[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF JIM COCHRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge California native 
and long-time Santa Cruz County resident, Jim Cochran, who established 
Swanton Berry Farm 29 years ago in Davenport, California. Since its 
establishment, Swanton Berry Farm has become the first modern organic 
strawberry farm in California, utilizing standards and methods that 
have become a model for organic and sustainable farming.
  Jim has displayed an incredible commitment to social justice. He has 
created a safe and friendly work environment that provides living 
wages, a medical plan, a retirement plan, and vacation and holiday pay 
for agricultural workers. Additionally, employees of Swanton Berry Farm 
are provided with access to low-cost housing options, which more than 
75% of Swanton Berry Farm employees take advantage of. Because of this 
commitment, Swanton Berry Farm has become the first organic strawberry 
farm in the United States to be unionized by the United Farm Workers of 
America.
  Jim's commitment to sustainable organic farming and the well-being of 
agriculture workers continues in his work with Roots of Change. Roots 
of Change brings a diverse range of Californians to the table to build 
a common interest in food and farming so that every aspect of our 
food--from the time it's grown to the time it's eaten--can be healthy, 
safe, profitable, affordable, and fair.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. Jim 
Cochran, his achievements with Swanton Berry Farm, and his commitment 
and service to sustainable agriculture and socially just business 
practices.

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