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CNG standards are very similar to the USDA's but CNG
is a farmer based program first and foremost. In addition to organic
standards, CNG standards also require the humane treatment of animals which includes
livestock being
given access to pasture. This is how we have always raised our pastured lamb, goats and fowl.
Ideals of CNG also include supporting local
markets and sustainability - concerns of ours as well.
Why are we a part of CNG instead of the USDA organic program?
This is a very good question given the rising popularity of the "Organic" food market. While it
was very tempting for us to join in and take part, we found that the USDA organic program
had problems and created ethical issues for us that could not be easily overlooked.
First of all, the process of the USDA organic program creates a financial burden for
small farmers. It is very expensive and the expense is difficult if not impossible to justify.
The high cost
is oriented towards large producers which automatically leaves small farmers behind.
We also had difficulty resolving the fact that small farmers had been defining the concept of
and using the term Organic for decades before the government stepped in to regulate and
take control.
Making organic
certification expensive and difficult to obtain along with making the use of
the term "Organic" illegal without proper certification,
makes the market biased and gives an unfair advantage to big producers
who have the financial means and resources - by way of lawyers and
lobbyists - to manipulate laws and legal definitions for the sake of
corporate benefit while nudging small farmers and local producers out all together.
The USDA standards of Organic food production is slipping away from its original
intention in order to
satisfy the need
of Big Ag who often uses non-organic products and practices while still calling themselves
Certified Organic. There are undeniable falsehoods being propagated in this and
the consumer ultimately suffers for their expectations not being fairly and honestly met.
USDA standards simply do not go far enough, and in some respects are misleading or at least
shortcoming in representation.
For instance, Certified
Organic producers can call a chicken organic if it is fed 'organic' feed even though it may
spend its entire life under
inhumane housing conditions. The public is being deceived. Consumers who purchase 'organic'
eggs or chickens envision those products comming from 'contented' chickens raised in humane
conditions when that is
likely not the case. Our livestock is raised free-range. They live outdoors on pasture -
they enjoy sunshine and natural food and are not confined in dark, dank cages or industrial
settings.
The CNG program is farmer directed and consumer respectful promoting the
real goal of healthy, local grown foods for families.
"Big Ag" is not in
control. In this, there is a measure of integrity which is lacking with the
USDA whose main focus is large corporate interests.
Quaker Hill Farm encourages you to buy local, eat healthy and support Michigan producers!
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