Please enjoy this preview of the 2021 Real Organic Project Symposium from co-founder Dave Chapman.About the Real Organic Project:The Real Organic Project is a grassroots, farmer-led organization out to grow people’s understanding of foundational organic values and practices: crops grown in soil and livestock raised on pasture. They provide a free-to-farmers add-on certification to any certified organic farmer who grows food in healthy soil and animals on pasture.See the Real Organic Difference here and consider joining in their effort to support Real Organic farmers like those featured in these videos. Support their work by becoming one of their 1000 Real Fans here. 

Welcome! Here is a list of what you will find in Session 1: Three videos from from Session 1 followed by two "panel" style Q&A videos. An invitation to become more involved with the Real Organic Project.The Real Organic Project is not an ordinary certifying organization. Tractor rallies, protests, grassroots gatherings, and passionate voices are the heart of the Real Organic Project. It represents the farmers who want to provide food the right way. No cutting corners. It's a group of people who care about agricultural systems and are fighting to reclaim the word "Organic" — a word that was stolen by lobbyists and big agricultural corporations. It's a movement to provide the transparency that we need.​This is their story.     

Soil is the source of life. It's home to a complex network of bacteria, viruses, minerals, fungi, worms, insects, and decaying organic matter, all of which work together to create an inexplicably nutrient-dense medium. It's the perfect elixir, forming the base of all terrestrial ecosystems' food webs. Just as energy passes through food chains, so do the minerals and micronutrients that are converted and mined by the subsurface biome - signatures and gifts of the soil. What mysteries lie beneath the soil? Can soil be replaced by other mediums for growing food? How do we ensure that soil health is the center of agriculture?Here is a list of what you will find in Session 2: In introduction video to Session 2, three videos from the session, followed by a "panel" style Q&A video. An invitation to become more involved with the Real Organic Project.    

Humans have been farming for over 10, 000 years, but some studies say that we only have 60 years of farmable soil left on the planet. The topsoil is being killed on a large scale by the forces of deforestation and chemical-laden agriculture. As the amount of living soil decreases on Earth, so does the potential for carbon sequestration via photosynthesis. The fate of life and soils are intimately intertwined. Thankfully, there is a straightforward way to both reverse the effects of climate change and restore our soils. The answer? Decreased carbon emissions paired with real organic farming. Yep, even the real organic beef and dairy farms are good for the climate.Here is a list of what you will find in Session 3: In introduction video to Session 3, two videos from the session, followed by a "panel" style Q&A video. An invitation to become more involved with the Real Organic Project.   

Stuart McMillan of Legend Organic Farm once said, "Organic agriculture is more than simply the presence or absence of pesticides. " While the elimination of toxic pesticides and herbicides from food is certainly a step in the right direction, there's more to the equation when it comes to consumers' health. Let's take the example of an egg. An egg from a bird with limited outdoor access and an all-grain diet differs from a truly organic egg in more ways than just taste and appearance. The concentration of healthy cholesterol and omega-3's is also much higher in a truly pasture-raised bird. Our health depends upon knowing the difference.Here is a list of what you will find in Session 4: In introduction video to Session 4, two videos from the session, followed by two "panel" style Q&A videos. An invitation to become more involved with the Real Organic Project.     

Farmers and eaters throughout the United States and beyond are pushing to create transparency within a disjointed food system. But what are the most important steps for us to take moving forward? Where do you contribute? How do we hold each other accountable?Healthy Food • Healthy Soil • Healthy ClimateHere is a list of what you will find in Session 5: In introduction video to Session 5, three videos from the session, followed by two "panel" style Q&A videos. An invitation to become more involved with the Real Organic Project.