RawnieColeman
09-02-2011, 04:36 AM
Copied from ( http://jacobscove.net/what-is-biodynamic-farming/organic-label-subtleties/ )
ORGANIC SUBTLETIES
Jacob’s Cove was once “Certified Organic”. After becoming more aware we actually strive to distance ourselves from any association with the label except to advocate against its disingenuousness. Although Jacob’s Cove would qualify for organic certification we choose to label our food local natural and not organic for the following reasons:
Politicized
The term “Organic” is a legal term. As such a company or individual cannot use the term in their business unless the business has been duly “Certified Organic.” Its underpinnings are deeply political. For this and a variety of other important reasons, the “Organic Label” may represent something very different from what you suppose.
The standards that comprise the label are the consensus or least common denominator of the wide range of special interests involved in determining the standards. Obviously they are skewed more to those interests with the most political clout. It is little wonder that the organic label is compromised from the get go.
Who’s Selling Organic
The “Organic Label” has further enabled the global food production and distribution model. It is truly one of the most insidious if not the most insidious detractor of the Local Natural Food movement. The reason is that it engenders consumer trust for a product carrying the label without the consumer knowing the producer nor from where or under what circumstances the product was produced.
Unfortunately, due to the consolidation of agribusiness, the vast majority of food production comes from corporate farms. Corporations by nature have a built-in extortion factor where every last bit of value or perceived value must be captured. Vitality and nutrition and to a lesser degree sustainability are easily sacrificed.
In the corporate environment short-term urgencies driven by the bottom line many times skew the long view. The tendency is to minimize costs by doing the least possible to get the label with little interest in doing that which will provide the maximum nutrition and vitality of the produce.
Proliferation of Organic Chemicals
The growing opportunity for sales into the organic market has not been lost on the chemical companies. There is a tidal wave of new “certified organic” products approved for use under the Organic Label. An organic chemical is possibly less destructive to our bodies than a hard chemical. But make no mistake, these “Organic” products do not enhance the soil and ambiance, neither do they harmonize with nature. As designed they inflict death and disrupt natural processes and balance.
The Organic Label has little to do with food vitality and nutrition. The Organic Label focuses in on insuring an input is organic with literally no thought as to its effect on food vitality. Agricultural practices which merely switch from traditional chemicals to ones with organic labels qualify as “Certified Organic”. But degradation to the vitality of the produce resulting from an organic chemical may equal and in some cases exceed that of a traditional one. Same game, new name.
Inferior varieties that ship and store well are grown and harvested before maturity to accommodate the global production and distribution model. Organic chemicals minimize microbial activity to prevent food that will not be consumed for days and even weeks later from natural degradation. All of this can be “compliant” and Certified Organic.
Other Issues with the Label
The Organic Label does not reflect the nuances of the labor force and the conditions under which it was produced. The Organic Label does not reflect the carbon footprint and ramifications of transporting produce thousands of miles.
The Solution: Know your Farmer
The only genuine basis of trust is to “know your farmer”. There is not shortcut. It is what it is. It is disingenuous to think otherwise. It is burying your head in the sand. To think otherwise is like what you may say when you find yourself with a hot dog for lunch, “I am just going to eat it. I don’t want to know what’s in it!”
There is only one way to know the truth about your food. It is simply to know the producer. The only way you can logistically know the producer is if the producer is local.
At Our Farm
At Jacob’s Cove, all of our efforts are focusing on what is the most we can do to produce highly nutritious food full of life and vitality. Our philosophy is completely at odds with the organic label. It is like oil and water. The solution in our view is Local Natural. It is “Know your Farmer”. It is no hard chemicals. It is careful analysis before using any “certified organic” chemical or substance as to what effect it will have on our bio-diversity. We encourage you to take caution with the organic label and take your stand for the local natural movement.
ORGANIC SUBTLETIES
Jacob’s Cove was once “Certified Organic”. After becoming more aware we actually strive to distance ourselves from any association with the label except to advocate against its disingenuousness. Although Jacob’s Cove would qualify for organic certification we choose to label our food local natural and not organic for the following reasons:
Politicized
The term “Organic” is a legal term. As such a company or individual cannot use the term in their business unless the business has been duly “Certified Organic.” Its underpinnings are deeply political. For this and a variety of other important reasons, the “Organic Label” may represent something very different from what you suppose.
The standards that comprise the label are the consensus or least common denominator of the wide range of special interests involved in determining the standards. Obviously they are skewed more to those interests with the most political clout. It is little wonder that the organic label is compromised from the get go.
Who’s Selling Organic
The “Organic Label” has further enabled the global food production and distribution model. It is truly one of the most insidious if not the most insidious detractor of the Local Natural Food movement. The reason is that it engenders consumer trust for a product carrying the label without the consumer knowing the producer nor from where or under what circumstances the product was produced.
Unfortunately, due to the consolidation of agribusiness, the vast majority of food production comes from corporate farms. Corporations by nature have a built-in extortion factor where every last bit of value or perceived value must be captured. Vitality and nutrition and to a lesser degree sustainability are easily sacrificed.
In the corporate environment short-term urgencies driven by the bottom line many times skew the long view. The tendency is to minimize costs by doing the least possible to get the label with little interest in doing that which will provide the maximum nutrition and vitality of the produce.
Proliferation of Organic Chemicals
The growing opportunity for sales into the organic market has not been lost on the chemical companies. There is a tidal wave of new “certified organic” products approved for use under the Organic Label. An organic chemical is possibly less destructive to our bodies than a hard chemical. But make no mistake, these “Organic” products do not enhance the soil and ambiance, neither do they harmonize with nature. As designed they inflict death and disrupt natural processes and balance.
The Organic Label has little to do with food vitality and nutrition. The Organic Label focuses in on insuring an input is organic with literally no thought as to its effect on food vitality. Agricultural practices which merely switch from traditional chemicals to ones with organic labels qualify as “Certified Organic”. But degradation to the vitality of the produce resulting from an organic chemical may equal and in some cases exceed that of a traditional one. Same game, new name.
Inferior varieties that ship and store well are grown and harvested before maturity to accommodate the global production and distribution model. Organic chemicals minimize microbial activity to prevent food that will not be consumed for days and even weeks later from natural degradation. All of this can be “compliant” and Certified Organic.
Other Issues with the Label
The Organic Label does not reflect the nuances of the labor force and the conditions under which it was produced. The Organic Label does not reflect the carbon footprint and ramifications of transporting produce thousands of miles.
The Solution: Know your Farmer
The only genuine basis of trust is to “know your farmer”. There is not shortcut. It is what it is. It is disingenuous to think otherwise. It is burying your head in the sand. To think otherwise is like what you may say when you find yourself with a hot dog for lunch, “I am just going to eat it. I don’t want to know what’s in it!”
There is only one way to know the truth about your food. It is simply to know the producer. The only way you can logistically know the producer is if the producer is local.
At Our Farm
At Jacob’s Cove, all of our efforts are focusing on what is the most we can do to produce highly nutritious food full of life and vitality. Our philosophy is completely at odds with the organic label. It is like oil and water. The solution in our view is Local Natural. It is “Know your Farmer”. It is no hard chemicals. It is careful analysis before using any “certified organic” chemical or substance as to what effect it will have on our bio-diversity. We encourage you to take caution with the organic label and take your stand for the local natural movement.