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I'm Organic...EAT ME!

You know, I went and did my homework on this one. I found all kinds of amazing scary facts. I even got a chance to talk to somebody who works at the USDA.

I wrote and rewrote this entry at least three times.

I managed to make a clear and consistent connection between public trust and Green Realtors.

I even came up with a catchy title.

This would have been a daring, gutsy blog entry. However, I have decided to back down. In the end, the information I gathered is too shocking. It would have, I believe, made me a target for legal trouble as well.

What I will do, on the other hand, I will email my resources to anybody who wants the information. The only pertinent information I will not share is the name of the person I spoke to at the USDA.

I will also tell you why you, on your own, should do some investigating:

*The Organic Industry is a 16 Billion dollar business.

*People believe that when they buy something that is labeled Organic they are actually getting something that is more nutritious, safer, tastier, and better for the environment. I have found evidence to the contrary for ALL of these claims.

*I was shocked to find out that the USDA had changed its definition of Organic at least twice in the last 10 years. Each definition becoming more vague and philosophical. Each definition obviously written by lawyers (not farmers) who made sure that there were glaring loopholes for future changes.

I am an avid reader of Consumer Reports, and it behooves you as well, to find out what they have said about this particular issue as well. I am sad to note, however, that even they have seemed to back down a little.

It is easy to label yourself and your service Green Friendly.

I wish I could end this on a more positive note. There are solutions out there. But when I look at the word Organic, I am compelled to come up with my own definition: We allow you to pay more.

There are radical, hate filled groups out there like E.L.F (Environmental Liberation Front). E.L.F was responsible for the destruction of several homes that had been labeled Environmentally Friendly.

To E.L.F these houses were McMansions with a green coating.

And yet, isn't it interesting?

What it appears E.L.F objected more than anything was what they felt was a misplaced definition.

Hmmm?

Best of luck and go Green (honestly so).

Posted by Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions on 03/10/2008 02:54 PM

Comments (70)

green realtors environmentally friendly houses, organic, health, usda

Post is included in group: Real Living

70 Comments on I'm Organic...EAT ME!

MAR

2008

I thought Organic just meant grown w/o pesticides & chemicals. ???

Chris

Dude!

You will likely get a million views on this-great title and better content-

and of course, green does mean spending more. We just have to build smaller and more sustainable for the market to work out.

Blog on,

Steve

http://obeoman.blogspot.com

Douglas, what a title! Man, you're going to be busy with this one! You're thoroughly depressing me. Our food supply is just disgusting in general. Guess we're all going to have to run our own mini farms. Larger lot sizes, anyone?

Chris - you will find out, if you investigate, that there are many definitions. The government has several, farmers have several more, the food industry has their own as well.

You will also find that when there is money involved almost nobody will agree.

There is good food out there, somewhere.

Best of luck.

Steve - thank you, I hope so. I have always believed quality is more intriguing than quantity. I hope this brings about some discussion and awakenings.

Thank you again.

Sharon - You are so very right. One of the better solutions I read about is to grow your own food. The problem/issue is....who has the time for that? There is good food out there, really.

Don't let this depress you. Deep down you suspected it already, no?

Best of luck, and go green :)

Interesting. I googled 'organic scandal' and came up with almost 2 million stories. I didn't know this was even an issue.

Good reporting.

MAR

2008

Douglas.

It's always about the money. In our state, if you need to pass an emissions test for you auto, you have the option of paying $700 for repairs, WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR PASSES after the repairs. Ok, the consumer is out the money, the mechanic gets a job with no requirement of any kind of success, and the air gets dirtier from a car that has failed the test.

How is THAT green?

John- It is an issue, always will be an issue as long as money is involved. See above comment from Richard Weisser. The fun part is to find a solution. It can be done.

Happy Googling.

Richard - You are so right! The green movement has been hijacked by greed and con men(and women too.) A complete shame. But things will even themselves out, they have to.

Good point.

You guys should read THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA. The first part is about big non-organic industrial farms, and the second part describes the practices of very large (and yes, industrial) organic farms as well as the practices of a local sustainable organic farm near Washington, D.C. It's a fascinating read! It confirms much of what you're saying in your blog, in an easy to read, understandable, and cleverly humorous way.

And since we're all about real estate: many of my clients (buyers in this case) want to be better to the environment as well as to their wallets. In fact, most people do and I don't think anyone wants to deliberately waste and destroy resources. So I make a point to know where local foods are grown and sold in San Antonio, and I make sure I tell my clients where they can find those treasures. We're fortunate to have two long growing seasons.

