#Wholesum and Parts

[wholesumandparts]

https://www.muvizu.com/Profile/Wholesumparts/Latest

Women’s Health and Wellness Coach services

Wholesum and Parts provides tailored support through their Women’s Health and Wellness Coach services, helping women enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

[heartingeto]

𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨

Summary: Who was to say, that he didn’t love you, how couldn’t he love you?

Pairing: Geto x Black Reader

Genre:Fluff and smut!! Yes, yes finally! And it took me forever to write. I really hope y’all enjoy!!! (17+ only still!) n I think like 9+k wrd count? Idkkk!

Warnings: Dom!Geto, Demandin, Face fucking! Ngl it’s still wholesum, pussy eating! First timer! Still geto love the fucc outta you and like you desperate for him! Bold Y/n to shy cause Geto man handled tf outta you! Just a whole sexc enjoyable plot with nassty shiiit, ladies and gentleman???

“Date…?”

You asked, yeah it was a little hesitant, but once he immediately stepped in your personal space and bubble? He had his arms wrapped around your smaller frame. Compared to him? You were like a baby, being cradled, and he didn’t say anything; it seemed as if he just wanted to be brought; comfort and embraced. You could feel his breathing…his chest going in and out, you didn’t do anything but accept the fact you wanted to be embraced by him just as much. Your palms rubbing up and along his lower back, shortly after..he spoke, this time..his voice sounded a little husk; softer but tempted to know. “Y/n the answer doesn't have to be immediately, you know I’m a patient man, but I’m not that patient.” Dot, dot, dot..god..you were gonna say yes, you loved pulling his strings and taking your sweet time.

Softly; Your mouth parted ways. Standing on the tip of your toes, nearing his right ear, you wanted him to hear you clear, in a soft whisper. You felt as if your voice was exactly soothing at that moment. “Uru..I’ll date you.” Is what you had said, but, but, but…he immediately held your frame tighter, and it seemed he was relieved. Because the way he pulled you back, to make direct eye contact, he couldn’t bear to keep his composure, his lips pressing firmly against your own. Really..you could taste his chapstick..’Vanilla.” You intertwined your mouth with his own, meaning the kiss you two shared had deepened. Pulling back, he looked away, his bigger palm grasping yours, and rubbing the outer surface. You decided to speak, you truly never saw him in this statement.

“Uru..you’re so cute like this..wanna go back to my apartment? He raised his eyebrows at you, not knowing if it was from when you called him out, or the Apartment but he nodded. Why did he become so quiet? Though, since he approved of you, you were now guiding him alongside the sidewalk. 5 minutes passed, and you reached your apartment taking off your fuzzy slippers he’d take off his black retros.’ On top of that, he was standing behind you, immediately you felt the emerge of his arms wrapping around you. Your tummy..? He was rubbing the side of his head against your cheek. “Y/n..’ mm’ I need you. You gon gimme what I need right?” His scent..was already taking a toll on you, and you exhaled softly, his demeanor seemed like it was changing..you nodded. He picked you up, from the position y’all was already in. Carrying you into your room, since he has been over here too many times to count so of course he knew where everything was. You held onto him, like your life depended on it, pushing your head into the crease of his neck. That was only after, he’d lay you down since he was mounting over you.

Y/n :“Please…Geto..”

Geto:“Hm..? What happened to Uru, girl.”

You couldn’t..your legs pressing together..just his tone sounded so indifferent, and it made your eyebrows furrowed up. He hadn’t done anything but kissed you, and you were already craving more. He chuckled, he took notice of the way you reacted, he knew you wanted more, and he was gonna take his sweet time just like you did earlier. This was his get back of course he wasn’t gonna let that slide, his head moving towards the right side of your neck. He stuck his tongue out, giving it a tiny lick next thing you know, he was suckling giving you bite marks and tinted burgundy spots. Soft voices of yours, had exited your vocals, “mmm..Uru..shitt..this not gon be enuff..come on..” Damn..he liked you in this statement, begging for him to do more to you, it caused a slight bulge to form below in his joggers.

