[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: SMALLFARM-MG> Organic Produce
Following are my responses:
Best, Eric Kindberg
In a message dated 97-09-20 13:19:29 EDT, Buffalob@mhtc.net writes:
<< Subj: Re: SMALLFARM-MG> Organic Produce
Date: 97-09-20 13:19:29 EDT
From: Buffalob@mhtc.net (D.B.Sullivan)
To: richmo@indy.net
CC: Erorganic@aol.com, smallfarm-mg@maat.reeusda.gov, sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
(sanet-mg)
----------
> To: Rich Molini <richmo@indy.net>
> To: sal <sals@rain.org>
> Cc: Erorganic@aol.com; smallfarm-mg@maat.reeusda.gov; sanet-mg
<sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
> Subject: Re: SMALLFARM-MG> Organic Produce
> >
> > Anyone that can not afford $250 per year to create a level playing
floor
> > >between thousands of farms across the nation selling ag products in
direct
> > >competition with each other at a premimum price needs to reorganize,
either
> > >becoming more efficient or find new markets or recognize that the
price is
> > >part of the cost of doing business. =====
> "The primary reason we have certification is because there is no
connection and
> trust between the farmer and the people that consume the food they
> produce . We all know the way to make that connection is to grow and
> sell local. . "
=========
We raise 41 bison on 600 acres and slowly restablishing native grasses to
our land
for forage and wildlife habit.
> I won't need certification to sell my bison . It is the restiction on
the advertising
not the cost I am concern about.
> I will not need to get my pasture, grain and hay certified.
> My marketing push is to connect to the people directly and share
with them our growing, feeding, and processing practices.
Sharing our goals thrrough economic balance , and environmental soundness
I understand that the new organic minimum standard will not allow a
producer to
promote their product as better than another . So in the end the goverment
will
dictate what can be said about organics at the lowest level of organic
production.
We will not become certified organic however will adopt the practices of
organic
producers and market ourselves as enviromental friendly. We attempt to
educate
our customers on our practices of sustainability, ethical treatment of
animals,
and enviromental sensitive practices.
Wish the best to all those would struggle to save our planet.....
DBS >>
Hello DBS,
Under the National Organic Program authorized by the Organic Foods Production
Act of 1990 there is only one standard, a uniform and consistent standard for
organic farm production, handling, certifying and labeling a product
"organic" in domestic sales in the US. Only a State governing official can
apply for approval from the Secretary of AG for additional standards of
organic farming and handling that only apply within that particular State.
Such is the law. Any certifying agency, accredited by USDA or not, can
certify that a particular farm or product or handling operation meets any
other standards, as long as they are truthful and not misleading to the
public. There is no room for saying a particular farm, handling operation or
product is more organic than another or superior in its organic qualities to
another organic product. There is only one US national organic standard
after implementation of OFPA. An accreditated organic certifying agency may
have further requirements for use of its specific label or emblem. Perfectly
legitimate. But there is only one USDA certified organic label and seal, the
USDA's seal. Every accredited organic certifying agent will be empowered
to determine whether a farm or handling operation applicant meets the NOP
standards. If they meet the requirements, a license is issued for use of the
phrase and USDA seal.
If a farm or handling operation (one who processes, packages or stores
organic product) needs to identify their kind of production, such should
create a brand name label that on the packaging describes the details of
production, location, been organic for 15 years, erosion below T, PETA
approved, pay hired hands paid $16 per hour, you name it. The organic
certification label can be on the same label. Nothing in OFPA prevents this.
And if you want to pay OCIA International or FVO for the use of their label,
do so.
We hope you will join us to meet the national demand for organic products.
Eric Kindberg, The Organic Farmers Marketing Association
http:www//iquest.net/ofma/
To Unsubscribe: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with "unsubscribe sanet-mg".
To Subscribe to Digest: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with the command
"subscribe sanet-mg-digest".