Earth Month Q&A with Uncle Matt’s
Why is it important for your brand to celebrate Earth Month and how are you celebrating throughout the month?
Celebrating the earth is important every day, but it’s especially important during Earth Month when climate change, environmental justice and sustainability awareness are amplified by people and organizations around the world. In celebration of Earth Month this year, we are donating to the Organic Farming Research Foundation to help fund farm research, educational programs and advocacy on behalf of organic farmers and ranchers. In addition, our Uncle Matt’s team is building an organic edible garden at a local middle school in Clermont, Florida to provide hands-on teaching experience that connects children to nature, food and the health of our planet.
What does your brand do to help create a healthier environment and to treat the planet more respectfully every day?
At Uncle Matt’s Organic, we’re committed to organic farming for the health of our consumers, the environment and our planet. Since 1999, we’ve been committed to producing the highest quality juice, using only premium 100% organically grown fruit that is free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Healthy soil means a healthy tree and even healthier fruit. By farming organically, we’re supporting a safer and more sustainable planet for everyone. We take pride in protecting the next generation.
Why is it important for your brand to be organic?
It’s in our roots. It’s the way my grandfather and great-grandfather used to grow citrus. My family’s expertise dates back four generations to my great-grandfather, Angus Benjamin McLean, who learned firsthand how to grow quality citrus without the help of today’s synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. His son, William Benjamin McLean (“Pappy”), carried on his father’s tradition, honing his growing philosophy, which advocates stewardship of the soil as the means to producing the most nutritious crops possible that are better for people and our planet. Today, we’re continuing the same legacy, and we’ve gone one step further by having our products certified glyphosate residue free by The Detox Project.
What does organic do to make the planet healthier?
Organic Farming Prevents Soil Erosion
The Soil Conservation Service estimated that more than 3 billion tons of topsoil are eroded from United States croplands each year. Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming. But in some conventional farming, the soil is used more as a medium for holding plants in a vertical position so they can be chemically fertilized. As a result, American farms are suffering from the worst soil erosion in history.
Organic Farming Protects Water Quality
Water makes up two-thirds of our body mass and covers three-fourths of the planet. Despite its importance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated pesticides and some potential cancer-causing agents contaminate the ground water in 38 states. This pollutes the primary source of drinking water for more than half the country’s population.
Organic Farming Saves Energy
Modern farming uses more petroleum than any other single industry, consuming 12 percent of the country’s total energy supply. More energy is now used to produce fertilizers than to till, cultivate and harvest all the crops in the United States. Organic farming is still mainly based on labor-intensive practices such as weeding by hand and using organic approved manures and crop covers rather than synthetic fertilizers to build up soil. Organic produce also tends to travel fewer miles from field to table.
How can consumers celebrate Earth Month?
There are many fun ways to celebrate Mother Earth! You can spend time outside in your garden, plant trees, clean up litter, bike instead of drive, or head to your community farmers’ market to support local vendors. Simple acts go a long way towards supporting positive change.
