Organic Or Bust!

Here at the Toad HQ we are constantly working to make this world a better place, not only with the laughter that we share, but also in our business practices. Some of you might already know that Horny Toad is heavily involved with social causes, but as we start to see the link between the environment and the well being of everything on Earth, we’ve started on our mission to educate ourselves on more sustainable fibers, energy and general office stuff – like paper. Recently a group of Toads, 13 to be precise (our lucky number), hopped in a couple of cars headed to the San Joaquin Valley, the goal … have some fun and get the low-down on organic cotton farming.

It was a one-day blitz from farm to farm, we met with the folks that make that soft stuff we all love to wear. All facets of cotton from seed to harvest to gin were delved in to during the day – there was even hands on activities like releasing beneficial bugs into the crop to chow down on the bad bugs – delicious! The obvious benefit of organic farming, the reduction of harmful pesticides and herbicides, was easy to cheer for and something that everyone can get behind. However, Toads didn’t bargain on was learning about the other issues that confront farmers like water rights, foreign competition and labor. All these serious issues make the cost of organic, local farming more expensive than conventional farming, driving the price of organic goods higher. Moral of the story, when you buy organic you are buying more than just chemical free products, you are buying a future for the land and all those that work it. Knowledge is power, and on the part of the Toads knowledge also comes with the responsibility to do something about our fiber sourcing. In other words, the organic cotton tour was fruitful for us, pun intended.

Let it be said that this is not a pat-ourselves-on-the-back, green-washed marketing story, it’s just something we feel is right to do … plus we got to play old-man makeover – the good times never end.

www.sustainablecottonproject.org