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14 Comments
Audrey Arneron November 9, 2023 at 11:40 am
Roger was an amazing mentor on so many levels. He expanded our awareness of and participation in national and international organic initiatives. He was instrumental in building the capacity of MOSES (now Marbleseed) in fostering our highest impact programming. Leading with dignity, grace and persistence, he guided the organization with continual awareness about what our next steps ought to be. He reminded us of the history that preceded MOSES and whose shoulders we stand upon in this work. He loved the high life of an exquisite organic dinner with friends and couldn’t wait, when visiting our farm here in western Minnesota, to shed his shoes, to stroll through the grass barefoot as he did as an Iowa farmboy.
All of us working for a just, healthy food system based on the values of stewardship of creation and concern for one another owe a debt of gratitude to Roger. It is no exaggeration to say that he was a major force in the ongoing struggle to translate the ideals and vision undergirding organic agriculture into the practical public policies, programs, and rules needed to make that dream real. Those of us fortunate enough to have worked beside him on various committees and coalitions could rely on him as a wise, articulate leader whose well-founded observations and recommendations we could rely upon and trust.
Roger was a guiding light for so many of us in the organic movement. We knew many of the same organic farmers in Iowa, where his heart remained after he moved away. He will long be remembered.
In the 70s, Roger would come to OGBA (Organic Growers & Buyers Association) meetings and provide detailed updates on standards being promoted in other parts of the world. In the 80s he would provide info at the federal level and how we could impact it. In the 90s he was our source for getting involved in the writing of the final federal organic rule. He was always right at the heart of the issue and he was always hopeful when he expressed how critical organic agriculture was for our environment and the health of the world. He was the source for accurate information. I was so grateful he was out there advocating for organic farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Roger was one of a kind! His life’s work helped grow organic agriculture and has made the world a better place. He was a dear friend and mentor to me, he made a difference in my life. He led by example and shared his knowledge with others.
At OrganicEye we mourn the passing of a good friend, Roger Blobaum. I’m not sure who introduced us over 25 years ago, but he quickly became a mentor as Will Fantle and I launched The Cornucopia Institute and I began my career as an “organic industry watchdog.”
Roger became our first formal policy advisor and a trusted friend. He never lost his vision of how the transformation of agriculture in this country could benefit society and those who till the soil. I was so proud that he personally invited me to witness his lifetime achievement award from the University of Wisconsin, which meant so much to him.
Roger brought an incredible amount of passion, time, and energy to the organic movement; I know he impacted many in our community and inspired others to become the next generation of leaders. We appreciate all he did to support OFRF and so many other organizations in our community.
Sylvia Burgos Toftnesson November 14, 2023 at 11:48 am
Roger was kind, generous with his time, and so very aware of the importance of documenting the organic agricultural movement and the vision for the future. I am so glad to have met and conversed with him over the years.
Working with Roger to establish the organic and sustainable agriculture collection at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Archives was one of the highlights of my career at the Historical Society. Because of Roger’s efforts much history of the organic agriculture movement that would otherwise have been lost has been saved and will be available into the future. He was a true visionary.
Roger was a brilliant man with a kind heart. We were all so lucky to have his guidance and it was a pleasure knowing him during the early years at MOSES. May his memory be a blessing.
Roger was a mentor, a hero, a change-maker. He taught me the importance of and true meaning of INTEGRITY. Thank you so much Roger, you made me a better person.
Roger was a mentor to so many of us and was always there when time came to defend integrity. He was always on the right side of the fight. The OFPA would not have been passed without Roger’s consumer petition work. Every time, we needed to start a campaign, a new coalition, or NGO – Roger was always there with sage advice. He and I served on the International Organic Accreditation Service, (IOAS) board together for many years. He made a rule that if your cell phone went off in the meeting – you had to buy everyone a round of ice cream — he always loved it when someone’s phone when -off!
He is already sorely missed and it will take many of us to replace him.
Roger was an amazing mentor on so many levels. He expanded our awareness of and participation in national and international organic initiatives. He was instrumental in building the capacity of MOSES (now Marbleseed) in fostering our highest impact programming. Leading with dignity, grace and persistence, he guided the organization with continual awareness about what our next steps ought to be. He reminded us of the history that preceded MOSES and whose shoulders we stand upon in this work. He loved the high life of an exquisite organic dinner with friends and couldn’t wait, when visiting our farm here in western Minnesota, to shed his shoes, to stroll through the grass barefoot as he did as an Iowa farmboy.
