It’s a Crunchy-Granola Organic World Out Here

I have spoken before about Cascadians’ passion for nature as well as their populist ethic of community activism and service. One facet of Northwest living where these all converge is in the organic farming phenomenon.

(Left: Farmland in the Skagit Valley cover cropped to attract migrating snow geese)

By 2004, Washington State alone had well over 40,000 acres of certified organic farmland, with thousands more in transition, producing over $200 million worth of organic food. Organic produce, dairy and meats are in high demand in the Pacific Northwest for many reasons:

• Desire to avoid non-natural additives (pesticides, hormones, chemical fertilizer, genetically engineered/modified ingredients)
• Higher nutritional value of organics
• Perception of better taste and longevity of the food
• Recognition that non-organic farming is damaging to the environment and not sustainable (air and water pollution, soil erosion, energy use, etc)
• Recognition of the importance of biodiversity, which large agribusiness threatens and organic farming promotes
• Farm worker safety
• Preservation of family farms

Much of the organic food raised in the Northwest is consumed here, not only because of the demand, but also in recognition of the benefits of eating locally raised foods. Reasons for this are similar:

• Fresher, and therefore more nutritional, food
• Less energy is used in transportation to market
• Desire to support local, family-owned business
• Desire to support the organic use of local farmland rather than non-organic to reduce local pollution.

Prior to the recent inclusion by large grocery chains, organic food producers already had established distribution channels in the Northwest through farmers markets, farm subscriptions and through Puget Consumer Co-op, the largest consumer-owned natural food co-operative in the United States, founded in 1953.

Now, due to 20% annual growth in demand for organics nationwide, large grocery chains and national food manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon and one can even find, so it's told, an organics produce section in Walmart. (They are doing this, however, while at the same time trying to quietly erode organic standards and the definition of sustainable agriculture to make more profit, but I digress...)

Since the costs of non-organic foods are often hidden, organics have a higher price tag than non-organics. This initially created a barrier to the market place. However, as peoples’ awareness and concern over agricultural chemicals and the other impacts of non-organic farming have grown, so has a willingness to pay a higher price to buy better food. The industry is still fighting this uphill battle, as well as the non-organic industry’s use and dominance of agricultural subsidies from the federal government, which creates a further price advantage.

As a result, community activism and volunteerism have been needed to help organic agriculture survive and grow. One way this happens is through land trusts. Land trusts are non-profit organizations that fundraise to buy and hold land for specific conservation purposes. Farmland trusts are one form of this type of organization. The PCC Farmland Trust specifically designates the use of its land for organic farming. It is a great benefit to the community as well as the farmers because when organic farmland is preserved, so is the beauty and environmental health of the environment. Additionally, safe and local food sources are assured.

Another way that organic farms are supported is through volunteer workers. Volunteers commit to living and working on a given farm for a period of time in exchange for housing, meals, the experience and a hands-on education on organic farming. World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is the leading matchmaking organization for farmers and volunteers. Other opportunities (such as academic study programs) also exist.

It may seem hippy-dippy to some, but organics and community support of organic agriculture is mainstream here. It's a win-win all the way around, from the numerous fabulous farmers' markets in town, to the scenic farmlands close to town, to an industry that keeps its dollars in the local community, to a cleaner environment. Life is organic here, naturally!