His tongue traveled up, until it reached the corner of your mouth, sticking his tongue inside. He’d swirl it around, you tried keeping up with him..even grinding your lower area into him. You was realllly horny and his teasing wasn’t helping! He pulled back, just smiling proudly at your aroused statement, “mmm..look at that, come on Y/n open yur’ mouth for me.” You immediately obliged, he hovered his mouth over your own, gathering enough saliva just for it to drizzle on your tongue. You were swallowing with a soft hum closing your mouth– his look it was intimidating cause he immediately spoke after. “Didn’t tell you to close your mouth Y/n. Keep that fuckin’ mouth open.” You could’ve sworn you moaned cause..he was so demanding you never thought..he’d act in such a way. He leaned up, slowly pulling down his joggers, and you could see his bulge from his Gray boxers, the V line he had on both sides, made your thighs quiver.. the little trimmed pubes. He was a clean man..and oh boy you loved that, he slowly grabbed the band pulling them down.

His length flopped out, it had two veins on the opposite side..the tip was a darkish tint pink..and the color? A light, but dark brown. How could his dick be so pretty, that it was throbbing in anticipation, he grabbed the base. Pointing the tip towards your mouth. Slapping it against your parted lips, whilst holding a smile, his other hand? It was slowly taking off his hoodie. Fuck, fuck..he was just so damn fine..and you couldn’t do nothing but be patient scared, he was gonna give that same exact look again. He laughed at you, he was amazed at how you looked below him right now, and he was glad he was gonna be the only one who got to see that side.

“Ever sucked dick before Y/n?” You shook your head “no.” Yeah..? You were a virgin, maybe your homegirls weren’t always telling you, you should have sex it’s not scary but you’d always say “ I value my body, it’s gotta be with someone I’d be committed to, and he’d have to do the same.” Now, you were Like this taking his Dick in, saliva everywhere he was gentle but aggressive and his head was pulled back. He was groaning, swearing and the noises were indecent, both parts to be exact. Your pussy felt tingly, you knew you were wet because you kept rubbing your thighs together for some kind of sensation. He was just thrusting his hips sloppily, pulling back and you were finally able to catch your breath and shit.

A ‘plop’ sound making the scene more noticeable he smiled. Looking down at you, you looked a mess and he hadn’t even fucked you senseless. “Uru..do kn-..know that ima virgin..’want my time to be special..” He stared, nodding no. He wasn’t that type of guy when it came to you, yeah? He was experienced but he only had 4 bodies type shit, he rarely let females get to him like his homeboy Satrou, and Toji. The muthafuckas were man whores. He was the complete opposite, it reminded you of ya homegirls. Nobara, and Maki. “You knows I’m never gon force any typa shit Like that on ya’ just wanna make you feel good, okay baby?” You obliged..good you didn’t want your cherry popped like this; even in this moment, he was going lower until he was in between your legs. Slowly pulling down your joggers. Pulling them off, his vision was taking notice of your laced panties but he couldn’t maintain his composure. He had lifted up your legs, your lower back sliding upwards whilst you gasped in either embarrassment or you were taken aback.

“Mmm..pussy so wet, Y/n. Was it from the kissin? Or when I was face fuccin you? Hm..?” His words..they were harsh but straightforward, you didn’t answer.. he took notice.. “Answer me, or I’m not gon make you feel good.” You spoke..! “Mm..both..need you..please..don’t make me beg..Suguruuuu..” You could tell he was satisfied with his answer, cause he immediately slid over your panty with his thumb. Admiring how pretty your kitty looked, he slid his tongue out, letting his saliva drizzle down and onto the plump lips. Gently, his tongue took a lap over your lips, and you moaned..from the feeling. It oddly brought pleasure and he’d use his middle and thumb to spread. Your kitty was in full view and he wondered if it was his saliva or was it your juices that were glistening. Shit, it was both if you wanted to be real he was licking bringing his tongue towards the sensitive bud. It caused your legs to shiver and your toes curled. “Fuccc..Uru..! Please! Wanna cum so bad..! wan cum..all over you..!” Your mind was gone at this moment and he took them words in, sliding his two thick digits inside. Shit, for a first timer it slid in perfectly.

