September is Organic Harvest Month™

As I said before, there are a lot of things going on in September! This week I want to highlight “Organic Harvest Month™.” It is sponsored by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) with the goal of bringing attention to the benefits of North American organic agriculture and to encourage consumers to choose organic products.

So what does organic mean? According to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) definition, April 1995:

• “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.
• “‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.
• “Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.
• “Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.”

In a nutshell, organic farmers make use of cover crops, green manures, animal manures and crop rotations to fertilize and maintain long-term soil health; rotational grazing and mixed forage pastures for livestock and alternative health care for the animals to avoid the use of hormones and antibiotics; renewable resources, soil and water conservation; and eliminate synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. For more information on going organic, visit the USDA’s website.

Some ways to celebrate Organic Harvest Month™ include buying organic foods and other merchandise (of course!) such as clothing, bath oils, wines, etc. Several manufacturers of organic products are also running promotions. For example, you can go to Stony Field Farm’s website and download a “Going Greener Guidebook” that includes information on buying groceries, food safety, recycling, the “earth-friendly diet,” etc. You can also register to win a SunRidge Farms gift basket from Woman’s Day that includes items such as organic dark chocolate almonds and organic yogurt pretzels (yum!). For other events visit the Organic Trade Association’s webpage.