Area 2 Farms is Certified Organic and More
USDA Certified Organic is the highest standard for food quality, and we’re proud of our certification at Area 2 Farms. The organic certification is a symbol of our commitment to the health, safety and quality of the food we grow and the soil it’s grown in.
When you combine organic with local, something powerful happens. You get fresher, food, reduced environmental impact, and a direct connection with the people who make it all happen. It’s our deep roots, not routes, that nourish people, and allow us to bring the highest standard of food to our neighbors.
Food, Health, and Community Wealth
The way we grow food impacts more than individual health—it shapes our communities, environment, and economy. Conventional farming often prioritizes efficiency over health, leading to soil depletion and diminished nutrients in our food. The organic movement seeks to reverse these trends, making it better for people and the planet. But organic isn’t just about health. Sustainable farming fuels local economies, boosts food independence, and helps communities thrive away from the shock of supply chains and tariffs.
The rising demand for organic food shows people are paying attention. U.S. organic sales have skyrocketed from $1 billion in 1990 to $52 billion in 2021, with fresh fruits and vegetables making up 40% of those sales.
Despite this growth in demand, USDA Certified Organic farms are rare. Less than 2% of U.S. farms are certified organic, and there are only about 200 organic crop farms across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
That scarcity means many of us rely on grocery store produce—produce that travels an average of 1,518 food miles before it hits the shelf. To survive transit, most organic food is harvested too early, compromising quality and diversity. A journey that means lost nutrients, flavor, and freshness.
Why Certification Matters
Farmers have always innovated to streamline production and increase yields, feeding the masses and boosting economies. Yet at some point, this progress led to practices that let profit and efficiency trump the health of people and the planet. Synthetic inputs increased, soil health suffered, and farmers became bound by distributor demands. The push for greater innovation ignored the most important player in agriculture: nature.
Organic certification changes that. It sets boundaries that help farmers work with nature, enhancing the ecosystems that grow our food. According to the USDA, organic farming uses “cultural, biological, and mechanical practices” to cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Certified organic farmers don’t use synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic engineering. Instead, they innovate with sustainable methods, producing more nutrient-rich crops while reducing soil erosion and water pollution.
The Foundation of Organic: Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is the bedrock of organic farming. Rich, living soil improves crop resilience, enhances nutrient density, and reduces the need for chemical inputs. At Area 2 Farms, we enrich our soil through a regenerative program that recycles plant waste, builds a thriving microbiome, and improves water retention. Our controlled indoor environment eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides. The only chemicals in food grown at Area 2 Farms are the ones the plants make themselves, and those are good for you! And since we’re located in urban areas, we adapt organic principles to promote urban ecological balance.
Local Food: Beyond the Organic Label
While organic farming benefits ecosystems and public health, it doesn’t fix our broken food distribution system. That’s where local farming becomes so significant. By bringing farms into communities, we eliminate long-distance travel. Local food is harvested when it’s ripe, never subjected to temperature fluctuations or artificial elements during transit, and retains its nutritional integrity.
Fewer food miles also mean increased crop diversity. We can grow ethnic varieties that are often hard to find in grocery stores, supporting diverse communities with culturally significant produce. Knowing your food comes from a local farm also fosters connection. You know it’s part of your local economy.
Labels Don’t Tell the Whole Story
The organic label isn’t just a stamp—it’s a promise of quality and sustainability. It ensures innovative farming practices stay aligned with nature’s best systems. But labels can only tell you so much. Knowing your farmer and visiting your local farm means full transparency. There’s no worrying about truck miles or the carbon footprint of your lettuce. At Area 2 Farms, we don’t just meet organic standards, we take you beyond a label into a trusted experience with your food.
Area 2 Farms for Locals
Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. We’re Area 2 Farms, we grow organic produce, deliver it to your door weekly, and operate all within 10 miles of you.
