Top 10 Good Reasons To Go Organic and Local
Local, organic produce tastes great! Food grown in well balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that are full
of nutrients and flavor and they are picked fresh and delivered that day to
you.
Local, organic produce is better for you! Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly; so the sooner you receive it from the
field and serve it at your table, the healthier it is for you. Organic
agriculture reduces health risks. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any
more of the chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases from getting into the
air, earth and water that sustain us.
Local, organic produce strives to preserve genetic diversity! The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most
pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers
have been collecting seeds for years and growing unusual varieties for decades.
These old varieties contain genetic material from hundreds of years of human
selection.
Local, organic farms respect our water resources! The well managed family farm is a place where the resources of fertile soil and
clean water are valued. We grow cover crops to prevent erosion and replace
nutrients used by our crops. Organic practices eliminate the polluting
chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination of cover crops, helps to
protect and conserves water resources.
Organic farmers build healthy soils! Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming
is to use practices that build healthy soils.
Local, organic farmers work in harmony with nature! Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded by a healthy ecosystem:
wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining
fence rows, wetlands and other natural areas that create a patchwork of fields,
woods, and ponds.
Local, organic farms help keep rural communities healthy! Local,Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an
alternative market where sellers can command a fair price for crops. USDA
reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms.
When you buy directly from the farmer, you are re-establishing a time honored
connection that will preserve the agricultural landscape we all enjoy.
Local food keeps your taxes in check! Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban
development costs more than it generates in taxes. For each dollar of revenue
raised by a farm, government spends 34 cents on services.
Local, organic food is about the future! By supporting local, organic farms today, you can help ensure that there will be
farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access
to healthy, safe, flavorful and abundant food.
Local, Organic produce meets stringent standards! Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict
procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs. Knowing your farmer that
grows the food you eat and being able to go see the farm where it was grown
allows you to feed yourself and your family safely without fear. Relationships
are created that are built on understanding and trust. Adapted from ASAP and
the Organic Trade Association.
