Due to some chronic health problems, I'm not only desiring to, but NEEDING to, eat mostly organic foods. Unfortunately, they're hard to come by and very expensive here in central New Mexico. Does anyone know which area(s) of the country offer the most organic products locally? I would consider moving to be able to support my health more easily and hopefully more economically. I tried growing my own, but this dry, windy climate defeated me.
Just make or create your own natural fertilizers! It's easy and it's fun!
Most economical natural fertilizers, soil amendment, and organic gardening tea ingredients are disquised as animal feeds, grain meals, or other protein foods.
Thanks for the suggestions, but you must not have read my post completely. I have been unable to grow anything here because of the harsh, droughty conditions. We are six years into a predicted 15 year drought and all the local growers are suffering. Fertilizers wouldn't solve the problem.
Improving your soil with natural ammendments and mulch, would certainly lessen the amount of irrigation necessary for you to be able to grow your own.
But, if you are on severe water restrictions or (like myself) are dependent on well water, then ammending the soil and mulching won't be of much help. Plants still need moisture. And in a crisis, your personal water needs come first.
Far as best place in the country for the most organic products sold...off the top of my head, I'd think California might be your best bet. But, I bow to anyone else's suggestions from the rest of the country.
gardenz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices. To be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill, and suspicion can destroy, and the frightened, thoughtless search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own: for the children, and the children yet unborn." Blogs: OurGardenEarth GardenzOwn
Posts: 2509 | Location: Linda in N.J./Zones 7 & "Twilight" | Registered: February 11, 2002
You know, due to the money it costs to have the priviledge of calling ones produce organic, you might want to canvas your area farmers to see if any of them are organic growers that just don't advertise it. I found a lovely little farm about a mile away from Scott AFB where the woman who owns it does everything organically. Not even any chemical fertilizer. But she doesn't feel like fooling around with the government inspection boards and such to advertise it. So I buy from her the things I can't provide for myself. She did make me sign a paper saying that she was selling me the milk for animal and garden use, not human consumption. I am using it for human consumption, but that's not what she sold it as.
Depending on what your health problems are, it might not be a good idea to move from an arid climate. If your problems are related to arthitis, for example, moving east would only compound your problem, especially if you have never experienced humid heat! If that was the problem, I 'd stay there. To grow for yourself on a small scale is easy if done right. Install a drip irrigation system under a HEAVY mulch. If you want to compost, just use a plastic cover to conserve moisture. If you're willing to move, consider using that money to invest in a well. Just consider other options and what their outcome will be.
Rockfish, deep in the Sand Hills of North Carolina "Fail Carpathia"
Posts: 421 | Location: Zone 7b South Central, NC | Registered: January 16, 2003
You did not say what kinds of organic products you want....food or clothing(natural fibers), cleaning agents etc. I am assuming food is the issue. Moving may be a part of the answer, but I doubt it....try posting some specific questions like how much do you pay for XXX? the products you use the largest quanity of and are the most expensive. You may be surprised at the costs in different parts of the country. Do you have a food co-op in your area? Do they have a newsletter? How about a buying coorerative? Sometimes getting a group of like mined folks together and buying a quanity together can help. Locally here in WI there is a group of folks that order Vegitarian and natural products from the distrubitor. They deliver to a location and you go pick it up. You have to be willing to but a case of one product at a time. I have a friend that does that and she splits it with her sister. It is still not cheap. Really look at the cost to move, and your loss of you support metwork as part of your decision. I do not think you will save much from moving, but if you are in a small rural area that has no products??? But I still bet it would be cheaper to drive every 2 weeks to go shopping. On a small scale you may try growing things like lettuse, herbs your self in pots. Sound dumb but can you decrease you water comsumption in the shower and toliet so you can water the small plot you have? Good mulching can make a real difference.
I had good luck in Madison, Wisconsin. Lots of organic/community supported ag. farms there. Winter can be a little tough but there's usually lots of organic storage crops available.
Houston Texas has a lot of organic foods available. You might do a search on Whole Foods Supermarket, or Wild Oats and see where they are located. Houston also has many other "alternative life style" accouterments, in the spiritual, psychological area, and I would imagine that any area of the country that has alternative life style, would have organic foods. Massachusets for example. I think someone mentioned Vermont.
I wouldn't suggest moving unless that is something that you were contemplating already. To purchase organically grown food is going to be more expensive no matter where you live because of the time and money it takes to become certified. Plus the fact that the amount produced by organic farmers is much less compared to corporate farms who use pesticides, inorganic fertilizers and gmo's. I would try the route of a food co-op or mail ordering on your own. Also search for farmer's markets, like mentioned in a previous reply many people at farmer's markets grow organically but cannot be hassled with certification. A woman I work with raises natural, free range, grass fed, antibiotic & hormone free, beef cattle-but she's not certified because she uses a non-organic nitrogen fertilizer on the corn she grows to supplement the pasture feeding(for a little fat). Not perfect, but at a hindquarter of beef(this year about 250#) at $2.89/lb, it is cheaper than or comparable to the supermarket, mad cow beef that is out there.
