Farmer gal for 14 years. Grower of the stuff you love! Full line of produce, berries, floral bouquets, perennial plants, veggie transplants, herbs and baker of bread and all things sweet! (well most anyway)
Folks often like to talk or maybe even 'brag' a little that they have their own 'personal trainer,' or hair specialist. I invite you to support my farm or selling sites with your visits, and you can call me "your lady farmer." Yes, you can have your own 'lady farmer.' I always thought the term "gentlemen" farmer had a sort of eloquence about it.
A few things about this farmer and her farming methods. We are NOT certified organic. I consider our farm 'low-input.'
Let me explain: Low in-put is just that. Low - little. At Earthworks we use as little chemical as possible to to be able to produce a crop and operate profitability. For my entire 10 acres of specialty crops that we grow, we spent under $100 on chemicals last year, largely for weed control in the perennial acres. Nothing, was sprayed or dusted on any of our vegetable crops.
I choose NOT to be Certified Organic and here is why:
The agency gets a portion of your sales, even though you already pay to be certified! (funny I didn't see any them out there pulling weeds!)
1. Their system may work for a couple of years until your field is overrun with weeds. (seriously, how many dandelions does it take to make a million more?) I previously owned a Certified Organic Farm, so I do know of which I speak!
2. Surprise! Certified farms can also use chemicals if they choose! (this is the part that is SO MISUNDERSTOOD!) Largely, it was believed they must be natural chemicals, found in nature. Examples would be Rotenone and Sabadilla dust for insect control, or spraying Neem oil for insect control. Or injecting plants with BT for systemic control. Plants can also be sprayed with copper chemicals as a fungicide to prevent diseases. See my point? Is it all that different? My low-in put strategy could have me using less chemicals than a Certified grower! The insect controls for bad insects also kill honeybees and other beneficials. What's the difference?
3. Weed control; there is no effective weed control chemical in the Certified arsenal. Weeds are this Lady Farmers biggest issue! I have tried the 'Horticulture Vinegar.' That is very effective to kill back the tops, does nothing to the root. So if you want to spray every 3 days....... Cultivation and using fabrics for weed control are effective and that is what we do for our food crops. We use (cover your ears!) SYNTHETIC chemicals in our perennials. It's that or thistle which equals no or dimished crop.
4. Here is the BIGGEST suprise of all. There is a list of 33 SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS (yes, the ones you never hear about) that are allowed for use under the Federal Organic Law enacted in 2000 (the most recent) section 205.601 I was shocked at this little tidbit of information. I came across it when I was researching for a class I gave at MSU last week on food safety. At the time of my own certification, no synthetics were allowed, but that was in the late 80's.
Conclusion; If you have concerns about how your food was grown - simply ask your farmer. I am not against Certified Organic, I am really failing to see much of a difference.
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