Our Purpose, Governance, and Ownership

TRUST PURPOSE

To support the efforts of independent, values-aligned organizations that advance sustainable agriculture practices and food systems. To take into account each of the following objectives, principles, and actions which shall be construed as advancing the purpose of the trust:

• Trust governance engagement of our stakeholders including farmers, customers, coworkers, investors, community allies

• Purpose-driven operations a focus on mission-benefit maximization vs. profit maximization, while ensuring the company is financially viable

•  Sharing Economic Benefit with active stakeholders by investing in direct and indirect things that benefit them 

•  Improvements in organic agriculture continued evolution towards best practices

• Natural Resource Preservation, regenerating ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity

• Reduce dependence on non-renewable resources, materials extracted from the earth’s crust (such as heavy metals, petroleum)

• Climate Change Mitigation, reduction of emissions and carbon sequestration

• Reduce Toxic and Persistent Synthetics, man-made materials (such as plastics, chemical pesticides)

•  Equitable & diverse supply chains from farm to marketplace, social justice, fair labor

• Holistic Food Systems Policy continued advocacy for public education, transparency, rigorous standards

Governance Overview

The Sustainable Food & Agriculture Perpetual Purpose Trust (SFAPPT) was formed to hold the ownership of Organically Grown Company (OGC) to support its efforts to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems through its mission.

The Trust is the single voting shareholder of OGC and is overseen by the Trust Protector Committee (TPC), which acts as a "Steward of the Trust" to ensure the company/companies in the Trust stay aligned with the purpose and principles of the Trust.

The TPC is responsible for the appointment of the OGC Board of Directors, modification of the Trust Agreement, removal/replacement of Trustee, and the approval of distributions and major decisions that affect Trust assets.

• Stakeholders are individuals or organizations with an interest in the ongoing operation of OGC in a way that protects and reflects the values stated in the Trust Principles.
  
  Stakeholders who go through the qualification process have rights and responsibilities which promote shared governance and engagement. As part of the SFAPPT governance process, qualified Stakeholders of the Trust can recommend candidates for the TPC, and vote on the final candidate slate annually. In addition, they receive an annual Trust Purpose Report and have the ability to file a grievance if they believe there is a breach of the Trust Agreement.

  
  OGC Stakeholders Include:

  1. Suppliers that are actively working with OGC

  2. Current OGC Coworkers

  3. Active Purchasers and Customers of OGC

  4. Mission-Aligned Community Partners

  5. Active Investors