Not all local farms are created equal

There is a local farm that I pass everyday going and coming home from work.  They have a nice little farm stand that I have bought from when I first moved here, but not recently.  I have said before it is important to support your local farmers and to buy your produce/dairy/meat from them, HOWEVER, you also need to make sure you are buying from a farmer you can trust.  This picture above is not a picture that I took (wish I had stopped and taken a picture at least from my phone), but this is the vehicle I saw driving out of that particular farm I drive by everyday.  This vehicle is for spraying pesticides/herbicides, which is the reason it is so important to buy organic produce.  These chemicals are sprayed directly on the food you buy from the grocery store and sometimes from the food you can buy at a local farm.  When going to a new farm stand or market, just simply ask if they are organic.  Not every organic farm will be certified organic either, which this is not actually important.  Many organic farmers are not certified because there are a lot of steps and hoops to jump through ($$$$$$$$) in order to become a certified organic farm, but many farmers practice organic farming and will gladly tell you that they're produce is safe from any harmful chemicals.  If you ask and someone says that no they are not organic, then say thank you and shop elsewhere.  Don't feel bad that you walked away because you're in search of an organic farmer that you can feel good about buying your food from. 

Now, some produce that is sprayed with chemicals is safer than other produce.  Fruits and vegetables that have a porous outside like berries, potatoes, leafy greens, and apples are things you should buy organic.  Other things like onions and corn have been tested to have less pesticides.  There is a handy-dandy list with the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 to use when you are at the grocery store or at the market.  Organic produce at the grocery store can be a little pricey so if you are looking to save some money this can help you decide what you need to buy organic and what you may not need to buy organic.  Of course, it is best to buy ALL organic, but that sometimes isn't possible with smaller budgets these days.  This is another reason why you might find yourself saving money if you were to start your own organic gardening and then you wouldn't have to worry about the produce you buy from the grocery store.  It's best to have your own garden, but if you're shopping at the farmer's market, make sure you are buying from a farmer you can trust and that you won't see one of those contraptions in the picture coming out of their farm.