Aside from the alliteration, October is a great month to appreciate all things organic and remind ourselves of all the reasons we have chosen to do the work of farming and feeding people this way since 1984.

We bet you understand that organic is often defined by what it’s not, but there’s a lot that organic is and a lot of positive change that organic farming accomplishes – and that’s worth celebrating. So here are a few key tidbits to make you feel extra special about choosing organic…aside from the fact that it tastes so dang good. Just a few things to think about when you’re tossing that organic baby spinach into your morning smoothie or whipping up a nice organic spring mix salad.

  • Organic farming helps mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in soil. By prohibiting the use of petroleum-based fertilizers and other materials while absorbing CO2 from the air, organic agriculture helps reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change.
  • Organic farming creates healthy habitat for pollinators…and other beneficial insects. Integrated pest management (managing pests without chemicals), increased biodiversity, and protection of native habitat in organic farming practices all combine to make a more nurturing home for all our good bug friends, especially bees.
  • Organic farming practices conserve woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife. Organic farming practices not only protect ecosystems but strive to improve them. That’s part of the requirements of certification. Every organic farmer must prepare an Organic Systems Plan (OSP) and update it annually. The OSP must address the farm’s impact on the local ecosystem and how organic farming practices can protect it.
  • Organic farming helps reduce nitrogen pollution. Organic farming relies on recycled nitrogen sources such as compost and other natural soil amendments. Across all food groups, organic production releases around 50% less new reactive nitrogen to the environment.
  • Organic is NON-GMO and more. GMOs are prohibited in organic food and farming. That means no GMO seeds, no GMO ingredients, no GMO anything. Organic farmers and food producers have to document that we’re protecting our products from cross-contamination of any kind, all the way from farm to table.
  • 82% of US households purchase organic. You’re not alone and organic isn’t niche any more. This doesn’t mean 82% of people are purchasing all organic, just at least something. We’ve come a long way from the days of crummy, dull apples in the dark corner of the health food store to today when you can find something — if not quite a lot — organic in most any grocery store.

Now why not check out our Organic October Giveaway where you could win free Earthbound Farm products and maybe, just maybe, an Always Pan? You can learn more and enter here.

Thank you for helping us keep this thing going and growing. Thank you for choosing organic!

 

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