[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 130 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E672-E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF HUCKABY BEING NAMED THE ORGANIC TRADE 
                ASSOCIATION'S ORGANIC FARMER OF THE YEAR

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                              HON. TJ COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2020

  Mr. COX of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms and Cal Organic, for being 
named the Organic Trade Association's Organic Farmer of the Year.
  A fourth-generation farmer, Jeff was born and raised in the small 
town of Arvin in the southernmost tip of California's Central Valley. 
He began farming at the age of 11 when he would wake up at the crack of 
dawn to help on his grandfather's farm. Jeff began his career with 
Grimmway in 1999 and it wasn't long before he started his work with 
organic farming. In 2000, as farm manager, he took over all of 
Grimmway's organic production in California. Jeff would also become 
general manager of Cal Organic Farms after its purchase by Grimmway in 
2001.
  Under his guidance and leadership, Grimmway's Cal Organic has grown 
to be the largest carrot company in the world and the largest organic 
vegetable producer in the nation. Today, Cal Organic grows over 65 
vegetables on 45,000 acres across several states and is proud to state 
that 100 percent of its produce is grown in the United States.
  This true American company is notable for their outstanding 
accomplishments. They are the largest supplier of organic vegetables to 
Whole Foods and Albertsons/Vons supermarkets, the leading supplier of 
organic carrots sold by Walmart and Kroeger and, remarkedly, are the 
sole supplier for every carrot that Costco sells in the U.S. and many 
other countries.
  Through his work Jeff has garnered a well-earned reputation for his 
expertise in organic farming. Many have sought his knowledge including 
the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture and the House Agriculture Committee where he has 
testified about the role and importance of organic production in our 
nation.
  I am honored to congratulate Jeff on this well-deserved recognition 
of his unparalleled work ethic, countless achievements, and his 
outstanding role in organic farming and in the agriculture industry 
overall.

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