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.
