We’ve all heard that eating naturally grown, organic food is better for you. Here are some reasons why pesticides and synthetic fertilizers should be avoided:

-Pesticides:  Countless studies link pesticides with cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, birth defects, and more.  Not to mention the environmental impact on the local wildlife and the contamination of our precious water supply.  We only buy organic ingredients and only support organic farmers.

-Synthetic Fertilizers:  The nutritional value of crops grown using synthetic fertilizer has been shown to be significantly lower than organically grown produce.  The unnaturally high levels of nitrate, phosphorus, and potassium in synthetic fertilizers (enough to burn the skin and cause respiratory damage) causes the crop to grow fast; but don’t provide the trace elements that are required for healthy growth.  It only makes for “obese” plants that appear big, but lack health and vitality.  Helpful bacteria and insects that are essential in a healthy eco-system perish in the overly rich environment.  Modern farms have become nutrient-devoid wastelands.  Synthetic fertilizer runoff creates dead zones like the Connecticut size one in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Earth is a living entity and synthetic fertilizers are poisoning it.  We only support farmers who use natural fertilizers and sustainable methods.

-From Lydia’s Guide to Health & Well-Being
Read and/or Download the complete guide HERE.

Lydia has been at the forefront of the Conscious Food Movement and is dedicated to supplying you and your community with foods grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Better for you. Better for the planet.

Here are a few organizations in Sonoma County that are also making a difference for the health of you and the Earth!

  • Singing Frogs Farms – Taking a completely Earth-friendly approach in their no-till, zero spray, intensive farming methods, this award-winning Sebastopol CSA offers produce directly to its members via pickup sites around Sonoma County.
  • Sonoma Compost Company – A 100% Certified Organic Petaluma compost producer catering to both farmers and gardeners alike.
  • Work Horse Organic Agriculture – An organic, Santa Rosa non-profit farm dedicated to providing free organic produce to local residents under the poverty level.

Find a Farmer’s Market, CSA, Co-Op, U-Pick Farm, Farm Stand, and more in your area by visiting the following links:

Nationwide Search:

  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA keeps a self-reported, searchable database of farmer’s markets that allows people to search by zip code/state, products available, payment accepted, and type of area.
  • Local Harvest: This organization focuses on local and organic food. Their listings are listed alphabetically, but you can also search by zip code or state if you do not know the exact name of a farmer’s market. Local Harvest also lists small farms and general local food sources as well.
  • Farmer’s Market Online: True to it’s name, this website is structured similar to an open-air market for the internet where real vendors list their food, products, and other crafts available for sale.

Local Search:

  • California (state-wide): The California Certified Farmer’s Markets compiles a listing of all farmer’s markets across the state that allows you to filter by city, county, region, and vendor.
  • Hawaii: Kauai is just one of the Hawaiian islands, but offers several farmer’s markets to support local food.
  • Massachusetts (state-wide): PBS member station WGBH has a county-by-count listing of farmer’s markets across Massachusetts, which even includes times and exact locations.
  • New York City: GrowNYC is a non-profit that strives to create a more environmentally-friend New York City. Their website includes a complete listing of markets in the city as well as the surrounding boroughs.
  • Philadelphia: The Food Trust operates over 30 farmer’s markets across the Philadelphia area.
  • Washington, D.C.: FreshFarm runs farmer’s markets across the D.C.-metro area, which includes parts of Maryland.