What is organic? Why should we pay attention? Isn't there as much folderol in that label as any else?
Essentially, organic produce is grown without the use of chemicals. In the past we've looked for certification of this, but for many small farmers just getting certified has proven costly and time consuming. Some people have always grown organically and never bothered with the certification, which just proves anyone can grow organic. All it takes is clean compost and a lot of time to weed. Sometimes locally grown produce is as good, even if not certified.
At the same time, large corporations sensing the marketability of the trend have gotten in on the act. For instance, Coca-Cola owns Odwalla, Unilever owns Ben & Jerry's, and Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Burgers.
It kind of makes you stop and consider what you buy and what corporation that sale supports. Buying locally grown produce helps support local economies and if you happen to be lucky enough to have a program like Idaho's Bounty in your area, you should use it.
Cindy Burke, in her 2007 book "To Buy or Not to Buy Organic" clears up a lot of issues for confused consumers.
She cites "The Dirty Dozen"—foods that should only be eaten if organic. Each one has many— sometimes as many as 50—chemicals approved for use. As well each of these foods has thin skin.
The "dirty dozen" are strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, nectarines, celery, apples, pears, grapes, raspberries and potatoes. I would add to that list tomatoes, all herbs, eggs, milk and things like chicken, fish and meat. If you don't have access to these foods in an organic way you may want to consider growing your own.
People often ask why, if pesticides aren't used, organic produce is so expensive. It's a good question. Chemicals increase the amount of output of produce per acre. The more there is of a product the less it should cost. Certified organic seeds cost more than uncertified seed, and only a handful of varieties of each crop are available, compared to dozens of varieties in uncertified seed.
It's also true that farming organic is more work. Farmer Joe can't just hire a sprayer and walk away. Weeds must be dealt with on a daily basis, along with such labor-intensive chores as picking insects off fruit and produce by hand, rotating crops and doing the onerous paperwork.
The main aspect to remember is that gardening is a natural thing to do that reconnects us to the earth. Sowing some seeds and watching them grow is a distinct though slow pleasure. You can make your own compost from your own materials, and then fertilize your own veggie patch.
It's not just bad for your health to spray insecticides on plants, it also kills the natural microorganisms in the soil, leaches into the water supply and damages fish habitat.
On Tuesday, when you're celebrating the 38th Earth Day in some manner, you may want to recall that the Environmental Protection Agency was also formed that year.
Celebrate by investing in some seeds, and sowing them with abandon.
