Why do we need pre-organic?
Around the world organic food is becoming increasingly popular. It’s benefits to the environment, sustainability and to personal well-being are well documented. But farmers are finding it hard to make the switch to organic methods of food production.
In most countries, strict standards legislate the production of organic food. Generally, this entails a 2-5 year ‘transition period’, whereby organic farming methods are used, but the farmer can’t yet sell his produce under the “organic” name. A well-reasoned logic behind this argues that the soil needs this period to return to a ‘natural’ state following conventional farming methods.
But during this 2-5 year period, farmers suffer from reduced yields, produce that cannot compete in the conventional agricultural market (apples, for example, now only sell if they do not bear marks or blots), increased farming costs, and low prices that do not reflect the quality of what they are growing.
That’s why we’re here.
In most countries, strict standards legislate the production of organic food. Generally, this entails a 2-5 year ‘transition period’, whereby organic farming methods are used, but the farmer can’t yet sell his produce under the “organic” name. A well-reasoned logic behind this argues that the soil needs this period to return to a ‘natural’ state following conventional farming methods.
But during this 2-5 year period, farmers suffer from reduced yields, produce that cannot compete in the conventional agricultural market (apples, for example, now only sell if they do not bear marks or blots), increased farming costs, and low prices that do not reflect the quality of what they are growing.
That’s why we’re here.
Pre-O© is a certification label that allows farmers that are in the transition period of organic agriculture to market their produce with respect to the fact that harmful cultivation methods are no-longer used, and that the produce reflects a 'pre-organic' state.
In effect, we provide the marketing that lets consumers know that the produce they are buying is superior to conventional produce, and supports farmers making the transition to fully-organic status. These farmers receive - by joining our compensation scheme - regular premium payments, all at zero subscription costs. A truly revolutionary, never-before seen certification approach.
Why is pre-organic important?
An 'intermediary' market in the organic industry is important not only as a way for producers to achieve financial viability or to encourage more widespread organic transition. It is equally important for the end consumer.
Most consumers today complain about unaffordable organic produce, don't buy organic - yet still value their health, their well-being as well as that of the environment. 72% of UK consumers cannot afford to consume organic (Kantar World Panel, 2017). Would a pre-organic, more affordable offering not solve all of these problems at once, catering to this demographic perfectly?
Ecological benefits of a widespread transition to organic
A pre-organic movement will encourage producers to start the transition to achieving full organic status. Pre-O© achieves this by making the transition period financially viable for producers. The fully-organic end-goal is one that is fantastic for the environment. Conventional agriculture is widely agreed to have a great many negative impacts on ecology and the environment. The Organic Trade Association notes that if every farmer in the U.S. converted to organic production, we could eliminate 500 million pounds of persistent and harmful pesticides from entering the environment annually.
According to Dr. Elaine Ingham, just one teaspoon of compost-rich organic soil may host as many as 600 million to 1 billion helpful bacteria from 15,000 species. Ingham notes that on the flip side, one teaspoon of soil treated with chemicals may carry as few as 100 helpful bacteria.
In effect, we provide the marketing that lets consumers know that the produce they are buying is superior to conventional produce, and supports farmers making the transition to fully-organic status. These farmers receive - by joining our compensation scheme - regular premium payments, all at zero subscription costs. A truly revolutionary, never-before seen certification approach.
Why is pre-organic important?
An 'intermediary' market in the organic industry is important not only as a way for producers to achieve financial viability or to encourage more widespread organic transition. It is equally important for the end consumer.
Most consumers today complain about unaffordable organic produce, don't buy organic - yet still value their health, their well-being as well as that of the environment. 72% of UK consumers cannot afford to consume organic (Kantar World Panel, 2017). Would a pre-organic, more affordable offering not solve all of these problems at once, catering to this demographic perfectly?
Ecological benefits of a widespread transition to organic
A pre-organic movement will encourage producers to start the transition to achieving full organic status. Pre-O© achieves this by making the transition period financially viable for producers. The fully-organic end-goal is one that is fantastic for the environment. Conventional agriculture is widely agreed to have a great many negative impacts on ecology and the environment. The Organic Trade Association notes that if every farmer in the U.S. converted to organic production, we could eliminate 500 million pounds of persistent and harmful pesticides from entering the environment annually.
According to Dr. Elaine Ingham, just one teaspoon of compost-rich organic soil may host as many as 600 million to 1 billion helpful bacteria from 15,000 species. Ingham notes that on the flip side, one teaspoon of soil treated with chemicals may carry as few as 100 helpful bacteria.
|
Only
million ha of farmland is organic
|
equal to only
1.1% of global farmland area! |
Help us help farmers, consumers and the environment!
As end-consumers, the power is in your hands to make a widespread organic transition happen. All we ask is for you to support Pre-O© and the pre-organic movement by purchasing Pre-O© labelled products when you see them on the shelves of our partner retailers.
Help us help farmers, consumers and the environment!
Oh, one last thing...
You can help us convince retailers to uptake our labelled products by filling in this quick survey below. It will take 1 minute of your time. In the grand-scheme of things, we promise it is a minute well-spent!
As end-consumers, the power is in your hands to make a widespread organic transition happen. All we ask is for you to support Pre-O© and the pre-organic movement by purchasing Pre-O© labelled products when you see them on the shelves of our partner retailers.
Help us help farmers, consumers and the environment!
Oh, one last thing...
You can help us convince retailers to uptake our labelled products by filling in this quick survey below. It will take 1 minute of your time. In the grand-scheme of things, we promise it is a minute well-spent!