He stopped his licking– his fingers thrusting into you, yeah? He wanted to find that sweet spot, cause the way you were squeezing around him, it seemed like he hit the jackpot! Pussy was squelching, it sorta stained the sheets below too, and then he leaned up kissing the underside of your jaw, then your mouth. His tongue was rolling, playing around yours. Y’all was trading saliva, and once he pulled back his stare..that shameless stare. “Come on princess, cum for me release all that shit.” You held your head back feeling an electrical feeling in your body. Fluids immediately spurted on the sheets and his hand, your lower half spasming whilst your voice was quite loud. You were whimpering, calling out his name even, whilst you were orgasming. Panting heavily, your body calmed down..and you could feel yourself slowly falling asleep..you didn’t know such pleasure existed. There was Geto, cleaning you up whilst you was sleeping, he even changed the bed sheets and put you on something comfortable. He was glad he always had clothes over here, since he’d come over to stay the night. Waking up..you looked up at him and he was asleep, his arm having you up in his embrace. He was such a man, you kiss the side of his jawline adoring his rest. “Uru..I really do love you.”

Well!! That was a big ass writing, and I enjoyed it! Ima make one last part, with them fucking!! Ts gon be so wholesome thank y’all for the first likes! I really appreciate it! If y’all wanna be @ in the third part comment!!

[startsomegood]

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[stars-and-guts]

my favorite part of this would be the juxtaposition of cursed images by the really wholesome

dazai ada group hug ... DAZAI TRIES TO BITE CHUUYA ... silly little wholesum times ... CHUUYA SHAKES OFF DAZAI HES A BLUR FLYING OUT OF THE PICTURE ... bar lupin ...

in a way, dazai is human because hes all of him yk?

good morning, one day dazai comes to his apartment and sees a wrapped package from the ada and opens it to a collage of pics of him and his friends - even the one at bar lupin and a picture of oda in general and maybe even one w/ chuuya - him and atsushi at a photo booth after atsushi asked what it was, him and ranpo playing chess, him and junichiro playing video games, him out drinking with the older ada members, him and kunikida being him and kunikida, and more - with the words "proof that dazai osamu is human" carved into the frame

[kirby-the-gorb]

reply roundup!

thank you very much to this month’s patrons! @goldom, hadbabits, lukeperiodsun, and fleurdelis! most of them are only on twitter but the point stands! (if y’all do have tumblrs as well, please let me know so I can acknowledge you more properly!)

highlights from the past couple weeks:

kirby banishes guilt and doubt just by yelling! (and makes some art for a kind follower!) [link]

new patreon favorites! [link]

kirbzilla destroys block city! [link]

sad sad kirby gets comfort from bear! [link]

announcements:

I am opening kofi commissions! same style as the daily drawings, $12 for digital or $18 for traditional with untracked shipping. (make sure you contact me beforehand, because I’m not using the little form so it doesn’t prompt you to give me contact information.)

the patreon turns one year old next month, and to celebrate I will be adding a sticker club tier! for $5 a month I will provide a mini sticker sheet in the mail, with a new design every month! (this will not be available for another ~2 1/2 weeks, as I do not have a design ready for march fulfillment. but we will have march signups for april fulfillment!)

on [counting]:

@the-halo-of-my-memory said: your kirbies are such a mood, like me too gumdrop. counting is hard. i need to get those stickers too, i need themmmmm

it takes a lot of math sometimes! (and thank you for your enthusiasm :> )

on [banish]:

@deepblooberc said: Never give up!

yeah!! you can do it!!!

@invaderstupid said: Don't worry about talking about money too much! I also spend most of my time thinking or expressing concerns about money. I'm applying for SSI and its all that is on my mind. So I understand your position with disability!! I hope your appeal goes through btw!! I love your blog ❤

(if you need me to remove this from the roundup please do feel free to let me know!) thank you so much for taking a moment to be vulnerable alongside me, it honestly made me feel a lot better. <3 and I wish you the absolute best of luck with your application!!!

@incrediblue said: Kirby practices his sonic blast 'Poyo of Positivity'

an extremely useful skill, even though it takes time to learn!

@catz-vs-zombiez said: god i wish i could do that

it’s probably worth a try at least!

on [hat]:

@rar85 said: Love his hat!!!!

he loves his hat too!!! (it is an actual hat I actually received in real life, it’s amazing :’> )

also @tsukiakarinobara tagged the reblog with the bear [bonus] “kirbear” and they are so right. I’m stealing that tag for the bear. (eventually. it takes a long time to go through the whole archive to tag stuff!)

on [sleepy]:

@inexplicably-spookified said: sleeepy orb... feelin' this too recently

I usually draw as one of the last things before I go to bed, so I feel this a lot when I’m drawing XD

on [wail]:

@marsupials-of-mars said: I thought the arms were tongs at first

clack clack babyee

@macro-microcosm said: I’m glad that you have such a good partner <3 I love your stickers!!!! the kirbear one is in my laptop for all to see!

yeah she really helped me out a lot :’) and I’m so glad you like them! I did see your post :>

@spity-oyr-cerela said: go support op and their drawings, it is really cute

thank you!

