Dave Chapman tells us about the origins of the Real Organic Project, and why preserving organic standards is important for all growers whether certified organic or not in this week’s podcast. Dave is the co-director of the Real Organic Project (ROP) and owner of Long Wind Farm in Vermont. The ROP is active in preserving the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP) in the face of lobbying by agribusiness to relax them, particularly in the areas of allowing hydroponics to be certified organic and enforcing animal welfare standards in organic production.

This is the first of a two-part conversation about the ROP, this one focusing on hydroponics and the forthcoming episode will focus on preserving animal welfare standards. Dave highlights the impact on consumer trust that comes from weakening the NOP, and the future of organic standards as corporations push for changing them. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by container production and herbicide use in “organic” farming, the health impacts of chemical agriculture and the growth of the Real Organic Certification initiative.

 

Connect With Guest:

Instagram: @realorganicproject
Website: realorganicproject.org
 

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