What is Organic?
Organic by definition means from living organisms,
like organic matter, but when it comes to food production this means a whole lot
more. Any land that produces the "organic food" must free from
synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, etc for at least the past three
years. The products must involve only the use of fertilizers and
pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin. From USDA
standards, a complete series of rules and guidelines must be adhered to in order
to maintain "organic standards."
At Dearing Country Farms we also make every
effort to utilize earth friendly as well as good conservation practices.
We utilize crop rotation, soil conservation, wildlife preservation, organic land
and plant buffering, nature conservancy, prairie and habitat restoration and an
overall ethical respect for nature in general. We employ biological
diversity to ensure soil fertility and natural pest and weed control.
Why Buy Organic?
The bottom line is "IT'S HEALTHIER"! Not
only will you be eating better quality food (food without the toxic chemicals,
pesticides, herbicides, steroids, vaccines, and altered/modified genetics), but
from Dearing Country Farms, it will be fresh, locally produced and better for
you and your family. The hens that lay our eggs are humanely treated, cage
free, free range, allowed to pasture and grown organically - so nothing synthetic going into
the hens, thus only naturally produced, healthier and better tasting eggs for
you.
Why Does it Cost More?
It really boils down to the time factor. It is very time
consuming to produce organic produce. The individualized care for each
plant takes time, production levels are lower due to allowing nature to control
the growth instead of man. We only help nature do what it does naturally
instead of doing the work for nature like conventional farming practices.
We pick products by hand and reduce dependency on machinery. We are unable
to go out and purchase synthetic chemical to use as pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers, which are typically mass produced and relatively cheap, then apply
them with sprayers and spreader equipment. Commercially grown produce is
mass produced. The sole purpose of conventional farming is to make money.
This equates to producing the most crops on the least amount of land and lower
expenses. They do this by genetically altering plants to be more
productive, manufacturing synthetic chemicals and applying them to reduce
disease, kill pests and competing plants, and increase the growing potential of
the soils.
Sources of Information and Links
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O’Mama Report |
Quality Assurance International (QAI) |
List of organizations and programs involved in small farm work
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA)
Description: IIRA is designed to improve the quality of life in rural areas by
developing public-private partnerships with local agencies on community
development projects in rural areas. The Institute works on projects including
rural economic and community development (including value-added agriculture),
rural health care, rural education, rural public transportation, public
management policies, housing, and technology.
Dr. Norman Walzer, Director · Stipes 520 · Macomb, IL 61455 · (309) 298-1031
· e-mail: N-Walzer@wiu.edu · website: www.iira.org/index.asp
Illinois Small Farm Task Force
Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Chair · University of Illinois · PO Box 410 ·
Greenview, IL 62642 · (217) 968-5512 · e-mail: cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu
· website: www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/smallfarm/
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Description: ISA is a citizen's organization that promotes a safe and nutritious
food system, family farming, and healthy communities by advocating diverse,
humane, and socially just and ecologically sustainable production and marketing
practices.
Mark Beorkrem, Executive Director · ISA · PO Box 648 · Rochester, IL 62563 ·
(217) 498-9707 · e-mail: isa@illinoisstewardshipalliance.org
· website: www.illinoisstewardshipalliance.org/
Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
Description: IDEA is a statewide initiative created by the Univ of IL that
conducts research, develops educational products, and provides services that
encourage farmers to incorporate entrepreneurial strategies which direct their
marketing efforts to meeting consumer demand.
Kim Tack · University of Illinois · 4550 Kennedy Drive · East Moline, IL
61244 · (309) 796-0512 · e-mail: kimtack@uiuc.edu
· website: web.extension.uiuc.edu/iidea/index.html
Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Society
Description: A farmer organization with 7 regional chapters in Illinois.
Promoting sustainable and organic farming both on-farm and through policy
initiatives.
Shannon Allen, President · Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District ·
985 West Pershing Rd, Suite E4 · Decatur, IL 62526 · (217) 877-5670
Illinois Value-Added Rural Development Center
Description: IVARDC seeks to improve the incomes of Agricultural producers and
small business owners and expand employment opportunities in rural Illinois by
capturing more value-added dollars in their operations.
