Organic Living is Part of the Culture of Southern Oregon

For many of the residents of Southern Oregon, organic is about so much more than food. From produce to products, Southern Oregon features them in bounties. The local Saturday Growers Market in downtown Grants Pass boasts almost entirely organic, local, and sustainably grown created products from fruits and vegetables to honey and soap. Signs are everywhere highlighting the organic methods of preparation. You can even find at least 3 vendors featuring organic worm and compost teas to add to your own garden’s ability to flourish.

The love of all things organic has been a huge part of the Southern Oregon community for many years. Numerous organic farms call this area home with its temperate climate and soil rich in minerals. Oregon has one of the most diverse crop yields in the U.S. with Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley, featuring everything from vegetables, berries, livestock and one of a kind varieties of Hops making it a favorite for originally crafted lagers, ales, and beers.

Freshly baked organic breads made by Rise Up Bakeries, sold at the Growers Market in Grants Pass, Oregon, on May 19th, 2018. (Summer Mincks)

The Willamette and Applegate Valley region has become a hub for organic wines and ales, making it nearly synonymous with the Napa Valley of California. Driving through the hills near Jacksonville Oregon you can pass at least ten different vineyards, each featuring organic, local, and sustainably crafted wines. Oregon has worked hard to become one with the term organic throughout the years, however all of that has come under threat for one primary peril; Genetic Modification.

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO for short, are groups of crops that have been genetically altered through gene mutation through the use of a foreign, and lab created genome. This is different than hybridization and selective breeding as Genetic Modification occurs on a seed level within a laboratory, where one or more lab created genetic mutations are added within the seed’s original genome. Hybridization and selective seed breeding occurs naturally in nature or at the hands of the farming community. In the past it was done by root splicing within the soil. An example of this would be a farmer growing two types of the same species of crops next to each other, the roots of the plants intertwining to create a hybrid plant. From there the seeds are collected from the hybridized plant and either used for future crop, or ultimately crossed with other plants.

One of the largest concerns within the organic community is the severity of illnesses that can occur when prominent levels of pesticides are used within a farm. The synthetic and lab created pesticides are often known carcinogens, like Glyphosate, or endocrine disruptors. The same company that is responsible for chemicals like Agent Orange and DDT, is one of the largest creators of genetically modified seeds in the world. These pesticides cannot be washed off as they are added to the crop on a base, seeded level, and are grown within the crop itself. Once planted the soil is now contaminated and due to the elevated level of chemical concentration is ultimately labeled as scorched earth as no further crops can grow on that land for a number of years. This is only more concerning as the seeds cannot be saved due to their infertile nature.

Locally and organically grown flowers wrapped up into beautiful bouquets can be purchased at the market each weekend in the spring and summer months. (Summer Mincks)

Beyond the health impact of genetic modification and use of immense pesticides required for use with genetically modified crops, seed patenting poses threats to local farmers. Not only do companies, like Monsanto, own the right to the seeds, crops of organic farmers can become compromised due to pollen spread. Pollen spread, even if unintentional, has found to be able to be spread across almost fifteen miles at a time. This causes huge concern for organic farmers working to maintain the purity of their organic crops.

In order to be labeled organic, products must be: Produced without excluded methods, (e.g., genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge, only use approved products for things like pest control and harvesting, and must be overseen by a USDA National Organic Program-authorized certifying agent. Farmers must undergo rigorous testing and pay exorbitant fees in order to maintain their status as organic, and issues like pollen spread of genetically modified crops contaminating organic farms is a huge issue.

This was the primary concern for Oregonians for Safe Farms and Families, formerly GMO Free Josephine County, and GMO Free Jackson County. The ability to maintain the purity of what southern Oregon had become known for was a key element in their plight. In 2014 both Jackson County and Josephine County passed bills to ban the growth of genetically modified crops within the county limits. The bill for Josephine county alone passed with over 58% of the vote. Just over a year later a farmer sued Josephine county for the right to grow GMO sugar beets. This caused an appeal to be set forth in both Jackson and Josephine county. While Jackson county won out on their case and their ban stayed intact, Josephine county lost. The loss was said to be based on the federal statement that counties within states do not have the legal right to maintain what is or is not grown in the area.

Organically grown radishes for sale from Terra Sol Organics, a vendor at the Growers Market, on May 19th, 2018. (Summer Mincks)

Four years later the groups are still continuing to fight against the measure and reinstate the ban. The next step, according to Mary Middleton, the executive director, is to wait until the next legislative vote and move forward with the measure from there.

Even with the ban no longer in place, “GMO FREE” signs are featured all over Grants Pass and surrounding towns. Local Restaurants have created their own form of awareness,, and borderline protest, by featuring the Food Integrity Project labels proudly showcased in the windows and on the doors. These signs showcase the restaurants ability to provide certified non-GMO foods to the public.

You certainly will not just find the commitment to organic and sustainable at the grower’s market or just in health food stores. The passion for organic is all over Josephine county, for even though the community may have lost the battle, they most certainly have not lost the war. For organic is not just a type or category for Southern Oregon, it is a part of the culture.