We are 100% committed to Organic Practices on our Farm. All our animals are fed locally sourced organic feed. we do not use antibiotic, hormones, or pesticides on our farm, and we only use untreated seed on our pastures. However we are not Certified Organic at this time.
Organic Certification is tricky business not just because it is cost prohibitive to small scale farmers but also because organic certification does not necessarily equal best practice. for example confinement operations are permitted in organic certification. In fact it is easier to certify a confinement operation organic then an a free range operation because legally speaking it is easier to "control" what the animal is exposed to when it is kept in confinement. For us the benefit of raising our animals out of doors is far more important then the certification.
The cost is also a consideration. For small scale local producers the cost of certifying a farm organic is astronomical especially when first starting out. Additionally it drives up the price of the meat for the consumer because the farmer needs more of a profit to cover the cost.
So our farm is organic in the true sense and spirit of the term but not as defined by the USDA.
Organic Certification is tricky business not just because it is cost prohibitive to small scale farmers but also because organic certification does not necessarily equal best practice. for example confinement operations are permitted in organic certification. In fact it is easier to certify a confinement operation organic then an a free range operation because legally speaking it is easier to "control" what the animal is exposed to when it is kept in confinement. For us the benefit of raising our animals out of doors is far more important then the certification.
The cost is also a consideration. For small scale local producers the cost of certifying a farm organic is astronomical especially when first starting out. Additionally it drives up the price of the meat for the consumer because the farmer needs more of a profit to cover the cost.
So our farm is organic in the true sense and spirit of the term but not as defined by the USDA.
