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Photo: The Rodale Institute - Pacific Northwest Organic Center at Cascadian Farm
Regenerative Organic:
Farm Like the World Depends on It by Leigha Staffenhagen
“Healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people.” - J.I. Rodale, The Rodale Institute Once upon a time, organic farming was the only version of farming. Glyphosate-packed Roundup wasn’t stored in homeowners’ sheds, and farmworkers didn’t have to be concerned about the toxic insecticides they were handling day in and day out. No-till farming was the norm, and crop rotation was used for the sake of both productivity and soil health. Agroforestry often took place organically, and farming techniques were entirely dependent on local climate conditions. Fast forward a few centuries, and the state of conventional agriculture is much different. Less than 1% of farmland is certified organic. The same farmworkers who keep our bellies full also put themselves at risk
of toxic chemical exposure on a daily basis. 32% of vegetables and 44% of fresh fruit are imported from other countries. Many consumers expect their fresh produce to be pristine and blemish-free, with all those that are “unperfect” ending up in the trash. And while we’ve shared this statistic in The Natural Enquirer before, it’s worthwhile to share again, because the impact should still be felt: in the United States, 40% of all food is wasted. If you shop at the Co-op, you’re likely in tune with the importance of organics, fair trade, and reducing food waste—they’re some of our most closely held values. And now, there’s a (re)emerging farming method that’s on the cusp of potentially transforming our agricultural system: regenerative organic. (continued on page 12)
IN THIS ISSUE: Board Election Results
∙ 2
4% Friday Applications
∙ 3
Simple Ways to Save
∙ 7
New + Notable
∙ 11
Viva Farm Tours
∙ 14 Eggs & Dutch Babies ∙ 5
Lean on Me ∙ 6
Co-op High-5 Recipes ∙ 13