Market Farming

["Rainbow's End Farms & Orchards" <rainbowsend AT swva.net>]

I am not certified "organic" primarily due to the
cost of certification and a huge hesitancy to
submit to more bureaucracy and
regulations...although 99% of what I produce is
produced organically. I read recently of a major
manufacturer now carrying the certified organic
label on the ketchup and how the price was 30%
more. The basis of the article is that organic has
now become big business as the major corporations
see the market opportunity. I am not big business
and as a grower I choose to use the old school
approach to organic as representing soil
stewardship and responsible, sustainable, natural
farming. Maybe it is time for those of us who grow
organic, but don't feel the need for the
odiousness of the "certified organic" overhead to
agree upon a new terminology that is mutually
agreeable and standardize upon that as a de facto
national movement of OUR OWN.
Rainbows End Farms and Orchards
880 Central Academy Road
Stuart, Virginia  24171
276-694-4324