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Organically Grown Foods
What is Organic? Organic Farm Wars -
"May the Farm be with
you"
Organic refers to an "earth friendly" method of growing and
processing food. Weeds and pests are controlled using
environmentally sound practices which sustain the health of our planet and
ultimately, our own health.
Growing concerns over the health of the planet and how that affects our
health drives the organic agriculture movement. In recent years
reports from consumer groups and government agencies suggest a connection
between the use of synthetic agricultural chemicals and negative health
affects.
Organic produce is grown in cooperation with the earth.
Organic growers work with nature. They use composted materials
and mineral supplements to amend the soil rather than synthetic formulated
fertilizers. In other words, they make the soil richer with
natural growing nutrients. The soil is treated to make it nutritionally
rich. The plants than use these nutrients to grow food with lots of
vitamins and minerals that your body can use.
Conventional growers treat the plant with synthetic fertilizers (which
are also toxic). Even if you wash your conventionally grown produce of the
synthetic fertilizers, it may eliminate some surface pesticides, but most
cannot be removed with water.
Organic farmers do not use chemicals (pesticides, fungicides or
fertilizers) in an environmentally harmful manner. They utilize a
blend of old and new technologies and scientific research to balance the
Earth's natural ecosystem.
Examples of organic farming methods include:
- Rotating crops between fields. This helps keep pests from
building up and improves soil fertility.
- Planting select bushes and flowers to attract beneficial insects
which ward off unwanted pests.
Organic farming produces nutrient-rich fertile soil which nourishes the
plants. Keeping chemicals off the land also protects water quality
and wild life. The plant will have grown extracting vitamins and
minerals from the soil. Your body will be able to use these
nutrients.
What about animals?
In raising organic animals such as dairy cows, hormones and antibodies
may not be used and the cows are fed only organic feed.
What is certified organic?
A certified organic product has been grown and processed according to
strict standards. Third party inspection verifies authenticity to
the consumer. Several certification agencies exist across the
country. Look for the certification seal or name of the
certification agency on the label. When you see this claim, it
means:
- No harmful chemicals have been applied to the land for at least 3
years.
- The farmer and processor have annual certification inspections.
- They have kept detailed records of their practices.
- They use ecologically-friendly methods and substances to improve the
soil and control pests.
10 Reasons to buy certified Organic Foods
1. Support the environment - Organic farming supports the
environment by using long term farming solutions which restore, maintain
and enhance rather than drain our environment.
2. Support our future needs - Organic farming supports and
upholds the belief that true agriculture meets the needs of the present
without compromising the needs of future generations.
3. Build a biologically diverse agriculture - Organic
agriculture respects diversity and growth within the environment,
including protection of plant and wildlife habitats.
4. Help protect out water resources - Organic farming practice
and solutions contribute to the overall quality of our ground and drinking
waters, lakes, rivers and estuaries.
5. Increase productivity of the land - Organic agriculture
builds productive nutrient-rich soil that resists topsoil erosion.
6. Help protect our health - Organic production practices limits
inputs of toxins and chemicals into our environment. Choosing
organic positively impacts our health, our children's health, the health
of farm workers and the health of future generations.
7. Help small farms - Smaller organic farms run on people
power! Most organic farms are small, independently owned and
operated family farms.
8. Help support a true economy - Buying organic is a direct
investment in the long term future of our planet! The choices we
make now can free us from costly pesticide related environmental clean ups
in the future.
9. Save energy - Organic farming relies less on non-renewable
energy sources, substituting renewable energy sources or labor whenever
possible.
10. Organic food tastes great! - Organic food allows true
flavors to shine through! Chefs across the country are committed to
using organic ingredients because plants from healthy soils and
organically fed livestock provide us with more flavorful foods.
For more Info:
Organic Alliance
(651) 265-3678 Fax: (651) 265-3679
Recommended:
For Whole food
supplements when you can at right go
here.
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