Why Non Certified Organic Farming?

1. “Organic” is a term for a type of regulated farming practices -
many of which have been employed by farmers for thousands of years. These practices denote methods that build the soil and enhance the environment while prohibiting the use of certain chemicals that are harmful to animals and people.

2. Certified Organic farms -
    We decided not to be a certified organic farm.  The paper trail, record keeping and additional clerical procedures required became overwhelming.  We applaud those who can complete these tasks!  We plan to farm within the same guidelines for organic farming but not go through the certification process.  This means lower costs for us and helps us keep our prices in line with other producers (a very important aspect for customers).

3. Non-Certified Status
Please feel free to ask our employees about how we farm, what we use on our fields, what practices we use and what our philosophy is about producing crops.  We pledge to use organic standards, to be transparent with our inputs and farm in the same manner we have been for the past 4 years.  Feel free to visit, but please make an appointment first.

4. Many farms use harsh chemicals for herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.
(The statistic that floors me is that although Iowa has 1/12th the population density of Massachusetts, they pay 4 times the amount for their water….The run-off of these chemicals is leaching into the ground water and flowing in to the rivers and streams. There is a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico attributed to farm run off that is the size of New Jersey.

5. Safety.
The health of those who work with us on the farm is extremely important. Conventional farms use products that have cautionary notices that read like a death novel - we do not want to work around these products nor do we want that for those who labor with us.

6. Environment.
We are across the street from a Dartmouth water pumping area. Our healthy farming practices ensures healthy water!

7. But do you use “chemicals” on your products?
Every input into our fields will be approved by the Organic Standard OMRI. Certain chemical compounds, many made from plant based components, are safe pesticides.   We bring a catalogue for customers concerned with chemical usage to every market so they can read the ingredients of the product we are using.   Many find the explanations very interesting and we have never lost a sale!

8. Are your products more expensive?
We try to charge the market rates for our products because we feel that sustainably grown produce should be available to everyone.   Why some farmers charge more is because instead of taking easy, short term solutions like spraying a field with toxic weed killers, a sustainable farmer needs to mulch, weed-wack or hand weed. Many such practices are more labor intensive than conventional methods. However, we do believe that in the long term sustainable agriculture has less cost involved - no sick workers, no polluted water and no harmful residue on food.

9. What you eat!
Lastly, pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified products adversely effect the consumer.   Eating organically produced food is healthier for ALL of us.

10. What are some of the fruits and vegetables Silverbrook Farm carries?
Click here to view our Rainbow of healthy foods.

11. What are some of the nutrients I can find in Silverbrook Farm's fruits and vegetables?
Click here to view our Rainbow of healthy foods and their nutrients.