In the last two posts, I've successfully skirted the issue of whether it's better to eat locally or organically. Today, I'm going to try to commit to a position. Apparently, I am not the only person who wrestles with the dilemma of local eating vs. organic eating. Time magazine has an excellent article on the subject named "Eating Better Than Organic". Grist has also adapted an essay from Samuel Fromartz' book, Organic, Inc. I think the most balanced article I have found to date came from National Geographic.
There are many reasons to eat local food. First, there is the romanticism involved in buying from a local farmer's market or local farm, and feeling a pseudo-connection to the land from which the produce or meat or dairy product came. Buying local supports local farmers and boosts the local economy. Local food is likely to be fresher than food transported across the country. Since the food you are buying does not have to be transported very far, the environment benefits because less fuel is used resulting in lower CO2 and other pollutant emissions and less fuel is used thus conserving petroleum. As an aside, I should also point out that just because a farm is not certified as organic by the USDA, this does not mean they do not use organic farming practices. For some small farms, the cost and effort involved may be prohibitive. If you are considering buying local and are looking for organic products, please check with the farmer if you have questions.
Eating organic also has a number of benefits. There is the satisfaction of knowing that what you are eating was not sprayed with poisonous pesticides nor was it genetically modified. If it is meat or dairy or eggs, the animals producing the food were most likely treated humanely (look for the animal care certified label). There is the fact that your food has not been injected with harmful hormones or antibiotics and that poisons have not been sprayed on the food you are about to eat. Organic food has also not been genetically modified. These thing are not only good for you, but good for the environment. Overuse of antibiotics causes antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. The addition of hormones (particularly rBGH) to livestock has been shown to cause
a number of health issues. Pesticide used on crops can pollute groundwater and have a disruptive effect on numerous amphibian and aquatic species. Studies have also shown that organic produce has higher nutritional content than non-organic produce. Much is made over the expansion of organic farms into large organic conglomerates. Many people have criticized Wal-Mart for their plans to introduce more organic products into their stores. To me, this is rather nonsensical. While I hate Wal-Mart as much as the next person, I think it would be fantastic if everyone could buy organic products at prices that everyone could afford. Large organic farms are simply a way to meet the increasing demand for organic food, not some vast conspiracy to put all small organic farmers out of business.
So, my opinion is, eat as organically and as locally as possible. If you can buy organic produce locally, please do so. I would even encourage you to go a little out of your way to look for local organic goods. Take a nice little day trip to a local farm and check out their products. You can also find a list of local farmers markets here. If you cannot purchase organic products from local farmers, you may be able to purchase organic food from a local grocery or discount store.
The important thing is that we begin to get a grasp on where our food comes from and how it is produced and use our food dollars to demand more of what we value, whether it be locally grown produce instead of produce that can be grown locally but is shipped from another country that can grow it cheaper or organic products that are not poisoning us, our children, and the world around us, or, in the best of both worlds, locally produced organic products.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
...and I would walk 100 more
After reading over my last post, it may seem as though I'm slamming authors who take on the existing "food establishment", and that certainly is not the case. I think it would be wonderful if we could all buy our meat and vegetables from Mr. Green Jeans, our local farmer who farms organically and raises enough food to feed the entire community. There I go again, sounding all acrimonius. I encourage everyone to eat local, organic food as much as possible, I simply think there are certain assumptions made by environmental authors that are just not true. In fact, I noticed one of these assumptions in my last post - the assumption that are large farms are evil.
Because of economies of scale it may actually be cheaper for large farms to go organic than for smaller farms. Larger farms can also more readily implement technology such as hydroponics to make farming organically more efficient. Smaller farms may find the investment in such technologies cost-prohibitive. If large farms are managed using sustainable agricultural practices, they are every bit as beneficial as smaller farms. I should also point out that the terms "small" and "large" are undefined and so are rather vague and relative terms.
As further evidence that these assumptions are just not true, we can look at a local farmer's market, the local, organic food activists mecca. I live in Jacksonville, Florida so Melissa and I decided to make a visit to the local farmer's market which is in fact the oldest continuously operating farmer's market in the state. We were excited to be starting on the 100 Mile Diet and were certain that we would find all sorts of wonderful local, organic delicacies. To our dismay, we were completely wrong.
One of the first things we saw when we arrived were some very interesting beans, rather like fava beans, but speckled bright red and white. We asked the proprietor of the stall what kind of beans these were and they didn't know. This was not a fortuitous sign at all. However, it was a harbinger of what was to come. As we proceeded, we saw many varieties of produce, which from the cartons they were in appeared to be within a 100 mile range, however, when I asked if the produce was organic, I was met with numerous blank stares. It appeared that very few of the people selling produce at the local farmer's market were local, farmers, or even spoke much English. This is not a jibe, just a statement of fact. As we trudged valiantly onward in our quest for local, organic food I noticed many stalls with boxes of Dole bananas and other produce that was not in season yet in Florida. Granted, I am not a farmer but I'm pretty sure that the climate of North Florida, or even most of Florida, is not conducive to growing a large amount of bananas or coconuts. Needless to say, our farmer's market trip was more of a misadventure than not. There is another farmer's market in Alachua, about 90 minutes away that I would like to check out. I've been told that it is actually manned (peopled?) by local farmers, so I am cautiously optimistic about it.
