We farm organically because we care deeply about the health of the people who work here, eat our produce, and visit the farm.

We are proud of the work we have done to bring the damaged soil back to life and health after years of abuse from chemical-based farm practices.

Some people were concerned to learn that arsenic is found in local soils. To anyone unfamiliar with basic soil chemistry, this may seem alarming.  However, arsenic is a naturally-occurring element in all local soils, along with other metals and minerals. Additional minute traces remain from the time when the land was farmed with chemical pesticides.  Arsenic levels tested in Spring of 2008 were less that 11 ppm parts per million (ppm) while levels around 40 ppm are common in farm soils on Long Island. These levels, by any government or independent agency standard that we have found, are not a health hazard for farm visitors.

We recognize that some people are concerned about the possible health effects of farm chemicals that may remain in the soil. Common sense and our good farming practices remove any risk that may exist from these minute traces.

Anyone having health concerns should take these common sense steps:

• wear gloves and appropriate clothing to limit contact with the skin;
• avoid ingesting soil including washing hands and produce
• avoid breathing dust.

Gloves are always available in the office, but please return them as they are for visiting school classes.

Please call the farm for more information on this or any other concerns.

On Farm phone: 329-4694 or contact us via email.

Thank you for your continuing support,
EECO Farm Board of Directors and Staff