All of us working for a just, healthy food system based on the values of stewardship of creation and concern for one another owe a debt of gratitude to Roger. It is no exaggeration to say that he was a major force in the ongoing struggle to translate the ideals and vision undergirding organic agriculture into the practical public policies, programs, and rules needed to make that dream real. Those of us fortunate enough to have worked beside him on various committees and coalitions could rely on him as a wise, articulate leader whose well-founded observations and recommendations we could rely upon and trust.
Roger was a guiding light for so many of us in the organic movement. We knew many of the same organic farmers in Iowa, where his heart remained after he moved away. He will long be remembered.
Roger was truly a “ joyful warrior” who left a lasting impact across our world where ever he softly stepped.
In the 70s, Roger would come to OGBA (Organic Growers & Buyers Association) meetings and provide detailed updates on standards being promoted in other parts of the world. In the 80s he would provide info at the federal level and how we could impact it. In the 90s he was our source for getting involved in the writing of the final federal organic rule. He was always right at the heart of the issue and he was always hopeful when he expressed how critical organic agriculture was for our environment and the health of the world. He was the source for accurate information. I was so grateful he was out there advocating for organic farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Roger was one of a kind! His life’s work helped grow organic agriculture and has made the world a better place. He was a dear friend and mentor to me, he made a difference in my life. He led by example and shared his knowledge with others.
At OrganicEye we mourn the passing of a good friend, Roger Blobaum. I’m not sure who introduced us over 25 years ago, but he quickly became a mentor as Will Fantle and I launched The Cornucopia Institute and I began my career as an “organic industry watchdog.”
Roger became our first formal policy advisor and a trusted friend. He never lost his vision of how the transformation of agriculture in this country could benefit society and those who till the soil. I was so proud that he personally invited me to witness his lifetime achievement award from the University of Wisconsin, which meant so much to him.
Roger brought an incredible amount of passion, time, and energy to the organic movement; I know he impacted many in our community and inspired others to become the next generation of leaders. We appreciate all he did to support OFRF and so many other organizations in our community.
Roger was kind, generous with his time, and so very aware of the importance of documenting the organic agricultural movement and the vision for the future. I am so glad to have met and conversed with him over the years.
Working with Roger to establish the organic and sustainable agriculture collection at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Archives was one of the highlights of my career at the Historical Society. Because of Roger’s efforts much history of the organic agriculture movement that would otherwise have been lost has been saved and will be available into the future. He was a true visionary.
A Tribute to Roger Blobaum
Roger was a Radical
In a botanical sort of Way
Roger had Roots
And knew just what to Say.
Roger had Values
And high Expectations
He spoke for the Land
Respecting Cultivations.
Roger had Passion
For farmers and for Truth
Roger made things Happen
Lessons learned in Youth.
Roger loved Ice Cream
And hated Pesticides
Roger made us Stronger
When he was by our Side.
Roger had a Vision
Healthy soils and Life
Roger did the hard Work
Through peaceful times and Strife.
Roger was a Leader
Mentored many along the Way
Roger was a Listener
And then he had his Say.
Roger saw through Bullshit
He never suffered Fools
He made the world Better
Was honored by the Schools.
Roger changed my Life
And I am not Alone
A source of Inspiration
A bright star, he Shone.
Jim Riddle
Nov. 16, 2023
Roger was a brilliant man with a kind heart. We were all so lucky to have his guidance and it was a pleasure knowing him during the early years at MOSES. May his memory be a blessing.
Roger was a mentor, a hero, a change-maker. He taught me the importance of and true meaning of INTEGRITY. Thank you so much Roger, you made me a better person.
Roger was a mentor to so many of us and was always there when time came to defend integrity. He was always on the right side of the fight. The OFPA would not have been passed without Roger’s consumer petition work. Every time, we needed to start a campaign, a new coalition, or NGO – Roger was always there with sage advice. He and I served on the International Organic Accreditation Service, (IOAS) board together for many years. He made a rule that if your cell phone went off in the meeting – you had to buy everyone a round of ice cream — he always loved it when someone’s phone when -off!
He is already sorely missed and it will take many of us to replace him.