Last year, I learned through Barn Raiser that the nonprofit Real Organic Project would be hosting its third annual conference at Churchtown Dairy, under the title “Saving Real Organic: Antitrust & Food.” A farmer-led organization based in east central Vermont, the Real Organic Project was created in 2017 to uphold the original, traditional values of organic farming—specifically soil-based, small-scale agriculture and pasture-raised livestock—by distinguishing these methods from hydroponic or large-scale, industrial-confined animal operations that increasingly have become included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic certification. The Real Organic Project has now certified nearly 1,000 farms with its add-on label, whose standards are defined by its farmer-led certifying board.
So, in September 2025, I dropped in to meet and talk to some of the conference organizers and attendees. This short video gives you an idea of what the Real Organic Project is all about and introduces you to some serious organic farmers set on breaking up the power of Big Ag and reforming organic standards.
(This video was produced in partnership with Table Rock Productions, LLC. The Real Organic Project kindly provided on-stage footage from the conference.)
To learn more about the Real Organic Project, read:
Jon’s family lived in five small Indiana towns before he left for college in New Orleans. A city dweller for many years (on both coasts and in the middle), in 2022 he and wife Julie settled and set up shop in New York’s Hudson Valley. Working together since 1981, they formed Table Rock Productions in 1990 and focus these days primarily on providing nonprofit organizations with reasonably-priced, professional quality video services.
Have thoughts or reactions to this or any other piece that you’d like to share? Send us a note with the Letter to the Editor form.
Want to republish this story? Check out our guide.
