#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/farms

We 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/