Sylvie - you are awesome! I will read the book, and second, I am going to email you and ask you more about how to go about finding local grown organic foods. WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA!

Thank you for making my day!

Good luck and go green!

Shock value and scare tactics.

No Fan - No fan of the environment as well, huh?

Doug, I did as you asked, and read this and several of your blogs. It's a topic I need to learn more about, so I'm glad to meet you - but I must refer you back to the blog you commented on (the seven questions). Since this is a serious topic, and not an entertaining one, it's more important than ever to make it visually appealing so it attracts and keeps more readers. You asked, so I hope you're not offended by my candid feedback.

Margaret - absolutely no offense taken. I wish you had been more specific with your feedback. I will email you and ask you to 'break it down for me.' Believe me, I am the last person who is going to refuse expert advice on anything.

Thank you for taking your time Margaret, I appreciate it.

Gina- Thank you thank you. I much prefer quality over quantity. I think the readers prefer it too. As far as the title...I wrestled with that one too. I even asked my broker if her thought I could use it (I didn't want to throw any negative light on my firm). I ended up realizing that the title was not only catchy/gross, but it also had a sarcastic edge to it. I felt it was appropriate. Gina, if you had read about the practice of using Organic 'cow manure' versus Grass Fed 'organic fertilizer' you would have lost your lunch. So, yes. The title does seem to attract a certain negative attention. I am aware of it.

But you read it :)

Thank you again.

I found you on google. I'm going to check into it myself and see what I can come up with. I thought I was buying good food for my family all along.

Ray - I am glad I am motivating some people to look a little deeper into this issue. We take so much for granted. And once you get into it, you'll see that it's also medicine, meat, canned foods.

Very scary.

What exactly are you saying? That it's some kind of conspiracy? There is no truth in advertising? People will say or do anything for money? Even when it comes to the environment? Wake up, it's the way of the world.

MAR

2008

Hi Douglas - Breaking News in Michigan today that ELF was responsible for "terrorism" at MSU and other places in Michigan about 8 years ago. The investigation results were just released today. Your post is very timely.

I agree with some of what you say but will also blog in a day or so about what a REAL organic farm in Michigan has just done to promote sustainability and organic farming. When you read about them you will understand part of where the extra cost in organic comes from. You are right that the skunks need to get out...let's just not short sight those who are true to their trade. Good post.

John- Is that sarcasm I read or have you just totally given up? The point of this entry was not to encourage this sort of thing. There are solutions. I look forward to what Mrs. Bigelow will write on her blog.

Mary- I was wondering when you were going to comment. I always look for your shares because you are an expert. It brings credibility to my blog.

I hope you don't think that I am saying everything in the organic industry is bad. I am just trying to weed out the 'skunks' as you so appropriately point out.

Please make sure you write about the crazy topic of manure, and how the type of cow 'droppings' farms use alter their ratings on the organic scale. Very weird.

Thank you again.

hhmmm, interesting....i am contemplating my weekend of last. I went to the Amish country and had dinner with an Amish family. Old time farming without all the garbage...sounding better all the time

Patrice- ready for some more bad news? Google 'organic fraud,' or 'health food scams.'

It boils down to this: What type of manure is being used.

However, the definition of 'organic manure' has changed once again.

Bon Apetite

Douglas - If you have not found local organic food yet, please let me know and I will do some research on the Orlando area! I know in St Petersburg AND in Sarasota there are co-ops that deliver local organic produce. I would be happy to research the Orlando area if you have not found something yet -

That was an EXCELLENT article - too many people stick their heads in the sand and say it is the way things are - it will continue to be the way things are until young people like you speak up and others join in to make changes - (this is written by an 'old hippie')- BRAVO!!!

I'll bet we are a bit greener out here than the folks in Florida. I just ate an organic apple and drank some organic milk. Why? I think they taste better. And I wear a suit and tie quite often!

Barbara-Ji & Bill - Thank you. Please, for the sake of our readers and myself, please go on and do the research. I will post it and give you the credit you deserve.

And thank you for the kind support. As you can read from my newest entry, I apparently rattled the hierarchy of Active Rain with a clever pun.

Thank you again.

Wayne - Thank you for your comment. Enjoy the apple!

I'm not green and I don't do organic but I do have an open mind. I'm subscribing to your blog.

