TAKE ONE
Gardener News
November, 2017
Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities GARDENERNEWS.COM
TAKE ONE No. 175
Understanding the USDA Organic Label Organic agriculture is a fast growing sector in U.S. agriculture, creating jobs and promoting economic growth and opportunities across rural America. There are more than 22,000 certified organic farms and businesses in the U.S. That number continues to grow as consumer demand for organic products grows. Amidst nutrition facts, ingredient lists, and dietary claims on food packages, “organic” might appear as one more piece of information to decipher when shopping for products. Understanding what the organic label means can help shoppers make informed purchasing choices. Organic is a labeling term found on products that have been produced using cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. The National Organic Program – part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service – enforces the organic regulations, ensuring the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal. In order to make an organic claim or use the USDA Organic Seal, the final product must follow strict production, handling and labeling standards and go through the organic certification process. The standards address a variety of factors, such as soil quality, animal raising practices, and pest and weed control. Synthetic fertilizers,
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