Episode 121 with guests from Organic Valley (Logan Peterman & Jon Bansen)

Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents more than 2,000 farmers in 36 states. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic dairy milk, eggs, produce, and soy products, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. For further information visit www.organicvalley.coop. Organic Valley is also on Twitter @OrganicValley and Facebook www.facebook.com/OrganicValley. Logan Peterman Manager of Agricultural Research & Analytics From his roots growing up on an apple orchard in central Wisconsin, to his years working in the organic sector, Logan Peterman has attempted to merge a background in Ecology, Statistics, and Research design to aid and validate Farmer intuition and on-farm management. He has advised State, Federal, NGO, and private organizations and companies using an evolving set of skills in data analysis, and research interpretation/application, which has landed him several leadership opportunities in his young career, including a visit to the Obama White House. He also currently chairs the Science committee for The Organic Center, as well as serving as an active member of the Board of Trustees. At Organic Valley, Peterman applies his expertise to leverage fresh insights to inform strategy and operational tactics for the farmer-owned cooperative that is Organic Valley—2,000 family farms strong across the country, and its increasingly international supply chain. With development efforts spanning from product nutrition and identifying biological drivers, to on-farm management and conservation, the scope of his work can involve nearly any part of the modern organic food system. His primary goal, is to validate member intuition regarding organic benefits, nutrition, and resilience, using the research expertise of peer-reviewed academics and private research institutions.  Improving nutrition, reducing externalities, and ensuring integrity of organic foods into the future. In his expertise as a young leader, Peterman will specifically bring breaking news and scientific findings about pasture and nutrition to the table at Food Tank DC. Jon Bansen Organic Valley Grassmilk farmer-owner and expert grazier Owner, Double J Jerseys in Monmouth, OR Was once told that it takes 20 years to become a good grazier. “Good graziers are generally good teachers,” Jon says. “When I went to New Zealand to study their grazing operations, every farmer I met was more than happy to show me around and talk about what works and doesn’t work. I like to give that back.” Now 25 years into the profession, he manages a successful 600-acre farm with over 200 cows, writes articles for Graze magazine and speaks to classes at Oregon State University. So you could say he’s finally earned the title.