A group in Minot called Healthy Lifestyles has asked Ilene and I to speak to them about the benefits of organic food, the hazards of chemicals on the human body and the challenges in organic farming.

As I sit here thinking about what to write for this speech, that is to be delivered Monday night, I can basically sum it up in one sentence. I would much rather tackle the challenges of organic farming than deal with chemicals than can do irreversible damage to my body.

Case in point: If you're old enough to remember Agent Orange in Vietnam, you'll recall we were all told that this "defoliant" is a harmless agricultural chemical that will ony strip the leaves off the trees. 

Indeed, it was actually a couple of "harmless" agricultural chemicals mixed together, but when they were, they created a chemical reaction that wasn't good for the human body.

Lung problems, children with birth defects, some not able to bear children, others with brain injuries that have caused issues with balance and reasoning are all results of American Soldiers exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Yeah, just a harmless agricultural chemical to strip the leaves off the trees. 

I could go on and on about this but this is why North Star Farms is organic. We totally understand that even minute amounts of chemicals can be harmful to the human body so we will not take that risk. We want to be able to pull a carrot out of the ground and eat it spot on without worrying about it being laced with captan or something...... That's farming.

We also believe that any product that is porous is going to absorb some chemical residue. Therefore, we won't use chemicals and thus, we elminate that risk.

Being organic means a paper trail. You have to document just about everything you do and you have to use practices that sometimes seem too difficult on purpose. 

But in four years of being certified organic, I can assure anyone reading this that the paperwork is the lesser of two evils, not to mention our cost for chemical and fertilizer is zero. 

Organic produce has all the flavor and freshness. I'm sure I've said that numerous times. But, maybe I don't have to anymore. Our shareholders are testament to that. Since we've nearly tripled the number of shareholders since last year, I guess they must think the same way we do about organics. 

Organic produce is better for the human body and is a better way of life for a North Dakota farmer as far as I'm concerned. I will convey that message to Healthy Lifestyles in Minot Monday night.