VISION: A New Green Revolution

To restore human health by renewing the minerals and life in soils       to optimize the nutritional quality of food. To support farmers to apply the biological science principles       of 21st century agriculture in effective soil stewardship. To create Standards, Certification and Marketing       to deliver authentic Nutrient-Dense foods to consumers.

CAUSE & CONDITIONS: Where we are, how we got here
WHEREAS six of the ten leading causes of death are due to diet and food quality;
WHEREAS nutrients are 15-75% less than 70 years ago when USDA began publishing data;
WHEREAS food today has low nutrients due to poor nutritional practices of farmers;
WHEREAS 20th Century farmers used huge amounts of refined fertilizers with a few nutrients,
      neglecting the many nutrients essential to health at parts per million, per billion, or less;
WHEREAS acid rain and snow accelerated this aging and depletion of soil;
WHEREAS most soils are low in minerals, trace elements, essential nutrients & microbiology;
WHEREAS no quality standard in the market identifies foods with superior nutrition;
WHEREAS “USDA Certified Organic” is not an assurance of higher nutrient density or flavor;
WHEREAS we can grow nutritious, better tasting crops without toxins or greenhouse gases;
WHEREAS tens of thousands of acres of Nutrient-Dense foods already grow in America;
WHEREAS we still are using 20th Century thinking to address our 21st Century challenges;

THEREFORE, WE RESOLVE TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO:

OBJECTIVES: Higher Food Quality Standard

Advocate interconnections of soil fertility, food quality and human health Teach growers the biological methods & materials of 21st Century agriculture Improve the mineral balance of our soils Optimize the nutrient content of our foods Increase production of Nutrient-Dense foods Publish Standards & Practices for Nutrient-Dense production Certification of Nutrient-Dense food & producers Expand marketing & promotion for Nutrient-Dense food Educate consumers about Nutrient-Dense quality Standards Research to document the values of Nutrient-Dense Foods Form a national Nutrient-Dense organization Hold a national Nutrient-Dense conference

PRINCIPLES: Guiding Insights
Soil Stewardship: living community of the soil food web
Biological Agriculture: from chemical to ecological paradigm
Carbon-Negative Food: sequester CO2 from the atmosphere
Community-Supportive: LIFE = locally integrated food & energy
Member Involvement: initiative from the ground up
Community Building: personal & professional relationships
Mutual Empowerment: grassroots change by we, the people
Transparency: open communication & full disclosure
Openness: information exchange & public online database

PARTICIPANTS: Completing the Food Circle

Producers Manage for Nutrient-Dense production Grow high Brix, Nutrient-Dense foods Regular soil tests Nutrient testing of products Sharing lab data & test results Consumer responsiveness	Consumers Buy Nutrient-Dense foods Seek Nutrient-Dense Producers Provide feedback on Brix and taste Protect food data integrity and proper calibration Educate folks on Nutrient-Dense foods
Farm Consultants Advise Producers on effective practices Study the latest Nutrient-Dense research Evaluate advances in production methods Ensure the needs of Producer & Consumer No conflicts of interest	Retailers Seek products from certified Producers Properly identify certified products Support prices to encourage consumption Post marketing & education materials Periodic audits of food nutrient profiles
Farm Supply Dealers Sell amendments to grow Nutrient-Dense Help producers minimize production costs Bulk purchases for discount prices Distribution networks to reduce freight Ensure quality of all amendments	Advocates Educate the public to benefits of Nutrient-Dense Teach consumers about Brix, taste and nutrients Weblinks to RFC/ND websites Assist Campaign marketing efforts
Soil & Nutrient Labs Provide thorough and accurate analyses Post test results to RFC website

MEETING DEMAND: Increasing Production Capacity
The first challenge is to train and qualify competent growers. Producer training will emphasize hands-on skill building in an annual workshop series and field days, augmented by online resources, powerpoint & videos. Special topics trainings and demonstrations will address emerging issues and challenges.

Mutual support networks in regional associations provides grower-to-grower education, a shared database and local leadership. Continuing producer support requires consultants, online databases, ongoing research, and frequent demonstration field days. Each region must develop farm centers to showcase biological farming methods.

A Grower Training Council will develop programs and resources to teach farmers Nutrient-Dense principles, production and marketing.

CERTIFICATION: Setting the Quality Standard
Third party certification is essential to market integrity. Growers sign contracts that specify performance criteria for a trademark license. Growers must document soil tests and fertility protocols, including routine crop assessments by Brix, pH and conductivity. Final approval requires steady high Nutrient Analysis of crop tissues. All certification data and test results will be accessible in an online database.

A Standards Board composed of growers and others will annually publish the Standards & Practices for Nutrient-Dense Certification.

A Certification Board must develop paperwork and protocols to qualify, enroll and monitor producers and products from farm-to-market.

GENERATING DEMAND: Consumer Mobilization
Already, consumer interest in Nutrient-Dense is high. Information on Nutrient-Dense retailers, producers and production will be online as a searchable database. However, retailers and consumer groups have key roles to motivate consumers, develop educational literature, sponsor seminars, and open commercial distribution markets. Internet-based marketing and information require staff to maintain and upgrade websites.

A Marketing Board will develop strategy, tools and programs to increase visibility and promotion of Nutrient-Dense products, producers and principles.

An Education & Outreach Council will develop literature and programs to teach consumers about Nutrient-Dense food and production.

A Grassroots Initiative This Nutrient-Dense initiative isn't funded by government, corporations or foundations. This movement is sustained by donations and memberships from private individuals, and by the volunteer work of concerned, motivated citizens. Farmers who currently grow nutrient-dense crops largely do so, not for higher prices, but because it's right for their soil, for their farms, for their customers, for future generations. You are invited to become an active participant in restoring health to America and nutrition to our food by renewing the minerals and microbes in soil. Join the new Green Revolution. Get involved with bringing nutrient-dense to your family, your food store, your community. Sign up to be a Campaign member by filling out a Membership Form.