the term ORGANIC

[mama24]

Yep. That's why I try to buy local when I can.

Then I can talk to the farmer about their sustainability practices. And most fruit and veggie farmers try pretty hard to be sustainable.

 

[cupman]

Quote:
Can I ask how the first part of your comment relates to the second part of your comment? Also, if it doesn't, why do you think young kids aren't capable of thinking? Imagine if someone posted the old and elderly weren't capable of thinking or solving problems. Would probably get a lot of negative responses.

 

[awesomefowl]

Personally, I believe organic is nothing more than a term, and I don't support it. Organic Valley, and other organic "farms" are actually agribusinesses just as much as the conventional foods!!! It definitely IS a scam.
I support the IDEA of raising animals and vegetables sanely, cleanly, and humanely; I indeed do it; but I do think chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and things like that DEFINITELY have their places! Plus, without them America wouldn't be able to feed as many people (do you realize we don't have hardly any poor, starving people here?), though we should always be refining our growing practices to make it produce more, but not at the expense of the animals. IMHO.

 

[RHRanch]

I will mention that in order to have my eggs certified organic - I found that the guidelines are very strict. There are but a few cleaners that may be used for disinfecting premesis, and few options for treating sick birds - I looked it over and concluded that culling would be easier than treating. The birds have to be fed organic from day 2 and a record of all feeds must be kept. So, I don't think its so easy for small business to get certified organic - its probably easier for large corps.

 

[chickened]

Another facet of organic legislation is to garner some of the subsidies available to the conventional growers. Do not think for a minute that for profit organic farms are not in it for the money but are using strongarm tactics to get more market share from big ag. If you really want something to be your way get Uncle Sam behind you. Obviously a total scam to those willing to accept it.

 

[BigSkyChickens]

I like what mama24 said:

Yep. That's why I try to buy local when I can. Then I can talk to the farmer about their sustainability practices. And most fruit and veggie farmers try pretty hard to be sustainable.

Know your farmer, know your food.....

It's challenging, because terms that initially mean something to consumers, seem to get twisted around by marketers / corporations.

I read about one farmer who decided to get the Animal Welfare Approved designation rather than organic; That way she was allowed to treat her sick animals instead of culling.

On a silly note, my BF and I often joke that he BEHAVES better when he eats organic food......Once, I saw an interview with a lady who honestly believed that her kids behaved much better when they ate organic food.

I used to eat organic because I was concerned about the things entering my body. Now I see it as an opportunity to treat the land better for the long term.​

 

[RHRanch]

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Thats why I am thinking about doing that instead of Organic certification - I want to be able to make the decision to treat a sick bird.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

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What do you think a farm is? Farming is agribusiness, whether conventional or organic. Do you think farmers do it for free? To address your mention of Organic Valley, OV is a farmer-owned cooperative with production coming from hundreds of small-scale, family-owned farms.

There are consumers who want produce that is free from pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. They want the animals to be treated humanely; the animals out of the cages, out on pasture, fed wholesome products.

Here is a photo of our Organic Valley farm, with the neighbor's organic crops in the background. I am a farmer/owner of Organic Valley. The hens are not kept in cages and are out on pasture. The corn, triticale/peas, and hay in the background is non-GMO, is not sprayed, and is fertilized with manure from the hens.

We provide what some consumers are asking for. So, which part is a scam?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

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The National Organic Plan allows you to treat sick animals, it would be inhumane to withhold treatment. Once they are treated they are not eligible for organic production and must be sold or otherwise moved to conventional production.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

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I don't know about strongarm tactics... but once again what do think farming is? I am in it for the money... I don't keep a few thousand hens around and pack up hundreds of thousands of eggs a year for free. Farming is a for profit endeavor. If our farmer-owned cooperative gets more of a market share from "Big Ag", it suits me just fine, as it supports me and my neighbors. These small farms would have been long gone save for organic production and marketing.