#045:  Eric Sideman shares his deep knowledge of the organic movement, including the growing practices that align concerned eaters with the farmers who lovingly produce their food, and the missteps taken by the USDA that have put the whole beautiful arrangement at risk. Eric Sideman has been an organic farmer, advocate, policy expert, and teacher for decades. After joining the MOFGA staff, he became  Maine's "first organic extension agent," spreading his technical knowledge of organic growing practices across the state. Somewhat retired, he runs a pick-your-own farm with his family and serves on the Real Organic Advisory Board. To watch a video version of this podcast please visit: https://www.realorganicproject.org/eric-sideman-organic-means-you-must-love-soil-episode-forty-five The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince. The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations). To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit: https://www.realorganicproject.org/farms We believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be. But the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but are still paying a premium price. The lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront. If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends! https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/ To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here: https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/ The 3rd annual interactive Real Organic Symposium takes place LIVE -  on Sunday Jan 30th and Sunday Feb 6th - from 3 to 5pm EST!  Featuring 50+ farmers, authors, policy experts, and more from the organic movement, including: Michael Pollan, Leah Penniman, Senator Jon Tester, Eliot Coleman, US Rep Chellie Pingree, and Vandana Shiva.We hope that you'll join the conversation! Learn more at:https://www.realorganic2022.org/