Summary Information
Cecilia Bowman Papers
1988-2004
Mss 1159; PH 6729
3.2 cubic feet (3 records center cartons and 1 archives box) and 82 transparencies
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers, 1988-2004, of Cecilia “Cissy” Bowman, organic farmer, educator, writer, speaker, and consultant, documenting her activities as an advocate for organic agriculture in Indiana and her involvement with Indiana Certified Organic (ICO), Hoosier Organic Marketing Education (HOME), and the Indiana Organic Peer Review Panel. Her leadership roles in various sustainable agriculture organizations, including the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International, the Organic Farmers Marketing Association (OFMA), the Organic Trade Association (OTA), and attendance at meetings of the National Organics Standards Board (NOSB) are also documented. Also included is the transcript of an oral history interview with Bowman from 1994.
Forms part of the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Collection.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss01159 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Cecilia “Cissy” Bowman was born in 1953. She attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis from 1971-1974, and studied psychology and home economics. She began gardening organically in 1973, and in 1983 established Center Valley Organic Farm in Hendricks County, Indiana. A grant from the Center for Science in the Public Interest funded a feasibility study on the market for organic food in Indiana, which in turn identified a viable market, but also the need for certification standards and education for growers, consumers, and retailers. In 1991-1992 Bowman founded Hoosier Organic Marketing Enterprises (HOME), which served Indiana growers as a private certification program, based on the organic standards and materials list of the Indiana chapter of the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). By 1994, Bowman and HOME President Val Carr created a Hoosier Organic Marketing Enterprises standards and materials list (for growers under the $5000 annual income exemption) that complied with USDA regulations for private certifiers. Hoosier Organic Marketing Enterprises dissolved by the end of 1994. Renamed Indiana Certified Organic (ICO), the farmer owned and operated organization became a USDA and ISO 65 accredited public certifying agency. Bowman served as founder and CEO of ICO until 2010. In 2012 it became known as Ecocert ICO.
HOME's sister project, Hoosier Organic Marketing Education (also known by the acronym HOME), established in June 1993 as a non-profit organization and funded by a value-added grant by the Indiana Commissioner of Agriculture, provides education on organics in the form of information and workshops, and also co-sponsors the annual Indiana Horticultural Congress. In 1995 it became a membership organization open to the public. Bowman has served as president of the organization since its inception. It works in concert with ICO to provide education on production and marketing of organics.
The Indiana Organic Agriculture Board was established by Senate Bill 214 in 1990. As part of the Indiana Organic Production Law (1993), an Organic Peer Review Panel (PRP) was established. Composed of nine members appointed by the Governor and representing processors/handlers, distributors, farmers, and consumers, as well as the Commissioner of Agriculture and the State Chemist, the panel served in an advisory capacity to establish criteria for certifying agents applying for organic accreditation. A system to deal with complaints was also established. Designed to ensure consumer confidence in the organic label, the PRP also offered the opportunity for public input at its meetings. Bowman served as a PRP member from 1993 to 2008; and as chairperson from 1997 to 1999.
During the same period, Bowman worked with the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) in various leadership roles. For the OCIA Indiana chapter, she served as secretary (1990-1991) and president (January 1992-July 1993, 1994-1996); and for the OCIA International organization, she served as vice-president (July 1993-January 1994); vice-president and legislative liaison (1994-1995); member of the board of directors (1994-1995); and chair of the OCIA Inspector Accreditation Committee (1994-1995).
Bowman also served on the steering committee of the National Organic Marketing Cooperative Feasibility Study in 1995, coordinated by Eric Ardapple Kindberg, of the Ozark Small Farm Viability Project. Funded by a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant, the study examined the costs and benefits of a national marketing cooperative for organic products. In 1996, the Organic Farmers Marketing Association was created as a result of the study. Later the OFMA became the Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing.
