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Consumers MUST be aware
that for a producer to be
"Beyond Organic",
the
producer must first be ORGANIC !
A lot of people have been throwing this term around
lately but still use animal feeds that contain GMOs,
pesticides and herbicides as well as other prohibited
substances/practices. So when some one claims to be
"Beyond Organic", ask to see their organic certificate.
If they "can't" or "won't", then their claim is probably
false.
To learn more about these and other terms go
here.
The
term Organic refers to the Organic system of
production as specified by the USDA N.O.P. (National
Organic Plan). It specifies the minimum standards
producers must observe as Certified or Exempt Organic
producers.
This is only a minimum
standard. We really can all do much better with a little
more effort. This is our philosophy when we use the
term "Beyond Organic". Our animals graze living
grasses in abundant sunshine. The NOP does not mandate it for poultry but we know
that it makes our birds healthier and adds nutrients
to our products. We give them more space than
required because we know it reduces stress and makes
for happier healthier animals. We feed scratch grains
that provide "entertainment" and
mental activity for the birds which further reduces stress
and improves their health. We feed organic kelp that
is rich in vitamins and micronutrients as supplement
because it improves the health of our birds and the
nutritional value of the products.
We do these things and
much more and bear the extra cost because the "big picture" is so important to
us. It makes for healthier birds and it produces the
finest possible products.
It is the way we
think all chicken should be raised and we challenge
other producers to do the same.
When we chose a
certifier, we chose NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC.
Regarded within the farming community as a more
stringent certifier, we welcome the opportunity to have
our methods and operations scrutinized so that we may be
the best we can possibly be.
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