What is organic?
Organic farming is a farming method that is better for our health and the planet.
SAOSO – South African Organic Sector Organisation - is the local body that we entrust to oversee certification in SA. They follow the international body IFOAM.
The principles of IFOAM organic agriculture are;
- Principle of health: Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.
- Principle of ecology: Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.
- Principle of fairness: Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
- Principle of care: Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.
There are three types of organic claims one can make. We use third party method as stipulated by SAOSO.
1st party certification is a self claim, anyone can make this without checking in with the rules. Unfortunately brands can make an organic claim without any certification and no ramifications for if this claim is untrue.
2nd party certification; this is when you are certified by a Participatory Guarantee System. This process involves ongoing site visits from the local branch of PGS SA. PGS SA is certified by SAOSO.
3rd party certification: this system is for businesses with longer supply chains. Businesses are audited and certified annually by ACB (what is this?) according to specific organic standards.
We have chosen this method because it means that we can confidently say we are certified organic!
Gees!