In addition to appointments with these organizations, Bowman also served on boards and committees for numerous other environmental and sustainable agriculture organizations, including the Organic Farmers Marketing Association (vice president, 1998-1999), the Indiana Sustainable Agriculture Association (board member, 1995-1998), and the Citizens Action Coalition (board member, 1995-1999). She also attended nearly all meetings of the National Organics Standards Board (NOSB) from 1993-2000, contributed public comments, and closely followed the activities of the board.
Bowman operated Center Valley Organic Farm until 2012, and currently operates Center Valley Organics as an independent consultant.
Scope and Content Note
The collection is arranged in six series: HOOSIER ORGANIC MARKETING ENTERPRISE/EDUCATION (HOME), INDIANA ORGANIC PEER REVIEW PANEL, NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB), ORGANIC CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (OCIA), NATIONAL ORGANIC MARKETING COOPERATIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY (NOMCFS), and SUBJECT FILE. The collection documents Bowman's involvement in the development of state organic accreditation standards in Indiana, her efforts to educate growers and the public about organics, and her activities promoting organics on regional and national levels.
The HOOSIER ORGANIC MARKETING ENTERPRISE/EDUCATION (HOME) series includes administrative materials, correspondence, versions of the certification standards and materials list the organization developed, a resource “Green Book,” newsletters, news clippings, materials related to a proposed state organic growers cooperative (Indiana Certified Organic Network or ICON), and records for the annual Indiana Horticultural Congress the organization sponsors. Also included are materials relating to the HOME bulletin board service, an early computer information network.
The INDIANA ORGANIC PEER REVIEW PANEL includes administrative and meeting materials, public comments on Indiana's proposed organic certification law, research on international organic certification programs in other states and countries, and certifier surveys.
Included in the NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) series are meeting materials, draft recommendations of the Board and public comments, and records for a violations and enforcement group on which Bowman served.
The ORGANIC CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (OCIA) series documents Bowman's tenure as vice-president and legislative liaison, board member, and Inspector Accreditation Committee chair of OCIA International, and president and secretary of the state chapter, through meeting minutes and materials, correspondence, and committee records. Her work with the OCIA United States Legislative Task Force is also documented.
The NATIONAL ORGANIC MARKETING COOPERATIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY (NOMCFS) documents efforts to develop a farmer-centered and operated marketing organization and includes meeting materials, correspondence, surveys, and copies of the study's newsletter. Also documented are efforts of the Telecommunications Subcommittee to encourage the organic community to use the newly emerging internet as another organizing tool. Included in this series is a small quantity of records of the Organic Farmers Marketing Association (OFMA), which was created as a result of the study, and its non-profit arm, the Organic Farming Information and Education Foundation (OFIEF).
The SUBJECT FILE includes materials on topics of concern to Bowman, including genetically modified organisms, pesticides, and farm workers' rights, the proposed Final Rule of the National Organic Program, and the work of the various sustainable agriculture organizations in Indiana with which Bowman worked, as well as her involvement with the Organic Certifiers Council (OCC) of the Organic Trade Association and its Government Affairs Council.
Related Material
Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Publications (M2014-006)
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Cecilia Bowman, Clayton, Indiana, June 5, 2013. Accession Number: M2014-005
Processed by Julia Wong, January 2014.
Contents List
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Mss 1159
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Series: Hoosier Organic Marketing Enterprises/Education (HOME)
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Articles of incorporation, 1994
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Bulletin board service, 1994-1995
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Certification standards and materials list, 1994, 1995
: See also “Indiana Certified Organic, 1995-2003” under the Subject File series for a later version of this list.
