I just happened to catch a Martha Stewart segment the other day that was really interesting. I don't normally watch this show because the t.v. is usually hijacked by Dora and Spongebob. But by some miracle, the kids were not watching t.v. and the channel just happened to be set. So it caught my attention when I heard the show's introduction. And I was in need of a cleaning break anyway.
The topic: organic food.
We like to buy organic as much as we can. We try to only buy free range beef and chicken. It's not easy to find out my way but it seems that more stores are carrying larger selections. While there are no type of Whole Foods markets in my neck of the woods, we are surrounded by farms and every Saturday there is a farmer's market just 8 miles away. I get my choice of beautiful fruits and vegetables. The Amish grow the tastiest carrots.
During the show I learned that 90% of the food we buy in the stores is corn-based. Not the plump, fresh corn on the cob that is so juicy and sweet but the not-for-human-consumption corn that is fed to animals and used when sweeteners are needed. This type of corn is actually not supposed to be fed to animals either. Being fed only corn causes the cows to get sick and then they are given antibiotics that transfer to their meat. The guest on the show said that it is one of the main reasons for the spike in childhood diabetes and allergies. The information was much more in depth, but you get the gist.
I also found out that the first push for organic gardening was started by a man named J.I Rodale in 1947. It was called the Soil and Health Foundation and is now known as the Rodale Institute, a 333 acre certified organic farm. See here for Martha's segment.
It looked like a great place to visit. But I figured just like Canton's first Mondays and Roundtop in Texas, two places that I have always wanted to visit, (which I also lived near but didn't know about until after I moved!) this was a place that was out of reach. Well, lucky me, it is right in Kutztown. PA. So I'll be heading there to tour the farm and be in organic heaven.
Of course I'll take you along in photos. Stay tuned!
I am now going out to weed the garden. Wish me luck, it's long overdue!
What are your experiences with organic gardening?
