It is based on minimal use o+ o++- +arm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. d Specifcally, the regulations: " Prohibit most synthetic (and petroleum-derived) pesti- cides and +ertilizers (+or a list see www.ams.usda.gov); " Prohibit all antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge; " Require that all organically produced animal products come +rom animals +ed 100% organic +eed (which does not contain any animal byproducts or growth hormones); " Require all organically produced animal products come +rom animals raised with access to the outdoors; " Require that processed products labeled corganic d contain at least 95% organic ingredients.<br><br> " A+ter the USDA standards were implemented, all +armers describing their product as organic had to go through a national certifcation process involving a substantial +ee and extensive record keeping. corPorate takeover Due to tremendous consumer demand, large corporations have acquired or developed many popular organic +ood brands. For example, Silk Soymilk and Horizon dairy prod- ucts are produced by Dean Foods, the nation 9s largest milk organic \x9arming th d e)$d 9# d$( 9"' % e %& f 9$! b e 9&#!$ f 3 the ideals o+ land stewardship in order to keep the land productive +or +uture generations 3 are not new.<br><br> However, organic +arming as we know it today came about as a reaction to the wide adoption o+ input-intensive +arming around the time o+ World War II, as a result o+ technological advances made earlier in the century and +ood shortages experienced during the war. Farmers around the world saw the potential dangers o+ industrialized +arming and rejected the idea that this was ad- vancement in agriculture. They began to study and develop methods that increased the long term productivity o+ their +arm system and practice +arming as stewards o+ the land.<br><br> This type o+ +arming came to be known as corganic. d ® (continued) www.sustainabletable.org in+o@sustainabletable.org producer. Since 1997, Heinz has acquired many smaller organic/sustainable labels, such as Celestial Seasonings, Rice/SoyDream and WestBrae. Since 2003, major chains such as Sa+eway and Krogers have added organic lines.<br><br> The corporate takeover o+ organic +ood is +urther encour- aged by Wal-Mart (the number one +ood retailer in the country), as it expanded their organic +ood sales in 2006. Corporate-owned organic brands can push down the prices o+ organic products because they 9re willing to cut corners in the production process and pay +armers less. Some cut costs by confning dairy cows most o+ the year and other- wise sacrifcing animal wel+are, which allows them to sell their corganic d milk at prices that small organic +arms with higher standards can 9t match.<br><br> However, the +act that large corporations have involved themselves in organic +ood production is not all bad. As they sell more organic +ood, more acres o+ land are protected +rom chemical pesticides and +ertilizers, thus helping the en- vironment and the soil in which our +ood is grown. Additional- ly, mass produced organic products have signifcantly raised awareness o+ organics among consumers.<br><br> Buying organic products is an important step in the learning processes necessary to create a more sustainable +ood system. DiD You know? According to the Organic Trade Association, consumer demand +or organic agricultural products has in- creased steadily in the U.S., rising 20 percent or more annually through 2006.<br><br> A 22-year study conducted by the Rodale Institute determined that organic +arming operations (in corn and soybeans) use 30% less energy than conventional +arms and conserve more water in the soil, induce less erosion, maintain soil quality and conserve more natural resources than conventional +arming does. In 2005, over 4 million acres o+ +armland 3 1.7 million acres o+ cropland and 2.3 million acres o+ rangeland and pasture 3 were dedicated to organic +ood production. organic \x9arming (cont 9d) Find more detailed in+ormation about organic +arming on our website at +++.')'( 9!$ 9b" d( 9b" d.%& f/!'') d'/%& f 9$! b e 9&#!$ f .<br><br> ® The organic label is a use+ul tool when you 9re shopping because it helps you fnd +ood +ree o+ pesticides, antibiotics and artifcial hormones. When possible, buy whole +ruits, grains, vegeta- bles, and meat and dairy products directly +rom an organic +armer. I+ you want to buy processed goods, try to get these +rom independent, local sources, such as +ood co-ops, buying clubs, or small businesses where the products are made on site, as these are less likely to include pre- servatives and additives.<br><br> I+ you have a question about their practices or ingredients, you can ask the person that produces your +ood 3 or better, visit the +arm or look in the kitchen. wh 9( Y%) c 9$ D%... t% f$d ')'( 9!$ 9b"y & 9!' dd e%%d $ d 9& y%) *!'!( +++. d 9(+ d"" f)!d d.%& f.<br><br> ®

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