As a child, I grew up on a farm in northern Iowa, and learned how to grow mouthwatering fruits and vegetables, and assisted in raising cows, pigs, and chickens on our farm. As a farmer, I understand the effort required nurturing each seed, each animal, into a productive plant, tree, or animal. I appreciate the loving care and strenuous labor each farmer gives to produce a healthy, productive crop. Simply put, I choose to support our local farmers.

As a chef, I choose to use local sustainable ingredients because I care about my health and yours. The health of the crop soil, the health of the plants which grow on that soil, the health of the animals which graze on those plants, and ultimately our health are all connected. This is because we eat what the animals eat and what the plants absorb from the soil. Organic farming methods yield soil that is teeming with microorganisms and nutrients that are found naturally in rich soil and which are vital for growing robust, nutritious crops. By definition, organic food is produced ‘without the use of synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, genetically-engineered ingredients, or irradiation.’

Organic is better for our environment.

By purchasing locally grown, organic produce and meats, I support sustainable methods of land use that result in far less pollution and top-soil loss than conventional agriculture. Synthetic pesticides and herbicides not only kill soil microbes and leave toxic residues on food, they also threaten the health of farmers and disrupt natural ecosystems around the farm. Chemical fertilizers pollute lakes, ponds, rivers, and groundwater.

Organic animal products come from animals that are raised without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or any synthetic substances. All animal feed must be produced organically, and the animals must have access to fresh air, sunlight, and shelter suitable to the climate and species. The use of synthetic processing agents, sulfites, nitrates, or nitrites is prohibited in the production of organic animal products.

To be certified organic, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.

Organic foods are more nutritious.

Fruits and vegetables cultivated by organic, sustainable farmers are healthier and more nutritious than conventionally grown produce. When grown in a living soil where microbiotic activity constantly breaks organic matter and solid minerals into nutrients a plant can use, organically cultivated plants always have exactly what they need to grow, and the plant will be healthier throughout its lifespan than a conventionally grown plant. As a result, the organically grown plant will be able to add more complex components to all of its parts, including its fruit, resulting in a fruits and vegetables chock-full of micro-nutrients and trace minerals that are important for human nutrition.

Flavor is a huge benefit of healthy plants growing in a living soil.

Flavor results from a mixture of many different and complex molecules. Healthy, living soil provides a constant and more complex mixture of these molecules which results in more flavor. It's no surprise that numerous chefs prefer organic ingredients to conventionally grown ingredients. In the long run, organically grown food is the best bargain for us, the environment, and for future generations.

As your personal chef, I am happy to serve:

• the freshest, organic fruits and vegetables.
• dairy products which are organic and free of pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics.
• meats from animals raised without steroids, growth hormones or animal byproducts, and are fed an organic diet, and are treated humanely.
• fish and seafood carefully selected from the freshest wild-caught selection.

Sources of information regarding the benefits of eating organic food:

http://www.earthfuture.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food
http://ota.com (Organic Trade Association)
http://www.organicconsumers.org
http://www.soilassociation.org