By STEVE BROWN

Capital Press

Two of the nation's largest third-party organic certification agencies and trade associations -- Oregon Tilth and CCOF -- have announced plans to merge.

CCOF was formerly known as California Certified Organic Farmers.

The new organization, subject to approval by members of the ssociations, will be called CCOF Tilth, they said in a statement. It will be the nation's largest such group, with nearly 4,000 certified farmers, ranchers and processors in the $31 billion organic agriculture industry.

Members will be asked to approve the merger before Oct. 31.

The two organizations have a history of collaboration. During the 1980s, they formed the Western Alliance of Certifying Organizations to ensure integrity and consistency in organic certification.

In the 1990s, the two nonprofits helped form the Organic Materials Review Institute, which determines if input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing.

Merger integration teams with representation from both organizations evaluate, review, plan, combine and implement new processes, technology and tasks that relate to all the business functions.