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Correspondence, 1993-2003
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Employee contracts, 1994
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Box
1
Folder
6
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General, 1993-1997
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Grants, 1994-2002
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Green Feet Organic Enterprises, 1994
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Box
1
Folder
9
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Indiana Certified Organic Network (ICON), 1995
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Box
1
Folder
10-11
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Indiana Horticultural Congress, 1992-2000, 2003
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Box
1
Folder
12
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News clippings, 1991-1995, undated
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Box
1
Folder
13
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Newsletter: HOMEVOICE, 1994-1995
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Box
1
Folder
14
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Organics on the Road “Green Book,” 2003
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Box
1
Folder
15
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Reports, 1993-1995
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Workshops/presentations
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Box
1
Folder
16
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1995-1996, 1999
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Box
1
Folder
17
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Earth Day, 1990-1999
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Series: Indiana Organic Peer Review Panel
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Box
1
Folder
18
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Articles of incorporation and by-laws, 1997
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Box
1
Folder
19
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Background information, 1989-1993
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Box
1
Folder
20
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Bowman appointment, 1994-1996
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Box
1
Folder
21
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Financial, 1999
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Box
1
Folder
22
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Guidelines, 1997, undated
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Box
1
Folder
23
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ISO/IEC Guide 65 Assessment, 1990-1999, undated
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Box
1
Folder
24-28
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Meetings, 1996-2000
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Organic certification
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Box
1
Folder
29
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Cooperative agreements between federal and state agencies, 1999
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Box
1
Folder
30
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Indiana proposed organic standards, 1996, 1999, undated
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Box
1
Folder
31
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Public comments, 2000
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Box
1
Folder
32
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Other countries
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Other states
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Box
1
Folder
33
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California, 1989, 1993
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Box
1
Folder
34
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Louisiana, 1995, undated
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Box
1
Folder
35
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Michigan, 1992, 1997, 2000
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Box
1
Folder
36
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Minnesota, 1990, 1999
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Box
1
Folder
37
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Miscellaneous, 1989, 1992-2001
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Box
1
Folder
38
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Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), 1993-1996
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Box
1
Folder
39
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Texas, 1988, 1994-1998
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Box
1
Folder
40
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Organic certifier surveys, 1998-2000
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Series: National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
: See also National Organic Program under Subject Files series.
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Box
1
Folder
41
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Bowman nomination, 1994, 1999-2002
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Box
1
Folder
42-43
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Draft recommendations and public input, 1991-1993
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Box
2
Folder
1-6
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Draft recommendations and public input, 1994-1999
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Box
2
Folder
7
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Enforcement Task Force (violations group), 1999-2000
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Livestock Committee, 1993-1995
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Box
2
Folder
9-11
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Meeting materials, 1994-1999, 2001
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Series: Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)
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Box
2
Folder
12
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Annual general membership meetings (AGMM), 1994-1996, 1998-1999
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Certification
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Box
2
Folder
13
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Application, 1994
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Box
2
Folder
14
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Standards, 1994-1996
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Box
2
Folder
15-18
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Chronological file, 1993-1995
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Box
2
Folder
19
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Complaint vs. Mexican American Fruit Company, 1995
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Box
2
Folder
20
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Correspondence, 1993-1997, 2003
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Box
2
Folder
21
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Executive Committee meeting and conference call minutes, 1994
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Indiana chapter
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Box
2
Folder
22
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Articles of incorporation and by-laws, 1988, 1995
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Box
2
Folder
23
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Certification Committee, 1993-1995
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Box
2
Folder
24
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Correspondence, 1990-1998
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Box
2
Folder
25
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Evaluation, 1994
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Box
2
Folder
26
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General, 1990-2001
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Box
2
Folder
27
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Surveys, 1991
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Newsletters
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Box
2
Folder
28
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OCIA Communicator, 1994-1997
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Box
2
Folder
29
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OCIA Internal, 1991
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Box
2
Folder
30
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United States Legislative Task Force (USLTF), 1993-1994
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Series: National Organic Marketing Cooperative Feasibility Study (NOMCFS)
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Box
2
Folder
31
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Correspondence, 1995
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Box
2
Folder
32
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General, 1994-1996
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Box
2
Folder
33
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Mailing lists, 1995
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Box
2
Folder
34
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Meeting materials, 1995-1996
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Box
2
Folder
35
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Newsletter: Organic Organizer, 1995-1998
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Box
2
Folder
36
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Organic Farmers Marketing Association (OFMA), 1995-2001
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Box
2
Folder
37
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Correspondence, 1996-1999
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Box
2
Folder
38
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Organic Farming Information and Education Foundation (OFIEF), 1997, 2001
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Box
2
Folder
39
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Steering Committee, 1995
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Box
2
Folder
40
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Subcommittees, 1995-1996
: Fiber, Finance, Dairy, Egg, Telecommunications.
