Answers to your questions about GMOs

Sometimes, I just assume you all know what I'm talking about when I mention GMOs (which I do on a regular basis!). So I thought it would be a good idea to refresh you a bit on what they are exactly, and why I am so opposed to them. The info I'm sharing today is from a brochure from Non GMO Project Verified.

What are GMOs?

GMO stands for 'genetically modified organisms.' These are plants or animals created through genetic engineering (GE). It's done through a gene splicing technique of biotechnology where the DNA from different species are merged. The results are organisms that cannot occur in nature or traditional crossbreeding (i.e. hybrids).

For the most part, commercial GMOs are created to either produce an insecticide or to survive the direct application of herbicide.

What about safety?

When it comes to consuming genetically modified foods, there are various opinions. Many are based on biased studies done from the very companies set to profit from GMO crops (think Monsanto, Syngenta, etc.). The thing is, 60+ countries worldwide do not believe these foods are safe for consumption. There are strict regulations and/or complete bans on production and sale of GMOs in these countries (Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, for example) However, in the good ol' U. S. of A., the government has approved most GMOs. 

Fortunately, as consumers who care about our health and our families, we have the right to choose non-GMO food. But that brings up the issue:

Why aren't GMOs labeled?

Despite the continual outcry from the public, there are no requirements in the U.S. regarding the labeling of GMOs. In this, as in many cases, what you don't know can hurt you. You can trust, however, that there are no genetically modified organisms in any food labeled 'organic' or with the Non GMO Project Verified label. 

What about the environment and GMOs?

I'm glad you asked. At this point, over 80% of GMOs are engineered for herbicide tolerance. That means the use of products like Roundup and other toxic herbicides has increased dramatically since the introduction of GMOs. Now we have 'super weeds' and 'super bugs.' And, you guessed it, we now have a need for more toxic products to control them. Products like 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). 

Here are the facts: 

• GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture
• GMOs are developed and sold by the world's biggest chemical companies
• The long-term impact of GMOs on the environment are a mystery right now
• Once these GMOs are released into the environment, these lab-created organisms cannot be recalled (kind of reminds you of a horror movie, doesn't it?)

Are most farmers benefiting from GMOs?

Ask a farmer who's been sued by Monsanto or other biotechnology companies because the companies patented seeds have contaminated the farmers fields. Wait... that sounds backwards. Yep. Sure does. Farmers who opt for non-GMO crops and don't buy into the whole GMO scam the government is propagating cannot sue Monsanto for contaminating their crops by cross pollination, etc., but Monsanto can sue them. Makes me want to puke.

Is the produce at local farmers markets safe?

Maybe. Maybe not. I caution you to ask questions about GMOs and Roundup. Move on to the next booth if

• the farmer pretends to not know what you're talking about
• the farmer actually does not know what you're talking about
• the farmer starts to defend GMOs, Monsanto, or the use of Roundup (Yikes! Run!!)

There, that's my little overview on GMOs and some of the reasons I am opposed to them. I'll share some of the health concerns I have in another post.

Happy and healthy eating,

 

Dinner in the Field at Freedom Farms

Don't let the "...in the field" part throw you. The pavilion is quite comfortable.

This past Sunday, I attended Dinner in the Field event at Freedom Farms in Valencia, PA. The theme was 'Fresh Herbs' and we were served some amazing food right from the farm. We also had ridiculously delicious cocktails made from strawberries and basil, rhubarb and rosemary. I haven't had a mixed drink in years, but The King of the Garden (the one with strawberries, basil, and dark rum) made me wish I could have one or two nightly! I'm actually going to make a pitcher of them for an upcoming party I'm having. Can't wait to taste it again!

Jessica with her youngest of three

Bethany with Robyn Lee

My daughter, Jessica, treated her sister, Bethany, and me to dinner with the Kings for our birthdays. And I'm so glad she did. Our friend, Erin, joined us, and my husband babysat two of Jess's children, so we only had the 3-month-old with us for the evening. Like I said, the food was amazing. 

Equally amazing to me was the reaction I got when Lisa (Mama King) saw me there. She squealed (literally), "I love your book! It saved my winter."

Pete's signature locks are hidden in this picture

After asking her what she liked about it, she said, "Everything. The hair rinse. Cleaning the toilet. Oh... and the face mask. My sister's doing that now. And Pete rinses his hair in vinegar all the time. I lent him my copy and he's never given it back."

