Real Organic Podcast

Real Organic Farmer Helen Kees of Wheatfield Hill Organics ion Durand, Wisconsin wrote this piece for the 2022 Real Organic Symposium. We used part of it as an opening segment for the first session, Milk & Money. You can access the full recordings from the 2022 Real Organic Symposium here: https://www.realorganic2022.org/And you can watch the 2-minute version set over beautiful farm footage on our YouTube channel:https://youtu.be/ixivUz67CTwFootage includes: Butterworks Farm of Westfield, VT |  SideHill Farm of Hawley, MA |  Bittersweet Valley Farm of Fairfield, VT |  Strafford Creamery of Strafford, VT | Radiance Dairy of Fairfield, IA | Flack Family Farm of Fairfield, VT | Engelbert Farms of Nichols, NY | The Milkhouse Dairy Farm + Creamery of Monmouth, ME | Rogers Farmstead of Berlin, VT.To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farms

#052: Organic food activist and advocate Mark Kastel is the co-founder of the Cornucopia Institute, and more recently,  of the oversight agency OrganicEye. Through his longtime lens of industry watchdog, as well as his early role in Organic Valley farmers' cooperative, Mark lays out his insights about the treacherous path of the organic dairy industry and what actions need to be taken to save real organic family farmers today.Mark Kastel co-founded Cornucopia Institute in 2004 and served as the director of its Organic Integrity Project. He know serves as the Director of OrganicEye, an organic industry watchdog agency formed by Beyond Pesticides. Mark is well-known throughout the organic world for gaining results with hard-hitting public pressure campaigns and class action lawsuits.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/mark-kastel-organic-watchdog-goes-after-big-dairy-episode-fifty-twoThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsThe 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 Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/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/

#051: Organic farmer and Maine congresswoman Chellie Pingree shares her insights as  the Chair of the Subcommittee on Agriculture about what she calls "a dereliction of duty" by the USDA in its regulation of the National Organic Program. She also discusses the cancellation of organic dairy farming contracts by Horizon/ Danone, the inaction of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a number of issues, the powerful lobbies that work to influence our food systems' regulations, and a handful of important solutions to problems plaguing small family farmers, such as the need for regional processing plants and improved infrastructure.Chellie Pingree moved to Maine and became an organic farmer after reading Helen and Scott Nearing's book "The Good Life." In 1992 she was elected to the Maine State Senate and has served in the US House of Representatives since 2008. She currently sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, chairing the Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. She also sits on the House Agriculture Committee.   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/congresswoman-chellie-pingree-us-agriculture-failures-opportunities-episode-fifty-oneThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsThe 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 Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/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/

#050: In celebration of our 50th episode and the launch of our second season of interviews, we've invited guest host Annelise Orleck to interview organic tomato farmer Dave Chapman, one of Real Organic Project's founders, its co-director, and the regular host of our podcast. Learn more about Dave, his farm, and how Real Organic Project came to be. Learn more about our 3rd Annual Real Organic Symposium here: https://www.realorganic2022.org/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.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-founding-a-farmer-led-movement-episode-fiftyThe 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 Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/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/

#049: Welcome to an encore of our very first episode, where we introduce you to the Real Organic movement and its many supporters, including many of the guests we interviewed in 2021. Next week kicks off our second season and a whole new slate of conversations, while next Sunday, January 30, is the beginning  of our 3rd annual Real Organic Symposium, an interactive virtual event.Learn more about our Symposium here: https://www.realorganic2022.org/We have interviewed an amazing roster of folks - including former Vice President Al Gore; seed protector and activist Dr. Vandana Shiva; climate authors Paul Hawken and Bill McKibben; farmers, authors, and educators Leah Penniman, JM Fortier, and Eliot Coleman; local food chefs Alice Waters and Dan Barber  - and all of them have something insightful to say about the mounting takeover of the USDA organic label by corporations . Corporations who want to borrow our ideals for marketing purposes yet refuse to produce real organic food that follows the organic standards.To watch a video version of this podcast (this episode in particular has great footage!) with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/welcome-to-the-real-organic-podcast-episode-one/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 Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/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/

