ComputerHunter.org

 

What Organic Really Means in 2005


The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that mean?

"Organic" refers to the methods by which foods, cottons, woolens, etc., are farmed and processed, without chemicals, pesticides, radiation, or other artificial intervention. Organic farming techniques allow natural soil replenishment, without the chemical saturation that depletes natural nutrients plants, and grazing animals, need to live. Organic products must also be processed naturally, without chemical washes, additives or treatments that have dominated markets since WWII.

Officially, according to the National Organic Standards Board, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." In other words, it's got to be organic and as chemical free as possible, from seed to finished product.

Bear in mind that most organic retailers can promise minimal exposure to chemical inputs. That means that organic products are raised, processed, and assembled without chemical intervention. Exposure to existing hemispheric and residual industrial toxins cannot be avoided until years after environmentally responsible legislation is enacted. Perhaps in generations to come, Earth's environment will be cleansed enough to guarantee absolute purity. Only with your support will that be possible.

What is Organic Certification?

There are in place quite stringent standards for organic certification that are established at local levels, and by private organizations. Certification is an industry "watchdog" seal of approval, and is not the same as government regulation.

Organic certification involves inspections, soil and water testing; testing of processing facilities, record keeping requirements, to ensure all standards are being met at all times. Many products may be called organic, but look for the certification. That's your assurance your purchase is truly organic, not organically produced in one place and artificially processed in another place.

Who regulates the certified organic claims?

(The following consumer information is taken directly from an article on the Organic Trade Association site, ota.com.)

"The federal government set standards for the production, processing and certification of organic food in the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). The National Organic Standards Board was then established to develop guidelines and procedures to regulate all organic crops. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during December 2000 unveiled detailed regulations to implement OFPA. These took effect on April 21, 2001, with an 18-month implementation period ending October 2002. At that time, any food labeled organic must meet these national organic standards. USDA's National Organic Program oversees the program."

There you go. Legal standards for organic farming and production are now cast in Washington granite!

Susan Fullen-Yurek is an organic products entrepreneur (http://www.kushtush.com) and freelance author committed to supporting environmental awareness and the "greening of the planet" for our children and grandchildren. Embracing and supporting environmental initiatives signals a return to "natural common sense" and rejection of powerful corporate lobbies dictating the health and future of our families.







Google News - Top Stories

AFP

Jobless rate at 5-year high
Reuters - 4 hours ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US unemployment rate unexpectedly shot up to 6.1 percent in August, its highest in nearly five years, as employers cut payrolls for an eighth straight month and labor markets showed signs of accelerating decline.
Bonds rise on labor woes CNNMoney.com
Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.1% New York Times
Wall Street Journal - Bloomberg - Forbes - Dos Mundos
all 767 news articles


ABC News

Carolinas Brace for Tropical Storm
New York Times - 38 minutes ago
By KEVIN SACK WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - With wary eyes cast at Hurricane Ike farther out at sea, coastal Carolina residents on Friday morning prepared for gusting winds and torrential rain as Tropical Storm Hanna sped toward them.
Video: NC Gov.: Hanna Will Affect Most of the State AssociatedPress
Hanna Aims at US East Coast as Hurricane Ike Looms Behind Bloomberg
Bizjournals.com - WLOS - The Raleigh Telegram - WNCT
all 3,479 news articles


Sydney Morning Herald

McCain, Obama Vie For 'Reformist' Mantle
Washington Post - 58 minutes ago
By Jonathan Weisman When Sen. John McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate last week, he declared they would "beat the long odds to win a tough election on a message of reform and integrity.
Video: McCain: Change Is Coming CBS
The Palin Gamble Newsweek
Taipei Times - AFP - Colorado Springs Gazette - FOXNews
all 1,535 news articles


Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

Rice lands in Libya on historic visit
CNN International - 1 hour ago
Rice will hold a landmark meeting with leader Moammar Gadhafi, once dubbed by President Ronald Reagan as "the mad dog the Middle East.
Video: Inside Story - Rice visits Libya - 03 Sep 08 - Part 1 AlJazeeraEnglish
Gaddafi welcomes 'darling Leezza Times Online
AllAfrica.com - Bloomberg - Aljazeera.net - Reuters India
all 915 news articles


The Age

New helmsman for Pakistan's war on terror
Christian Science Monitor - 36 minutes ago
By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor New Delhi - Saturday's presidential election in Pakistan looks set to put a nation coping with Al Qaeda and Taliban strongholds into the hands of Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistan parties begin final push for presidential votes AFP
Pakistani Lawmakers Set to Elect Next President Voice of America
BBC News - The Associated Press - CNN International - International Herald Tribune
all 1,389 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base