 1999/2000 time frame. If supportable, this limited scope offering
>> will be designed to confer actual "farmer ownership" upon active clients
>> of the organization.
>>
>> Organic Forum Intl is searching for a capable management team and will
>> be accepting resumes and scheduling interviews in the near future. All
>> qualified Inspectors are asked to submit a resume detailing their
>> experience within organic inspections.
>> Please contact Organic Forum Intl by writing, faxing or calling for
>> membership information and applications any time after November 1st,
>> 1997. Se habla espaņol.
>>
>> Fees Structure
>>
>> Umbrella Organizations (Chapters) $ 300.00 annually
>>
>> Family Farm $ 75.00 annually
>> ($ 100,000/yr ceiling)
>>
>> Processor $ 250.00 annually
>> ($ 500,000/yr ceiling)
>>
>> Manufacturer $ 350.00 annually
>> ($ 1,000,000/yr ceiling)
>>
>> Trader $ 250.00 annually
>> ($ 1,000,000/yr ceiling)
>>
>> Community Grower Group $ 300.00 annually
>> ($ 500,000/yr ceiling)
>>
>> Supporting $ 25.00 annually
>>
>> Contract Processors & Growers
>> - Single farms less than 150 acres $ 100.00
>> - Single farms 150 acres or more $ 200.00
>> - Multi-farm, large acres groups $ 100.00 - $ 500.00
>> - Processors $ 200.00
>> - Manufacturers $ 300.00
>>
>> ** Royalty Fees 0.15 % up to individual limits
>> - Royalties are assessed on ALL organic sales, regardless of
>> certification trademark chosen
>> - Chapters will determine their own internal level of royalties
>> - Processors do not pay royalties when NOT involved in organic sales
>> - Family Farms will be billed quarterly
>> - All other members will be billed monthly
>>
>
>
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