Here's all the "moos" that's fit to print!

We Celebrate Strong Women!
In October, five winners from our Strong Women essay contest, and their guests enjoyed a weekend retreat at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont. In addition to some luxurious spa treatments and organic cuisine, winners enjoyed hiking, biking, strength training and yoga activities and spent time with guest speakers Miriam Nelson, PhD, author of the Strong Woman book series, Katherine Switzer, the first woman to enter the Boston Marathon, Karen Smyers, world champion tri-athlete, and Jan Reynolds, extreme sport enthusiast!

Partnering For the Planet: Spotlight on The Center for Sustainable Systems
Over the past several years we've worked with the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems to help us find ways to reduce the environmental impact of our packaging. Their work has given us a wealth of information that we're busy putting into practice.

Learn about the work of the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems and check out their Life Cycle Assessment of Stonyfield Farm's Packaging!

Earth Actions

		In September, Stonyfield Farm and Organic Valley (our organic milk supplier) co-hosted New England Farm Days, a weekend event with some of our organic dairy farmers, supermarket and natural foods retailers, and employees. Through this annual event, we hope to educate people about the practices and benefits of organic farming. The weekend included several tours of family-run organic dairy farms, and of course lots of delicious organic food. At Stonyfield Farm , we believe that connecting farmers, manufacturers, retail buyers, and consumers is a powerful experience, which brings more meaning to the work we are all doing to help grow organic for a healthier world! IMAGE: Here Carter Elenz, Stonyfield Farm Senior VP of Sales checks out Windy Top farm's hay baler.
		Local farms contribute to our communities by providing fresh produce, maintaining open spaces, preserving rural heritage, and improving local economies. As food production becomes increasingly concentrated in a few large farm operations rather than many small farms, the viability of local farms is at risk. In fact, in 1993, 6% of U.S. farms accounted for 56% of farm sales. Click here to learn how you can help local farms to survive!
		Rodney Taylor, the Director of Food and Nutritional Services at the Santa Monica-Malibu United School District, has a deep interest in helping children to eat healthy. Rodney has been instrumental in the execution of a Farmers' Market Fresh Fruit and Salad Bar that has introduced his students to healthy eating habits and an understanding of the importance of local agriculture. Click here to read his profile!

"Who's Who" Around the Farm
Meet Jennifer Sgroi, one of our Research and Development Food Technologists. Jennifer was the project leader behind our O'Soy multipacks and our new single-serve O'Soy with fruit on the bottom. In other words, she has converted many soy skeptics with her yummy creations! Jennifer can usually be found with a cup of Apple YoBaby (her favorite Stonyfield Farm flavor)!

Do it the Organic "Whey"
Monday, October 21, 2002 was a momentous day for organic, with the long awaited implementation of the USDA's National Organic Standards. We were in Washington, D.C. for the big day and were so moved by the comments made at the press conference by Katherine DiMatteo, Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association that we included them here for you to read.

Discussion Forums Highlight
Overheard in our "Organic" forums:

"To me, it is about my children. I don't want them exposed to high levels of chemicals. We just don't know the long term effects still. I also want them to have a world with healthy, fertile soil, not barren chemicaled fields."

Post your thoughts!

And the Winner is...
Every month, we randomly select a "Moosletter" subscriber to win a free Stonyfield Farm Yogurt Cookbook. This month, congratulations go to Leny Jo Captein from Belchertown, MA Happy cooking!

If you are interested in purchasing a cookbook
you can buy one at our on-line gift shop.