There is no one acceptable commercial or legal definition for free-range eggs in the United States, according to Karen Davis, president of United Poultry Concerns, a Potomac, Maryland-based animal advocacy organization. Certified Humane

There is no one acceptable commercial or legal definition for free-range eggs in the United States, according to Karen Davis, president of United Poultry Concerns, a Potomac, Maryland-based animal advocacy organization. Certified Humane

A grassroots alternative to the USDA’s National Organic Program meant primarily for small farmers distributing through local channels – farmer’s markets, roadside stands, local restaurants, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and small local grocery stores – the farmers that make up your local landscape! The standards and growing require [..]

The United States Department of Agriculture requires that anyone who produces, processes or handles organic agricultural products must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier in order to sell, label or represent their products as “organic.” To become certified, an organic producer, processor or handler must develop, implement and maintain an or [..]

Community Supported Agriculture is a direct connection between the farmers and the consumers. To join a CSA is to buy a share of the season’s harvest. The farmer gains the security of knowing he or she has been paid for a portion of the harvest and the farmer’s “community” participates in how and where their food is grown. This direct connection pu [..]

The total area from which a person’s food is collected is known as a foodshed. As with watersheds the choices individuals make within their zone of influence can have profound impacts throughout their community and region. In order to support local agriculture it is important to purchase as much of your food as possible from within a small, local a [..]

A horticultural variety which has survived anywhere from several generations to thousands of years. Heirlooms are typically maintained by small groups of private individuals to preserve genetic diversity and/or certain characteristics, are not in large scale use and are pollinated openly. IPM Methods

Sustainable agriculture means building farms that can sustain healthy soil, produce healthy food and be profitable as well. The farm then becomes a vital economic part of the community, enhancing open space, providing community access to fresh, healthy food, and keeping the money spent on that farm in the community. Methods of sustainable agricultu [..]