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What is Organic Food?
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Author:  Sattie [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  What is Organic Food?

Organic Food and Fiber products are produced using:

• agricultural management practices which promote and enhance agro-ecosystem health, including diversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. These include crop rotation, cover and green manure crops, use of beneficial insects, composted animal manure and plant wastes, and natural soil amendments.

No genetically engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, raw manures, synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers are allowed.

• livestock management practices that decrease environmental stress and promote healthy animals without the use of antibiotics and other prohibited products. These include organic feed, outdoor access and pasture areas, clean water, well ventilated housing, clean bedding, and humane treatment.

No antibiotics, growth hormones or genetically engineered products are allowed.

• food processing management practices that protect the integrity of the organic product. These include prevention of commingling organic products with non-organic products, sanitation chemicals, and prohibited pest control products during storage, processing and transportation.

No food irradiation, genetically engineered ingredients or synthetic preservatives are allowed.

Author:  Tony M* [ Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:05 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks Sattie for this post. I would like to add a few comments.
I think sewage sludge is acceptable in an organic program. I'll start checking on that one.
Organic foods are often grown and sold locally. As an example, the city of Coppell has an organic farmers market every Saturday. I'm not sure what the schedule is in the winter months. This supports the local economy and local family farms. The average piece of organic produce travels about 2000 miles to its final destination. That's a lot of fuel, emmisions and wear on the transportation system, not to mention the nutrients lost in transit.

If you are interested, the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners are having their 5th annual conference the 25th-27th of Jan in Kerrville. Go to TOFGA.org to learn more.
Tony M

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