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My name is Ed Zimba. My wife and I have an Organic Dairy and crop farm in Michigan where my father began farming in 1946. I began farming organically in the early 90's when I became more aware that we are what we eat, drink and breathe. Our health is greatly related to the food we eat. Therefore I am pleased to develop healthy soils which lead to healthy crops and animals that give healthy milk. I have also come to realize that God has called me to be a good steward of the land and animals He has entrusted to me. We have been shipping to Horizon Organic® for over seven years and have been blessed through the years with working with them.
I would like to tell you a little bit about how our relationship began with Horizon Organic. I was the only Organic Dairy farmer in Michigan and due to the fact that there was not an Organic Milk buyer in our area or any other willing to come the distance for our milk I gladly began selling my milk to Organic Cow® in the North East. When Horizon Organic bought Organic Cow there was still no other company to sell my milk to. You can imagine how thankful I was that instead of dropping me from the truck, they were more than willing to do whatever it took to keep me on. That even included continuing to pay the hauling fee from Michigan to the North East despite the fact that I wasn't able to fill the truck. I am glad to say that now we have several Organic Dairy farms here in Michigan and elsewhere. I believe that much of this has come about because of the great work Horizon Organic has done to encourage the growth of the Organic Industry. They are also one of the top promoters in encouraging and supporting the family farms to switch to Organic. Horizon Organic has always treated me more as a partner with them than just another "number". For example, I don't even know how they found out, but when we had a fire a few years back they were on the phone asking what they could do to help. More recently we were pleased to hear that Horizon Organic gave a bunch of hay to a fellow organic farmer in PA after learning that he had a barn fire. Did I mention that he doesn't even sell his milk to Horizon? Not only do they negotiate with us fairly on our milk contracts, but when finances get tight as they do on the farm, such as Spring planting season, I know I can give them a call and trust they will send the milk check to us earlier that expected. Horizon Organic also generously sent a variety of their products and promotional items when we had a large group of Kindergartners visit our farm. It was a simple way to show their concern in educating the public about the Organic way. Another thing Horizon Organic does that is very helpful is sending out informational post cards. Such as letting us know where organic feed, cattle, etc. are available. I was somewhat concerned about how our relationship with Horizon Organic might change when Dean Foods bought them. However, it did not take long to learn I had no need for concern. Our more personal like relationship just continued. When my father went to be with the Lord a couple of years ago, Horizon Organic sent their expression of sympathy in flowers and cards and again more recently when my mother joined dad with the Lord. My wife and I were blessed to receive a gift when we married two years ago. They paid our expenses to the NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) meeting in Washington, DC and asked me to speak on the farm panel at the more recent Pasture Symposium in PA. As a result we believe the pasture regulations will be tightened up to keep Organic farmers more accountable in proper Organic grazing practices. Horizon Organic invited us as their guests to 2005 Farm Aid along with a few other Horizon Organic partners. We especially enjoyed working the Horizon Organic booth, passing out their products and talking with the public. Horizon Organic showed their concern in keeping us farmers up to date when the paid our way to the 2006 Upper Midwest Organic Conference. I would also like to say that Horizon Organic having two company-owned farms has been a plus for us. It has enabled them to have first hand awareness of the increase in feed and fuel expenses. As a result they have been more than willing to increase the price of milk for their partners even in the midst of a contract. For all of these reasons and more I am proud to ship my milk to Horizon Organic. |  |
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