🌱 Why Local Matters More Than Ever: PFAS, “Organic,” and Your Food
- Deshaun Baldwin
- Dec 5
- 3 min read
Hey Farm Family,
There’s been a lot of talk lately about PFAS, also called “forever chemicals”, and how they’re showing up in more and more parts of our environment, including our food.
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved new pesticides that contain PFAS-type chemicals, including products used on a wide range of food crops like grains, peas, beans, tomatoes, oranges, almonds, and more.
On top of that, investigations have found that PFAS can be added directly to pesticide formulations or leach out of plastic containers into pesticide products, which are then sprayed on fields. These chemicals don’t easily break down and can build up in soil, water, and eventually in our bodies.
Even when you see “organic” at the store, that doesn’t automatically guarantee a 100% natural food choice.
That’s why local, transparent farming matters so much.
🌾 Local vs. Store-Bought “Organic”
We’re not saying store-bought organic is “bad.” It’s absolutely a better option than conventional in many cases!
But here’s what local farming can offer that a label can’t:
Transparency – You actually know who is growing your food and how it’s being grown.
Conversation – You can ask real questions:
“Do you use any pesticides or herbicides?” “How do you handle bugs and weeds?”
Control – You can choose farmers whose values align with yours instead of just trusting a sticker on a package.
We challenge you to:
Shop local whenever you can – farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs.
Ask farmers directly about their practices.
Grow anything you can, no matter how small: a pot of herbs, a tomato in a bucket, greens in a raised bed. Every bite you grow is one less bite you have to guess about.
🥕 How Taylor Made Farm TX Protects Your Food
We want you to know exactly what we do on our farm.
At Taylor Made Farm TX, we do not use synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Instead, we rely on:
🐛 Hand removal of critters. Yes, real hands, real bugs.
🌿 Natural herbs and spices like cinnamon and cayenne pepper to deter pests.
🌱 Neem oil used carefully and responsibly as a plant protector.
🤝 Companion planting. Growing certain crops together so they help protect and nourish each other.
🎯 Trap cropping: planting “sacrifice” plants that attract pests away from the crops we’re harvesting.
Are these methods more labor-intensive? Absolutely.
Are they worth it to keep chemicals off your plate and off our soil? 1000%.
We want you to feel safe feeding our food to your children, your elders, and yourself.
🌍 Your Action Steps
Here are a few simple ways to respond to all this PFAS and pesticide news without spiraling into fear:
Ask questions at any farm stand or market:
“Do you spray anything on your crops?”
“Do you use herbicides for weed control?”
Support farmers who are transparent and working to minimize chemical use.
Grow what you can, how you can ... balcony, backyard, or buckets.
Stay informed, but also stay empowered.
📅 Upcoming Taylor Made Farm TX Events
We’d love to see you in person, talk about growing food safely, and put fresh produce in your hands.
🌆 Houston Pop-Up – The Well In Spring
When: 2nd Saturday of the month
Where: The Well In Spring16300 Kuykendahl Rd #200Houston, TX 77068
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We’ll be back there with our farm goodies, vegan baked goods, and more of the nutrient-dense produce you love.
🚜 Farm Stand – Taylor Made Farm TX (Conroe)
When: Saturday, December 20th (Our regular 3rd Saturday farm stand)
Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Where: Taylor Made Farm TX14120 Tower Glen Lane Conroe, TX 77306
As always, our farm stands are one of the only times our farm is open to the public, so mark your calendar and bring a friend.
Thank you for trusting us, supporting Black, veteran, family-run farming, and choosing food that’s grown with intention and integrity.
Every time you shop local or grow something from seed, you’re resisting a system that treats food like a commodity instead of a source of life.
See yall soon!
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