We've been planting seeds for over a month and they are happy seedlings now!

We welcome Sandy Thomas as a new helper 

     I'm Sandy Thomas and I have been passionate about gardening and horticulture most of my life. I graduated from the University of Maine with a BS in Horticulture and have been gardening ever since. I moved to Boston after graduating, working in the Interior Landscaping industry, but had to start my own vegetable garden in the VERY tiny space I had outside of my apartment. I have had an organic vegetable garden every year since then, no matter where I have lived. I love the process of gardening, from starting seeds, to planting, to weeding, to watching the plants grow and produce beautiful food.  I also love to cook with all of the vegetables I grow and my family looks forward to the large quantities of pesto, zucchini bread, and tomato sauce I make each year and freeze to eat throughout the winter.

     I live in Sandown with my husband, daughter and two rescue dogs. I look forward to working on the farm and helping out with the entire process of growing organic vegetables and enabling others to enjoy the harvest too!

     A growing body of evidence believes it does matter and I've tried to highlight this for you in the past several newsletters.  But what about the actual word "organic" on food labels?  Unlike the word "natural" that is essentially a marketing tactic,  produce that are certified organic have clear and specific standards for growing and handling food designated as such.  Organic farming is of course a philosophy as well with the goal to support the cycle of life and utilize food waste and manure to replenish soil for subsequent food supplies.  Most conventional foods are grown or processed using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or even sewage sludge but this is prohibited from foods that are certified organic.  In addition, in order for crops to achieve the organic distinction, they must be grown on soil free of these chemical applications for a minimum of three years. Greater yields and reducing the loss of produce from pests is a common goal for all forms of agriculture but organic farming believes nature has what is required to sustain itself. . 

     Fortunately, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of what's happening to our food supply and beginning to ask the right questions.  There shouldn't be a veil between you and your food and what's being applied to it particularly since it's not necessarily with your best interest in 'mind.'  Pardon extending last months theme but I believe when you buy produce it should have a label clearly stating what chemicals were sprayed on it.  I believe we would all have a better chance of making informed decisions about what residues are potentially coating our foods.   Take an organic apple vs a non organic one for example...the latter is sprayed up to 16 times with over 40 different chemicals.  You can't see the difference but you should be able to read the difference.  The apple that came with the food label "APPLE" might become instantly more appetizing to both your mind and body.