We are certified under the BC Certified Organic Program.
In 2004 we completed the lengthy process of obtaining
organic certification for the fields where we grow
garlic. In 2009 we became compliant with the National
Standards of the Canada Organic Regime.
Organic certification applies to the land. The purpose
is to:
- provide the best food possible
- improve the vitality of the soil
- protect and restore the quality of the natural
environment.
In addition to avoiding chemical fertilizers and
pesticides, organic farmers take great care to avoid
using genetically modified organisms (GMO's).
In British Columbia a three year transition period
may be required to change from conventional agriculture
to certified organic. This time allows the soil to
be built up and chemical inputs to be broken down.
If there have been no prohibited inputs, such as manufactured
chemical fertilizers and pesticides, in the last three
years, then the land can enter the organic certification
process at the third year of the transition process.
No chemical fertilizers or pesticides had been used
on our land in the previous ten years and so we were
in Transition 3 in 2003 and became fully Certified
Organic in 2004.
We are members of the Boundary Organic Producers
Association (BOPA.). PACS (Pacific Agricultural Certification
Society) is our certifying agency accredited by the
Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia
(COABC). COABC is the Administrator of the Organic
Regulations under the Agri-Food Choice and Quality
Act of British Columbia.
With almost seventy cultivated
acres in the certification program, we are able to
move the garlic onto new ground, which has never grown
plants in the garlic family before, each year for
many years. This is a great advantage for a seed garlic
producer as it minimizes the risk of pests and diseases.
The land that is not in garlic is in hay fields and
green manure crops.
