We see the word "organic" everywhere these days; in grocery stores' produce departments and in magazines articles ranging from Newsweek to Harrowsmith. Yet, what is organic and what does it mean?

Organic can apply to all types of foods, clothing and housewares. These days, organic food comes from small diverse market gardens where organic extends to a lifestyle devoted to treading lightly on our Earth, keeping food in local communities and celebrating the gifts of Mother Nature.

At times, the use of the word "organic" is simply a marketing tool while at other times it truly defines the product. You may see the word organic on product labels, when really it's only a name brand. However, if "organic" is used to define food, than the term is regulated. Organic can refer to all stages of food production from "seed saving" right up to packaging; although most commonly we consider organic as applied to the growing of produce.

Growing, processing and handling food organically means to do so in healthy and ecologically sound ways. Generally, organic is thought of as not using toxic fertilizers and pesticides; however, organic farmers go far beyond this when working their land. Organic farmers strive to create healthy balanced environments to ensure the best from the onset. The cornerstone of organic farming is building healthy soil, to deter pest and disease outbreaks. Naturally should an outbreak occur, organic farmers remove bugs or the infected part of the plant by hand or use biological controls. Essentially, organic farmers do not aim to eradicate pests but rather they choose to live in harmony with them.

Many organic farmers will plant "mixed gardens" that invite all types of bugs, birds and small amphibians to pass through. Organic farmers also Ôcompanion plant by introducing certain crops together. Carrots and leeks are known to improve each other when grown in close proximity. Often times mint is planted with cabbage, so the white cabbage moth is naturally repelled. Farmers also aim to use as few off-farm inputs as possible. The farmers look at their land and the land's abilities first, and then determine how to meet their own production needs. Many raise animals to produce their own manure for compost, others save seeds from one season's crop to plant the following year. Certain BC organic farmers use no machinery at all while others have rigged up solar, wind or hydropower systems on their land: others manage to grow abundant gardens with virtually no irrigation.

Organic farmers do not grow their plants from genetically modified seeds. In general, organic growers oppose genetic engineering. They fear the contamination of their organic crops, and thus organic seed stock, through wind drift from nearby farms growing genetically modified crops. Furthermore, they fear the loss of centuries old heritage varieties of grains, beans, vegetables and fruits as a small number of very large corporations create genetically engineered seeds to control the world's seed banks.

Livestock can also be raised organically. These animals are given living conditions suitable to their natural behavior; they roam free, socialize normally, eat an organic diet and are slaughtered in a humane fashion. When it comes to processing and handling organic food it's done through healthy and ecological methods. There are standards to protect the organic integrity of both the ingredients and the final product through every stage of processing. Organic food can't be stored or transported with chemically produced food unless it's protected from contamination. It cannot be irradiated, micro waved or fumigated.

To be an organic farmer requires a lot of time and knowledge. It's a lifestyle and a commitment to ecological values for many producers; and about working with the earth and respecting the natural processes. There is a link between the health of the soil, the plants, the animals and us. Marya authored BC The Organic Way: Where to find organic food in British Columbia published by Skrypt Press, organicbook@hotmail.com.