@bacap07 said: LOO K is Djungelskog :0) OP this is adora bl e;;

ohhh djungelskog :0 what a friendly shape (and thank you!)

@lovecore said: OH MY GOD SMALL i realize those are hands but i like to imagine theyre tweezers. so kirby is extra small. gettin an extra small teddy bear

oh my goodness that would be adorable. no one let me make kirby and bear miniatures I cannot sculpt.

@mettalovesmetta said: I need this sometimes

I think we all do, really.

@wholesume said: THIS CAUSES ME IMMENSE PAIN BUT I ALSO LIKE IT

@elangelito said: IMMENSE PAIN BUT LIKE KIRBY. LIKE HE LOOKS SO SAD PAINFULLY SAD

(the second was a reblog from the first so I wanted to pair them together.) he is painfully sad! sometimes you just feel really sad! but you cry it out and you cuddle your bear and you feel better.

on [VR]:

@insertusername77 said: VR Buffett

infinite choices. never have to wait for more food from the kitchen.

on [pinned]:

@lesbian-octo8 said: thank u for this i will be forever blessed to see this image and all my problems will be washed away by this one gif i wish you a life full of happiness and good health

waah this is such a sweet message, thank you! I think I can’t really manage the good health part but by god I will be happy. (I hope you have peace and security as well <3 )

from the mentions:

@macro-microcosm​ posted photos of their sticker order [here], with some very kind words! I’m so glad you like them!!! (I have one on the dell logo on my laptop too XD)

[maiuoart]

Collar HC’s

Feel free though to do what you wished, too! These are mainly collected around, I just enjoy making meaning behind the damn collars... Seriously, I wanted actual meanings with them!

This will be a key item for Darkening Days; I see many Fell verses surround by the meanings of Collars the more I got used to their worlds. Some have gotten me to an irkful and even sickful mindset with their twisted or lack of information.  Other fandoms have it themed to a very weird degree for me, personally. However, it didn’t mean ALL of them were bad, per say...

So, my whole thought process when seeing a collar for the boys; Red or Mutt; is “Why would they need collars? What would be the point?”

Well, Read below to find out more about the 4 different kinds I have came up with...

Protective Collars;  This is the type Underfell Red and Swapfell Mutt wears. The kind that have a Label of Protection due to their brothers.  Stronger Monsters will protect those they care for; It’s the ‘Fuck with them, you fuck with me.’ kind. Family or very close acquaintances will have these on them as the collars will radiate the stronger aura to warn off others. Smaller monsters who seek protection will try anything and everything to gain a protection collar, but it normally barely happens unless their sly about it. The collar in question will match the Stronger Monster in theme, color, and aura just to make sure everyone knows who is protecting the weaker. They are limited to giving collars out, however. The more they have others under their care, the more it takes from them. The best is to only have an amount no higher than 2. Depending on how strong the Protector is; They can have up to 4 and not be affected. Anything higher and it will drain them quickly, causing everyone to become easy targets. Some will still find these collared monsters as targets, but trying to get close to them will just become your own death warrant if you so chose to ignore the warnings... Due to the fact anyone radiating bad intent gets sent right to the main protector in charge. You’ll only have mere moments to try and kill or run. The way to get these off is if the lesser has grown in strength or has betrayed the protector in some way. That will either end with them being dusted right on the spot; Or, more than likely, released in front of everyone for revenge. 