Mary Holmes, Manager · Illinois Value-Added Rural Development Center · Seal
Hall 203, 1 University Circle · Macomb, IL 61455 · (309) 298-2674 · e-mail: ML-Holmes@wiu.edu
· website: www.value-added.org/
Rural Enterprise and Economic Development Initiative
Description: READI works to expand income and job opportunities in rural
alternative agricultural enterprises through a program of applied research and
technical assistance. The program supports agricultural/rural enterprise
development in three targeted areas: aquaculture, nontraditional and value-added
alternative grain products, and grape and wine enterprises.
Dr. Sue Kohler · Southern Illinois University Carbondale · Office of Economic
and Regional Development · Mailcode: 6891 · Carbondale, IL 62901 · (618)
536-4451 · e-mail: skohler@siu.edu ·
website: www.siu.edu/~readi
University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program
Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant and Dan Anderson, Co-Coordinators · University of
Illinois · W-503 Turner Hall · 102 S. Goodwin · Urbana, IL 61801 · (217)
968-5512 or (217) 333-1588 · e-mail: cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu,
aslan@uiuc.edu · website: www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/
Funding Sources
Illinois Council on Food and Agriculture Research
Description: The mission of C-FAR is to secure additional resources to
adequately fund relevant and high-quality research and related outreach programs
that lead to profitable, consumer-sensitive, and environmentally sound food and
agricultural systems in Illinois and the nation.
Kraig A. Wagenecht, Executive Administrator · Illinois Council on Food &
Agricultural Research (C-FAR) · 1101 W. Peabody Dr · Urbana, IL 61801 · (217)
244-4232 · e-mail: wagenech@uiuc.edu ·
website: www.ilcfar.org/
Illinois Department of Agriculture C-2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant
Program
Description: A statewide grant program that provides grants in the areas of (1)
On-Farm Research and Demonstration; (2) Outreach and Education; and (3)
University Research
Mike Rahe, Coordinator · Illinois Department of Agriculture · PO Box 19281 ·
Springfield, IL 62794-9281 · (217) 785-5594 · e-mail: mrahe@agr.state.il.us
· website: www.agr.state.il.us/
Websites
Illinois Agritourism - agritourism.uiuc.edu/
Illinois Center for Soy Foods - soyfoodsillinois.uiuc.edu/
Illinois Department of Agriculture - www.agr.state.il.us/
Illinois Fresh - www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fresh/
Illinois Small Business Office - www.illinoisbiz.biz/bus/sba.html
Illinois Specialty Farm Products - web.aces.uiuc.edu/value/
Illinois State Water Survey, Alternative Crops Project - www.sws.uiuc.edu/data/altcrops/
Illinois Stewardship Alliance - www.illinoisstewardshipalliance.org/
Illinois Virtual Forest - ilvirtualforest.nres.uiuc.edu/
Lake Land College - webclass.lakeland.cc.il.us/susag/index.cfm
Rural Enterprise and Alternative Agriculture Development Initiative - www.siu.edu/~readi
Rural Partners - www.ruralpartners.org/
Rural Route 2 - www.extension.uiuc.edu/ruralroute/
USDA Farm Service Agency - www.fsa.usda.gov/il/
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/
USDA Rural Development - www.rurdev.usda.gov/il/index.html
University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program - www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/
Publications
A Different Field - www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/resources/diffield.html
Farm Direct Guide - www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/resources/farmdirect/
The Illinois Guide to Direct Farm Sales
Current Publications by the University of Illinois Extension and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences - www.extension.uiuc.edu/pubs.html
Current Publications by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) - www.iira.org/pubsnew/index.asp
Newsletters
Agroecology News and Perspectives - www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/news/newspersp.html
Agroecology Sustainable Agriculture Program Update - www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/topics/newsletter.html
A Listing of Current Newsletters by University of Illinois Extension and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences - www.extension.uiuc.edu/pubs.html
Regular Events
Grant Writing Workshops (January-February)
Sustainable Agriculture Tours (May-October)
Other Small Farm Resources
Clarkson Grain Company
Description: Purchaser of organic corn, soybeans, wheat, and millet
PO Box 80, 320 E. South St · Cerro Gordo, IL 61818-0080 · (800) 252-1638 ·
website: www.clarksongrain.com
CSA Learning Center at Angelic Organics
Description: Agro-ecology education, food security, and farmer training
programs.
