GUIDE TO TERMS

• Organic foods are produced without synthetic/chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Organic farming regenerates the soil and prevents pollution. Organic farmers do not use genetically engineered organisms or products, which may cause unintended consequences in the environment. The USDA’s National Organic Program’s Final Rule requires farms which sell more than $5,000 of organic agricultural products per year and which market products as organic to become certified by October 21, 2002. Farms that sell less than $5,000 worth of organic agricultural products per year labeled as organic are exempt from certification, but must still abide by the Final Rule if they wish to continue marketing products as organic. Some of the farms listed in this guide, while managed organically, have chosen not to use the word "organic" as they do not plan to become certified as required. The Rule can be found in its entirety on the USDA website: www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
• Certified organic means that the grower or food processor has demonstrated to an organic certification agency that only acceptable organic methods have been used. Farmers need to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Certified organic farms and organic processors have been inspected and must keep extensive records to document their compliance with organic rules. Several organic certifiers are active in New York state, including: Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)-NY’s Certified Organic, LLC, 840 Upper Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905, (607) 724-9851, www.nofany.org; or, Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), 1001 4th St., Suite B, Lincoln, NE 68508-1172, (402) 477-2323, www.ocia.org
• Biodynamic/organic is an approach to agriculture introduced by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. The ideal biodynamic farm is a self-sufficient system which builds and maintains soil fertility through farm-produced compost and fertilizers. Using a balanced crop rotation, applying biodynamic preparations, and taking into consideration the rhythmical workings of the moon, stars, and planets, the farmer stimulates growth forces in the soil and plants. Contact the Demeter Association, Inc., Britt Rd., Aurora, NY 13026, (315) 364-5617, www. demeter-usa.org
• Low spray applies to farm products grown with far fewer pesticides than the norm, and chemical fertilizer may be used. Certain crops such as apples are difficult to grow organically in the Northeast.
• No spray means the crop has not been sprayed with pesticides. Synthetic fertilizers may be used.
• Organic livestock are fed organic feed, and either pastured or given regular access to the outdoor. No growth hormones or antibiotics are used. However, if an animal is treated with antibiotics for an illness in an emergency, its meat, milk, or eggs cannot be labeled as organic.
• Antibiotic-free & hormone-free means no growth hormones or antibiotics were fed to, injected, or implanted into the animals at any stage in their lives. May be fed conventional (non-organically grown) feed.
• Poultry & livestock from listed farms are usually oven- or freezer-ready. Check with farmer on cuts available.
• Free-range applies to poultry and eggs. Free-range birds should have regular access to the outdoors. Free-range birds may be given conventional feed.
• Pastured livestock & poultry are grazed and moved to greener pasture frequently, so that pasture makes up a significant part of their diet. They may be fed conventionally produced feeds.