Organic Policy and Regulations, What is Organic

Great Expectations—A Story of Organic Odyssey and Ecstasy

Melody Meyer

  Organic Fruit It’s been nearly 37 years since I was first introduced to organic foods at a co-op in Iowa. Up until then, I’d lived almost exclusively on packaged foods and sodas. This was something new, something meaningful and something I wanted to be a part of.

Back then, the burgeoning years of the organic movement held great promise and excitement. We were creating a movement, possibly changing the world. I became a passionate advocate for eating organic food and easing the chemical burden our soils and streams were enduring from conventional agriculture.

In those early days, the movement was sprouting in various areas of the country, separately and independently. We all had the same visionaries, like Bob Rodale and Rachel Carson, who inspired us and united us in the same mission. However, despite our common goals, we remained independent groups scattered throughout the U.S. in places like Oregon, California, New York and Pennsylvania.  

I watched as the movement grew up and gradually became a full-fledged industry that flourished despite its chaotic beginning. The first hints of coalescing took place with state organic regulations, Organic Foods Production Association of North America (OFPANA) and, finally, the USDA National Organic Program.  Today, we are a $35 billion sales entity with consistent double digit growth annually. The organic seal has spread from category to category and is now reaching thousands of households across the U.S.

But our industry, like the organic Swiss cheese we eat, has some holes. Despite our victories, we remain underfunded by our lawmakers and misunderstood by a great number of consumers. Within our industry, there appears to be a lack of consistent solidarity. We often distract ourselves with quarrels that many see as unnecessary and unproductive.  It begs the question: Have we really coalesced, or are we still stuck in our infant roots? 

As I look at the state of organic affairs, I see many areas for improvement. According to the latest Organic Trade Association (OTA) 2012 Organic Industry Survey Here, eight in ten parents report they purchase organic products and four in ten say they trust in the label more than they used to.  Why hasn’t the media picked up on these facts?? Why aren’t we out there, promoting our industry and proclaiming the benefits of organics on every billboard and website? In an era of increasing awareness of climate change, why don’t more consumers know the field studies of The Rodale Institute? Press Release  Why don’t they know that organic farming counters greenhouse gases? Shouldn’t this be a primetime advertisement on television and radio?

Our industry is growing at double digits, providing jobs and prosperity in urban and rural areas, yet the 2008 Farm Bill only gave us a fraction of the funding we needed in comparison to other, less vigorous, areas of agriculture. As we all went over the Organic Cliff last January, we could not hold onto funding for Organic Data Collection, Organic Cost Share or conservation programs—all vital to our farmers and our progress. Congress is operating in an era of perpetual fiscal austerity and money for organic research is looking highly unlikely now and in the near future. This only begs more questions: How can we fund research for improved organic seeds? Where will the money come from to assist our youth to become organic farmers?

The potential consequences of our inaction are clear. Just pick up a newspaper and read about new scientific studies questioning the nutritional benefits of organics.   If we continue to stay a fractured industry, we have little chance of adequately funding research to help publicize the many benefits of our product.

When I say “our product,” I say it for a reason. It doesn’t mean your organic milk or his organic corn or her organic blueberries. It refers to OUR shared product—the organic brand.

As a group of individuals with the same dream, we need to recognize our commonalities and stop protecting our own areas of the sandbox.  We need to find a way to fund the extraordinary movement we are all part of, so it can indeed become a vehicle to change the world. Perhaps, it’s even time to earnestly talk about finally creating a USDA Organic Research and Promotions Program.

I dream of the day I’m stuck in traffic and see a bumper sticker that reads, “Organic. It’s what’s for dinner,” on every other car, or when I sit down to watch a TV show and it’s interrupted by a national campaign explaining what the USDA Organic label means, or the day when three corporations no longer control fifty-three percent of the global seed supply and its research Seed Giants vs. US Farmers.

For this new era to come to fruition, we must all finally come together as one cohesive entity. The Organic label is all of ours and it needs to be protected and propagated so that the dreams we had in the 1960’s can finally take root. How do we move from the odyssey of chaos to the ecstasy of unification?  To learn more about the idea of a USDA Organic Research and Promotions Program visit More Organic. My experience in the Iowa Coop showed me working together creates great things.

Originally Posted on The Rodale Institute website http://rodaleinstitute.org/2013/great-expectations-a-story-of-an-organic-odyssey/

Published by Melody Meyer

60 thoughts on “Great Expectations—A Story of Organic Odyssey and Ecstasy”

  1. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like too send
    yoou an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be intterested in hearing.

    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing itt expand over time.

    Reply

  2. You are in the middle of your important meeting and you forgot what you have
    to say. The more group get to know each other on a personal level, the more mutual understanding and empathy can develop.
    You see first she would take control of the conversation and would than
    start passing sarcastic comments your way.

    Reply

  3. This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Reply

  4. Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working
    with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but
    I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking
    for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic
    but I had to ask!

    Reply

  10. You’re so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve read through anything like that before.
    So good to discover someone with original thoughts on this subject.
    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the internet,
    someone with some originality!

    Reply

  12. I read this piece of writing completely on the topic of the difference of most
    up-to-date and preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.

    Reply

  13. A person essentially help to make critically articles I would state.
    This is the first time I frequented your website page and so far?
    I surprised with the research you made to create this
    actual publish amazing. Great activity!

    Reply

  17. Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras – 3 Tips So You Don’t Buy Camera Regrets.

    One very meaningful feature that Canon thought to stick into
    the 6D was the ability to change focus screens, of which Canon makes one model that is precisely designed for accurate manual focus with fast lenses.
    Most objective reviewers will admit that the image quality is virtually identical due to the fact that the image sensor and
    processor are identical.

    Reply

  20. Another great thing about Sponge – Bob games is that they enable
    continuity between the television program and an interactive medium.
    So if you do have any Spongebob childrens toys which your kid will no longer be having fun with, you can use it in your tank as fish tank decorations
    as long as you adhere to these precautionary measures.
    The Acekard 2i card can work on Nintendo 3DS Firmware
    V2.

    Reply

  23. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing problems with your RSS.

    I don’t understand the reason why I can’t join it. Is there
    anybody having identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the
    solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

    Reply

  27. ( Some formats may require additional apps support.
    Among the great variety of tools that Facebook offers to its users, there are some really
    practical ones. The problem is, most people are teaching
    the wrong way to do this.

    Reply

  29. A cosigner is preferred because they offer secured car loans the best option for homeowners and unsecured
    loans. That should not keep you from seeking the best possible terms.

    Now, owning a car and are seeking immediate cash assistance
    for its repairs?

    Reply

  30. how to hack zynga account password granted me use
    of my account how to hack facebook account
    password I was immediately prompted to change my password.
    Why do how to hack a facebook account for free
    cross the road. Fields are not only relevant to
    the user (opening hours, services offered, etc.

    Reply

  33. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your
    site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..

    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful blog!

    Reply

  35. Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing thee other person’s weblog link on your page aat appropriate place andd other person will also do same
    iin favor of you.

    Reply

  36. Hello I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Digg for something
    else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a tremendous post and a
    all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS
    feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

    Reply

  37. Occasionally just doing absolutely nothing will deliver required clarity.
    Of course, some of these tales are so predictable, it doesn’t
    consider any genuine psychic ability to foresee them.

    Reply

  38. Go to your preferred search engine and appear
    up Tarot decks. This could cause you to go on overload and unfold your self as well skinny.

    The much more versatile your plans at this time, the much more you will appreciate your self.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.