Honors thesis leads CU grad to probe organic farming

‘The idea of cheap food is great, but what does it mean for everyone else who’s involved?’

By Lara Herrington Watson

Cody Jaffe didn’t attend the University of Colorado Boulder so he could work for an organic apple orchard, but that’s where his education led him.

Jaffe first became interested in organic agriculture when he helped David Brown, a professor in CU’s political science department, conduct research on Walmart’s economic and social influence. Brown and Jaffe focused on Walmart’s impact on its suppliers, whereas prior research had focused on its consumer impact.

“The idea of cheap food is great, but what does it mean for everyone else who’s involved?” Jaffe asks.

He went on to write an undergraduate thesis comparing fair trade and organic standards. Jaffe says that while organic seems more transparent and meaningful than fair trade, he came to see both as marketing tools.



“Within the field of organics, it seemed like there were big companies getting the organic the label just to appeal to consumers,” Jaffe observes.

After graduating with a degree in International Studies in 2013, Jaffe moved back to his agricultural hometown, Davis, Calif. Intrigued by organic farming, he began working at Coco Ranch, a small farm nearby that produces organic apples and other fruits.

“They did things because they were right, not for the organic label,” Jaffe explains.

His “old-school boss” liked things done by hand, so he worked picking fruit and pruning trees, maintaining irrigation systems and planting trees. He also helped corral and butcher sheep and package the meat.

“The butcher was very efficient. The sheep died instantly and everything was done respectfully,” Jaffe recalls.

After a year at the farm, he left this summer to teach English in northern Thailand through Overseas Educational Group.

Jaffe teaches in Nan Province, an agricultural area rich in rice and fruits, like oranges and mangoes. He admits the agriculture around him makes him want to get his hands dirty, but there are roadblocks, namely, the language barrier.

“I thought I could still get involved in agriculture, but in reality, I would be more of a burden than a help,” Jaffe says.

Instead, he plans to return to Coco Ranch or another organic farming operation after he finishes teaching. He plans to pursue advanced training in pomology, which focuses on the cultivation of stone fruit tree.

“I’m especially interested in apples, peaches, and nectarines. I’m curious about how these fruits will be affected by climate change and how they can be grown efficiently with sustainable techniques,” Jaffe says.

Lara Herrington Watson is a CU alumna (’07) and freelance writer who splits her time between Denver and Phoenix.

Feb. 27, 2015