This brings up the question again, if you have to make a choice between local and organic, which is better?
Because of economies of scale it may actually be cheaper for large farms to go organic than for smaller farms. Larger farms can also more readily implement technology such as hydroponics to make farming organically more efficient. Smaller farms may find the investment in such technologies cost-prohibitive. If large farms are managed using sustainable agricultural practices, they are every bit as beneficial as smaller farms. I should also point out that the terms "small" and "large" are undefined and so are rather vague and relative terms.
As further evidence that these assumptions are just not true, we can look at a local farmer's market, the local, organic food activists mecca. I live in Jacksonville, Florida so Melissa and I decided to make a visit to the local farmer's market which is in fact the oldest continuously operating farmer's market in the state. We were excited to be starting on the 100 Mile Diet and were certain that we would find all sorts of wonderful local, organic delicacies. To our dismay, we were completely wrong.
One of the first things we saw when we arrived were some very interesting beans, rather like fava beans, but speckled bright red and white. We asked the proprietor of the stall what kind of beans these were and they didn't know. This was not a fortuitous sign at all. However, it was a harbinger of what was to come. As we proceeded, we saw many varieties of produce, which from the cartons they were in appeared to be within a 100 mile range, however, when I asked if the produce was organic, I was met with numerous blank stares. It appeared that very few of the people selling produce at the local farmer's market were local, farmers, or even spoke much English. This is not a jibe, just a statement of fact. As we trudged valiantly onward in our quest for local, organic food I noticed many stalls with boxes of Dole bananas and other produce that was not in season yet in Florida. Granted, I am not a farmer but I'm pretty sure that the climate of North Florida, or even most of Florida, is not conducive to growing a large amount of bananas or coconuts. Needless to say, our farmer's market trip was more of a misadventure than not. There is another farmer's market in Alachua, about 90 minutes away that I would like to check out. I've been told that it is actually manned (peopled?) by local farmers, so I am cautiously optimistic about it.
This brings up the question again, if you have to make a choice between local and organic, which is better?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
I would walk 100 miles (or would I)
WoW! I didn't realize it had been two weeks since my last post until I sat down to write today's. Sorry about the time lag, but things have been a little crazy lately around the ol' homestead. On the gardening front, everything is growing well in my garden, Melissa's I'm not so sure about. The plants looked a little sad the last time I checked on them. We may end up with a smaller garden than what we had anticipated. I finally planted the datils (they are very slow to sprout), and something dug them up. I have sprouted more, so I'm just waiting to see if they survive. The buttercup squash, watermelon, and tomatoes are all doing very well.
I'm not too sure about the worm poop fertilizer from terracycle, however. It certainly hasn't hurt the crops, but I haven't seen any extraordinary growth, either, so I'm not sure how effective it is as a fertilizer. I would be curious to know if anyone else has had success with it.
I know last time I promised a review of Plenty, the book by the originators of the 100 Mile Diet, and I will get to it shortly. Coincidentally, this past Sunday, NPR had an interview with Alisa Smith and J.B. McKinnon, authors of the book. You can access the transcript of the interview or listen to it here. I finished the book shortly after my last posting (I just couldn't put it down), and Melissa and I got all jazzed up about trying out the 100 Mile Diet. The book is an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the local food "movement". The concepts presented in the book are very poignant and need to be heard. The basic concept to take away from the book is that we as a society have lost touch with where our food comes from and the efforts that go into producing the food we eat.
I do have to say that I take issue with some assumptions that are made in the book and on the 100 Mile Diet website. I especially take issue with the tag line on the website and in advertisements for the book that "Local is the new organic." This essentially reduces the idea of eating, growing, and producing food organically to the status of a fad that has passed. It also implies that food that is local cannot also be organic and vice versa. This, in fact, is my main issue with the book. There seem to be implicit assumptions, not just in this book but in other environmental literature such as Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, that 1) all local farms are organic farms and 2) all local farms are small farms.
Neither of these assumptions are true. If all local farms were organic farms, the price of organic food would be considerably less because of the large supply that would be available. Since organic farming is more expensive than conventional farming due to the fact that it is more labor-intensive than conventional farming, it may often not be cost effective for small, local farmers to grow organically.
