Growing Information
What is Organic Farming?
Organic Defined
Organic farming is an alternative farming method which is rapidly growing as public awareness of the connection between how our food is grown and the overall health of human communities and the environment increases. Organic farmers see food production from a holistic perspective, recognizing that consciously nurturing symbiotic relationships between the various crops, wild and farm animals, insects, the soil, and local surface and ground water sources is the best way to maintain the overall health of the whole farm. They have developed ways of growing food that provide for both present and future generations dependent upon a limited soil-base, while at the same time preserving the health of the local ecological systems. Organic farmers see the soil as a living organism which, when properly maintained, naturally yields tasty, healthy crops.
Food that is grown organically is food that has been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers for at least three years prior to its harvest. Instead of synthetic inputs, organic farmers employ practices to promote the health of the natural system so that it can defend itself, thereby protecting their crops. Examples are the planting of a wide variety of crops side-by-side in order to reduce the rapid spread of disease; the use of leguminous crops between maturing fruit trees to fix nitrogen in the soil, the application of compost to their fields before planting to increase soil fertility, and the use of crop rotations and fallow periods to allow the soil to rejuvenate itself. Organic farmers also recognize the role that birds can play in helping them control pests and therefore often leave buffer zones--wild areas of natural vegetation--around their fields to attract them. Because they are committed to providing consumers with clean, healthy food, they are not only preserving the Island's agricultural heritage for future generations; they are also decreasing society's long-term health costs by reducing the pollution of the Island environment and the chemical contamination of our food.
When a product is labeled "organic", it means that the manner in which the product was grown and handled has met the standards set out by an independent certifying body for at least three years. Most jurisdictions, including Prince Edward Island, require that farms selling organic products must be certified with a recognized independent certifying body. All certified organic products are non-GMO.
Certified Organic Producers Co-op
The PEI Certified Organic Producers Co-op (COPC) was established in 2002. The COPC is composed of certified organic agriculture producers who want to see organic agriculture grow on Prince Edward Island. Organic agriculture has been around for a long time. In fact, before the 1950s, when synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers were first introduced to the province, every Island farmer was growing organically.
The COPC's vision of the future of farming on Prince Edward Island is one in which the number and diversity of organic farms on the Island continues to grow. It is committed to supporting efforts to ensure the availability of high quality, locally grown healthy food for Islanders; the revitalization of the rural economy and culture; protection and enhancement of the local environment, and initiatives that help provide a fair income to the Island's organic farmers. The following goals have been set to facilitate the realization of this vision: encourage an increase in local organic production; promote research and market development initiatives; encourage growers to join the organic industry, and promote organic agriculture by educating Islanders about organic food.
The Benefits of Organic Food
People are becoming more aware of the connection between the foods they eat and their health. Eliminating the use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides on crops reduces any potential negative impacts on human health and wellbeing. Organic agriculture also preserves a healthy natural environment, which in turn contributes to maintaining a healthy planet for our children. Finally, by eating locally grown organic food, you are supporting small and medium-sized organic farms, which revitalizes the rich cultural heritage and invigorates the traditional economic livelihoods in rural Prince Edward Island.
Why non-GMO?
GMOs defined
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs are organisms that have been created by splicing the genes (or DNA) from a variety of different species together in a laboratory environment in order to create combinations of genes in plants, animals, bacteria and viruses that would not otherwise occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
The European Union, Australia and Japan are all being extremely cautious about GMOs, placing restrictions or outright bans on them because the biotechnology that is being used is still relatively new, and therefore very little is known about the potential long term effects on human health, the environment, and the preservation of seed diversity.
Today, over 75% of the canola grown in the world is GMO. Although it has been estimated that genetically modified products are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average Canadian grocery store, there is no law requiring companies to label products containing GMOs.
The Benefits of non-GMO Canola
On Prince Edward Island, we grow exclusively non-GMO canola. The health of our customers, the land, water and local wildlife is our highest priority. All of our products at Anne's PEI Farm are either certified organic or non-GMO and in transition to being organic, and have gone through a rigorous testing process to ensure that there is no trace of GMO products in them. Given the widespread use of GMO canola, and the fact that the seed can be dispersed by the wind, it can be difficult to find canola that is 100% non-GMO. Being an island provides us with a safe and impermeable natural barrier that prevents contamination from areas where GMO canola is being grown, so you can be certain that our canola oil is not only delicious, but also entirely healthy.
By purchasing our products you are helping Prince Edward Island's farmers to continue farming in ways that are ecologically and culturally sustainable, and that preserve the genetic diversity of crops on Prince Edward Island. Thank you for supporting us in our efforts to grow food that is healthy for you and our planet!