Jim Cochran

Jim Cochran has been a pioneer in sustainable food production for more than three decades. Jim started the first commercially successful organic strawberry farm in California in the 1980s before the industry thought that organic growing could be profitable. Sustainability on Jim’s farm now goes well beyond environmentally friendly growing practices. Swanton Berry Farm was the first 100 percent unionized organic farm in the country, and Jim’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), health coverage and other benefits recognize his employees as vital partners in the operation. Jim is NRDC’s 2011 Growing Green Award winner in the Food Producer category.