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Authentic Food Growers Association
The Authentic Food Growers Association is an organization recently formed to promote the production of high-quality, locally grown and unprocessed produce and animals. Our members are committed to sustainable growing methods - incorporating natural soil building processes with chemical free nutrients and fertilizers, and developing methods to protect our farms, our food and our health. We provide support to local farmers by offering and exchanging information on proven land stewardship, linking farmers with local consumers, and encouraging an approach to horticulture as pioneered by Eliot Coleman (author of The New Organic Grower, Chelsea Green Publishing Company).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has now tailored the term "organic" to meet the marketing needs of organizations that have no connection to the agricultural integrity that organic once represented. The director of the USDA said recently, "Organic food does not mean it is superior, safer or more healthy than conventional food." Mr. Coleman, and our organization, is of the belief that properly grown food IS superior, safer and healthier. As Mr. Coleman states in his article "Beyond Organic" in the December/January 2002 issue of Mother Earth News, "Authentic' is meant to be the flexible term "organic" once was. It identifies fresh foods produced by local growers who want to focus on what they are doing, instead of what they aren't doing...Authentic growers are committed to supplying food that is fresh, ripe, clean, safe and nourishing. 'Authentic" farms are genetically modified organism-free zones."

Many farmers today have unfortunately been influenced by the advertising of big corporate agricultural and pharmaceutical companies. By following their misleading information, most farms in the U.S. today have depleted, unhealthy and unproductive soil, tasteless produce with less nutrition, and farm animals filled with hormones, antibiotics and other drugs. By incorporating these misleading practices into their daily farming, the farmers, and especially the smaller grower, have been unable to increase their "bottom line." In fact, they are "using up" renewable resources rather than following farming methods which understand and respect the natural cycle or ebb and flow of the elements, insects and beneficial soil organisms.

Because of the now infertile state of most farms, growers who have been farming all their lives (in fact, families who have farmed for generations) are now giving up and selling their once productive farm to either developers or large agricultural companies. The Authentic Food Growers Association was formed to promote the interests of the small-scale, local farmer and to act as a representative when confronted with practices of large agricultural conglomerates that negatively impact farmers, the marketing of local farm goods and produce, and health and well-being of families and communities.

To help and support the local grower and farmer, AFGA has set forth the following guidelines:

  • All foods are produced by the growers who sell them.
  • Develop proven methods of farming that promote sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Develop marketing skills for selling and distributing the farmer's produce and animals in the farmer's local area and community.
  • Build an appreciation and respect for creating a naturally healthy soil, which ensures the health of plants and animals, the environment, and ultimately, families and communities.
  • Learn how to change unprofitable farming habits into new profitable farming techniques.

Promote the belief that the customers are the farmer's inspectors or certifiers and not the Government - farms will be open to the customers to come and see for themselves how their food is grown. No secrets - share information and knowledge - invite customers to ask questions.

If you are interested in maintaining a market for your sustainable-grown products, we invite you to join the Authentic Food Growers Association. We only ask for an annual membership of $30. Learn how to get a group started in your area. AFGA will share proven strategies for developing farming methods that will build healthy soil, plants and animals while protecting your farm and livelihood for future generations. With a strong coalition of serious farmers dedicated to producing "authentic" food, you can be confident that there will always be a market for your high-quality, farm-fresh products. And . . .we can show you how to do it profitably.

Be sure to let us know what you think about our organization, and how we might be better able to counsel you regarding your farming situation. We hope you will want to join the Authentic Food Growers Association and help in building a global network of successful and healthy farms and communities. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Allan Streiff

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© 2006 Streiff Agricultural Service, Inc.