Local is the ''New'' Organic

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

smallfarmgirl — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:36:30 GMT

"Certified organic" is a great idea, if you are looking to support the big farmers who can afford it. In my area we have one large farmer who is gradually taking over the farmable land. Small farms struggle to compete. And, to make matters worse, land suitable for farming is giving way to housing, as the population booms. Most people do not understand that "all that land" out there is not suitable for growing. At least we can still buy "local" and "certified organic" even though most of the profit goes to one organization. Meanwhile, I grow my own and pray the time will not come when I must use genetically modified seeds and contaminated water.

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

smallfarmgirl — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:19:27 GMT

Buying local is catching on here in our area. We were actively participating in growing and marketing through farmer’s markets and on site. We, like most of the small farms, could not afford to obtain organic certification, yet people do not seem to care, perhaps assuming that anything that close to the source was infinitely better than that which had been shipped. The appearance and taste of local products speak for themselves. And, a side affect is meeting and knowing your farmer. At farmers markets people are encouraged to become “intimate” with the produce—with samples. Try that in your supermarket and you will be getting something that has been handled by a multitude of people. Organic farmers are much more careful of what is “on” their produce as well as in it. We live by our reputation and must be extremely careful.

On that note:

Our small organic farm was forced out of business when our local do-gooders decided that the 100-year-old irrigation system should be “piped.” We, along with some others, were overlooked when it came time to hook up.

Now, and maybe worse yet, there is concern that the water that had naturally found its way back into the aquifer is no longer available. The proposed “solution” may well be to flood the irrigation ditches with “waste” water from the local town. What that will do to the health of wells is mind-boggling.

How will local farmers be able to provide healthful produce, when the water supply may have been compromised?

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

Sonagi — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:08:22 GMT

The advice I've heard is that local non-organic is preferable to factory farm organic. Many local farmers use little or no pesticides but have not obtained certified organic status. When I shop at local farmers' markets, I ask the farmers what they use on their crops and take them at their word. The condition of the produce is a good indicator of the presence or lack of pesticides. The broccoli I got from a CSA had to be washed carefully because there were always live little green worms. The greens I get from my favorite local farmer who sells year-round often have little bug bites. If insects think the produce is edible, then so do I!

A visit to a farmers' market vendor can turn up an unexpected find. I do not drink milk but like yogurt and was delighted to discover that my year-round farmer sells delicious homemade yogurt from raw milk.

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

abersacres — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:07:34 GMT

What about some of our favorite foods that can not be grown locally b/c of climatic and geographical limitations?

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

Katy B — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:04:45 GMT

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re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

miraclealma — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:49:21 GMT

Well..I wonder if local is really leaving a lesser CARBON FOOTPRINT. For example although a head of lettece may tavel more miles, maybe they are packed more effeciently and if you take into account of the mass transport as opposed to mini transport with locally grown stuff and the local farmer trudging back and forth and the consumer perhaps having to drive further to get there MAYBE,,,local is not necessarily more carbon effecient?????
Just a thought although I love to buy at our local market rather than the Hyper markets. And the local vendor always lets my kid have a free apple!!!
Local makes you feel more human,
Sorry about the conflicted thinking but ...that's life!!!

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

craynewhope — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:31:19 GMT

I was appalled to find that in my state of Minnesota it is legal to spread the contents of septic tanks on farm fields. This is the way all the industry of pumping septic, disposes of their affluent. They are supposed to add lime to their tanks before spreading, yet some do not even follow this bare minimum procedure. It is also nearly impossible to find who is allowing this on their crop land. In our case local is a dangerous trap. Also because these are not laws limited to Minnesota. I wish you would take up this cause in full frontal attack. To go out and find farmers who do not do this would take forever. most farms are outside of a line around the twin cities that is more than one hundred miles. With yet more housing beyond that. The one farm I did know of is now out of business. Because there was not enough money to hire help for such a labor intensive practice of farming. Weeds are just one part of the work in soil that is made rich in compost, Yet the weeds need be pulled or cut daily in such rich soil. The farm that uses chemicals has an advantage that is unfair competition. And these farmers had to quit because of the competition. Nice huh? Oh yes they were able to get a higher price for their crops but always put the profit into the soil and labor. Now we have one less honest farm from which to get our food. Oh yes by the way that was our farm.

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

Dr. David Spitz — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:22:08 GMT

I'm so glad Dr Mercola brought this issue out. There have been numerous articles published about the negative environmental impact of organic produce being shipped thousands of miles.

In addition, by traveling such a long time, the organic can start to rot and become infested with fungus. I've been noticing a lot of really bad looking organic veggies out there and it's hard to buy when the conventional looks so good.

But, the BEST choice apparently is local. In addition, if your local grower is not going organic yet, you can start talking with them, and get a group of friends and family to sign a letter to the farmer telling him that if he does go organic, they will buy ALL of what he offers. In other words, begin the push in your local area to get your farmers organic.

This is the BEST option for our health and that of the environment.

By the way....start using GREEN products in your home. I'll be talking a lot more about that over the next several weeks as I gather good info.

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

smg — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:02:57 GMT

The only organic lettuce which my local supermarket in UK sells comes from US. Isn't 'global village' marvellous?

re: Local is the ''New'' Organic

french — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 06:32:06 GMT

Would love if anyone has any info for canada...

re: Local is the "New" Organic

roshe — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:30:25 GMT

I don’t mean to brag, but I must share my good fortune so others can know what can, or should, be available to them. I happen to live in the San Joaquin Valley in California so I enjoy the local raw milk from Organic Pastures and the certified organic produce of TD Willey farms and their associate farms. I feel fortunate to have such high quality produce so readily available for my family. I do not have to rely on sources such as Wal-Mart for supposedly organic produce. Everyone deserves these real options for better nutrition and a healthier life. View the links for your own research, and support the organizations in your state that are trying to make similar food sources available to you.

http://www.tdwilleyfarms.com

http://www.organicpastures.com

re: Local is the "New" Organic

helpingheart — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 05:55:10 GMT

Go Loco! - Um, I mean - Go LOCAL! (ha, ha, ha)

Here is a great link to find family farms and growers near you.

http://www.localharvest.org/

Take Control Of Your Food Source!

re: Local is the "New" Organic

Russ Bianchi — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:25:34 GMT

There are regional Farmer's Market associations you can find, for times and locations, to shop locally at also. on the internet!

Ditto, on SLOW FOOD association chapters, throughout North America.

re: Local is the "New" Organic

LM36 — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:36:49 GMT

We are always one step ahead of the rest...unfortunately our options become fewer and fewer, to the point that we will have to grow our own produce, keep a cow in the yard for milk and some chickens for eggs. We will have to live in urban areas where we have large enough lots of land to house our livestock and grow produce.

"The others" (the city dwellers) will become so sick and diseased from the air pollution and the pesticides infiltrating every orifice of their bodies that we will have a massive population correction.

re: Local is the "New" Organic

Aram Ovsepian — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:22:52 GMT

It is great that big corporations are trying to jump an this trend, but unfortunately I believe that will lead to lobbying for lesser organic standards.

When shopping for organic products, always remember about nutrient density if it was grown far away from where you leave you will get a chemical free but definitely not a nutrient dense product.

Always support your local organic farmers. They are your connection to Earth!