Organic Valley was primarily started by a group of pioneering farmers, with George Siemon leading the initial efforts to form the farmer-owned cooperative.
The Genesis of Organic Valley
The roots of Organic Valley trace back to a pivotal meeting in 1988 at the Viroqua Courthouse. It was here that a collective of forward-thinking farmers, under the leadership of George Siemon, came together to establish a farmer-owned cooperative. Their foundational mission was to revolutionize the food industry by promoting sustainable organic practices and setting high organic standards for themselves.
Key Founding Aspects
- Lead Figure: George Siemon, who spearheaded the first meeting and the formation of the cooperative.
- Establishment Year: 1988
- Organizational Structure: Founded as a farmer-owned cooperative.
- Founding Location: Viroqua Courthouse
- Core Principles: A commitment to stringent organic standards, which later served as a framework for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) official organic rules.
This early dedication to organic integrity positioned Organic Valley as a significant player and leader in the organic food movement from its very beginning.
For more information about their origins and values, you can visit Organic Valley's Our Humble History page.