She went on to tell me she must have me come to one of the events for a book signing. One thing led to another and next month you'll be able to read my column in the Freedom Farms magazine, where "Farming is King."

Lisa King sharing planting tips

 


Needless to say, I was delighted by the accolades. Looks like Lisa King and I have a mutual admiration society. If the name of the farm sounds familiar, there used to be a reality television show called The Farm Kings. They're one and the same.



 


If you are in the area, I highly recommend attending one of their Dinner in the Field events. The next one, Circus in the Field, will be held on Sunday, June 28 at 6 PM. You can find out more information or purchase tickets online at www.FreedomFarmsPA.com or by calling 724-586-5551. You can also buy tickets at their Farmers Market, Traveling Markets, Donut Shop, or Sandwich Shop. 

And look! Even in the field, we used cloth napkins. I'm in love.

The table settings and centerpieces (old liquor bottles spray painted and graced with some of the flowers from Lisa's garden -- I failed to get a picture) were done by a really cool place in downtown Butler called All About Reclaimed. I can't wait to take a trip out there to see their shop.

You can see one of the yellow centerpieces in the background

Lisa King keeps herself and her family busy. I find it hard to believe she actually had time to read VINEGAR FRIDAYS. She's a dynamo who never stops.

Looking forward to my next trip to the farm,

Homeopathy -- Some of my favorite remedies

If you've been around for awhile, you know I love homeopathy. If I can opt for a remedy that comes from plant, mineral, or animal sources rather than a chemical lab, I'm all for it.

Here are some of my favorites:

Hypericum

Hypericum -- About 15 years ago, I weaned myself off Prozac and lithium (used to treat my bipolar depression) and started taking St. John's Wort (hypericum). It has worked to stabilize my moods for all these years and has prevented any kind of flare up. I adjust my dose according to need (between 300 mg and 900 mg per day). Years into this homeopathic treatment, I discovered another use for it -- it's been known to help ease the symptoms of Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome, which I suffer from as well. Ahhh... no wonder I felt better.
 

Arnica

Arnica -- Sometimes I take the pill form and other times I use the cream. Either way, it's my first choice to ease pain before I reach for an NSAID. 

Apis Mellifica

Apis Mellifica  -- After being told by my doctor to start taking a niacin supplement, I discovered I was allergic to it. The hives and swelling were awful! Within minutes of dissolving some apis mellifica tablets under my tongue, the hives subsided. It seemed truly miraculous.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus -- I use this for diarrhea instead of Imodium. Works wonders.

Nux Vomica

Nux Vomica -- When I'm nauseous, I pop a few of these tablets under my tongue.

Silver

Colloidal Silver -- I developed asthma when I was 27. There were times when it was quite severe and I landed in the hospital on several occasions. I was on several medications daily and never went anywhere without my rescue inhaler. Then I discovered Innerlight's Silver Plus, a combination of colloidal silver, gold, titanium, and copper. It changed my life. As long as I'm taking it regularly (every other day or so), my asthma is gone. However, the times I've run out of it or forgotten to take it for a week or so, guess what? The wheezing starts up again.

The Silver Plus also boosts my immune system. Since I started taking it, I've rarely had any illnesses that used to plague me -- colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, flu... Plus, my husband swears by it to control his IBS. We're real believers. Unfortunately, I just discovered the company is out of business as of April 30, 2015. So now I'm in a bit of a panic over what we're going to use to replace our Silver Plus.

When it comes to homeopathy, the US is a bit behind. In India, over 100 million people rely primarily on homeopathy for medical care and in Switzerland, a 2011 study commissioned by the government found that homeopathy was effective and should be covered by the national health care system, which it now is. It is also covered by the national health care system in Holland. [Rodale's Organic Life, July/August 2015]



In addition to buying Silver Plus from Innerlight, I also have Hyland's Homeopathic Remedy Chest, which contains 29 different homeopathic remedies for a variety of conditions. My husband and I have used nearly all of them at one time or another.


If you're uncertain whether or not homeopathy is for you, I encourage you to do some research. You just might find the 'cure' you're looking for and it will come without a doctor's prescription.

Sharing my experiences,

 



Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and am expressing my personal experiences regarding homeopathic remedies. Please consult with your physician prior to starting any homeopathic regimen.

