Is your farm organic?

We get this question periodically. Is your farm organic? It depends. If you are asking if we are certified organic by a third-party agency, the answer is no. However, if you if we are a farm that you can trust to tell you the truth about how they farm and avoids synthetic chemical inputs, then the answer is yes! Let me explain a bit more. And, hopefully, it will all make sense. 

Understanding the organic label

Generally, when a person shops for organic food they look for "certified organic" on the label. It often brings a sense of trust to the product. The smaller the farm is that is producing this organic product, the more likely it is that you can trust that label. 

It's important to understand the organic label only speaks to one area of farming. Primarily what inputs, chemicals, sprays, etc. that are used on the farm. It tells nothing about how that farm farms. Do they treat their land and environment with respect? Do they work with nature rather than treating nature as the enemy? The label doesn't answer those questions.

At a frequent minimum, this label can also mean nothing. Working in the farming community, I have often asked myself, "How in the world can that pass as organic?" Consider USDA organic certified products. There are simply not enough inspectors to go around.

It would be easy for a bigger producer to source their product from many farms and have them all labeled the same. These farms aren't likely to ever get inspected so can do whatever they want and flaunt the organic rules. Frequently, there are imported products that end up on our store shelves as certified organic because the company distributing the product checked the right boxes. There simply can't be any true oversight in how it was produced. 

How to know what you are buying

Briefly, it is important to note, there are fantastic and well-raised products in stores with the organic label. There are also products with the organic label that were produced completely using conventional methods. Labels look pretty and sound nice. But they are primarily a marketing tool. And, if that is the case, how will you know the difference in what you are buying?

Know and trust your farmer. You will be hard pressed to be able to shop for good food by label alone. There are too many gimmicks and too many loopholes. 

Our farm's approach

At Sparrow Hill Farm, we want to serve and protect our bodies and the bodies of our kids with clean, superior nutrition. Yes, we farm clean with no antibiotics or wormers in the animals raised for your plate.

We also try our best to farm sustainably in a way that protects the delicate farming ecosystem — from dung beetles to earthworms. We don't use chemical sprays. And we also do much more. If you have been following the farm for a while, you have seen many of these facets. If you are new, welcome. Our goal is to educate you so you can be a confident and well-informed consumer.

Because this is a multifaceted approach, there will never be a label that quantifies exactly what sustainable and regenerative farming means. It can look different on every farm. The environment. Where your farm is located. The animals you raise. All of these define what regenerative means for your operation. It's a regulatory nightmare. We are fine with that. 

Interested in knowing more?

If you have not seen my conversation with my friend and local ecologist on these topics, you should check it out. https://youtu.be/Vg1zKu3msj4 We dive in deep on some of these fun topics if you want to know more. If you want to see a shorter, fun video where I take you along on our daily pig chores, check this out https://youtu.be/4OKVgp2sYvQ. You'll find out why our pork tastes so good! 

Have specific questions? Please reach out. You can actually talk to a farmer here at Sparrow Hill Farm by simply emailing support@sparrowhillfarm.net. Nettie or I will answer.  We love to chat.