#048: In our continued conversation with Dr. Kris Nichols, we focus on the capacity of Earth's soils to store vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, and the role of real organic farmers in using regenerative growing practices to accomplish that task as they produce food, fiber, and energy for our societies.Dr. Kris Nichols is a well-known soil scientist and former USDA researcher, who has delivered over 250 speaking presentations, including a role in the soil movie Kiss The Ground. Kris grew up on a grain farm in Minnesota and earned her PhD at the University of Maryland. You can learn more about her consulting work through her website KRIS-Systems.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/kris-nichols-carbon-sequestration-our-responsibilty-episode-forty-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. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to 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 the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. 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 are still paying a premium price. 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/1000-real-fans/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/

#047:  Soil microbiologist Dr. Kris Nichols takes us below ground to explore the evolution of mycorrhizae, the role of "soil glue" glomalin, and the benefits of storing carbon in our crop lands to keep soils teeming with life while reducing the need for costly farm (or garden) amendments.  Dr. Kris Nichols is a well-known soil scientist and former USDA researcher, who has delivered over 250 speaking presentations, including a role in the soil movie Kiss The Ground. Kris grew up on a grain farm in Minnesota and earned her PhD at the University of Maryland. You can learn more about her consulting work through her website KRIS-Systems.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/kris-nichols-farm-geeking-out-on-soil-biology-episode-forty-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. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to 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 the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. 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 are still paying a premium price. 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/1000-real-fans/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/

#046:  As the host of Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael Kilpatrick is filled with stories,  solutions, and advice for the tough challenges that small farmers face today. He's also filled with plenty of observations around the negative impact industrial practices are having on our land and animals, especially when amplified at scale, and the disappointment of seeing these techniques earning the organic seal.   Michael Kilpatrick is a farmer, consultant, speaker, and the host of the Thriving Farmer Podcast. After many years of farming in NY's Hudson Valley, he is currently transitioning his newly-acquired family farm in Carlisle, OH, The Farm On Central, to certified organic. As a consultant, Michael leads thousands of small farmers through trainings focused on business and finance at Growing Farmers. To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/michael-kilpatrick-small-farms-can-earn-good-livings-episode-forty-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. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to 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 the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. 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 are still paying a premium price. 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/1000-real-fans/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/

#045:  Eric Sideman shares his deep knowledge of the organic movement, including the growing practices that align concerned eaters with the farmers who lovingly produce their food, and the missteps taken by the USDA that have put the whole beautiful arrangement at risk. Eric Sideman has been an organic farmer, advocate, policy expert, and teacher for decades. After joining the MOFGA staff, he became  Maine's "first organic extension agent," spreading his technical knowledge of organic growing practices across the state. Somewhat retired, he runs a pick-your-own farm with his family and serves on the Real Organic Advisory Board. To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/eric-sideman-organic-means-you-must-love-soil-episode-forty-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. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to 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 the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. 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 are still paying a premium price. 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/1000-real-fans/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/

#044:  Alan Lewis of Natural Grocers shares some (pretty disturbing) insights about the effects consolidation in our distribution and supply chains are having on small farmers. Long gone are the days of your local food co-op unloading just-picked produce from the back of pickup truck! Here instead is more industrial food than ever, that's been engineered for delivery and storage with zero loss - and zero flavor. Alan Lewis is the VP of Government Affairs, Stakeholder Relations, and Organic Compliance at Natural Grocers. His 2019 talk at the first annual Real Organic Symposium blew a lot of minds, as he described the massive consolidation in the natural foods industry, which has been boiled down to two distributors. In addition to his roles with IFOAM North America, the  Non-GMO Project, and the Organic + Natural Health Association,  Alan serves on the Real Organic Advisory Board.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/alan-lewis-real-farm-food-rare-in-stores-episode-forty-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. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to 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 the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. 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 are still paying a premium price. 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/1000-real-fans/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/