The Real Organic Project Aims to Create a New Organic Label

DEVELOPING STORY:

The Real Organic Project Aims to Create a New Organic Label

The Real Organic Project was established in response to recent changes to the USDA National Organic Program that allows hydroponics and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to be certified organic. In an effort to uphold the integrity and maintain transparency of organic farming, they intend to create a new add-on label. It will use the USDA certification as a base but have additional requirements including: tightened grazing requirements, an end to the origin of livestock loophole, a stipulation that plants are grown in the ground (thus emphasizing the necessary relationship with soil), and improved animal welfare conditions, amongst others.

A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a large agricultural enterprise that keeps and raises animals in confinement. The animals are confined for over 45 days a year and are brought their food instead of being sent out to pasture. CAFOs are regulated under the Clean Water Act because they produce large amounts of animal waste and other pollutants.

The term Hydroponics means the growing of plants without soil. According to the Real Organic Project, “Organic farming has always been based on ‘feed the soil.’ Real organic farming relies on the microbial activity of the soil for the biological diversity.” Farming and grazing on soil is also integral to regenerative agriculture, which contributes to carbon drawdown and the fight against climate change.

The average American child has consumed 7 ½ pounds of chemicals by the age of five. There are more than 15,000 chemicals in our food supply. Many don’t have to be listed on ingredients labels, and many have never been tested for safety.”

– Mark Hyman, MD, Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? (Little, Brown and Company, 2018)

To learn more and support the Real Organic Project, visit realorganicproject.org.