Amanda - Thank you. Look at it as being interested in what you eat. Honestly, I don't eat organic either. I have come to believe that it is a matter of wanting to believe the food is real.

As far as being green. Well, the theme song for me seems to try and let people know it is not a political cause. It is about making better choices with every day items. No lead in paint, etc.

Open mind is good. Read my 'No Turn Unstoned' entry to see the other side of that debate.

Best of luck and go green.

MAR

2008

I found you on google. What is going on with our food? In one of your comments you said it had to do with Cow Manure. I don't get it. Good article, though.

Mark - I should do a new entry just on that subject. Cow manure is used instead of chemical fertilizers. However, if the cows were given growth hormones and other yummy stuff then their waste is useless. Here is the controversy: The USDA has changed its 'stringent' requirements yet again on what is 'organic fertilizer.' It's disgusting, that's what it is.

Many years ago, I was a vegetarian. Read the book THe JUNGLE by Upton Sinclair and you will become one too! Just ignore that long diatribe about socialism about halfway through the book. A good book written recently is The Ethics of What we Eat and Why it Matters by Peter Singer and James Mason.

When I started eating meat again, I realized that I could afford something better than what comes off of a kill floor, especially since I don't eat very much of it. I buy locally, naturally grown meat and produce from about a half dozen different producers. I know you've heard of the slow food movement. There are a lot of websites like slowfood.com (as opposed to fast food), foodroutes.org (where does your food come from?), eatwellguide.org that may have local natural producers by your area and farming organizations all over the country.

CSA = Cooperative Share of Agriculture. Buy a share of the Farmers produce and have a source of fresh locally grown veggies/fruits all season long. Almost every area has one.

Our community has farmtofolk.com A group of producers got together and got organized to sell their stuff a la carte by order every week with one centralized pick up place.

It is next to impossible to figure out if what you're buying is grown with poison or made by workers in poor conditions from food to other consumables. Buy from the source and support your local economy, the environment and community. The local growers are open to visits and inquiries about how they raise their food.

I believe in this so strongly, that when I give campus tours and I give a lot of them, I mention these opportunities to incoming candidates as well as providing them with a farm to folk brochure. We have to start being part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.

Loved your thoughtful and thought-provoking post! As with anything else, when a movement to better something is picked up by the masses as a way to profit...the initial movement to make a positive impact on the world is dilluted or lost completely to GREED.

Unfortunately, the 'green' (environment) movement is turning into a VERY DIFFERENT kind of 'green' (greed) movement very quickly.

Boo hoo!

Live good. Be happy. Be authentic in what you believe and then LIVE IT!

-Mimi

Mimi- well put. The good/bad news is that this is not the case in Europe. Good, because it is completely regulated by the state. Bad, because there is no incentive to come up with a good product.

You put your finger right on the pulse, though.

Green is turning into Greed (My new title for an upcoming blog?). Hmm?

Thank you again, for your sharing your views. Much appreciated.

I didn't see any really nasty comments... did you delete them already? In fact some of the comments could expand into posts. This was a good topic to bring up. So what if some people don't think it pertains to real estate. Thanks!

Georgina - No nasty comments on this one. I went through all my other entries and picked the juicy ones. I never delete anything. Go and check.

Thank you.

MAR

2008

I'm Organic...EAT ME!
Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions

03/13/2008 10:54 PM
Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions

715

Above is from the Real Living Group... I featured this post as soon as I noticed it., not that you get a lot of traffic from that little group.. I know I thought "Great title!"

I just came from your later post ... that some did not love the title.

I am lucky to live in an area with great local farmer's markets. The Santa Monica market is world famous with chefs. You can get really great, locally grown produce and really stretch your dollar as opposed to buying in a chain market.

I look for local growers who have gone organic, but because of the HUGE expense and paperwork, are not allowed to use the word. I was shocked when I found out how expensive that label is to get. I've visited one of my favorite farms and actually saw the methodology in action. It's the direction we need to take.

Flavor alone is worth the effort to find locally grown produce. The taste of the locally grown, smaller farm produce is so much better simply because it is allowed to ripen as it should, as much as possible, and not engineered down to tasteless pulp. Try a backyard grown tomato against one purchased at a big chain market. The market tomato doesn't even come close to the flavor straight from the garden/farm.

Maureen - Thank you. I just send you an email.

Thank you for doing this. Awesome.