Secondly, all local farms can't be small farms. Someone has to live near large, non-organic farms. The local farms to these people would be large monoculture farms. This may seems rather nit-picky, but it is an important distinction. If your local farm only produces non-organic genetically modified crops, is it really worthwhile to try to eat locally?
Which brings up the question, is it better to eat locally or organically? Unfortunately, it is dinner time (organic, but not local - yet) so that will have to wait until another post (I've got to give you some reason to come back!). If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would love to hear from them.
I'm not too sure about the worm poop fertilizer from terracycle, however. It certainly hasn't hurt the crops, but I haven't seen any extraordinary growth, either, so I'm not sure how effective it is as a fertilizer. I would be curious to know if anyone else has had success with it.
I know last time I promised a review of Plenty, the book by the originators of the 100 Mile Diet, and I will get to it shortly. Coincidentally, this past Sunday, NPR had an interview with Alisa Smith and J.B. McKinnon, authors of the book. You can access the transcript of the interview or listen to it here. I finished the book shortly after my last posting (I just couldn't put it down), and Melissa and I got all jazzed up about trying out the 100 Mile Diet. The book is an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the local food "movement". The concepts presented in the book are very poignant and need to be heard. The basic concept to take away from the book is that we as a society have lost touch with where our food comes from and the efforts that go into producing the food we eat.
I do have to say that I take issue with some assumptions that are made in the book and on the 100 Mile Diet website. I especially take issue with the tag line on the website and in advertisements for the book that "Local is the new organic." This essentially reduces the idea of eating, growing, and producing food organically to the status of a fad that has passed. It also implies that food that is local cannot also be organic and vice versa. This, in fact, is my main issue with the book. There seem to be implicit assumptions, not just in this book but in other environmental literature such as Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, that 1) all local farms are organic farms and 2) all local farms are small farms.
Neither of these assumptions are true. If all local farms were organic farms, the price of organic food would be considerably less because of the large supply that would be available. Since organic farming is more expensive than conventional farming due to the fact that it is more labor-intensive than conventional farming, it may often not be cost effective for small, local farmers to grow organically.
Secondly, all local farms can't be small farms. Someone has to live near large, non-organic farms. The local farms to these people would be large monoculture farms. This may seems rather nit-picky, but it is an important distinction. If your local farm only produces non-organic genetically modified crops, is it really worthwhile to try to eat locally?
Which brings up the question, is it better to eat locally or organically? Unfortunately, it is dinner time (organic, but not local - yet) so that will have to wait until another post (I've got to give you some reason to come back!). If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would love to hear from them.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Gardening at night
Well, my little gardeners and gardenettes, it was a busy weekend at the old homestead. We finished filling Melissa's raised bed. Did I mention that it takes copious amounts of dirt to build a garden? That sounds like it could be a catchy book title - It Takes a @$#!load of Dirt to Build a Garden. Melissa planted the plants that had sprouted and begin sprouting the other seeds (go go little plastic greenhouse!), so we are both looking forward to a bountiful harvest from our two gardens. The plants in my garden are doing quite well. I haven't planted the datils yet as they are rather slow in growing in the peat pots. I did find a new liquid organic fertilizer that I have tried on my garden. Terracycle is the maker. The containers are recycled soda bottles and the fertilizer is made primarily of worm castings. The company also has a recycling program for their bottles where they make a charitable donation for each bottle returned to them. Sounds like a great company, I'll keep you updated on how their product works.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I ordered Plenty by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon, the originators of the 100 Mile Diet. I received my book and so far it's really rather interesting. The book details, very amusingly, the attempt (a successful one as of page 107, anyway) to eat only food that originated within 100 miles of where the authors live in British Columbia. As you can imagine, the authors face a number of challenges in obtaining palatable food. The basic idea behind the 100 mile diet is to eat food that originated within 100 miles of where you live. The 100 Mile Diet website has several tips to help you get started. Click on the link on the sidebar for more information. I think the concept is a fantastic one, however I can see it being rather challenging depending on where one lives. Hopefully, by my next post, I will have finished the book, and will have the definitive review for you.
So, stay tuned for "I would walk 100 miles, or would I?"
As I mentioned in my previous post, I ordered Plenty by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon, the originators of the 100 Mile Diet. I received my book and so far it's really rather interesting. The book details, very amusingly, the attempt (a successful one as of page 107, anyway) to eat only food that originated within 100 miles of where the authors live in British Columbia. As you can imagine, the authors face a number of challenges in obtaining palatable food. The basic idea behind the 100 mile diet is to eat food that originated within 100 miles of where you live. The 100 Mile Diet website has several tips to help you get started. Click on the link on the sidebar for more information. I think the concept is a fantastic one, however I can see it being rather challenging depending on where one lives. Hopefully, by my next post, I will have finished the book, and will have the definitive review for you.
So, stay tuned for "I would walk 100 miles, or would I?"