Happy birthday, Bubba!

Bethany on her 2nd birthday... long before we understood the dangers of artificial food coloring!

Thirty-three years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I named her Bethany because I loved the softness of the name. It reminded me of sweetness and kindness. To this day, the name still fits her perfectly.

2 years old

The middle name was an equally easy choice -- Dawn -- after my best friend since kindergarten. I liked the idea of honoring a friendship by naming my daughter after her. I hoped it would create in Bethany a sense of loyalty that is essential to friendship. 

9 years old

I was honored to raise this beautiful young lady. She is sweet, kind, and loyal (as I'd hoped), but she is also strong, committed, and devoted (qualities I hope she got from me). She has a servant's heart like both of her fathers. And she resonates with grace and forgiveness, which she gleaned from the examples and teachings of her second father. 

14 years old

She has triumphed over hardships many others would have surrendered to as victims. One of the most touching things I've ever heard her say was, "I don't regret anything I've gone through because I wouldn't be who I am without any of it." Oh, if only more people could embrace that philosophy in life.

Jessica, Bethany and me

As you can tell, I am a proud mama. Bethany is a devoted wife and fantastic mother and like I said in the beginning of this post, I am honored to be her mother.

Happy birthday, Bubba. I love you with everything in me.

Mom

What's for lunch? How about some organic hummus?

Disclosure: I received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post.

 

I love a challenge, don't you? Well, Wild Oats challenged me to come up with a recipe with some of the products they sent to me. I already had some organic purple carrots and organic cucumbers, so I decided to make hummus for lunch. 

 
Starting with the above 3 ingredients, I added a few more, tossed them in the blender, and here's what I ended up with.




When I started putting together my ingredients, I realized I was missing a couple. Staples like tahini and/or cumin were not in my cupboard or spice rack. Uh oh. So I decided to compromise. And let me tell you, the result was delicious. Here's the recipe:

• One can organic garbanzo beans 
• 3 TBSP organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 tsp organic garlic powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 TBSP organic paprika
• 1 tsp finely ground black pepper
• 2 tsp finely ground Himalayan salt
• 1 TBSP organic almond butter

Drain the garbanzo beans, reserving the liquid. Pinch off the shells from the beans. I know it's a bit time-consuming, but you just won't get the right consistency if you don't do this. If you have small children, this is a perfect chore for them to do. Just make sure they wash their hands well first!

Toss all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend. Add some of the liquid from the garbanzo beans until you get the desired consistency for your taste.

Serve with pita and fresh veggies and enjoy!

To make it a simply perfect lunch, I added a bowl of organic strawberries from Freedom Farms. 


Wild Oats makes it easy to 'play' with food and create delicious meals and snacks. Why not check out their supply of affordable organics at your local Walmart, come up with a yummy recipe, and post a picture on Instagram for them to see? Make sure you follow Wild Oats and tag them. Of course, folks are always looking for new recipes on Pinterest, so why not share it on there, too. Have fun with it.

Oh, and be sure to join us for a Twitter party on Wednesday, June 10 from 7-8 p.m. EST. Wild Oats, Bison Dave, Organic Trade, and Organic Center will be discussing hot topics like non-GMOs (you know I'll be all over that one), organic farming, organic meal planning, and how to make organic foods more affordable and accessible to everyone. Three lucky participants will each win a $50 gift certificate to Walmart, which can really kickstart your affordable organic meal planning! Use the hashtag #AffordableOrganics and join the party!

Hope to see you there!

 

June is a month for weddings

Today would have been our 34th anniversary, had my husband lived.

 

 

Brief is life but love is long.

                                                                                                     ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

Vinegar Friday -- Some of my favorite tips

TGIVF!

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's Vinegar Friday! If you're relatively new to the blog, let me tell you a little bit about what that means.

Several years ago, I started a weekly feature on the blog called Vinegar Fridays. Every Friday for about a year, I wrote about vinegar. When I felt as if I had no more to say about it, I quit. That's when I heard, "You can't quit Vinegar Fridays!" from a disgruntled group of followers. So I promised them a book. In November 2011, VINEGAR FRIDAYS hit the shelves.

