Organic and Regenerative
At Norwich Meadows Farm, organic and regenerative agriculture are not just labels—they are the daily practice across our 200+ certified organic acres in Norwich, NY. Our goal is simple: to provide chefs and families with exceptional food while actively building healthier, more resilient soil each season.
How We Farm
Organic agriculture builds soil health, strengthens ecosystems, and supports human well-being. At Norwich Meadows Farm, organic production means working with natural systems — not against them.
To protect the integrity of our harvest, we use:
- No synthetic fertilizers or herbicides
- No chemical pesticides
- No GMO seed
Instead, we rely on crop rotation, compost, and ecological pest management to build resilient soils and long-term productivity. Our approach prioritizes system health over short-term yield, focusing on soil biology, water quality, and biodiversity.
Certified Organic
Norwich Meadows Farm has been certified organic from the beginning. We currently manage more than 200 acres certified by the certified by
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY)
under the standards of the USDA National Organic Program.
Certification requires annual inspections, detailed recordkeeping, and full traceability from seed to harvest. Farm co-owner Zaid serves on the Board of NOFA-NY and has long supported the integrity and advancement of the Certified Organic program through governance and advocacy.
Transitional Organic
As Norwich Meadows Farm grows, we continue expanding the amount of land under certified organic management. Any newly acquired farmland must complete the federally required three-year transition before it can be certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.
During this transition period, the land is farmed using the same practices required for certified organic production. No synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMO seed are used. The only difference is that the crops cannot yet legally be marketed as certified organic until the three-year transition is complete.
Today, all of our produce is certified organic. In the future, if we acquire additional farmland, if it is not certified organic, we will transition it in accordance with USDA organic standards. Any produce grown during that transition period will always be clearly identified in our product listings. We believe transparency is essential, and we view transitioning farmland to organic certification as an investment in the long-term health of our farm, our soils, and the future of organic agriculture in our region.
Regenerative
Building on our certified organic foundation, we use the term “regenerative” to describe our commitment to measurable improvement in soil health and ecosystem function.
At Norwich Meadows Farm, regenerative agriculture means increasing soil organic matter, maintaining continuous living roots through cover cropping, expanding biodiversity across our fields, and reducing waste and energy use wherever possible. It also means treating employees, customers, and partners fairly, recognizing that long-term sustainability depends on strong relationships as well as healthy soil.
We measure the outcomes of these practices and, where practical, participate in third-party audits and verification. Regeneration is not a label — it is an ongoing commitment to leave the land more fertile, resilient, and biologically active each year.