Organics (sell, old, national, price)

[tazymae2010]

Okay, what's the real deal on organics? I mean, how are the pests controlled ? What fertilizer is applied ? What quality of water is used to irrigate ? What does the soil contain for growing medium ? Absolutely ALL organic ? I can't think of anything else but I'm sure there are more.
P.S. Not to mention the price of something you have never seen growing. I know, I know, the Gov. or somebody makes sure it IS organic....hhhmmmmmm

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by tazymae2010

Okay, what's the real deal on organics? I mean, how are the pests controlled ? What fertilizer is applied ? What quality of water is used to irrigate ? What does the soil contain for growing medium ? Absolutely ALL organic ? I can't think of anything else but I'm sure there are more.
P.S. Not to mention the price of something you have never seen growing. I know, I know, the Gov. or somebody makes sure it IS organic....hhhmmmmmm

Organics are grown in regular soil, amended with compost to fertilize the plants. Sometimes they are watered with compost "tea" which is is water that has soaked compost in it, or just plain water. The "pesticides" used are natural -- like lady bugs, alternative plantings (you see marigolds around some plots because they keep out the snails)

For some thing organics can't be beat -- like strawberries and tomatoes. They really taste like strawberries and tomatoes.

But bananas? You're going to peel that sucker so why bother. And I've noticed no taste difference.

Amusingly enough, I've noticed several times out here that often, organics are cheaper than regular goods -- end of growing season, and the produce is brought to market and the regular stuff is less available, so the price goes up.... but plenty of organic, and the price is low.

[joe moving]

tazy, what i would suggest is you look for small farms around you and go visit. Where do you live? you could try looking on Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food.

in order to be certified organic, i don't know the full process but they need to not have used chemical fertilizer, pesticides, etc. on the land for a few years.

Any land used to produce raw organic commodities must not have had prohibited substances applied to it for the past three years. Until the full 36-month transition period is met, you may not:



Sell, label, or represent the product as “organic”

Use the USDA organic or certifying agent’s seal

http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/torg.htm...ic%20Standards

organic farms range from a 1 acre hand weeded and harvested patch to huge single crop farms in california harvested by illegals making $2/hour.

[Submariner]

In this area we are seeing a growing movement of small organical farms.

Most are regulated by a local group of farmers that formed in the 1970s [mofga.org], so they pre-date the USDA's recent move into organics.

Most [all] organic farms in my area are open to the public and invite their customers to tour their farms.

If you have doubts, questions or are simply curious, you are certainly welcome to come and see.

[ragnarkar]

Many times, I'll buy organics in small amounts (usu. from Whole Foods) to sample them.. and I'll keep buying the ones that taste great. The supposed health benefits are a plus but I'm mainly after good tasting unprocessed food.