Elaine- Well, there it is. You hit it on the nail. There is stuff out there. But I want to make sure to get the point across that even if the label is bought (organic, and the Rights to it), the debate is still WIDE open about the type of cow manure allowed to be used. Before you could only use grass-fed cow manure, thanks to recent changes.....you can now use manure that came from cows fed Growth Hormones.

Tricky tricky.

Hey, in the last two years, I've caught on to free range chickens and happy cow beef. I do believe in Green Building to the LEED standards as the ultimate solution for commercial projects, but couldn't tell you what LEED stands for unless I Googled it. I love how you title your posts! I think Margaret was saying she would have liked to see a graphic of a huge tomato or a custom made image chef visual would have prettied up your blog. I don't know if I'm the only one who read all your comments, but you had some amazing contributions!

custom image

Natalie- thank you so much! My favorite part of any posting is the type of debate that occurs every once in a while. Good comments beget even better comments. Even the negative stuff if powerful, because when people allow you to see how they Really fell....that's when dialogue starts.

Great Graphic!

MAR

2008

Douglas, I am sad to say that I have long harboured misgivings of organic claims not just because of my own "paronoia" but for the reasons you share. I want to be more trusting because despite my fears I do shop in organic and healthfood stores. Despite the "bad' guys, we should not give up on our goals for health sustaining food and healthy homes. We need better watchdogs.

Eloise - You have every right to be suspicious. However, we have every right to also demand quality for the higher price that we pay. The money to hire and operate better control groups is there. Personally, I believe that our food supply will never be 100% healthy. Even if we grow the food ourselves we are still using contaminated sources and supplies. It boils down, unfortunately, to whichever foods have the less negative impact on our bodies. Do not be upset that you are not too trusting of this industry. Be happy. People are just beginning to find out that the only difference is the labelling (for the most part). Being aware gives you the opportunity to find better products or come up with better ideas.

God knows I am trying. :)

Hi Douglas! Thanks for the compliment! I'll check into the manure thing! Congrats on the gold star! I kind of like your title, it caught my eye and made me look!

Mary - Thank you. Yes, the title is something that I even asked my broker if it was okay. He has a tremendous sense of humor and told me to go ahead. It even inspired an entry just based on the reaction of some people to the title.

Interesting.

Good luck with your entry. I can't wait to read it.

MAR

2008

Nancy - (from 3/13, somehow I didn't end up responding to your comment, sorry).

Wow. You brought up so many topics. First of all, you are part of the solution. Not only that, but you are also putting the problem in perspective. I believe the reason people don't get involved is because they feel they can't make a difference or, even if a lot of people get involved, the damage is too great.

Yes, our food is poisoned. We eat food that is not good for us. Obesity and high cancer rates are the first red flag. Now we are contending with a whole new dilemma: Healthy food (that is way more expensive) turns out to be just regular food in green clothing.

I will get the books you suggested (I have heard of the first one).

Thank you for taking your time and I am sorry I somehow missed you.

Gina- not quite sure I understand this. You have not read this entry but stopped by to comment on it twice?

MAR

2008

Douglas - First of all... GREAT headline. Nothing gets the attention of twisted 'Rainers more than a great headline.

As for the organic issue - it's a good thing to avoid the pesticides and chemicals where possible. It's sad to see the FDA being so fluid with their definition of organic. Being green isn't a bad move either... I'm far from a tree hugger but minimizing our footprint where feasible is something we all should do.

Jesse & Kathy Clifton- Thank you for the support and appreciation for the title. If you read my companion piece (No Turn Unstoned) you will find out that you are certainly in the minority.

I have my learned, though, about advertisement.

Which is ironic, indeed. Especially since this piece is about how the USDA has changed its rules about what it means when the word Organic is on a label.

The phrase 'going green' has deservedly caught a bad rap. It is a movement that has been hijacked by greed and commercial attempts to make it palatable for everyone and their mother. Ain't happening brother. At least not like that.

Thank you for the honest, intelligent discussion.

Hi Douglas - all your talk about manure has reminded me about the scratch 'n sniff brochure our county came out with back in 2003. They claim the campaign was successful and that odor complaints were greatly reduced. From experience, living by a farm is not that bad...but you can always tell when they are spreading the liquid manure on the crops....UGH! Those are the days one is glad they work in Grand Rapids!!

I have seen this post rotate to the top several but was afraid to click on it. Great job on the title!

Mary - That's actually kind of clever, the scratch 'n sniff brochure. Well, I am a pampered city boy who never experienced any of the farm issues.

