Sometimes we are so close to the changes taking place that we missthem or they seem so subtle to be viewed as unimportant.
A conference on Ohio's New Mega Trends Organic Food showed someinteresting trends.
To explain what is happening with organic foods, I need to lay afoundation of basic information.
* Less than 2 percent of the population are farmers.
* 60 percent of families have dual incomes.
* Our population continues to diversify.
* There are a lot of baby boomers who are more health-consciousand refusing age gracefully.
* Food labels are more complex.
* Organic food sales totaled $11 billion in 2002, up $1 billionfrom 1990. This is still only 2 percent of food sales.
* Increasing demand for organic foods may lead to more imports.
Organic foods are bought for a number of reasons, including foodsafety, farm production practices, local production and environmentalprotection.
There is still confusion about labeling with some products labeledas 100 percent organic, organic or just natural.
Organic food buyers have been portrayed as affluent suburbians,well-educated, female, ages 30 to 40 with children.
Research indicates buyers of organic foods are influenced by theofferings of local stores and include people from all sectors. Andthey are loyal.
An estimated 14 percent of the U.S. population eats some organicfoods.
Among the organic foods most commonly bought are produce (72percent), breads and bakery (30 percent), nondairy beverages, soymilk or juice (29 percent) packaged foods/soup or pasta (24 percent),dairy (23 percent), meat (19 percent), frozen foods (17 percent) andprepared meals (12 percent).
The most interesting part of organic is what the term means topeople. To some, it means food with fewer chemicals.
Others think foods found in the specialty or gourmet section of astore is a way of telling you it is organic. Products that are notgenetically modified are another descriptor some people use, whilethe freshness is the deciding line for others. And, finally, productsthat are not irradiated is the decision-maker for some.
Some of us buy organic foods because we think they are morenutritious, better tasting or lower in calories.
Crops grown on a small farm is a sign of organic to some people aswell. A survey of 200 Kroger shoppers in six central Ohio storesindicated they would buy more organic foods if prices were cheaperand there was more selection.
If you visit the USDA organic Web site, you will find thefollowing definition for organic food:
'Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use ofrenewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhanceenvironmental quality for future generations.
`Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animalsthat are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food isproduced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers madewith synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; orionizing radiation.
`Before a product can be labeled organic, a government-approvedcertifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure thefarmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organicstandards.
`Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets toyour local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.'
In the above definition, there is no mention of quality or taste.
Some Web sites to check include the Ohio Ecological Food and FarmAssociation at www.oeffa.com, the New Farm at www.newfarm.org and theNational Organic Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
National FFA week runs through Monday
National Future Farmers of America Week ends Monday. Theorganization has changed much since the inception with the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 that enabled schools to have vocationalagriculture education.
The FFA emblem still shows an ear of corn, the owl, plow, eagleand the rising sun. The FFA was founded in 1928.
Members wear the blue corduroy jacket with the FFA emblem on theback.
To recognize the growth of agriculture in the United States, theorganization changed its name to National FFA Organization in 1988.
The organization continues to develop leaders and educate youth inall aspects of agriculture.
As a former FFA member, I join in saluting the organization andwhat it does for the youth of America.
Locally, the program is administered through the Greene CountyCareer Center.
Master Gardeners mark anniversary
The Greene County Master Gardener program celebrated its 10thanniversary Feb. 10.
Those members from the 1994 class were honored, along with allMaster Gardeners for their efforts in helping educate people aboutgardening.
Helping recognize the Master Gardeners were Ralph Harper,president of the board of Greene County commissioners; Tim Leiwig,executive director of Greene County Recreation and Parks and CulturalArts and the Greene County Park District; and Sen. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek.
Harper talked of 'annuals and perennials.' Master Gardeners are inthe 'perennial' class and keep coming back to help teach gardeningskills.
Austria had his top 10 list of describing a Master Gardener.
Thanks go to Barb Mills, our horticulture program assistant, andJudy Kohi, who organized the event.
Farm Forum meeting set Monday in Xenia
This month's Farm Forum meeting is a little different in that wewill meet at 3 p.m. Monday at Dodd's Monuments in Xenia.
Following the program, we will adjourn to Union United MethodistChurch around 5 or 5:30 p.m. to eat.
Call the Extension office to participate. Meals cost $7. We willtake new members and elect officers.
Ohio 4-H Week
slated March 8-13
As our 4-H clubs are organizing for 2004, we will soon kick offthe year with Ohio 4-H Week, March 8-13.
Since its inception in 1902 by A.B. Graham, who was superintendentof Clark County schools, the organization has grown from one ofprimarily youth from farms to where many of the members are fromcities, villages and suburban areas.
To meet this need, new 4-H projects have been added to meet theinterests of youth.
Like FFA, 4-H focuses on the development through projects designedto develop leadership and citizenship.
For more information, contact our office.
Mark your calendar
for upcoming events
* Horse Grazing workshop will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today andFeb. 26.
Topics are types of pasture, establishment, horse's digestivesystem, management and fencing. Cost is $20 per household.
To register, call 372-4478.
* Sheep Clinic will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Extensionoffice at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Topics will include qualityassurance, lambing and nutrition.
* Beef Banquet will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Greene CountyFairground Assembly Hall.
* Conservation Tillage and Technology conference will be Feb. 26and 27 at Ohio Northern University in Ada. Cost is $40.
* 4-H pancake and sausage breakfast will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Feb.28 at Greene County Fairgrounds. Cost is $3.50 for adults, $2.50 forchildren by Feb. 27, and 50 cents more at the door.
Gerald Mahan is an agent for agriculture and natural resources atthe Ohio State University Extension's Greene County Office, 100Fairground Road, Xenia, OH 45385. To contact Mahan, call him at 372-9971 or 427-2883, Ext. 5052, or e-mail him at mahan.2@osu.edu.
Dayton Daily News
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