Organic foods are grown according to certain production standards, which include prohibiting the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. Livestock and animals that produce dairy and eggs are raised without the routine use of growth hormones and antibiotics.

Organic production is federally regulated in the United States, and converting land to organic status is a three-year process.

Community supported agriculture lets people subscribe to a farm for a season, receiving a weekly basket of produce.

Most CSAs ask that members pay for the season upfront, but some accept weekly or monthly payments. Some require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during growing season, and some trade the fresh produce in exchange for help with harvesting or deliveries.

CSA seasons typically run from late spring through early fall. According to localharvest.org, the number of CSAs in the U.S. was estimated at 50 in 1990 and has since grown to more than 1,000.

Wendy Stevens of Weare is one busy woman. As an herbalist, reiki master and certified essence practitioner, she’s well equipped to run Garden Plum Enterprises – an online and retail shop, art gallery, and website (gardenplum.com) dedicated to natural healing.
Not only does she find joy in healing people, but she’s all for healing the environment, too. So in 2009, when the Weare Farmers Market needed a new director, she was the natural choice. Wendy took a few moments out of her busy schedule to tell us more about the market and green living.

Is there anyone out there who still cuts up those plastic six-pack ring carriers used to hold cans or bottles in a multi-pack? It’s quite noble of you, but apparently not necessary.
The story used to be that if we let them go uncut into our garbage, and thus into the landfill, poor birds and other creatures would get their poor heads stuck in them and die a horrible, starving death. Six-pack rings today, however, are photodegradable, nontoxic and recyclable. That means they break down in sunlight. They are also approved by the EPA for packaging use.

Milk. It’s good for you, and good for our state, too.
Dairy farms in New England have been fighting to stay relevant when most national business has gone out west. And they’re putting up their promoting dukes by highlighting a few benefits that anyone looking to live a more sustainable life can reconcile: Buying locally made dairy products cuts down on travel and packaging that would come with a national brand, and maintaining local farms will also maintain open space. We get to enjoy the land and the working of that land provides jobs, sustenance and revenue.