Yet for me, for both My versions of Red and Mutt; It’s a quiet understanding that their brothers want to watch out for them, help protect them even though they could protect themselves. So they allow to be collared just to help ease their brothers paranoia. ‘Sides; It shows that they actually care for them. Fun Facts!; UF!Sans/Red, the ever proud asshole, reacted differently when Edge had told him to wear his collar of protection. They actually fought, going to a point where the brothers broke out into a brawl at home. Red begrudgingly took the ‘Damn stupid thing that he won’t ever fuckin’ need’ just to appease his brother after a huge feeling of guilt hit him afterward. I mean, for fucks sakes! Boss just tossed it at him! The hell was he goin’a do?! Say ‘Yeah’!? Hell no, Boss may scare him sometimes, but ain’t like he needed the fuckin’ accessory to be a bitch. But found out later on that; ‘Hey... Not so bad, i can actually fuckin sleep in peace for once.’ Not fully overlooking the thoughtfulness of the meaning during the time, but not really admitting it either. Either way, it became a slow meaning of pride to show it off; ‘won’t admit it, bu’ my bros the coolest thinkin’ ‘bout me.’

Mutt and Black are closer; Mutt took the collar with more pride than anything, feeling proud his brother wanted to protect his family. It was a quiet agreement that even though Mutt could watch after his own hide, the thought and meaning behind ‘Under Protection’ meant a huge deal to them both. Mutt did, however-... Add a few things for secret reasons. It’s more wholesum than what you’re probably thinking, gutterminds! Shoo! I won’t say how the Swapfell brothers are connected just yet; Rest assured it’s nothing in the odd way, though! It’ll be told more in the story~ No spoils here ;) ♥

Relationship Collars; These are more silk based. Can be anything more dainty, soft against the skin, really the kind that can be real forgetful in their place; Their that comfortable! They vary in many ways; Plain, flashy, whatever matches their mates the best. Most times the collars to these match with their mates main Soul trait colors. Either with gems, the fabric itself matches, or anything like that!  They react to their mates emotional status; Easily able to send back and comfort them however they may need. It keeps them close, their bonds strong, and their Souls radiating to each other with all the love and affection they need; Doesn’t matter if their bodies are snuggled up or their miles apart!  Truly a romantic type; Will never fade or tatter away, no matter how many times you wear it, if you shower with it, work with it.  There are many ways this collar type can be taken off though; The couple have a falling out, their bond becomes so faded it falls off itself, or if either party takes it off themselves. 

~!!Be advised!!~  If you want to take it off for mundane reasons, make sure to keep it close to your Soul or put it somewhere else on your body so that your mate does not freak out about the sudden disappearance of your Bond. Better yet, do it while in front of them while explaining yourself as you’re doing it. Always remember; Communication is key; Anyways you can!

Master Collars; Collars used normally with the Strongest and Deadliest Monsters. It’s the literal Master/Slave kind. The type where it connects and locks using the Stronger Monsters Soul. Their fully metal, bulky, and just plain uncomfortable. If the Boss Monster at all thinks the lesser one is useful or they just seriously like them-... And they don’t like them back? Well. You can call this the ‘Yandere’ collar for sure. They are also limited to how many they collar, however they can collar up to 10 others, not risking their own lives for the ones who they deem worthy. It is said to be a better solution for those who are ‘Protectors’ who want to protect many, all at once without the fear of dusting themselves in the process. Though this can also be dangerous; The ones under these collars are prone to giving their own Souls and lives up to the ones in charge against their wills if a fight occurs and their Master gets harmed. The weakest ones will drain the fastest while others will pay for the rest. The only ways that this collar could ever be taken off is; The Stronger Monster doesn’t desire the lesser one anymore or either party dies. ...Creepy collar.

Device Collars; Things may happen to where one will fall victim in becoming, not a Slave per say, but to work off a debt of a certain intelligent being who works with devices and other similar items. Probably also can call it the ‘Debt Collar’. These collars are made for tracking workers in certain areas of the Underground. They are heat resistant, water resistant, and more. Anything you can think of, they will not break. They are remote controlled; Able to keep everyone in check with a shock if so need be. They are limitless as they do not need any Soul or Magic to keep them going, unlike the rest of the collars listed above. Made with a metal similar to what humans have called Graphene, it can stretch and wrap around ones neck with ease. It will have some smooth features, but normally it will look like it is in parts. It will automatically lock in the back with the numbers of the debt one could not pay off, or simply because the person in control is just that insane to make it so high that they will make sure not to lose any of their workers... Each time they work; It will numbers will be deducted randomly. The wearer won’t be able to see their numbers and check how far til their end goal is. It is, however, a very horrible choice if one is killed by another with these collars on. Due to the person who has invented it, the collar will latch onto the one responsible for ‘Taking Their Worker Away’ and become in all the debt that the dusted creature was in, overtaking their place as punishment.  Normally with a genius in charge, the symbol of the Royal Scientist decorating their metal collars, almost everyone stays away. Those who are so desperate to be a willing lab rat or other type of worker will actually go and sign their Souls away... These collars are normally never able to be taken off; Though if the Royalty does not need them no longer, then they will be freed to be unleashed. But only when they are done with them.

