ORGANIC LIVING
By
Robert Rodale
MORE FARMERS SEEK ORGANIC SEAL OF APPROVAL
There’s a refreshingly different bumper sticker appearing
on California cars that has nothing to do with political
scandal or protest. "Organic Farmers Are Great Lovers”, it
proclaims, only half in Jest.
Organic farmers are great lovers ... of the soil, the
natural environment, and pure, wholesome food. That’s why
they farm without poison sprays or snythetlc chemical
fertilizers, building up the soil humus with natural organic
matter. And the California Certified Organic Farmers, who
distribute the bumper stickers, are determined to bring even
more good food to the public.
CCOF is typical of the many regional organic fanning
organizations that have sprung up recently in response to
consumer demand for chemical-free food. Now in its second
year and growing rapidly (there are 67 certified farmer
members), CCOF shares common goals with other groups
from Maine to New Mexico:
1. Growers work together to find and supply markets
seeking organically-grown produce. The aim is to sell
directly to the consumer through roadside stands, farmers’
markets and urban food co-ops.
2. Food from member farms is “certified organic.” To do
that, soil is tested to make sure the grower is using only
natural fertilizers. And crop samples are analyzed in a
laboratory for pesticide contamination.
The certification seal of a regional growers’ group on the
package is the consumer’s guarantee that the food has truly
been produced using organic methods, and without poison
sprays or chemical additives.
“Thanks to certification, I have more customers than I can
take care of,” says CCOF’s Tony Owen, who raises vegetable
row crops and Jerusalem artichokes.
3. Regional groups give organic fanners a forum to ex
change information. They can help each other by giving
advice on soil fertility and insect control problems.
4. Seeds and natural fertilizers can often by purchased at a
discount, by pooling orders and buying in bulk.
By farming organically, small family farms have a better
chance of survival. CCOF’s Fred Adams is a good example.
His 55 acres in the foothills of the Sierras grow organic
oranges, olives, lemons, grapefruit, tomatoes, zucchini and
beans. But his land is surrounded by huge factory farms,
owned and operated by giant corporations.
“As I drive to town from my place,” Adams says, “I rarely
see my neighbors - there are so few owners actually living on
the land.” He and his son market their produce at San
Francisco Farmers’ Market, selling about $l,OOO a week.
Adams’ crops are typical of the variety that’s available in
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the organic marketplace. Other CCOF members are raising
everything from garlic, grapes and grains to beef and eggs.
Organic farmers are shifting into high gear in New
England, also. “I believe that, in the Northeast, the small
produce fanner has a bright future,” says Maine Extension
Agent Charles Gould, “if he can organize to reach and
capture the organic foods market.” The Maine Organic
Farmers and Gardeners Association has been created to do
just that.
In New Hampshire and Vermont, the Natural Organic
Farmers Association is growing cabbage, onions, potatoes,
squash and other winter storage crops for sale to New
England markets.
Busy Bakers
Cake Decorators
The Busy Bakers Cake bring a decorated cake to the
Decorating Club had their Round-up July 24th at St.
4th meeting Wednesday, Mark’s Church. The girls
June 10th at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Sauder will judge
Roy Sauder, their teacher, the cakes themselves. The
All of the girls used white cakes will be judged on
frosted layer cakes which smoothness, perfection,
they decorated with a clump orginality, appearance and
of orange or yellow roses in roses. The girl with the most
the center. The first year Points will receive a cash
members used an orange P rize
and white seashell border
with little rosebuds ail
around.
The advanced students
used a more complicated
border with while bunting of
a sort and interesting orange
flower cascade as used in
wedding cakes.
Barbara Miller was Early scientists held that the
nominated for posture queen presence of a magnet robbed
and agreed to represent the iron of its weight and it
club in the contest. lifted itself!
The girls decided to each
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ai present, New England imports 80 per cent of its own
food, but NOFA has ambitious plans to make the region more
self-sufficient. “The style is very local, long-term and low
key,” says NOFA grower Robert Houriet of Marshfield, Vt.
“ITie aim is to work not from the top down but from the
bottom up.”
In Washington and Oregon, the Northwest Organic Food
Producers arc raising and marketing organic apples,
potatoes, watermelons, corn, wheat, carrots, and other
crops. “Naturally we feel that forming an association of
organic growers is the only way to go,” say founders Pat and
Dorothy Langan of Toppenish, Wash. “We have gained
considerable strength together and a better sense of direction
... we are accomplishing much more.” They describe
organic certification as “a shot in the arm" for small far
mers.
Similar success stories are being repeated in other states.
The Organic Growers and Buyers Association m Minnesota
now covers a five-state area and includes 18 food co-ops in the
Minneapolis area alone. One co-op reports a demand for
40,000 pounds of organically-grown hard wheat!
In Pennsylvania, organic grower Paul Hartz says his
farmer-consumer organization is “just beginning to reach
out to farmers and interested consumer groups.” There are
already 50 members. Other organic farmer organizations
have been former in Texas, New York, Michigan, Colorado,
Kentucky, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.
Organic farmers are still outnumbered. They have a long
way to go before they’ll ever challenge the supremacy of the
commercial agribusiness industry with its poison sprays, tax
loopholes, and energy-wasting assembly-line shortcuts. But
because enough shoppers still care about taste and quality,
their ranks are growing every day.
“Help Is On The Way” is a fifty-page handbook that will
answer your questions about raising food organically,
whether you have a small salad garden or a fifty-acre farm.
It’s available for 50 cents from Robert Rodale, Organic
Living, in care of this newspaper. When ordering, ask for the
booklet by name, and allow three or four weeks for delivery,
(c) 1974 by The Chicago Tribune World Rights Reserved.
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