Ripon College Days

Sustainable. Prospera Farm, pictured above, is a 60 acre organic farm located near Berlin, Wis. The farm grows over 200 varieties of vegetables, oversees 27 acres of prairie restoration and grows medicinal herbs on the acreage's woods and wetland [Click to enlarge]

Fresh. Organic produce is free from the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, making them healthier some say. [Click to enlarge]

Harvest. Organic farmers dig up carrots. Most organic farms have a variety of crops, making the soil rich and sustainable. [Click to enlarge]

In an age of additives, preservatives and chemicals, many people across the globe are re-thinking their diets, and organic foods are becoming an ever-present part of grocery shopping, even in small town Ripon, Wis.

Throughout the United States the consumption of organic foods has risen by about 20 percent in recent years, and a number of questions are now on the table in relation to organic foods. Health, environmental impact (or lack thereof), cost and community support are a few of the important issues to address when thinking about organic food.

But first of all, what exactly is organic food? As most people understand it, organic food is food from plants and animals that have been grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, without antibiotics, growth hormones or feed additives.

"Certified organic" is also a term that needs some clarification. Though a number of local farmers and gardeners grow organic produce or meat, many of the products are not "certified organic." In order to have such a title, the food must meet all of the previous standards and be investigated by a United States Department of Agriculture approved agency. Though "certified organic" means the product is approved by the government, it doesn't necessarily mean that other organic foods are not jus as "organic."

Although support for organic food is no doubt growing, a number of people still look at the rise in production and consumption as a mere "craze."

"It's a craze that's been going on for a while, and in the last couple of years it's really picked up steam," says DuWayne Wichman, Pick-n-Save's general manager. In response to the demand Wichman and others have seen, Pick-n-Save decided to put in a fairly large natural and organic foods section, and the store was surprised by the sales. "It's not something everyone puts in their grocery cart, but the sales are better than we anticipated," he says.

Effects on Health

Professor of Sociology Emeritus Eric Godfrey is pleased with the growing support and demand for organic foods. He has been interested in environmental and health issues for some time and has dedicated years of his life to buying almost strictly organic foods. He does so through a buyer's club called the Food Mill Co-op. This group of organic-conscious people pool their resources together to get quality organic foods at a lower price.

"Organic foods aren't a magic potion or fountain of youth, they just lower the risk of the effects of chemical contaminants [present in most foods we eat] on the human body, as well as other risks induced by large-scale commercial processing," Godfrey says.

Many also believe the prevalence of cancer in this country is correlated with manufactured foods, and that although an organic diet doesn't free anyone from the possibility of cancer, or any other health-related disease, it can give one better peace of mind about one's health.

Sophomore Acadia Prestidge is somewhat fearful of the chemical contaminants in and on our foods. "I am a little afraid that years from now they will discover that some key ingredient in processed food is the leading cause for some severe health problem."

Prestidge is not alone, and mutations and defects linked to the use of pesticides and chemicals have caused many to think twice about their diets.

"I think that my first encounter with the idea of 'organics' came when I learned of mutating frogs with extra limbs being a probable result of nitrogen run-off from farm fields," says Linda DeCramer, environmental and social activist and Ripon Public Library's Children's Librarian. "Bird populations were also being threatened because their reproductive cycles were negatively affected by the human-applied pesticides on the foods they, and we, were eating."

Although organic foods may relieve some of these negative health effects, Godfrey's comments are a reminder eating organic doesn't assure anything about one's health. "Eating organically doesn't automatically make you healthy," he says. "Eating a sensible, balanced diet low in saturated fats and sodium is equally important."

Environmental Impacts

Most organic farms and gardens are not large-scale industrial operations that often make a serious dent in the natural landscape. Larger-scale operations tend to produce one product- corn, alfalfa, soy beans, etcetera, while organic farms commonly have a diverse array of rotated food products. The variety of farmed products, combined with the heavy use of compost instead of pesticides and chemicals, often make the soil richer, instead of depleted.

"The way in which organic foods are produced is much healthier for our natural environment, which in turn benefits all humans in diverse ways," says Godfrey.

Economic Understanding

A major component of the organic food market is price. "Organic food is typically more expensive than comparable non-organic foods," says Godfrey, and this is fairly obvious to most who have an interest in buying it. The reason for this, Godfrey says, is basically supply and demand, "but as the price gap has been closing rapidly as the demand for organic foods increases, and economies of scale kick in."

As of now, many students still feel strapped while in the organic food section.

"I generally feel that organic food tastes better and makes by body feel better," says Prestidge. "If I could afford it I would eat organic all the time, but I simply can't."

Director of Conferences and Contract Services Lisa Diedrich, supports the idea of organic farming as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) customer. She believes "organic food costs more to produce than genetically engineered foods, so they're obviously more expensive. However, in the long run if people would buy less pre-prepared food and take the extra few minutes to prepare the food themselves, they'd be spending less."

Community Involvement

One component of organic farming and organic food consumption that could have an effect on price comes from the involvement with the surrounding community. Many feel things like the farmer's market and CSA are key to the success of organic food.

"If a significant percentage of everyone's food were grown and distributed locally, conservation efforts would be miles ahead," says DeCramer, who is also a member of the local Food Mill Co-op, and who grows and sells organic produce and eggs laid by free-range chickens from her farm just outside of Ripon.

DeCramer and her husband Laird sell their produce to members of the community, including Diedrich and Professor of Psychology Joe Hatcher.

These supporters pay a certain amount per season, and regardless of the yield, receive their vegetables weekly. If conditions are favorable the CSA customers are the benefactors of great produce. However, if conditions are unfavorable, they receive less, yet still support the farmers, which they feel is an important aspect of the program.

The Farmer's Market in Ripon is another way for community members to support local farmers, organic and otherwise. Though organic farms are not plentiful in the area, they do have a presence at the market. Farms like the DeCramers' and Prospera Farm, located near Berlin, Wis., are usually selling their goods. Prospera Farm's motto, "Eat Fresh, Live Well," defines their work, and how their involvement with CSA and in farmer's markets makes them an active part of the local organic community.

For more information on the local buyer's club, call Jeri Higgins at 920-748-4847. For information on becoming a CSA customer, call DeCramer at 920-295-6953.

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