In late September, I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite farms in rural Maryland. This family farm, in organic production since 1983, was teaming with life, fertility and biodiversity. Rows of lush broccoli, colorful chard and hearty blood red beets flourished despite the autumn chill.
As we walked near hooped raspberry bushes and succulent Roma tomatoes vines, we discussed modern life on the farm. The local farm to restaurant trend is flourishing in upscale Baltimore restaurants that literally purchase tons of in-season produce from the farm to grace their menus. Several nearby farmers markets sell the bounty from these rolling fields each week. The community supported agriculture (CSA) program allows hundreds of families to receive weekly cartons of gorgeous homegrown vegetables with a community connection. In this idyllic setting what could possibly go wrong?
Everything seemed to be quite peachy until the conversation turned to Food Safety, specifically the new food safety rules based on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) passed by Congress. I learned that in these proposed rules the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing changes that could threaten sustainable and organic agriculture, local food and farm conservation efforts.
As we strolled I was aware of several natural ponds where native ducks made their moist homes. Located well away from the verdant rows of vegetables, these ponds are sometimes used for irrigation. The new food safety regulations would require weekly testing and record keeping, adding substantial costs and overhead all because of the natural water sources located on this small farm.
We rounded the bend and a long line of steaming compost rows lay fermenting in the distance. These piles of living, breathing matter were constructed from organic farm waste and manure from a neighbor’s livestock. This compost is the living construct that provides the foundation of the farms fertility and productivity. I learned that the new proposed FDA regulations would be so strict that they would make these compost piles non-compliant.
The barn that housed the flourishing CSA was abuzz with year-round workers packaging potatoes and weighing tomatoes for the community boxes. A delivery of eggs and flowers from a neighboring certified farm was being offloaded as welcome additions to the CSA offering. Once again I was informed the new regulations would classify this type of CSA as “distributor” because of the neighbor’s additions. This classification would thrust many additional cumbersome and onerous steps on the farm, all but wiping out the profitability of the CSA.
I questioned what would happen if any of these came under scrutiny. I learned there was no clear proposed protocol for the withdrawal of a farmer’s status, nor a clear way back to Food Safety recertification. The law is ambiguous about who has the authority and how small farmers comply.
Over lunch I realized that many aspects of this farm and its ability to feed thousands of nearby consumers with nutritious local organic food was in grave danger. After 30 years of progress this farmer could see this erased with the pen of the FDA.
Serendipitously, later that week, I had lunch with my friends from the National Sustainable Ag Coalition (NSAC) in Baltimore. They have a website dedicated to learning more and taking action on this issue. The comments on this rule are due November 15th, and NSAC provides great instructions on how to make a comment.
Tell the FDA they must:
ü Allow farmers to use sustainable farming practices, including those already allowed and encouraged by existing federal organic standards and conservation programs.
ü Ensure that diversified and innovative farms, particularly those pioneering models for increased access to healthy, local foods, continue to grow and thrive without being stifled.
ü Provide options that treat family farms fairly, with due process and without excessive costs.
Let me know if you have a modern farm story and if you have made a comment to the FDA. The future of local food and farming may depend on your comments.
Just curious… (according to FDA regulations) why is the compost non-compliant? I have a compost bin near my garden, although it is for my own personal use…is there a danger if it’s too close?
Likely no danger at all.
The rule applies to manure used in compost and requires:
“A 45-day interval if the amendment has been applied in a manner that minimizes the potential for contact with covered produce during or after application, and if the amendment has undergone a scientifically valid controlled composting process that satisfies the microbial standard for Salmonella and fecal coliforms ”
The 45-day interval is in conflict with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, which do not require an interval between application and harvest for manure treated by a composting process that is consistent with NOP composting standards.
Your backyard garden compost should be fine if it is fully composted. Additionally if you are not NOP certified and use your garden for personal consumption you will not have to worry about the new proposed regulations.
Enjoy the bounty of your garden!
Melody L Meyer
VP Policy and Industry Relations UNFI
phone 401.528.8634 ext 62225
Fax 831/462-5718
SKYPE melody.meyer
Visit my Blog at http://www.organicmattersblog.com
Thanks!
Also, Haha, I don’t use manure. thank goodness!!! LOL
Thank you for the great reading in your post Melody. I have been researching the FSMA and understand the ramifications for local small farm growers. We all need our voices to be heard by Nov 1st. Will you allow me to report this on my blog. You have covered it so well I would like to share it.
Please share away. We need to get the word out!
Promote it far and wide!
Melody L Meyer
VP Policy and Industry Relations UNFI
phone 401.528.8634 ext 62225
Fax 831/462-5718
SKYPE melody.meyer
Visit my Blog at http://www.organicmattersblog.com
Thank you.
Reblogged this on Adventures of a Part Time Vegetarian and commented:
I have been researching the FSMA Food Safety Modernisation Act. This may put extra stress on some small local growers. This posts is a great reference to the FSMA and how it may effect these small farms.
I really appreciate your wonderfully descriptive yet informative style of writing. This information is so valuable. Thank you!
This was very interesting and I have learned something new about the world of farming. I live in the middle of the country and the farming is large and our locals sale mostly at local farmer markets . I don’t know if they have to follow the FDA rules or not. But I will be looking to learn more soon. I wish the Government would let us have our free choice back. Our friends whom garden do it to help and care for others to have fresh food and not to cause problems for their
neighbors. Thank you for you story.
It is not easy being a small farmer supplying local food to consumers. I grew up in Iowa and the big soy and corn producers don’t have these types of food safety challenges.
Thank you for reading this post and share my blog with your friends.
Melody L Meyer
VP Policy and Industry Relations UNFI
phone 401.528.8634 ext 62225
Fax 831/462-5718
SKYPE melody.meyer
Visit my Blog at http://www.organicmattersblog.com
I was excited to find this page. I need to
to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!!
I definitely enjoyed every bit of it and I have you book-marked to
look at new stuff on your website.
Thank you so much! Please pass it along to your friends!
Melody L Meyer
VP Policy and Industry Relations UNFI
phone 401.528.8634 ext 62225
Fax 831/462-5718
SKYPE melody.meyer
Visit my Blog at http://www.organicmattersblog.com
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