Originally selling for $12.99, the book is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a mere $6.99. It is packed with tips on how vinegar can be used to replace many of the toxins in our lives, from the kitchen to the laundry room to the medicine chest. Plus there are recipes and even a children's story as an added bonus!

Since Green Grandma was so closely identified with vinegar, I renewed the feature on the blog. Now it runs once a month, however, instead of once a week.

Here are a few of my favorite tips from my book:

• If your showerhead has seen better days, grab an old plastic bread bag, pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar and secure the bag over the showerhead. Let the DWV (distilled white vinegar) do its magic for an hour or so. After the bubbling stops, remove the bag and turn on the water. Voila! A shiny, efficient showerhead. Chapter 3 Spic-and-Span without the Chemicals. Vinegar and Cleaning
• To save money and still reap the benefits of spot-free dishes, use DWV in the rinse agent compartment of your dishwasher. If you are still dealing with spots, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher before you run it. This is in addition to your dishwasher detergent, of course. Chapter 4 Coffee, Tea or Vinegar? Vinegar in the Kitchen
• Hands smelling oniony or garlicky? Wash them in some distilled white vinegar. Problem solved. Chapter 6 Vinegar -- The Original Odor Eater
• Add 1/2 cup of ACV (apple cider vinegar) to a warm water foot bath. After a 5-minute soak, your feet will be soft and smooth. Chapter 8 Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder... Or in that Bottle of Vinegar
• Mix 1/2 cup of ACV in 2 cups of water and pour it over your hair after shampooing and do not rinse it. The ACV rinse is an excellent way to strip away all the gunk in your hair every once in awhile. Note: You can substitute DWV in place of ACV. Many people with light-colored hair prefer this. Chapter 11 No More Tangles... and No More Toxins. Vinegar and Hair Care
• When weeds and grass start poking through the bricks or stones on your patio or walkway, kill them off safely by pouring undiluted DWV on them. Chapter 15 Great Outdoors
• To keep centipedes out of your house, mix together 1 part vinegar with 1/4 part cumin in a spray bottle and spray the perimeter of your house. This should repel them. Chapter 16 Creepy Crawlers
•  Add 1/2 cup of DWV to the rinse cycle when doing laundry. It will soften your clothing and help reduce static cling. Plus, vinegar whitens, deodorizes, and disinfects... which means there is no need for bleach -- which is so toxic it shouldn't be in your laundry room anyway. Chapter 17 Snuggle-free and Loving It! Vinegar in the Laundry Room

The above some of my favorite vinegar tips. Of course, the book contains many, many more. Do yourself a favor and order a copy. I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

If you have a vinegar tip you would like to see included in an upcoming edition of Vinegar Fridays, please share it in the

comments below. It just might make it into an ebook that is in the works!

 
 

Love Like Weeds -- a review

As a poet who has won an award or two for her poetry, I still find myself in awe (and envy) of those who can sculpt words into works of art. Those who know the power of few and embrace it. Poets who get it.

Julie Ann Cook has been a member of the Green Grandma community for quite awhile now. Through some postings on Facebook, I discovered this young mom of three had suffered the loss of two pregnancies and was pregnant again. I put a Post-It on my computer to remind me to pray for her.

Less than a month later, she let me know that her baby died. On October 31st, she delivered a 1 lb. 8 oz. 4.75" stillborn son. I wept for her and her family.

In the meantime, I discovered she was a poet and I ordered one of her books, Lemonade and Rumors. 

She chose to send me her newest book of poetry, Love Like Weeds, as well. The book has a beautiful, well-designed cover.

But it's inside the book where the real beauty exists. Raw, honest, beauty. Julie Ann Cook has the heart of an artist, with her art spilling out onto the pages like a fresh wound or a newly split-open pinata or a fragrant bouquet of wildflowers. She is that good. And I have to confess, I am envious of her talent.

She writes of love and loss and of a toddler's unique language. She challenges the reader to rethink the obvious, to question hard held beliefs. She undresses and dances naked before our hearts. And we wish we could be so transparent.

If you are looking for a book of poetry that will make you feel, look no further. Here are a few lines from some of my favorite poems in the book: 

Unplanned
... 

But anxiety dried her mouth, wet her palms:
the baby had stopped moving.

The doctor found no rapid whir-whir-whir
of a baby's heartbeat. The sight of the flat line
on the monitor brought tears to her eyes
and overwhelmed her with nausea.