1547 Rockton Rd · Caledonia, IL 61011 · (815) 389-8455 · e-mail: learn@CSALearningCenter.org
· website: www.CSALearningCenter.org
Goodness Greenness
Description: Distributor of certified organic produce and dairy. Primary markets
are Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit. Certified as an organic handler and repack
operation by Guaranteed Organic.
5959 South Lowe · Chicago, IL 60621 · (773) 224-4411 · e-mail: sales@goodnessgreeness.com
· website: www.goodnessgreeness.com
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Ag News, Education and Services
Toll-Free Hot Line
Description: provides information about the department's programs and services.
1-800-273-4763 (voice and TDD) · PO Box 19281 · State Fairgrounds ·
Springfield, IL 62794-9281 · website: www.agr.state.il.us/programs/index.htm
eggs: www.agr.state.il.us/programs/consumer/egg/egglaw.html
meat and poultry: www.agr.state.il.us/AnimalHW/Meat&Pol.html
Livestock Management Facilities Act: www.agr.state.il.us/Environment/LMFA/index.html
Organic contact: Kent McFarland, Bureau of Marketing · (217) 782-6297 or (217)
782-6675.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Description: Small business information available. First Stop Business
Information Center is the "first stop"to state services and assistance
with starting a business and answers to your questions about state business
requirements.
Call toll free:1-800-252-2923 · e-mail: firststop@illinoisbiz.biz
· website: www.illinoisbiz.biz/bus/sba.html
Illinois Department of Insurance, Consumer Information
Description: Consumer Market Division is responsible for consumer protection and
education programs and non-financial regulatory functions. Assists producers
identify insurance needs and insurance companies.
320 W. Washington Street · Springfield, IL 62767 · (217) 782-4515 · website: www.ins.state.il.us/Main/consumer_info.htm
Illinois Department of Revenue
Description: Small farm businesses need to obtain a tax ID number and submit
sales taxes.
Willard Ice Building · 101 W Jefferson St · Springfield, IL 62702 · General
Information: 1-800-732-8866 · website: www.revenue.state.il.us/Businesses/Faq/busreg.html
Illinois Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) Chapter #1
Description: Chapter of the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), an
international organic certifying agency.
Jon Klingenberg · 13138 Witt Ave · Butler, IL 62015 · (217) 594-7356 ·
e-mail: klingenberg@consolidated.net
Illinois State Treasurer's Office
Description: Agriculture and Alternative/Value Added Agriculture Link Deposit
Loan Program is one of the largest link-deposit loan programs in the nation and
is available to farmers statewide through over 1000 financial institutions, and
has helped more than 10,000 farmers across Illinois.
Mindey Varley, Coordinator, Agriculture Programs · 1 West Old State Capital
Plaza, Suite 814 · Springfield, IL 62701 · (217) 558-6215 · e-mail: mvarley@treasurer.state.il.us
· website: www.state.il.us/treas/Programs/agriculture.htm
Indiana Certified Organic (ICO)
Description: Certifying in Indiana and surrounding states.
Cissy Bowman, Organizational Director · 83645 SR 39 · Clayton, IN 46118 ·
(317) 539-4317 · e-mail: cvof@iquest.net
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
Description: A farmer-owned, farmer-driven cooperative whose members raise and
market organic grains, oilseeds, forage and livestock feed. The cooperative is
an affiliate member of the Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM).
Kevin Brussell, Marketing Director · 572 Co. Rd 2100E · Casey, IL 62420 ·
(217) 923-2702 · website: www.midwestorganic.com