About Us
Canadian Organic Growers' (COG) mandate is to lead local and national communities towards sustainable organic stewardship of land, food and fibre while respecting nature, upholding social justice and protecting natural resources.
COG is a national charitable organization (13014 0494 RR0001) with members in all regions of Canada. COG's head office is involved in the organic sector at the national level and is connected to work at the local level through 13 regional chapters, four affiliated organizations, and is also tied to the international organic community through membership in the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
COG's membership is diverse and includes farmers, gardeners, processors, retailers, educators, policy makers, and consumers. Not all COG members run certified organic operations, but they share a vision for a sustainable bioregionally-based organic food system. COG members believe that organic food production is the best choice for the health of consumers and producers, for the protection and enhancement of the environment, and for the sustainability of the food production system. In fact we believe that the survival of our country and even of the planet depends on it.
For more information on COG, visit the national website.
About COG PWW
Established in the early 1980s, COG Perth-Waterloo-Wellington was one of the first chapters of the organization. From its beginning through to 2003 the local chapter organized educational events and farm tours.
From 2003 to 2009, COG PWW ran Diversity Gardens, an organic demonstration farm. The gardens functioned as a site for workshops, a market, and pilot projects. The chapter continues to offer workshops, resources and other support to advance organic agriculture and organic food consumption in PWW.
COG PWW has formed several partnerships over the years with like-minded groups. In 2004, we were a founding organizer with Foodlink in launching the first Taste Local, Taste Fresh event in Waterloo region. In 2006, we participated in consultations as one of the founding organizations for what would become the Waterloo Region Food Systems Roundtable. At the provincial level, we support a common voice for the organic sector by being a memeber of the Organic Council of Ontario.
Activities
COG PWW supports farmers and consumers in building a local organic food system. We do this through the following program areas:
- Grow Organic – increasing certified organic acres
- Eat Organic - increasing local and organic food skills
- Bee Organic - building the local organic food system
For more information on COG PWW’s work, read our 2009 Annual report here.
COG PWW gives thanks to the following supporters of our local work:
George Cedric Metcalf Foundation
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Ontario Market Investment Fund (OMIF)
COG has been bringing farmers, gardeners and consumers together for over 30 years. The head office manages membership, but when you become a member you can can choose to be a member of your local chapter at no additonal cost by selecting the chapter option on the membership form. You will receive all the benefits listed to the right, plus you'll be supporting COG's work in your area.
As a member of COG Perth-Waterloo-Wellington you will:
- Receive four copies per year ofThe Canadian Organic Grower, Canada’s only national magazine for organic producers and consumers
- Receive discounts on COG’s publications
- Have access to COG’s mailing library, an extensive collection of farming and gardening books that can be borrowed at no cost
- Receive monthly electronic updates to keep you up to date on what’s going on in the organic sector
- Receive quarterly issues of Bee Organic, COG PWW’s member newsletter
- Receive regular electronic updates on organic-related activities and events happening in the region
- Receive invitations to COG PWW events and workshops