Still,
he was born. 

Hence, Fourth
... 

"Yeah, we need a van," I say, addressing
our sanity, our judgment, our convictions,
our ability to keep our selves to ourselves.

"So, you're gonna have four?!" I hear.
"Well, that's what happens after three," I laugh,
"if you don't stop." 

Visiting My Son on a November Afternoon 

The day does not know
it is short. Yellow light warms me,
though chill breathes in lengthening shadows.
...

A leaf from a tulip tree flutters from blue
to where you rest. I consider it a gift--
this gold from the heavens-- as I trace

the name on your headstone 
and surrender to sobs--
heaving and shoulder-shaking--

for every moment 
I thought less
of you. 

Grief 

Because I was afraid,
I hid--shivering and pale--
under mountains. I dug
and spat and shook
the dirt from my eyelashes
until I was nailless, broken.
...

There is an end somewhere.

It is not here.


Do you see why I envy her talent? Of course, I'm just offering you small glimpses of this wondrous collection of poetry, but I hope it gives you enough motivation to head over to Julie Ann Cook's site, read more about her, and purchase a copy for yourself. Do it for one of our community members. Do it for yourself. I guarantee you will be touched. She makes you smile. She makes you cry. Julie Ann Cook makes her readers feel. 

  



Julie Ann Cook was one of the featured guest bloggers in our Supermom -- How I Birthed My Baby series. Click here to read The Tale of Two Pre-Term Births. 

    

Spiral Path Farm and CSAs

Today's post is part two of a reprint from an article by Don Helin in THE BURG magazine (04/15). Used with permission.

 

CSA Full Share from Spiral Path Farm

ON THE RIGHT PATH

Spiral Path Farm, a pioneer in progressive agriculture,   

seeks to assure its legacy.

BY DON HELIN

continued from Monday's post 

THE NEXT STEP 

Their entire farm became certified organic in 1994, the same year that Mike and Terra took their next big step. They began a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. 

A CSA is a relationship between local farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership fee to help cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, those members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the growing season.

CSA roots reach back to Japan, where a group of women were concerned with the use of pesticides. Originally called teikei in Japanese, it translates to "putting the farmer's face on food." The concept later moved to Europe, and eventually, in the mid-1980s, made its way to the United States.

Why were the Brownbacks interested in the CSA concept?

"A few of our friends who knew we were growing our own organic produce suggested we try serving CSA members," Terra said. "They had seen the idea in a health magazine, and we decided to try it."

Mike and Terra began their first year with 22 members and pickup sites in Mechanicsburg and Carlisle. The idea soon spread by word of mouth.

"It's very satisfying that all of those families were eating the produce raised on our farm," Terra said.

They now have more than 2,100 members in their CSA program, which runs from April to December. They also support the grocery chain, Wegman's, with organic produce.

WHAT'S YOUR SHARE?

This year will be Spiral Path's 22nd season of delivering 100-percent organic produce to CSA members. There are two levels of shares: full and medium.

A full share normally contains eight to 10 produce items and is designed to feed a family of three or more. 

"Sometimes, we experiment with new crops in a season," Terra explained. "If that crop is a success, the full-share members will receive it, even though it may not yet be listed on the season's harvest chart."

Medium-share members normally receive six to eight produce items each week. A medium share is designed to feed a family of two, perfect for my wife and me.

From our medium share, we have received, over the 36-week period, produce like sweet potatoes, Napa cabbage, a Chinese cabbage originating in the Beijing area, red beets, arugula, Yukon Gold potatoes, greens like lacinato kale, a variety of peppers, kohlrabi, and a host of other organic vegetables that we'd never find in local stores. And I can't imagine the driving required to purchase these items at various locations around the area. All we do is drive into our local town of Newport once each week and pick up our share.

As a special for her members, Terra includes with each box of vegetables many of her own recipes. Examples of these organic meals include potato leek soup, broccoli cheese casserole, sweet potato pie, garlic-rubbed roasted cabbage steaks and acorn squash with pasta.

Throughout the summer, Mike and Terra sponsor "Open Farm Days" when CSA members and their extended families can visit the farm. The staff provides tours of the packinghouse, the worm composting operation and other farm facilities, and all members have an opportunity to go out into the fields and pick selected produce.

"The purpose is to provide a connection to our farm for the members," Terra said. "It's been very successful, and we plan to continue it in the future."

