What it means to be Certified Organic

   Grow Tasty is a certified organic nursery. We feel that being certified is very important. Many producers advertize their products as “organic”, having followed the organic principals according to their definition. We have gone one step further and applied for status through an organic certification body, with an independent third party verifier.

   This is what it means to be certified organic. Organic food production is produced through a system that is centred on soil health. Healthy soil provides the basis for healthy crops and a balanced ecosystem. Organic farmers build up the soil using composted organic matter and crop rotation. There is a no synthetic approach to weed, insect and plant disease control which is knowledge - intensive rather than technology – intensive. Organic food production methods must conform to the National Organic Standard of Canada. This means that all certified organic food is produced according to specified rules.

1. Protecting the environment, minimizing soil degradation and erosion, decreasing pollution and optimizing biological productivity.
2. Replenishing and maintaining long-term soil fertility using crop rotation, composting and completely avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers.
3. Maintaining biological diversity for long-term sustainability using strategies for pest control that completely avoids any synthetic pesticides.
4. Recycling materials and resources to the greatest extent within the enterprise.
5. Providing attentive care that promotes health and well being of the plant or animal produced.
6. Maintaining the integrity of organic food and processed products from initial handling to point of sale.

   For our growing medium, we use a certified organic growing mix with special biological ingredients added for optimum performance and subsequent plant health. Blood and bone meal are strictly forbidden as are chemical wetting agents, amendments that are typically found in even so called organic potting soil. The word organic is used to lightly, always look for a certified organic stamp of approval.

Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems

   All certified organic produce and ingredients are produced free of any genetic engineering. A third – party organization known as a certifying body reviews the organic food production process to ensure that the products are made according to the National Organic Standard of Canada. Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. is the certifying body that reviews production on our farm. Our farm has been certified organic for over a decade.

   Organic methods allow us to improve our health and contribute towards a positive future for ourselves, our community and our planet.

   Having met stringent national certification requirements, we are proud to offer our customers this assurance. When you see “certified”, you know that the plants and produce meets the highest verified standard in organic farming.