We are frequently asked by conscientious consumers to provide information about various agricultural practices and have compiled this short glossary as a result. Consider this glossary a brief consumer-to-consumer guide and starting point for your ethical eating practice. Links are provided for you to do your own further exploration.

Biodynamic

An organic agricultural practice based upon the work of philosopher Rudolph Steiner founded on the principle that a farm is a living organism, with close and careful nurturing attention paid to all systems of the farm, especially its soil. Learn more about biodynamic agriculture.

Certified Organic

A product can only be labeled “certified organic” if it has been raised or produced according to USDA standards.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

A business practice used by some farmers in which “shares” of the farm’s harvest are made available to the public at a pre-purchase rate. Learn more about CSAs.

Conventional (Chemical) Agriculture

Standard agricultural practice in which short-term high crop yields and profitability are typically prized over other values, such as environmental and social impact.

Co-op

A member-owned business designed to provide services and/or goods to its member-owners that are otherwise unavailable or to provide them at a lower cost than is otherwise available. Learn more about co-ops.

Food Co-op

A retail food store owned and governed by its members. Learn more about food co-ops.

Free Range

Depending on the type of animal or product, such as eggs, this term generally refers to animals that are not raised in confinement. Because definitions vary considerably, always ask your grower what s/he means by “free range.” Learn more about the terms free range, cage-free, certified humane and others.

Grain Finished Meats

Refers to an animal that is removed from pasture and fattened on grain prior to slaughter. Learn more about grain finished meats.

Grass Fed Meats

Refers to a pastured animal that has been raised solely on vegetation (including stored grasses, such as hay), unless it is specified that the animal has also been “grain finished”. Lear more about grass fed meats.

Grass Finished Meats

Refers to animals raised solely on vegetation (including stored grasses, such as hay) and slaughtered (“finished”) while vegetation is plentiful so that the animal’s intramuscular fat is also plentiful and so that the animal does not have to be fed grain for fattening. Learn more about grass fed meats.

Growers’ Co-op

A business comprised of grower-owners whose function is to provide marketing, distribution, and other business support to its grower members. Learn more about growers’ co-ops.

Hydroponics

The use of water and nutrients, rather than soil, to grow plants. Learn more about hydroponic agriculture.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A system of agricultural pest management practices that emphasize environmentally sound techniques but still allow for some degree of chemical treatment as a last resort. Learn more about IPM.

Omnivore

A person who eats both plants and animals as their primary food source.

Organic/Organically Grown/Organic on a Handshake

Varies by product, but generally means that no synthetic chemicals are used in growing or production. Always ask your grower what he or she means by “organic” to see whether it meets your needs.

Pastured Meats & Eggs

Generally refers to animals (and animal products such as eggs) which are grazed on pasture rather than being confined in feedlots or coops. Learn more about pastured eggs.

Raw Foods

This term can be used to refer to milk and milk products that have not been pasteurized as well as vegan raw foods. Raw foodists typically believe that the greater the percentage of raw food in the diet, the greater the health benefits. Learn more about raw foodism.

Sustainable Agriculture

Agricultural practice that values long-term environmental, social, and economic viability. Learn more about sustainable agriculture.

Vegan

Person who does not use or consume animal products of any kind. The most common reasons for becoming a vegan are human health, ethical commitment or moral conviction concerning animal rights or welfare, the environment, and spiritual or religious concerns. Learn more about veganism.

Vegetarian

Person who eats a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, with or without dairy products and eggs. Learn more about vegetarianism.