12.04.2006 - 11:59am ET

(CSRwire) LA FARGE, WI. Dec. 4, 2006 -- Organic Valley, the nation's oldest and largest organic farmers' cooperative, congratulates farmer-members Ron and Maria Vakulskas Rosmann and their sons, David, Daniel and Mark, on receiving the prestigious 2006 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture, one of Iowa's largest sustainability honors awarded annually by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.

The Rosmanns operate a 600-acre Organic Valley farm near Harlan, Iowa. They grow organic corn, soybeans, oats, rye, barley, hay and flax, and rotationally graze 90 cows. They also have a 50-sow, deep-bedded farrow-to-finish operation.

Ron Rosmann is a founding board member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, and is former president and board member of the California-based Organic Farming Research Foundation. He also is a member of the Shelby County Extension Council and the Leopold Center's Grassland Agriculture advisory committee. He serves as treasurer of the newly organized Iowa Organic Association.

Maria Vakulskas Rosmann runs the family's private label, direct market organic meat business. Their organic beef and pork is sold under Organic Valley's meat brand, Organic Prairie.

Ron and Maria's sons, Daniel, David and Mark, are all active on the Rosmann farm. Daniel and Mark are Iowa State University graduates, and Mark is a junior in agronomy and history at Iowa State.

"It's an honor to have the Rosmann family as part of our cooperative," said George Siemon, Organic Valley's CEO and one of the cooperative's seven founding farmers. "Their family's long-time commitment to sustainable farming is admirable. And, the fact Daniel is continuing to farm with Ron and Maria is a testament to how organic farming offers a bright future for the next generation of farmers and rural communities."

The Spencer Award recognizes farmers, researchers and educators who make significant contributions to the advancement of ecological and economic practices that will make agriculture sustainable and the family farm secure for the future.

"We are truly humbled to have received this award," said Maria. "Because we live in the nation's 'corn belt,' a place where agriculture and rural living are at the heart of our communities, we have a deep-rooted understanding of how important sustainable farming practices are to the future of families in Iowa and beyond. It's a privilege to positively contribute to this growing movement. "

The Rosmanns were presented their award at the Iowa Organic Conference on Monday, Nov. 20.

Organic Valley: Farmers on a Mission

Independent and farmer-owned, Organic Valley Family of Farms is America's largest cooperative of organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents nearly 900 farmers in 26 states and realized a record $245 million in 2005 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming, Organic Valley produces over 200 organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. The same farmers who produce Organic Valley also produce a full range of organic meat under the Organic Prairie label ( www.organicprairie.com). For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop.

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