Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

Buy from your local farmer, it turns out!

Found this interesting article, and hope to share more with you more regularly…

“‘FDA Cracks Down On Food Label Lies’

…”Still, it’s a useful reminder that “organic” means a food was produced without harsh chemical fertilizers or pesticides, but it doesn’t mean it’s nutritious. Processed foods are just that — processed.”

Read more at the Daily Green…

There has been some concern surrounding the “Food Safety Modernization Act” (HR875) several blogs, and YouTube videos have been criticizing the Act as “The Death of Organic Farming” and “…making it illegal to have a backyard garden”. The criticisms site the support of large agribusiness (like Monsanto) and reason to be skeptical of the Act.

We here at Peaceful Valley received several questions and emails with links to various takes on the Act and it’s implications in the organic agriculture industry. While we are not directly involved with any legislation or political movements, the sustainability of the industry and the organic movement at large is obviously of great concern to us… and has been since 1976.

I did my own research and asked for the opinions of industry groups. All of my investigation leads me to the conclusion that The Food Safety Modernization Act contains no language that would put organic farming or gardening at risk.

Many of those who were originally very concerned about this Act have been relieved by the “Myths and Facts about The Food Modernization Act” memo released by Congresswoman DeLauro’s office (see Below).

Some have apologized for causing a “False Alarm”. I would like to say that there is no apology necessary, the uprising of concern and interest is an important element of our democracy. The flurry of questions, emails, calls and concern that we saw from our staff, vendors, customers and peers shows that we are an aware and active community that is not afraid to stand up for what we believe in. For that I would like to applaud the community at large and encourage you all to stay alert and to continue to defend what you believe in!

Links to more information on this:
Myths and Facts about The Food Safety Modernization Act
HR 875 on GovTrack.com
Summary of HR875
Restructuring the FDA
Full text of HR 875
Congresswoman Rosa Deluro (HR 875’s Sponsor) web site

Thanks and best wishes on your organic growing season!