Area farmers’ markets want buyers to beware

To sell produce as a certified organic producer at most farmers’ markets in Boulder and Broomfield counties, sellers are required to post a sign for patrons to read stating their farming techniques.

“Our market has a sign rule,´ said Sally Haines, market manager of the Boulder Farmers’ Market.

“A visible sign must state the farm name and indicates cultural practices being used such as organic or conventional.”

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Last year the Boulder Farmers’ Market at 13th Street and Canyon Boulevard had 41 active members, of which 26 sold organic products. The Longmont Farmers’ Market, which sets up on the north parking lot of the Boulder County Fairgrounds along Hover Street in Longmont, had 28 members with six of them posting the organic sign.

Both markets are run under the direction of The Boulder County Farmers’ Markets. The group’s rules and regulations require members to display that sign prominently.

If a grower makes a claim of being “certified organic” she must have a copy of her current certificate. People who go to the market to buy products have an opportunity to talk to the farmers and find out about their farming techniques.

Bill Flother, spokesman for the Colorado Farmers’ Market and in charge of the FlatIron Crossing Farmers’ Market at 1 W. Flatiron Circle, in Broomfield, said it also requires vendors to post a sign indicating what farming methods are used.

“Customers are dealing directly with the farmers who produce the products,” Flother said. “I suggest that people get to know their farmers.”

Members of the Boulder market are required to grow what they sell. Items sold at the market include jams, jellies, cheese, fruits, vegetables, plants and meats. In 2003 the market added organic chickens and eggs.

Ewell Culbertson and his wife, Lauren, have been selling produce at the Boulder and Longmont farmers’ markets for eight years. Their 11-acre certified organic farm in Longmont called Pachamama Organic Farm produces 30 kinds of vegetables, salad greens, edamame soy and green beans.

Culbertson uses the word “organic” on his signs, promotional brochures and product labels.

“We felt like the additional revenue charged for organic products would compensate to produce that product,” Culbertson said. “Organic producers can ask for 30 to 50 percent more money for the same product.”

At a farmer’s request the Colorado Department of Agriculture will send an inspector to the farm to see if it meets the requirements needed to receive certification.

The cost of certification has increased since the federal government set the standard for all states to follow. The Culbertsons paid $200 in 2002 and $1,300 in 2003 to be certified as organic farmers.

To use the label organic a farmer is required by the state to be certified unless the total income from selling grown products is less than $5,000 per year. If people use the word organic without certification, they could be fined $10,000. The federal government has standardized rules and regulations nationwide.

Haines said the farmers’ markets do their best to make sure their vendors comply with the new federal regulations.

“If a farm and business makes less than $5,000, we let them use the word organic,” she said.

Last year, Marilyn Zabielski, a producer who sells vegetables and salad items at the Longmont Farmers’ Market, dropped her certification because of the cost increase. She said the government has made it nearly impossible for small farmers to become organic.

“It was the economics and principle,” Zabielski said. “It used to cost me $300. When the federal government took over, they saw money in the word organic, and the price went to $3,000 plus hours of paper work.”

Zabielski uses her own term “earth friendly” to let people know she does not use chemicals or herbicides or genetically altered seeds.

“I follow the rules more than people who call themselves certified organic,” Zabielski said.

“Organic means more than making a profit. It is about taking care of the land and the animals.”

David and Mary Morton, owners of Morton Orchards in Palisade, sell their products at the Boulder and Longmont markets. They post their certified organic license for all to clearly see. David

Morton said customers never have to question if he is organic.

David Morton said it is worth it to be organic from a business perspective because he can charge more for his product.

We can sell an 18-pound box of fruit for $30, where a conventional producer sells the same size box for $20 to $22,” he said. “We are not the cheapest, but we have the quality that people are looking for.”