Real Organic Podcast

#090: If you're a fan of our podcast, then you've probably heard about "the blueberries, the blueberries, the blueberries!" Meet Hugh Kent, who along with his wife Lisa, grows the phenomenal blueberries in central Florida that Michael Pollan, chef Dan Barber and others can't say enough about - and learn why massive hydroponic berry operations are not only a threat to his business, but to our ability as eaters to find and taste truly delicious, real fruits and vegetables in the USA. Hugh and Lisa Kent operate King Grove Farm in Eustis, Florida. Part blueberry farm and part wildlife preserve, King Grove fosters the soil fertility and biodiversity necessary to grow truly flavorful fruit. Even though their berries have a dedicated fan club, they struggle to stay on store shelves and in business due to market forces that promise cheaper, and more abundant berries even during the off-season.https://www.kinggrove.com/ To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/hugh-kent-broken-business-of-blueberries-episode-ninetyThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Bonus! Last week Real Organic Project Co-Director Dave Chapman traveled to the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in upstate NY, where Chef Dan Barber not only fed him, but invited him to speak to his staff of chefs about the importance of preserving the organic movement and real organic farms.  To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/dan-barber-interviews-dave-chapman-at-stone-barnsThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#089: Formerly conventional, then becoming organic, the Choiniere Farm in Highgate Vermont is now 100% grass-fed and improving at every turn. Father and son Guy and Matt join us to discuss their views on managing herd and pasture and the importance of spreading their insights and practices to both eaters and up and coming farmers.  Guy and Matt Choiniere both grew up and continue to live on the family dairy farm in northern Vermont near the Canadian border. They are widely regarded as being some of the best and most environmentally-conscious dairy farmers in Vermont, having won awards for their land stewardship, including the 2021 New England Leopold Conservation Award®. The Choiniere Farm wins 2021 Leopold Award:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSIFfoN7ibgTo watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/guy-matt-choiniere-embracing-generational-changes-on-farm-episode-eighty-nineThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#088: Vermont organic farmer and politician David Zuckerman talks to Real Organic Project co-director Linley Dixon  about the parallels found between growing healthy soils and healthy communities.David Zuckerman owns and operates Real Organic Project-certified Full Moon Farm in Hinesburg, Vermont with his wife Rachel Nevitt. He has served in the Vermont legislature and was Lieutenant Governor from 2016 - 2020, a role which he is again campaigning for.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/david-zuckerman-vermonts-political-farmer-episode-eighty-eightThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#087: A week ahead of the 5 year anniversary of the infamous "Jacksonville Decision" where the NOSB decided to illegally allow hydroponics under the USDA Organic label, Real Organic Project co-founder Davey Miskell sits down to talk about his early days in farming and in founding both Vermont Organic Farmers and the Real Organic Project. David "Davey" Miskell is the co-founder of Real Organic Project, a founding member of Vermont Organic Farmers (now the certifying agency run by NOFA VT), and a longtime organic farmer who owned and operated Miskell's Premium Organics, known for their tomatoes and greens. David and his wife Susan were the first farmers to run the Market Garden at the Inn at Shelburne Farms, where they remained for 25 years and raised their daughters Tessa and Susannah. He currently serves as an inspector for Real Organic Project, covering all farms in Vermont and sometimes beyond.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/davey-miskell-keep-the-soil-in-organic-episode-eighty-sevenThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#086: We caught up with Lisa Stokke, the co-founder of the heavy-hitting nonprofit Food Democracy Now! back in 2018, when she shared what went into organizing the GMO labeling efforts and ballot initiatives that launched a powerful and important food movement. Lisa Stokke is the co-founder of Food Democracy Now! and founder and Executive Director of Next 7, and organization focused on helping the world thrive into the next 7 generations. Lisa also serves as the Communications Director for the Bionutrient Institute. To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/lisa-stokke-food-democracy-now-episode-eighty-sixThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#085: A 2019 debate between ROP's Dave Chapman and Jo Mirenda of the Organic Trade Association, moderated by Jack Kittredge, longtime editor of The Natural Farmer. Hydroponics, the allowance of glyphosate under plastic weed mats on instant-organic berry farms, and confined animal feeding operations are all discussed, along with proposed solutions such as a continuous improvement clause.Dave Chapman is the co-founder of Real Organic Project, a founding member of Vermont Organic Farmers, and the owner of Longwind Farm in Thetford, Vermont. Jo (Johanna) Mirenda is the Farm Policy Director at the Organic Trade Association, where she serves as lead technical expert on issues related to crop and livestock materials and standards. Previously, she served as Technical Director for the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/ROP-debates-the-organic-trade-association-episode-eighty-fiveThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/'s

#084: Liz Henderson, a longtime organic farmer, activist, and writer joined Real Organic Project at the 2018 NOFA Summer Conference held at UMASS Amherst to discuss the history of the movement and how it may be saved, based on models seen in other countries. Liz Henderson farmed for over 30 years at Peacework Farm in Wayne County, NY and also served as the first director of NOFA NY. She holds many board positions and is active in her work to restore parity to farmers and farm workers. She helped to write Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture (Chelsea Green, 2007), with a Spanish language e-book edition in 2017. She also wrote A Food Book for a Sustainable Harvest for the members of Peacework Organic Community Supported Agriculture (aka GVOCSA), which had its thirtieth year in 2018.  To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/liz-henderson-fair-wages-for-farm-workers-episode-eighty-fourThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#083: Real Organic Project co-founder Dave Chapman is joined by renowned author and market gardener Eliot Colemanm, and Stone Barns Farm Manager Jack Algiere, at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Tarrytown, NY. The three address an audience of chefs, doctors, nutritionists, and other organic food enthusiasts. Dave Chapman owns and operates Long Wind Farm in East Thetford, VT, which concentrates on soil-grown glasshouse tomatoes that are produced year round, a true feat in Vermont's cold climate. Dave is a longtime organic farmer, who along with fellow Vermont tomato farmer Dave Miskell noticed the suspicious appearance of  hydroponic tomatoes from other countries being sold with the USDA organic sticker a handful of years ago. Their research led to a web of injustices and untruths affecting real organic farmers throughout the organic industry, including berry growers, dairy producers,  grain farmers and more. The Real Organic Project was founded in 2017 and has evolved into an add-on food label. It is 100% farmer-led organization.Eliot Coleman is an author, market gardener, and educator. His work on the USDA study in the late 1970's, "Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming" helped lead to the formation of the National Organic Program, setting the very standards that are being ignored by corporate interests today. Jack Algiere is the Director of Agroecology at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a farming enterprise that welcomes the public to enjoy the nature trails, farming operation, and food grown on site at its restaurants, including the famed Blue Hill. Relying on decades of farming experience, Jack works closely with chefs in the kitchen to grow a variety of crops for their dishes. He also oversees projects that communicate the importance of land stewardship and nature-based farming to visitors. To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/dave-chapman-eliot-coleman-jackj-algiere-stone-barns-episode-eighty-threeThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsIf you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/

#082: Jack Algiere, Directory of Agroecology at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, talks about the importance of exposing the public to nature, food, and farming in ways that inspire direct personal connections and help to grow bio-literacy.  Jack Algiere is the Director of Agroecology at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a farming enterprise that welcomes the public to enjoy the nature trails, farming operation, and food grown on site at its restaurants, including the famed Blue Hill. Relying on decades of farming experience, Jack works closely with chefs in the kitchen to grow a variety of crops for their dishes. He also oversees projects that communicate the importance of land stewardship and nature-based farming to visitors.  To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/jack-algiere-modeling-food-system-that-inspires-episode-eighty-two/The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/