PLANTING SEEDS BLOG: Picking

Bryan Costin

It's hot. It's humid. Summer has arrived. Almost the end of August now, but still. They don't call these the dog days of August for nothing. Doing anything outside with my children has been challenging. My eco-conscience makes it hard to justify turning on the air conditioner and sitting inside. Seems like the only options are swimming at the beach, in a lake or pool, or heading out on an adventure.

We have a tradition of going strawberry picking at the Thompson Finch Farm in Ancramdale, N.Y. in June or early July. It's always a success. The kids get a connection to the land, lots of delicious fruit, competition amongst parents and kids over who can pick the most. Good fun for everyone.

Time to expand our "picking" traditions. What better thing to do then go pick some raspberries and peaches? We headed to Fraleigh's Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook, N.Y.

Thompson Finch Farm is certified organic by the Northeast Organic Farming Association. Fraleigh's Rose is not. I was curious to find out what they sprayed on their peaches and raspberries and why they weren't organic. Clearly the question bothers people. The owner of the farm explained that organic didn't mean that you weren't using any pesticides – just pesticides approved by whatever organic association you are associated with. They attempted to ward off bugs using Integrated Pest Management techniques and sprayed when they had to. I asked what they used to spray, and he asked if I was a chemist. That was fair. I probably wouldn't have known what one pesticide meant versus another.

The conversation left me more confused about the definition of organic. But it brings up an interesting discussion regarding local food and organic food and what it all means to the consumer.

In an article that was written in The Natural Farmer, author Emily Brown Rosen explains:

"We can all agree that the basic principles of organic agriculture, and the whole idea of "organic integrity" are much bigger than the laws and regulations that have been crafted to try and define organic systems…no set of rules, or list of materials can really do justice to the vision of ecological agriculture that we all hold in such high esteem…It has always been a challenge to translate this holistic vision into a workable set of regulations, without putting rigid limits around what should be based on a natural system, evolving and changing and adapting to the specific situations that each farm and microclimate demands. For this reason, many organic farmers do not wish to be certified. They prefer not to be constricted in decision-making or bound by rules that do not seem appropriate or that they can't have control over – this is their choice to make."

As far as I can understand, there could be a whole host of synthetic products used on my "organic" peach that have been deemed acceptable by any of the many organic associations overseeing the certification process. It gets confusing. Organic doesn't necessarily mean absolutely no pesticides.

But one thing that isn't confusing is when you are outside (in the beating sun) and your children are running through fruit trees, picking fruit with abandon, that something seems natural and right.

Don't miss out.. Summer is almost over and we won't have these great fruits at their peak for much longer…

In 2006, Francesca Olivieri co-founded the company, sage baby an online eco-friendly baby store offering everything from organic clothes and skincare to furniture. She also writes a monthly blog for The Family Groove as well as contributing articles to Daily Candy Kids, YogaCity, Cookie Magazine online, Citiscoop, and NRDC's simple steps. Francesca lives in New York City with her husband and three kids, ages 9, 7 and 4.