Organic Farming at Longhaul Farm

Our Organic Gardens, Produce and Farmstand

At the heart of Longhaul is our Organic Farm. Situated on 33 acres, our organic gardens are USDA Certified Organic, and feature a wide selection of vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers. All of our produce is available at our own farmstand, May through October, where you’ll find:

  • Our own certified organic fresh produce
  • Seasonal produce and fruit
  • Fresh cut herbs
  • Cut flowers

Stop by for a visit to our farm anytime to pick up some delicious and healthy farm-fresh produce, or inquire about our wholesale opportunities.

Why Buy Organic?

  • No persistent chemicals. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides that are often highly toxic, persist in the environment, and leach into soil and groundwater, organic standards require a program of soil building that protects against soil erosion and water pollution. Healthy soil promotes a vigorous soil life that leads directly to healthy plants and nutritious produce.
  • No synthetic pesticides. Organic standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, exposure to which has been linked with a number of serious human diseases. No amount of scrubbing will remove pesticides that have been absorbed into a crop. Recent studies have confirmed that children in particular may be harmed by pesticides even if their exposure is within legal limits.
  • No genetic engineering. Organic standards prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for seed or stock. The US government has allowed the development and release of many GMOs into our environment and our food. The New Hampshire Just Food Citizen Panel recently found that the potential harm from GMOs has not been determined and that there is reason to be concerned about GM proteins in the food chain. Until compulsory GMO labeling is adopted in this country, buying certified 100% organic products is the best way to keep genetic engineering out of your food.
  • No antibiotics. Organic standards prohibit routine use of antibiotics in livestock operations. US government regulations permit conventionally-raised animals to be regularly fed subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease from their overcrowded conditions. Such overuse of antibiotics has been linked to antibiotic resistance in virulent microbes. Antibiotics may only be administered to organically raised animals when they are sick and genuinely need it. Such animals may then no longer be marketed as “organic.”
  • No growth hormones. Organic standards prohibit the use of growth hormones. US government regulations permit hormone use in conventional livestock operations to increase the growth rate of animals or to stimulate the production of milk. Many people feel that growth hormones have not been adequately tested and pose a threat to human health.
  • No sludge. Organic standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, exposure to which has been linked with a nOrganic standards prohibit the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer, relying instead on the use of composted manure, crop residues, green manures, cover crops, crop rotations, companion planting, and natural mineral supplements to provide needed nutrients to plants. US government regulations permit sludge to be used on conventional farms despite concerns about contamination by high levels of heavy metals, dioxins, and other chemicals from industrial and commercial sources.
  • No irradiation. Organic standards prohibit the use of ionizing radiation to preserve food. US government regulations allow irradiation (labeled “cold pasteurization”) of both produce and meat. Proponents argue that irradiation extends shelf life by killing microbes that spoil food and cause illness. Opponents argue that it also breaks down the enzymes and vitamins that make the food healthy in the first place. They suggest cleaning up industrial feedlots and food processing operations as a better way to protect the public from E. coli and other pathogens.
  • Promotes Biodiversity. By working with nature and avoiding the use of toxic chemicals, organic growers contribute to the survival of songbirds, bees, fish, and other species that have been harmed by persistent chemicals in the nevironmnet. Many organic growers also raise and preserve rare heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, and animal breeds that cannot be commercially grown on factory farms.
  • Supports a true economy. Buying organic is a direct investment in sustainable agriculture and the long-term future of our planet. Organic growers don’t need expensive chemical inputs to revive soil worn out by past misuse. Organic production supports natural ecosystems and meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
  • Organic foods meet strict standards Organic certification is your assurance that your food has been grown and handled in accordance with the strict standards and procedures on the National Organic Program under the direction of the United States Department of Agriculture. Look for the “USDA Organic” or the “NHDAMF Certified” label on the food you buy.