#221: Pulitzer Prize-winning filmmaker Anthony Suau returns to share the impact of his documentary Organic Rising and the growing urgency behind its message. After more than a decade documenting the chemical takeover of food, Suau reflects on how toxic agriculture has reshaped our soil, our health, and our trust in the food system. In this conversation, he and Dave Chapman explore what’s at stake—from unregulated pesticide use to the collapse of soil biology—and why telling the truth about farming has never been more important.

https://realorganicproject.org/anthony-suau-filming-the-chemical-takeover-of-food-221

Anthony Suau is a filmmaker and photojournalist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, New York Times Magazine, and Life. He has published five books, including photo essays documenting the fall of the Berlin Wall and war imagery in Iraq. Originally from Peoria, Illinois, his lifelong relationships to conventional (chemical) farmers allowed him the access and ability to showcase various differences between organic and chemical agricultural practices. His film Organic Rising was released on October 1, 2023:

https://www.organicrisingfilm.com/

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, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from 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 that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. 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 still paying a premium price. And 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 Fans!

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/

#220: Investigative journalist Sharon Lerner shares how “forever chemicals” like PFAS entered our food, soil, bodies, and blood - revealing corporate cover-ups, regulatory failures, and the human toll of toxic exposure:

To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:

https://realorganicproject.org/sharon-lerner-pfas-in-food-220

Sharon Lerner is an investigative reporter focusing on environmental issues. She has written for The Intercept, ProPublica and Politco, and was featured in the film The Devil We Know. Her work on PFAs was cited in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants decision to limit international use of PFAS.

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, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from 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/directory

We believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. 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 still paying a premium price. And 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/real-organic-friends/

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/

#219: Organic blueberry farmer Hugh Kent pulls no punches in this deep dive into the truth about hydroponics and organic farming. From his soil-first philosophy to the dangers of plastic pot "organics," Hugh explains why hydroponics is not organic — and how corporate interests are replacing real, soil-grown food withn these lifeless, watered-down imitations. If you care about soil health, flavor, and the future of food, this is a must-listen.

https://realorganicproject.org/hugh-kent-hydroponic-is-not-organic-farming-219

Hugh Kent and his wife Lisa are longtime blueberry growers in Eustis, FL. They're proud to operate a biodiverse farm surrounded by intentional habitat for wildlife and pollinators, where they mow grasses and cover crops directly into their perennial berry rows to act as a fertile mulch. Hugh has been a vocal farmer-member of Real Organic Project to shed light on the changes in the industry that increasingly threaten the livelihood of berry growers like himself. He is now a member of Real Organic Project's Executive Board.

https://www.kinggrove.com/

The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.

#OrganicFood #OrganicFarming #Hydroponics #SoilHealth #FoodAsMedicine #foodsystem

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, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from 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/directory

Are you an organic farmer looking to communicate the premium quality of your milk, meat, fruits, veggies, or CSA shares to shoppers?

Through our no-cost, add-on certification to USDA certified-organic, Real Organic Project aims to bring organic back to its high-integrity roots, prioritizing healthy soil, humane treatment of animals, labor protections and a more regionally based agriculture for community well-being. The application deadline is coming up on Tuesday, April