market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>
- To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] USDA vs Naturally Grown
- Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 23:03:11 -0500
Hi. I was Certified Naturally Grown for
two years. I have great admiration for the founders and what they have done. It
has a beautiful logo and can serve the purpose for those who want to say “I
know how I do things and I think I do things well or organically” or
whatever, without really knowing what the standards are. That said, I am getting certified organic
this year. Yes, I know that “organic” no longer is the buzz word,
that “sustainable, local, and fresh” are the good marketing tools. Why? Several reasons. Probably the clincher is that I am really
anal about my integrity. We are building a farm stand, so how do I
differentiate myself from all the non-organic growers? I can’t really say
“No spray” because I do spray bT, and may spray milk, etc. And I
may spray on a compost tea. What do folks think if they see me out there with
my backpack sprayer and there is my big sign saying “No Spray”? “No
synthetic pesticides” is too complex a message. Second reason: There was only one other
CNG farm within 40 miles, and they used RoundUp but thought they were organic
and had CNG. Almost anytime I am around market gardeners and CNG comes up,
someone has a story of someone who they knew, or a vendor next to them, with
similar interpretations of organic and who were CNG. So, I think where there is
a good core of really committed farmers who have been organic for a while and
kept up with things and will police, CNG may work well. Where participation is
sparse (and where there are few certified organic growers who really know the
rules), there is no education or enforcement. Even if you are really committed
to organic agriculture, it is very hard to keep current with what is allowed
and what isn’t without the assistance of a certifying agency. Lots of
things that used to be OK are no longer approved – rotenone, many
formulations of bT, etc. I would say it is close to impossible. Third reason: I find marketing really
time-consuming, and may sell to stores. To get the organic premium (if there is
one), I need to be certified. With all that said, the deeper I get into
the certification process (and it is not really that hard), the less I think of
CNG as an alternative to certified organic. It may have merit as “sustainable”
– a great, undefined buzzword. I really don’t think a person can
follow all the rules unless they are certified – who is going to
subscribe on their own to OMRI to get the latest updates? Yes, different
certifying agencies allow different things – I am not here to argue the
merits or lack thereof of the USDA program. I really wish we were back in the
old system where the certifying agencies could also advise and educate. The
question was about CNG, and that is what I have tried to answer. Beth Spaugh |
-
Re: [Market-farming] USDA vs Naturally Grown
, (continued)
-
Re: [Market-farming] USDA vs Naturally Grown,
Lucy Goodman, 03/08/2006
-
[Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Sue Wells, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Creation Farm, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
James H. Corey, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Creation Farm, 03/12/2006
- Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen, Sue Wells, 03/12/2006
- Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen, James H. Corey, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Creation Farm, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
James H. Corey, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Creation Farm, 03/12/2006
-
[Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Tom at Limerock, 03/12/2006
- Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen, Lucy Goodman, 03/12/2006
- Re: [Market-farming] commercial kitchen, Sam White, 03/13/2006
-
[Market-farming] commercial kitchen,
Sue Wells, 03/12/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] USDA vs Naturally Grown,
Lucy Goodman, 03/08/2006
-
Re: [Market-farming] USDA vs Naturally Grown,
Allan Balliett, 03/12/2006
- [Market-farming] Karen Wallman, Creation Farm, 03/13/2006
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