Organic farms have gained some ground in recent years, and more community supported agricultural projects have popped up across the United States in response to the growing demand for organically grown fresh produce. The farm-to-table movement has helped small, local farms and producers to jump back into the spotlight and thrive but they are still less visible than they should be.

If you don’t know where to start looking, finding the best organic farm in your area can be difficult. Here are a few useful examples of great organic farms from where you can get fresh organic produce.

What Is Organic Farming?

The main differences between organic farms and regular farms can be found in the methods and techniques used for growing the fruits and vegetables. While regular farms use chemical pesticides and herbicides to protect produce from pests and to stop weeds from growing, organic farms only use natural pesticides and herbicides to protect the produce they are growing from becoming contaminated with any chemicals.

Regular farms often grow genetically modified vegetables and fruits because these have been altered to withstand harsher conditions and yield larger crops. However, the quality, nutritional value, and taste of these products are lower than those of naturally grown alternatives.

The best organic farming definition would have to come down to this: organic farms only use natural insect repellents and weed control techniques, they do not grow genetically modified produce, and they only grow produce in organic soil.

Most organic farms use sustainable agriculture models and are part of community supported agricultural projects, so they are usually smaller in scale compared to industrial farms. Local farmers markets usually showcase great organic produce coming from local farmers and growers in your area. Where can you find this amazing organic produce you keep hearing about?

Here are just some of the best-known organic farms around the country, each specializing in a different kind of product and service. Find one near you and start an amazing organic culinary journey.

Honey Brook Organic Farm

Operating in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County and Hopewell Township, Mercer County, Honey Brook Organic Farm grows USDA-certified organic produce in the New Jersey area. The farm runs on a community supported agricultural project and grows produce without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers sustainably.

Besides their CSA program, they also have a delivery system called Delivered Box Shares so that customers can have fresh produce boxes shipped to their areas. They offer 4 sizes of produce boxes:

• a personal box (containing 3-5 items of produce and 3-5 pounds of produce),
• a basic box (containing 6-12 items of produce and 6-12 pounds of produce),
• a premium box (containing 9-12 items of produce and 9-17 pounds of produce),
• a deluxe box (containing 9-12 items of produce and 12-22 pounds of produce).

These weekly boxes contain different produce each week according to what’s in season and can be collected from a delivery site by customers.

Y.S. Organic Bee Farms

If you’re looking for raw honey, Y.S. Organic Bee Farms is your go-to place. The farm has been producing natural honey since 1995, and their product has been certified by the USDA as being 100% organic. Beehives are placed in isolated areas so that the bees will only have access to uncontaminated plants when flying and feeding. So, if you’re ever in need of some great tasting, organic honey Y.S. Organic Bee Farms is a great option.

Sweetwater Organic Farm

The Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is, as its name suggests, a community supported agricultural project started in 1995 in Tampa, Florida. It grows fresh organic vegetables and herbs, and sells them to local vendors as well as the community. The farm organizes a Sunday Market where locals can come and buy the freshly harvested seasonal produce.

As it is a CSA member, it sells much of the crops it produces to local vendors, restaurants, and merchants. It also offers recipes and ideas on how to best cook the vegetables that are in season on the farm website, and it provides workshops and community programs to educate the general public on the importance of healthy, organic produce, and healthy living.

Mt. Hood Organic Farms

This lovely orchard in Oregon is more than a great wedding and holiday location it has a great organic orchard where farmers grow apples and pears.

While the farm itself has been around since the beginning of the 1900’s the orchard was started back in 1981 when the owners of the property felt inspired by the sustainable agricultural projects seen in Europe and decided to supply the local community with fresh organic apples and pears.

The farm has partnered up with local farmers markets and organic food markets in the area as well as with the Oregon Food Bank, so their fresh apples and pears can be found all over the region. They offer several types of apples, crab apples, cider apples, as well as pears.

Caleb Treeze Organic Farm

This organic farm is based in Glendale, California and produces natural Amish remedies for ailments such as acid reflux and leg cramps. So, if you are considering switching to some homeopathic treatments this might be the way to go. They collaborate with local organic stores and organic suppliers so their products can be found in the Glendale area, but you can also look for them online if you’re interested.

Glaser Organic Farms

This Miami-based farm has been growing organic produce since the 1980’s and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. They grow a wide variety of fresh produce and their online store also offers additional organic products such as oils, vinegar, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, nut dairy, and natural sweeteners.

If you live in the area and want to pay them a visit, they can usually be found at local farmers markets. Check the farm’s website for further help and directions to the usual Sunday farmers market.

Natick Organic Farm

Natick Organic farm is located near Boston, and it is a CSA member that has been growing and producing organic food since it was founded in 1975. They use sustainable, ecologically-friendly farming methods, and offer organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs, turkeys, pork, chicken, maple syrup, wool, and maple syrup.

You can buy any of these products directly form the farm as they have a Barnside Stand on location. The farmers are also present at local farmers markets in the region, and you can still buy fresh products during the winter from inside the farm itself. So, don’t hesitate to pay them a visit at any time.