When Organic Is Not Certified Organic: Who Cares?!

For the past week, Gardentina has enjoyed farm-fresh free-range eggs that she bought at a roadside farmstand located on the Octorara Trail.  She is omitting the fact that they were brown eggs, because studies have shown there is no difference in the nutritional value of brown eggs and white eggs. Anyway, the eggs were so good that she set about trying to locate the farm where they originated.

Indeed, the farmstand was listed in the Chester County Local Farm Guide, a publication of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council, as Maple Arch Organic Produce Farm of Parkesburg, PA.  That got Gardentina thinking because the egg label did not advertise the product as organic, although it said other earthy things.  It said the eggs came from free-range, grass-fed chickens who were not fed antibiotics.

Gardentina wondered if the farm was a recognized organic farm?  To find out, she checked the Pennsylvania registry of certified organic producers.  Alas, there was no record of Maple Arch Organic Produce Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Does this mean that the eggs were not organic, because the farm was not registered and the label did not indicate they were?  Not necessarily, is Gardentina's opinion.  Farmers have various reasons for joining or not joining professional organizations.  Gardentina reflected on the circumstances of the purchase.  The eggs were purchased from a person of plain lifestyle whose home and farm were located adjacent to the farmstand.  Were the eggs produced in a manner consistent with organic farming principles?  More likely than not, the answer is YES, because the use of antibiotics and heavy fertilizers is contrary to the plain lifestyle.  There were no chemicals observed at the farmstand.  For instance, there was not any Windex for the refrigerated glass cases; nor hand sanitizer at checkout for patrons and staff.  (Which serves as a gentle reminder to cook all food thoroughly and wash produce properly before eating - even if the source is "organic"!) 

Does it matter to Gardentina, then, in this specific case, if the farm appears in the organic registry?  NO, it does not matter, because there is evidence that the farmer has motives and methods that are consistent with organic farming.  Who cares?!  Gardentina is enjoying the eggs and likely to return to the farmstand again, albeit with a plentiful supply of hand sanitizer, to be sure!

By the way, did you know that hand sanitizer does not have to be a smelly, goopy mess?  Gardentina favors the Burts Bees Witch Hazel spray with Aloe Vera.  She is not paid or compensated in any way to endorse any of the products, producers or retailers featured in her blog posts.


Have an egg-cellent day!
Gardentina

Related articles:
Sustainable Table, The Difference Between Organic And Sustainable Farming
Small Farmers With Organic Sales Under $5000 Are Exempt From USDA Organic Certification Process
The BioDynamic Farming Movement founded by Rudolf Steiner