Reference Links

To know the land for what it is, to find its heartbeat, to expose its soul, you have to go underground where it lives and breathes. - Amy Stewart

For further information about organics and organic farming, these links are especially helpful.

The USDA has posted detailed information on its National Organic Standards on its website. www.ams.usda.gov/nop

The Organic Farming Research Foundation works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices. www.ofrf.org

The Organic Trade Association (OTA), representing members of the organic industry in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, works to promote organic products in the marketplace and to protect the integrity of organic standards. www.ota.com

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certifies organic food. CCOF was the first organization to certify organic farms in North America and has worked to establish legal organic standards. www.ccof.org

Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a private, professional service corporation that certifies products which are organically grown under a policy of sustainable agriculture. www.qai-inc.com

Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) campaigns to replace pesticides with ecologically sound alternatives, linking more than 100 affiliated health, consumer, labor, environment, progressive agriculture and public interest groups in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. www.panna.org

The Union of Concerned Scientists works to ensure that all people have clean air and energy, as well as safe and sufficient food. www.ucsusa.org

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) works to foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economies, and promotes social justice. www.caff.org

The New Farm Farmer-to-farmer know-how from the Rodale Institute www.newfarm.org