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AgricultureLaw Business & Taxation Construction Creditor's Rights Estate Planning Labor & Employment Litigation Personal Injury Public Agencies Real Estate & Land Use nheh.com 333SalinasStreet,Salinas,CA93901 831.424.1414 470 Camino El Estero Monterey, CA 93940 831.373.3622 ClientFocused.RelationshipDriven. A Tradition of Excellence Since 1928 E R V I N G T H E E N T R A L C O A F O R 9 0 Y E R S • • • S E R H E C E N A S T F O Y E A R S • Why Organic? Courtesy Organic Farming Research Foundation Organic production contin- ues to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. food system. People care about the quality of the food they eat, where it was grown, how it was grown, and whether it's worth it to sometimes pay a little more. However, with so many products and labels vying for our attention—not just in natural food stores but mainstream supermarkets as well—it can be a little confusing to understand what you are actually get- ting for your money. Let's start with where it all begins, on the farm. Organic farming makes healthy food, soils, plants, and environ- ments a priority along with crop productivity. Organic farmers use biological fertil- izer inputs and management practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation to improve soil quality and build soil organic matter. By increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, organic farmers enhance the soil's ability to absorb water, reducing the impacts of drought and flooding and helping it absorb and store carbon and other nutrients needed to grow healthy crops that are better able to resist insects and diseases. One way to ensure what you are buying is truly or- ganic is to look for the USDA organic label. In order to put this label on packaging, farmers and food processors must meet strict regula- tions. Only agricultural prod- ucts certified as meeting the national organic standards implemented under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program qualify. Each certified farm and processing facility must undergo an annual inspec- tion to verify it is meeting the standards. Inspectors typically walk the farm with the producer, checking the crops and outbuildings to ensure no synthetic herbicides or pesticides are present, and verifying sales paperwork. Organic farmers must demonstrate their growing practices maintain or improve the soil, water, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife in and around their farms. They must show that they rotate their crops to build the soil, minimize erosion, and enhance biodi- versity. Organic standards specifically prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Years of scientific research show organic farming prac- tices are good for human health, economic prosperity, the environment, and slow- ing climate change. Healthy soil, which organic farming enhances, is the basis of a healthy nation. Despite the obvious benefits, several key challenges have slowed the growth of organic agri- culture. Increasing public awareness of the value of organic farming, implement- ing public policy changes that support organic grow- ers, and conducting research to advance the industry are essential to overcoming the challenges of organic or- ganic agriculture. Additional research is imperative to fill the gaps in the scientific un- derstanding of the benefits of organic farming. Working closely with both Republicans and Demo- crats, the Organic Farming Research Foundation has been advocating strongly for the inclusion of important organic provisions in the upcoming Farm Bill. The Or- ganic Agriculture Research Act (H.R. 2436), a biparti- san bill that would reautho- rize the USDA's landmark re- search program, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), would increase annual fund- ing from $20 million to $50 million, and make funding permanent. This important program offers competitive grants that fund sound science, outreach, and edu- cation programs to address the needs of organic farmers and ranchers. There are many fiscal challenges facing the House Agricultural Committee, especially with the large number of programs that need reauthorization and funding. Given the dramatic growth of the organic indus- try, this overdue increase in funding will be instrumental in providing the research and extension support that American farmers need. As a leading champion of organic farmers across the U.S., OFRF works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems by cult iv ating or gan ic re sear ch, education, and federal poli- cies that bring more farmers into organic production. Through these efforts, OFRF is creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system that values healthy people and healthy environ- ments. Learn more at ofrf. org. S C A WISDOM SUCCESS SPECTORCORBETT ARCHITECTS INC 54-C PENNY LANE, WATSONVILLE, CA 831-319-4045 SPECTORCORBETT.COM SCAARETHEARCHITECTSFORAGRI-BUSINESSANDINDUSTRY • COLD STORAGE • DISTRIBUTION CENTERS • PRODUCE HANDLING • FOOD PROCESSING • • INDOOR CULTIVATION • GREENHOUSES • OFFICE & LABS • SUPPORT FACILITIES • • MANUFACTURING • WAREHOUSE • RENOVATIONS & NEW DEVELOPMENT • LAKESIDE ORGANIC GARDENS, WATSONVILLE | NEWS | MONTEREYHERALD.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 6 C Newspaper : Monterey County Herald Advertiser : HOUSE PROMO-RETAIL Issue Date : 04/27/2018 Ad Number : 000614578806