Certified Organic

[DixieGrl113]

How can I make sure that someone that is selling Organic Veggies is selling something truely organic? Do they have to have a certificate or something from the FDA or the Ag. Dept? The reason I'm asking is that somone down the road from me told me is going to start selling organic veggies and fruits from his farm at a little stand. I'm thinking this would be perfect for my veggie glop and for my food as well. How can i make sure?

[rottnkidd]

Hi Jo - Maybe these sites will help answer your questions.

http://www.rebekahgrace.com/organic.html

http://altnature.com/library/what_is_organic.htm

I hope these help you!
kathy

[Barbara Surplus]

They do have to have a certificate and be able to prove via soil tests and other sampling requirements that they haven't used pesticides/chemicals/antibiotics on their crops or livestock, whichever the case may be. They also have to pay an annual fee to maintain their status as organic farmers. In the case of crops, they need to be free from pesticides, etc., for a period of three years (I believe the same applies to livestock but am not 100% certain on that). During that time, they can label their products as Transitional. If in doubt, ask to see the certificate. Any reputable organic farmer would be delighted to produce it.

In the case of a vendor wishing to sell organic foods which he didn't produce, I suppose anyone can say those products could be organic but the vendor must keep records showing which producer he purchased them from. Usually, it can be verified by contacting the producer to confirm that he/she did, indeed, sell their products to the vendor you bought them from. Their record keeping has to be beyond reproach.

I try to support organic farming as much as I can. These farmers work very hard to bring their product to market. For the past two summers, we purchased a share of a farm co-op and would pick up our weekly share at a local farmers' market. The three people who ran the farm reckoned that their hourly rate for all the work they did was around 5 cents an hour. Most of their labour consisted of picking weeds. I suppose it is much easier to dowse crops with chemicals but they truly loved what they did and, needless to say, we did too. There was a richness to the food that we've never experienced before, not the least of which was knowing that they put their hearts and souls into growing it for us.
Barbara

[rottnkidd]

Barbara, I felt a little tug at the heart strings reading how you've supported the organic farm; and how you appreciate their efforts to bring to you the true product. Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree that these farmers are not zealots in the sense of making a huge profit, they never will. They simply
have a passion for their craft, and they do it the 'old fashioned' way, with hard work and love. Thanks again!
kathy

[Barbara Surplus]

Originally posted by rottnkidd
Barbara, I felt a little tug at the heart strings reading how you've supported the organic farm; and how you appreciate their efforts to bring to you the true product. Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree that these farmers are not zealots in the sense of making a huge profit, they never will. They simply
have a passion for their craft, and they do it the 'old fashioned' way, with hard work and love. Thanks again!
kathy

Thanks, Kathy. We affect our earth negatively in so many ways that it's simply lovely to see the devotion these farmers have to their purpose. They take their responsibilities as stewards of the land very seriously and I think it's important that we show respect for what they do. One thing's for certain - most of these small farmers will never become wealthy but they do know the value of an honest day's work.
Barbara

[Roscoe's dad]

5 cents an hour! To think how much time I spend in my little garden weeding and then wonder what it would be like to do acres! Cow poop rules!

[DixieGrl113]

I can't imagine how much passion you would have to have to be an Organic farmer. Its certainly is a lot easier to pou the chemicals int he tank and hop on your tractor and spray. If I ccan find a truely organic farmer here, they would have all my business. That brings up another question. Are Amish farmers generally organic or do they use chemicals? They have a lot of stands around here that I usually buy from in the summer but I hadn't really thought about it. Wondering now. Thank you for the links rottnkidd, there were very helpful. Barbara, you are my BARF goddess. lol ;) Always there to help and always with a good answer or suggestion. Thank you.

Roscoe's Dad, I know what you mean. I can't imagine slaving over acres. My roses and potted herbs are enough for me. If only I could get my ficas tree to be happy. *sigh*