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Sowing The Seeds of Love
Last post I promised more info on companion planting. Here we go -
The basic idea behind companion planting is that certain plants have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with other plants. Planted together the plants may increase yields, provide pest control, or condition the soil. However, there are also certain plants that should never be planted together, such as tomatoes and potatoes, because they either have a deleterious effect on the soil or on one another. Basically, planning a garden using companion planting is like playing Sudoku with plants.
Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants ere good companions. There are numerous websites that have extensive lists of what to plant with what and what plants to avoid planting together. As I'm sure you have experienced when searching the web, many of the sites offering authoritative advice do not agree with one another. One of the better sites I found was the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ( with a name like that it has to be good!). Other sites basically just have lists of plants, but this one goes into a little more detail about the science (or pseudo-science, in some cases) behind companion planting. Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants are good companions.
For example, in my garden I have planted, along with the main vegetable crops, marigolds, bee balm, and oregano. Marigolds have been shown to repel pests that feed on tomatoes and squash. Instead of using insecticides (organic or not) on the plants, I am relying on the marigolds to keep the tomato and squash bugs at bay. Oregano provides general pest protection. Bee Balm, in addition to being very pretty when in bloom, attracts bees to pollinate the vegetable and fruit flowers, enhances the flavor and growth of tomatoes and is thought to discourage subterranean pests. Not only is my garden beautiful and edible, it's also self-pest controlling.
Next time - more info on the 100 Mile Diet, I promise. I just ordered the book by the originators of the 100 Mile Diet, Alisa Smith and JB McKinnon, and can't wait to start reading it. In the meantime check out the link under roadside attractions.
The basic idea behind companion planting is that certain plants have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with other plants. Planted together the plants may increase yields, provide pest control, or condition the soil. However, there are also certain plants that should never be planted together, such as tomatoes and potatoes, because they either have a deleterious effect on the soil or on one another. Basically, planning a garden using companion planting is like playing Sudoku with plants.
Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants ere good companions. There are numerous websites that have extensive lists of what to plant with what and what plants to avoid planting together. As I'm sure you have experienced when searching the web, many of the sites offering authoritative advice do not agree with one another. One of the better sites I found was the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ( with a name like that it has to be good!). Other sites basically just have lists of plants, but this one goes into a little more detail about the science (or pseudo-science, in some cases) behind companion planting. Although companion planting techniques originally arose through observation and horticultural science, but over time some more metaphysical techniques were used to determine what plants are good companions.
For example, in my garden I have planted, along with the main vegetable crops, marigolds, bee balm, and oregano. Marigolds have been shown to repel pests that feed on tomatoes and squash. Instead of using insecticides (organic or not) on the plants, I am relying on the marigolds to keep the tomato and squash bugs at bay. Oregano provides general pest protection. Bee Balm, in addition to being very pretty when in bloom, attracts bees to pollinate the vegetable and fruit flowers, enhances the flavor and growth of tomatoes and is thought to discourage subterranean pests. Not only is my garden beautiful and edible, it's also self-pest controlling.
Next time - more info on the 100 Mile Diet, I promise. I just ordered the book by the originators of the 100 Mile Diet, Alisa Smith and JB McKinnon, and can't wait to start reading it. In the meantime check out the link under roadside attractions.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Plot Thickens
Well, I finally took the plunge and planted the peat pots from the greenhouse. So far everything is looking good with the exception of the chard. The stems were still very fragile and something (dog, cat, bird) broke them all in two. As of today, though I am happy to report that they are re-sprouting. Hopefully they will grow this time.
The datil pepper seeds finally sprouted and are incubating in the mini-greenhouse. I was a little concerned about them since everything else had sprouted.
My fiance, Melissa and I have decided to have separate gardens. Mine is a plot in my backyard and hers will be(eventually, hopefully) a raised bed. It takes an enormous amount of dirt to make a raised bed! An enormous amount! We started working on the bed last weekend and did not finish because we went to the 1st Annual Jacksonville Irish Festival (Flogging Molly ROCKS!). I am hoping to finish the bed this coming weekend and actually sow some seeds. My garden has as its main crops chard, buttercup squash, tomatoes, watermelon, and soon will have datil peppers. In the spirit of the companion planting concept, I have also planted oregano, marigolds, and bee balm. The parts of the garden in the photo where it looks like bricks are areas that I am marking so I don't step on the chard or areas that are waiting to be planted with datils.
You'll notice a new image on the sidebar about the 100 Mile Diet. Don't click on it, it's just an image. For more info on the 100 Mile Diet click here:http://100milediet.org/category/about/
This is a fascinating website about eating locally that I would encourage everyone to check out.
More about companion planting and the 100 mile diet (two subjects that are totally unrelated except in the fact that they are of interest to me). next time. For now, it's been a long hard day in the cyber-trenches and I hear dinner calling so I am calling it a night.
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