Each year, they also strive to expand and improve their operations.

"For example, we've built four acres of greenhouses, which allows us to protect a portion of our crops, thus extending the growing season," Terra said. "Our members enjoy receiving fresh vegetables earlier in the spring and later in the fall."

BACK TO THE FARM

In recent years, the Brownbacks have been preparing for the future of their farm -- its preservation and its legacy.

In 2007, they decided to create a conservation easement administered by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy. This protects the farmland from future development. 

In addition, the Brownbacks are planning a succession program where, gradually, Mike and Terra will pull back from the day-to-day operations of the farm.

"We're proud of our sons, Will and Lucas," Terra said. "Each of them has gone off to do their own thing, but both have returned to the farm and want to stay involved with our program."

She leaned back and smiled.

"Who knows, maybe we'll even get a chance to take a vacation."

***

Spiral Path Farm is located at 538 Spiral Path Lane, Loysville. For more information, visit www.spiralpathfarm.com, call 717-789-4433 or email csa@spiralpathfarm.com.

Don Helin published his first thriller, "Thy Kingdom Come," in 2009. His recently published novel, "Devil's Den," won Best Thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. His latest thriller, "Secret Assault," was published in November. Contact Don at his website, www.donhelin.com.

Spiral Path Farm, a pioneer in progressive agriculture

Today's post is part one of a reprint from an article by Don Helin in THE BURG magazine (04/15). Used with permission.

Spiral Path Farm

ON THE RIGHT PATH

Spiral Path Farm, a pioneer in progressive agriculture, 
seeks to assure its legacy.

BY DON HELIN

 

As kids, Mike and Terra Brownback shared a dream, even if they didn't know it.

They never mingled much, though they attended the same suburban Philadelphia school. "There was no big connection between us in those days," Terra said. "Mike was just one of the neighborhood guys."

Their shared dream was to farm and, even more precisely, to farm organically.

Terra's love of the outdoors was rooted in the three years she spent abroad as a teenager.

"Germany had a big impact on me," she explained. "I learned to love the outdoors by spending time in the Black Forest -- a beautiful place."

After high school, Terra moved back to Philadelphia and enrolled in nursing school with plans to become a midwife. The idea of farming, however, never strayed from her mind. Meanwhile, Mike had bought a rototiller and had begun helping his grandmother cultivate her four-acre farm.

It was then that Terra and Mike reconnected and began dating. They discovered their common ambition and started dreaming about building a life together on a farm.

"I chose Perry County," Mike explained, "because it had affordable land closest to my home near Valley Forge."

So, in 1978, at the tender age of 23, the couple found themselves moving to a farm in western Perry County with a small nest egg, a dream and a 1-year-old baby.

And that's how Spiral Path Farm was born.

MAJOR UNDERTAKING

In those early years, the Brownbacks maintained a small organic vegetable garden for their family. Most of their 255 acres of land, however, were farmed traditionally.

"Our farm was successful," Terra said. "But we made a decision in 1991 to transition the entire farm to organic methods, a major undertaking."

At the time, there was no organization in Pennsylvania to certify farms as organic.

"We had a number of friends who were also interested in growing crops organically," Terra said. "So, we met with them and began to do research on organic certification."

The group connected with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and received guidance on the necessary requirements for farm produce to be certified organic. From this beginning, Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) became a reality.

For the Brownbacks, the first step was to eliminate the use of any toxic chemicals and fertilizers for a minimum of three years.

"We had been farming that one acre organically," Terra said. "So, we had a start."

Over the next few years, they transformed all of their acreage to meet the organic requirements.

"Every year," Mike said, "our farm must undergo a rigorous inspection to ensure that all produce is free of any harmful chemicals."

THE NEXT STEP

Their entire farm became certified organic in 1994, the same year that Mike and Terra took their next big step. They began a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of the story and learn more about CSAs.


Spiral Path Farm is located at 538 Spiral Path Lane, Loysville. For more information, visit www.spiralpathfarm.com, call 717-789-4433 or email csa@spiralpathfarm.com.

Don Helin published his first thriller, "Thy Kingdom Come," in 2009. His recently published novel, "Devil's Den," won Best Thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. His latest thriller, "Secret Assault," was published in November. Contact Don at his website, www.donhelin.com.