| We have all seen it in our local grocery store- | | | | for certification, the corrections would have to be |
| produce and even meats that are labeled as | | | | made which is another investment of money. |
| organic. The prices are slightly higher for these | | | | Once the steps have been taken to change the |
| items, but why is that, and are organics really | | | | things that were ruled as inorganic, then the |
| worth the extra price? | | | | application can be resubmitted and a follow up |
| To label their produce as organic, a farmer must | | | | investigation completed. The fees that were paid |
| comply with a rather lengthy list of rules and | | | | with the initial application must be repaid, and it |
| regulations which govern what can and cannot be | | | | can take a while for the inspectors to come back |
| used on the farm. In some cases, this even | | | | to your farm. Meanwhile, you cannot sell your |
| includes what kind of materials can be used in the | | | | produce as "organic" making you less competitive |
| surrounding fences- (organic wood versus non | | | | in the safety oriented marketplace. The longer |
| organic wood). The type of soil that can be | | | | that it takes to get your certification, the less |
| brought in, the fertilizers, pesticides, all are strictly | | | | profitable your farm will be in the long run. Most |
| regulated- and inspected. | | | | people shop for organics nowadays, to stay in the |
| The certification process can be a very lengthy | | | | running for your share of the profit, you need |
| one, not to mention very expensive as well. | | | | that certification. |
| Every aspect of the farm must be checked out | | | | Organic farming can cost more because of the |
| and tested from the soil to the seed to the | | | | materials themselves. Fertilizers, seeds and other |
| irrigation system, everything is tested to be sure | | | | items that are deemed acceptable on an organic |
| that it is free from harmful contaminants and | | | | farm cost more than their less stringently made |
| chemicals. If the farm is one that raises animals, | | | | counterparts. Once the certification is received, |
| the feed and water supply must be examined as | | | | the profits can make it all worth it, but until that |
| well as the shelter and pasture areas. | | | | day comes it might seem tempting to say forget |
| The process begins with an application to become | | | | it and keep selling non organic produce when you |
| certified- in some states the application is more | | | | can. Many of the small, local growers that sell their |
| expensive than others, so check with your local | | | | goods at farmer's markets and roadside stands |
| agriculture board for the exact cost and the | | | | are technically organic farmers; they simply do |
| proper forms. After the application is turned in, | | | | have the certificate saying so because of the |
| the next step is usually the inspection, although | | | | time and money it takes to get one.organic is not |
| there have been delays and other issue before | | | | expensive at all its just that non-organic foods are |
| the application is processed. | | | | really cheap its like if someone is selling something |
| Once the inspection is completed, if there are any | | | | dangerous or broken its always cheaper. Organic |
| issues which would make the farm not qualified | | | | is just the actual price of food. |