Could somebody educate me?

[nchillbilly]

Please!

I was gifted with a subscription to BHM a few years ago & looked it up on-line recently. To my very pleasant surprise, I found this forum......I feel right at home, but I'm really not sure where to post this query. If it needs to be moved, I understand completely.

My question is this:

Can someone please explain the differences in organic labels? I understand Wal-Mart (hock-tooey-spit) has their own criteria for the organic label that differs from California organic standards. But I'd like to know more about the differences, if anyone cares to respond, I would be ever so grateful.

:)

[WileyCoyote]

I think that the problem lies in the differences state-to-state and country to country of the definition of "organic". Where I live now, I can sell produce touted as 'organic' and not have to have any proof whatsoever that I have never used insecticides, fertilizers, or pesticides that were chemically produced. When I looked into the rules a few years back in ID, their requirements were much more stringent - eight pages of yearly documents that had to be filled out, listing all products used, and with an inspector coming out every six months with a checklist to ensure that the producer was in truth using organic principles and products. So if I mass-produced something in my current state and called it "organic", and shipped it to other states, they do not require documentation nor certification.

Fruits grown in other countries could be certified 'organic' if they used human waste to fertilize, because that's organic, right? And if you extrapolate it outward, all fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides have an 'organic' base, right? There are so many ways around this 'organic' certification that I see it as simply another way to overcharge a gullible and uninformed consumer base.

[nchillbilly]

I think that the problem lies in the differences state-to-state and country to country of the definition of "organic". Where I live now, I can sell produce touted as 'organic' and not have to have any proof whatsoever that I have never used insecticides, fertilizers, or pesticides that were chemically produced. When I looked into the rules a few years back in ID, their requirements were much more stringent - eight pages of yearly documents that had to be filled out, listing all products used, and with an inspector coming out every six months with a checklist to ensure that the producer was in truth using organic principles and products.
So if I mass-produced something in my current state and called it "organic", and shipped it to other states, they do not require documentation nor certification.

I think I get it. :-/

So what I need to research is what the different requirements & specifications are for each of the different labels (ie: 'CA Certified Organic', et al). Then to really really know, I should check out the state by state regulations.

Great. :P ::) *Groan*


Fruits grown in other countries could be certified 'organic' if they used human waste to fertilize, because that's organic, right? And if you extrapolate it outward, all fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides have an 'organic' base, right? There are so many ways around this 'organic' certification that I see it as simply another way to overcharge a gullible and uninformed consumer base.

Thank you. I think I'm gonna like it here. ;D

[AlchemyAcres]

USDA certifed organic...is USDA certified organic, regardless of the state or region....only the certifying organization varies from state to state.....the standards are all the same..
The USDA in it's inifinite wisdom has laid down the standards (some questionable).
Smaller growers can 'legally' sell up to $5,000 worth of product per year labeled 'organic' without being technically certified, but they must still adhere to the USDA standards..
It's all detailed on the USDA's certified organic website.

Having said that...organic doesn't mean what it used to mean...it used to be a matter of principle....it's now become a money thing...any product labeled organic is only as good as the grower, and some are only motivated by money and are of questionable character.

Now more than ever it's important to 'know your grower' organic or otherwise.

~Martin :)

[Deberosa]

I suppose this is a dumb question, but when it comes to seads, is there really a difference between organic and regular? I mean the sead hasn't grown yet, so the pesticides haven't been applied yet. I ask this question, because I plan on trying my hand at canning (I'll have help) this spring and want to grow my own veggies. And this seems to be the place that might have the answer.

Martin probably has a better answer but seeds are often treated with fungicides and pesticides if they are not organic. Especially corn - sometimes it is pink!

Almost more important is non-GMO seeds now a days in my opinion - these are genetically engineered varieties. In the organic world you have to prove that you tried your best to get organic seed but if you can't your product is still considered organic.