Farmers Pledge

AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO USDA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION EVERGREEN FARM WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NOFA (NORTH EAST ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION) FARMERS PLEDGE.

WE PLEDGE THAT IN OUR FARMING, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING WE WILL:

Serve the health of soil, people and nature by rejecting the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers;

reject the use of GMOs, chemically treated seeds, synthetic toxic materials, irradiation, and sewage sludge in our farming, and all synthetic substances in post harvest handling;

treat livestock humanely by providing pasture for ruminants, access to outdoors and fresh air for all livestock, banning cruel alterations, and using no hormones, GMOs or antibiotics in feed;

support agricultural markets and infrastructures that enable small farms to thrive;

maintain and build healthy soils by farming practices that include rotating crops annually, using compost, cover crops, green manures, and reducing tillage;

conserve natural resources by reducing erosion and pollution of air, soil and water through responsible farming practices;

maximize the nutritional value of food and feed by practicing careful post harvest handling;

practice minimal processing for all food products to preserve the natural nutritional value of food: NO use of irradiation, ultra-pasteurization, excessive heat, synthetic preservatives, or GMO processing agents or additives and include all ingredients on labels;

reduce the ecological footprint of farms and homes by limiting energy use and converting to renewable sources of energy;

reduce food miles by selling produce locally and regionally;

create beneficial habitat for wildlife and encourage biodiversity;

help preserve farmland and farming know-how;

ensure food safety by using potable water for washing crops;

handle raw manure and soil amendments with care;

use ethical business practices;

pay a living wage to all farm workers and acknowledge their freedom of association and their right to collective bargaining;

treat family members and farm workers with respect, and ensure their safety on the farm;

work in cooperation with other farmers and with the neighboring community to create a more sustainable way of life;

encourage the distribution of unsold but edible food to people who need it;

sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.