Your Questions, Answered: How Organic Are these Berries?

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For a fruitful harvest, flexibility is key. Here at Land’s Sake we farm using exclusively organic practices, a measure of our commitment to you, the land, and our farmers. Organic vegetables are grown without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, and without bioengineering (such as GMOs) or ionizing radiation.

We can only pack so much produce into our cozy 21 acres though, so we maintain rewarding relationships with and rely on local farmers to supplement our CSA shares and farm stand offerings. New England farmers deliver corn, berries, apples, potatoes, pumpkins, and other treats early in the mornings so you can put together a just-picked cornucopia that will wow your family and friends.

Some farms we buy fruits and veggies from use a pest control technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which allows for somewhat more liberal pest management techniques than does organic farming. The Environmental Protection Agency considers IPM an effective and eco-sensitive way to deal with pests. Scientists develop IPM practices using current and vast information on the little buggers that we just can’t get rid of using organic techniques.

While organic farming only allows the use of natural pesticides such as copper spray (another blog topic for another day!), IPM allows limited, careful use of synthetic chemicals. The idea is to use just enough of what is needed in the fields to ensure, among other things, that we can source safe and beautiful berries for your prize-winning pies and jams.

The best produce you can put on your table – and in your body – comes from small local farms like Land’s Sake. We give you the opportunity to get to know your produce and the people who grow it, and that’s something you just won’t get at the supermarket. Our Farm Stand Manager, Amanda, Farm Manager, Erik, and any of our helpful staff are happy to answer any questions or address concerns about how each item was grown.

As a third-season weekly farm volunteer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and brand new Land’s Sake Farm Stand employee, I’m privileged to have this opportunity to help bring you colorful, healthful meals and nutrition tips. Please do say hello at the Land’s Sake Farm Stand, and feel free to ask questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it!

Hope to see you soon,

Emily Elizabeth

emily

Sources:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: http://www.eatright.org/public
Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov
US Department of Agriculture (USDA): www.usda.gov
Gateway to Governmental Food Safety: www.foodsafety.gov