What does organic mean?
Organic means farming without synthetic chemicals. To be certified organic by the USDA, food must:
- Abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including
synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior
to certification and then continually throughout their organic license. - Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation.
- Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices.
- Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
- Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.
- Sustain animals on 100% organic feed.
- Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products.
- Keep records of all operations.
Because the USDA certification process is expensive, some farmers may raise food organically, without being officially certified.