With all the recent (and upcoming) focus on farming in YUM!, I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify some terms used in reference to farming techniques. In 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) instated its National Organic Program (commonly referred to as NOP-- oh how the government loves acronyms) which meant that farms either had to become certified organic or drop the word “organic” from their products. In order for a farm to be certified organic, they must follow strict criteria. Some examples of these standards are: prohibition of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers; explicit requirements for producing compost; and specifics for labeling and packaging.
To ensure uniform quality across the nation, the government requires specific record keeping. Soil and field conditions must be recorded, including how the product is stored, where it is sent, etc. Some growers find the piles of paperwork and/or the cost of the certification fee to be a hindrance. As farms must be re-certified each year, this can be more of a hassle than an asset.
With this in mind, there are plenty of farms that adhere to the same tenets and employ similar growing methods that support healthy soil, crop rotation, cover cropping, no use of synthetic chemicals, and ecological sustainability. These farming techniques are usually referred to as organically grown, organic farming methods, or naturally grown. Additionally, there is a non-profit organization that certifies growers as Naturally Grown (note the difference between certified naturally grown and naturally grown). Their regulations are based on the certified organic criteria with some modifications. All the above terms also apply to raising livestock with a few additional principles regarding livestock living conditions, pasture standards, and feed.
Hopefully this information will help to shed some light on some of the rather confusing terminology associated with this topic. Whether shopping at a store, a farmers market or a CSA, a firm grasp of these definitions will make you a better consumer.