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CHOOSE WASHINGTON ORGANIC
Washington in rich in agricultural production, with many different climates and a bounty of crops. Washington is the largest producer of organic apples, pears, cherries, onions, sweet corn, green peas and snap beans and is second only to California in total organic sales. Seventy-five percent of agricultural production is in eastern Washington and 25% in western Washington. Apples, pears, cherries and peaches are important but so are wine grapes, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, potatoes, onions and carrots. Fourteen percent of the cropland is in forage crops such as alfalfa which feeds dairy cows and animals for meat production. You can by milk, meat, wine, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, juice, bread and grains, all of which support Washington’s organic farmers. Buying organic products grown in Washington supports rural communities all over the state. Learn more at: http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/
ORGANIC FOOD TASTES GREAT & IS GOOD FOR YOU!
Organic farming systems increase antioxidant concentrations in fruits and vegetables by about 30% compared to food grown on otherwise similar conventional farms. The greater density of antioxidants reinforces other health benefits linked to organic food and farming, including higher levels of some essential vitamins and minerals and lower levels of pesticide residues in food and drinking water.
Organic foods contain, on average, 25% higher concentration of eleven nutrients than their conventional counterparts. A joint report by the Organic Center and professors from Florida Department of Horticulture and WSU based this nutrient data on comparisons of 236 organically and conventionally grown foods. Find more information at www.organic-center.org.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S ORGANIC??
Organic is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Consumers can look for the “USDA Organic” logo, or the name of the organic certifier to know it is organic.
WOW 2012 Focus on Agriculture
Growing Organic Grains in Washington
Growing Organic Apples & Pears in Washington
Growing Organic Vegetables in Washington
Growing Organic Wine Grapes in Washington
Organic Dairy Farming in Washington