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Jury hears Trump and Cohen Discussing Hush-Money Deal on secret recording; Nature-based solutions help solve Mississippi River Delta problems; Public lands groups cheer the expansion of two CA national monuments; 'Art Against the Odds' shines a light on artists in the WI justice system.

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President Biden defends dissent but says "order must prevail" on campus, former President Trump won't commit to accepting the 2024 election results and Nebraska lawmakers circumvent a ballot measure repealing private school vouchers.

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Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Is It Organic, or Not? It's All in the Label

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011   

MILLS RIVER, N.C. - Free-range. Natural. Authentic.

With so many labels on foods these days, it can be a bit dizzying for shoppers to figure out what they all mean. However, experts say the "certified organic" label stands out from the pack as the only one which verifies that a product is produced and processed without pesticides, artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation.

Farmers and processors have to go through a very involved, annual process to use the label, says Emily Bernstein, research specialist for the Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit, who confirms that the results are verified.

"If you buy something that has that label, you're getting a guarantee that all of that happened (and) also that there's not genetically modified organisms used."

The process to be deemed certified organic is expensive, Bernstein says, and some small farmers who sell at small tailgate markets thus may choose not to go through it.

Adam Welly, who runs Wayward Seed Farm, says he's been using organic practices since the beginning and felt it was an important step to become certified.

" 'Naturally grown' is a term that's just being used so loosely. And we ended up certifying organic because we felt it was our strongest step towards creating complete transparency with our customers."

The certification process, Welly says, has brought more education about weed control and pest management. He thinks consumers should know that a lot of work goes into organic growing.

"There are a lot of challenges. Just because it's becoming more mainstream to have certified organic vegetables, we shouldn't take for granted the fact that there is a lot of due diligence."

The most recent Ag Census, in 2008, reported that North Carolina has 246 certified organic farms. More information is online at ncorganic.org.


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