Organic Proclamation

Organic Proclamation. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

Organic producers in Washington State are elated with Governor Christine Gregoire’s announcement that September 11-17 will be Washington Organic Week. Kelsey Maki, Program Assistant with Tilth Producers of Washington.

MAKI: It’s something we wanted last year and she wasn’t quite ready to commit to but this year she is so we’re really glad to have it. I think organic producers are always looking for ways to bolster their work and this is a great way for us to be able to help them do that. To say that the Governor is behind what they’re doing and in support of what they’re doing and aware of the work that they’re doing and how much that work impacts the overall economy and the overall success of the state.

Maki doesn’t believe that consumers in the state are necessarily aware of how large a producer of organic products the state really is.

MAKI: I think that through this proclamation and through Washington Organic Week we’re hoping to draw attention to that and that is really important. I think consumers certainly recognize that agriculture is a large part of our state but I don’t think they necessarily think about organic agriculture as being as large a part of that industry as it is.

For a great many years the term organic has been tied to what many people deem a counter-culture even though our parents and grandparents that were gardeners always grew in an organic way.

MAKI: I think we’re coming back around to the point where hopefully the connotation of the word “organic” isn’t as tied to that counter-culture and I think that with the growth and interest of food and local food and sustainable agriculture, we’re beginning to see a bit of a shift in how that word is perceived; how organic is considered by the public.

Organic food sales have bucked the down economy and increased 3.5% in the last two years. Maki says that Tilth Producers plans to use this proclamation to spread the word about organic through events, including an organic cocktail contest, farm tours, a special benefit dinner night out, and something very unique - a beer and chocolate tasting.

MAKI: It is Friday, September 16th at Theo Chocolates in Seattle and organic brewers from around the state will be bringing in their product and Theo will be pairing the brews with one of their chocolate flavors.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.