Hi I'm Tricia an organic gardener I grow organically
for a healthy and safe food supply for a clean and sustainable environment
for an enjoyable and rewarding experience
Organic is the core of our company so what do we mean when we say organic
besides the obvious answer of carbon-based Prior to World War two
all agriculture was organic the only petrochemicals found on a farm where in the
tractor
after World War two science was king and everyone was eager
for what was modern and scientific leftover chemicals developed for war
such as ammonium nitrate for munitions
and organophosphates for nerve gas became fertilizers and pesticides on the
farm
the industrialization of agriculture is ironically known as the green revolution
in the 1940s a group of men who were concerned about the direction that
agriculture was headed
decided to lead a movement to preserve the time-honored techniques of farming
such as
soil conservation, composting and farm diversity
J.I. Rodale coined the term organic
to describe his system of agriculture based on the works of Sir
Albert Howard in England, Rudolf Steiner in Germany
and doctor William Albrecht of the University of Missouri
around the same time Lord Northbourne
also adopted the term organic to describe
the idea of the farm as an organism All of these progenitors
of the organic movement shared the same values
that we who embrace organic food still do today
Recognize the farm as an interdependent organic whole
we focus on soil life and health reject synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
and incorporate livestock into the life and health of the farm
In the beginning of the organic movement there wasn't any regulatory
or certification process consumers concerned about their food and the
environment
relied on relationships that they had with their farmers that tradition
continues here at the Nevada City Farmers Market in Nevada City, California
get to know your local farmer and learn their farming techniques
this is John Tecklin from Mountain Bounty Farms, Hi John, good morning
in nineteen ninety the United States government
recognized this distinctive method of agriculture and launched the National
Organic Program
they defined organic agriculture as an ecological production management system
that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles
and soil biological activity Various organizations such as CCOF
an Oregon Tilth are registered with the USDA
and do the job of certifying farms and their products
as organic only certified farms may use the USDA organic seal
and call their products organic If you see the USDA symbol
youll know that that farm met the standards for the USDA
Organic Program many people confuse natural with organic
the term natural is not regulated by the FDA
or the USDA but the term organic means that the food
has met very strict standards: the bottom line for consumers
is either buy organic or buy from a farmer that you know
whose practices you agree with I'm here with Chris from Chaffin Family Orchards
Hi Chris, Hi, what does a consumer want to look for on the farm
So you want to look for things that gel with your beliefs things like
permaculture practices, natural fertilizers, integrated pest management
pasture for their animals just so that you can really get food that's
the most healthy
and using the most natural practices great thank you so much, thank you
I'm here with Allen Haight from Riverhill Farms, Hi Allen, Hi, How are you Patty?
I'm very good thank you What does it mean to be an organic
farmer
certified well organic certification involves the process of review
by a third party its license to do those inspections
and determine whether or not a farm is in compliance with the Federal Rules
that govern organic production the benefit to the consumer is that if a farm
is certified organic
you can go to a grocery store and look for that certified organic status
and know that that product complies with the National Organic Program
When you're buying organic you're taking a stand against GMO's,
irradiation, sewage sludge, preventative antibiotics,
growth hormones, synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides
Organic gardening and farming isn't just a list
of do's and dont's it's a complete mindset The organic grower recognizes
that the farmer or garden is its own ecosystem
instead of a reactive approach to soil fertility or pests
the organic approach is a proactive system that favors soil life and
fertility
beneficial insects and natural predators of pests
such as bats Initially to get it started the organic farm or garden may take a
little bit more attention
but in the long run you'll add fewer inputs and save time
for example the soil feeds the plants which produce food for the people and
the livestock
livestock such as chickens help the plants by eating pest insects and larvae
and providing a light tillage cattle add manure to pastures
then you can compost the dead plants kitchen scraps and droppings from the
chickens and cattle
to enrich the soil and the cycle continues your goal in growing
organically
should be good soil health, biodiversity
and working within the natural cycles of life instead of against them
so buy, eat and grow organic for life!
and