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Surveys
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Box
2
Folder
41
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Consumer
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Box
2
Folder
42
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Organization
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Box
2
Folder
43
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Producer
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Box
3
Folder
1
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Producer (continued)
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Box
3
Folder
2
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Work contracts, 1995
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Series: Subject File
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Box
3
Folder
3
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Aquaculture, 1998
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Box
3
Folder
4
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Article drafts, circa 1990?
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Box
3
Folder
5
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Business opportunities (residue testing in organics)
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Box
3
Folder
6
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Center Valley Organic Farm and CSA, 1989-2002
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Box
3
Folder
7
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Chicago Farmers' Market, 1997
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Box
3
Folder
8
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COAP speech, undated
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Box
3
Folder
9
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Codex Alimentarius Commission, 1996, 1998-1999
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Box
3
Folder
10
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Conferences
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Box
3
Folder
11
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Correspondence, 1990-2003
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Box
3
Folder
12
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Faxes, 1994 Fall
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Box
3
Folder
13
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From legislators, 1990-1991, 1994, 1998-1999
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Box
3
Folder
14
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Educational handouts, 1992, 2000-2003
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Box
3
Folder
15
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Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) sample forms, 1994
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Box
3
Folder
16
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Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), 1997, 1999, undated
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Box
3
Folder
17-18
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Harvey, Arthur case, 2002-2004
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Box
3
Folder
19
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Indiana Certified Organic (ICO), 1995-2003
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Box
3
Folder
20
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Dygard inspection report, 1999-2000
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Box
3
Folder
21
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Indiana Organic Growers Association
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Box
3
Folder
22
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Indiana Sustainable Agriculture Association, 1992-1995
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Box
3
Folder
23
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Kindberg, Eric Ardapple, 1991-1996
: Includes copy of Soil Fertility for Organic Farmers by Eric and Beth Ardapple Kindberg, 1991.
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Box
3
Folder
24
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Mailing lists
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Box
3
Folder
25
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National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA) Organic Meetings, 1998-1999
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National Organic Program (NOP)
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Box
3
Folder
26-27
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First final rule, 1997-2000
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Box
3
Folder
28
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National List (materials), 1997, 2000, 2002
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Box
3
Folder
29
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Proposed rule and comments, 1997-1998
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Box
3
Folder
30-31
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Public hearing, Ames, Iowa, 1998 February 18
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Box
3
Folder
32
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News clippings and magazine articles, 1989-2002
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Box
3
Folder
33
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Oral history interview, 1994
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Box
3
Folder
34
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Organic Foods Production Act, 1993-1996
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Box
3
Folder
35
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Organic Livestock Committee, 1991, 1998
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Box
3
Folder
36
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Organic Trade Association (OTA), 1994-1998
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Box
3
Folder
37-38
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Organic Certifiers Council (OCC), 1994-1999
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Box
3
Folder
39
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Pesticides, 1990, undated
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Box
3
Folder
40
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Pesticides Trust project, 1996
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Presentations
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Box
3
Folder
41
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Ball State University (BSU) workshop, 1995 February
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Box
3
Folder
42
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Snack Food Association (SFA) Corn Tech seminar, 1998
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PH 6729
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Slides, circa 1990s
35 mm color
: Images for presentations, including farmworkers in the fields, workers and farm machinery, plants in a greenhouse, produce and poultry prep work, other farm scenes, and retailer displays.
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Mss 1159
Box
3
Folder
43
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Research papers, 1989, 1993-1994, undated
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Box
3
Folder
44
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Social justice and agriculture, 1998-1999
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Box
3
Folder
45
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Speech notes, 1994-1995, undated
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Box
4
Folder
1
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State Organic Program conference, 1998
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Box
4
Folder
2
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Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Technical Committee, 1999
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Box
4
Folder
3-4
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White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 1993-1999, 2002
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Box
4
Folder
5
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Working notes, undated
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