I did live in Nicaragua for 10 years when I was a kid (from the ages of 4 to 14), and that was a little like living on a big farm.

Sandra- Well, I am glad you stopped by. I hope you got something out of it. Thank you for the input on the title (but I got a lot of hell for it in the long run, see the companion piece No Turn Unstoned).

Glad you came, and see, no teeth after all.

Mary - I LOVE that brochure - I'm going to borrow it and spread the word.... maybe it will help to educate some buyers... as it applies to any ag area.

Douglas - thanks for the great post that keeps on giving. hahaha

Georgina - and give and give....

MAR

2008

I just came over from Paul and his silly post. Well, I had read about this issue a long time ago, don't remember where. I don't recall hearing or reading about the manure issue, so I wasn't aware of that. I guess I will be reading some of your other posts to see what all you are sharing with us.

Georgina - I guess I will have to see if there are any more in circulation and send one to you!! The smell does the trick!

Nothing gets the attention of twisted 'Rainers more than a great headline. -- Jesse and Kathy from Alaska --

Douglas --

Is it too late for me to say the catchy part of the title was the ORGANIC part and not the Eat Me part that enticed me to read?

MAR

2008

Doreen- As I started to seriously investigate what is going on with Organic food out there, and the fairly lax rules and regulations that are applied (not applied), I found out some pretty horrifying stuff.

Let me know what you find and I will send you links if you want.

Links as in Internet Links, I just want to make sure.

Nowadays the crowd reading my stuff is a little......psycho music

Mary - Never too late. Of all the titles I have used so far, this one was the lowest cheap shot. I am totally aware of it. And, I am sure, it may even have hurt a fairly good piece of reporting.

On the other hand, I got to know some interesting people because of it (you included). So, it's all good and a bag of Organic Chips.

You read it, that counts.

As someone who eats organic products, I am shocked at you using the term, "Eat Me" to refer to something as wholesome and good as fruits and vegetables from mother earth. I am kidding. If we didn't eat them what would we do? Lighten up people!

Jim- I am schocked at you using the term "organic' in this wholesome blog. How dare you?!

Gina - You were NOT one of the people who called me. You are not psycho. And I am glad you read the post (because the two psycho's who called me did not read the post).

Thank you for your support from the get-go. :)

MAR

2008

Oh by the way Doug -- I called you as a psycho joke ... just didn't realize how many calls you had! That is when pranks go bad!!!

You are in good graces with me...your post got attention! My goodness if I could only get the amount of comments you have had! One can only dream!!!

Thanks for spreading the shinolah! I mean the green word!

ps..I beg of you...what is your next clever post? Can you outdue yourself?

One of them is bound to get a feature!!! (especially if you can keep the inflammatory comments away!! LOL)

Mary - Are you skipping blogs? I know it was a joke, hello! :)

Well, as I already told Maureen McCabe today, I kind of created a monster. In some ways I deserve all the negative attention because I invited it.

I've been here 8 months, written 20 entries. Made friends, made not-friends. Created drama in more ways than one.

I am working on my next post, but it is serious. I think I am going to skip the clever/mildly-obscene title route as well. Go back to getting 5 comments.

Nobody cares, I'll eat some dirt.

And gummy worms.

Yeah, I'm loosing it.

MAR

2008

I don't want to appear stupid but who is Maureen McCabe? I spend most of my time in the ECO AllStars so if she doesn't come there I don't know who she is...not that I don't like her but I have no idea what/who you are referring to. Mebbe I should?

I just know that in the ECO AllStars we have a pretty great source of commaradarie and stick to what we believe in. Don't eat dirt. Lets try to keep the spirit alive and in line with the rules of the forum administrator. If not, no biggie, just post it somewhere else.

Now...I have gotten to know you through your post and your next comment will be ...but they posted the comments, not me. Then please, if you wish to continue the senseless banter, remove it from the group!!!

Ma spoke 3+ times and is out (and I will probably get stoned for it!!!) Love ya !

Mary- Maureen is in the Real Living blog. She is an authority in the bloging sphere and she has sort of been a mentor (unasked, I just studied technique). She's good and honest and cuts right to the meat of the matter.

Yeah, I think I have kind of pushed the main Lady from Eco Allstars against me. So since I know she doesn't like controversy I am just going to pull my blogs out of her group.

Don't forget about me now!

MAR

2008

Jim - Your comment was in pretty bad taste (no pun intended) :)

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