Okay! So that should do it for the 4 main ones! If you ask about someones special collar... Hn, won’t say I’ll let you know ;) Wait for the story and guess if you think you can! ♥

I also wouldn’t mind if peeps like, want to help make them better and help change them to more interesting things??? I don’t mind bouncin’ ideas off; These are the main ideas that have popped up and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them for weeks now!? And it might be the main reason I started the story...

[floralseokjin]

Absolutely loved!! The sixth part of mls!! Like so good so wholesum yet so smutty and my god dilf Jin has a such a huge sex drive! It has not been doing any good to all the dirty thoughts I’ve been having about him lately 😖 time to re read this until u post the next part!! Thank u for this!!

he has sex on the brain lmaoo! i am happy to have helped you with such dirty thoughts 😛 thanks so much for reading, the fact you’re going to RE read makes me 🥰

[thatmahblog]

Ok people can say what they want, and I'm usually too scared to reblog these. But I am a big suporter of expressing gender by concepts, because it is infinite and just a part of identity, something that should be fun wild and free. And this blog makes the absolute cutest most wholesum fun genders & flags and it makes me simle everytime I see one on my dash.

Naedrean, Naedreic, Naedreboy, and Naedregirl

Naedrean: a gender that is slippery, thin, and spooky. It is connected to snake and tall grass, and has no gender alignment (as opposed to being masculine, feminine, etc.) Etymology: Middle English, “nǣdre” meaning “snake”

Naedreic: a gender that is slippery, thin, and spooky. It is connected to snake and tall grass, and can be connected to swamps, bogs, and empty fields of grass and weeds  Etymology: Middle English, “nǣdre” meaning “snake”

Naedreboy: a gender that is slippery, thin, and spooky. It is connected to snake and tall grass, and has a masculine gender alignment.  Etymology: Middle English, “nǣdre” meaning “snake”

Naedregirl: a gender that is slippery, thin, and spooky. It is connected to snake and tall grass, and has a feminine gender alignment. Etymology: Middle English, “nǣdre” meaning “snake”

[wholesumandparts]

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[sherristockman]

The Organic Corporate Takeover Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola For many Americans, the organic label on a food represents a superior product, one that's free from pesticides and other agricultural chemicals and farmed using sustainable agricultural practices. Many would be surprised to learn, however, that in many cases organic companies are owned by multinational conglomerates, many of which produce nonorganic foods as well, using methods that are in direct contrast to the rules of organic. Such discrepancies have become even more apparent when you look at trade groups like the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which says its mission is to promote and protect organic — and its members work together toward this end. "OTA members represent the huge diversity and the entire supply chain of today's organic industry — small and large organic farmers of all types, local and national organic processors, regional and countrywide organic distributors, mom-and-pop organic stores and organic retail chains," according to OTA.1 But hiding (in plain sight) among these wholesome ranks are corporate members that seemingly do not belong, like chemical giant BASF, one of the largest manufacturers of dicamba-based herbicide formulations and a major player in genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and agricultural conglomerate Cargill, another GMO and concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) giant. Cargill even goes so far as to praise the virtues of factory farming, stating, "CAFOs are effective and efficient, as well as being a more sustainable means of resource utilization."2 The apparent conflict between promoting organic standards while at the same time accepting members who blatantly ignore them for most of their products has led to tension among some OTA members, even causing one family-owned organic farm, Nature's Path, to depart the organization after nearly 20 years of involvement. "Our departure from the OTA is an act of protest to raise awareness of our concern that the important role organic plays to support the health of consumers and our planet is being compromised," Arran Stephens, Nature's Path cofounder and CEO, told Living Maxwell.3 OTA Betrays Consumers by Supporting the DARK Act Some of Nature's Path's discontent with OTA started in the 1990s. Stephens once served on OTA's board of directors but resigned when he felt the organization was not doing enough to combat GMOs. Indeed, in 2016, OTA seemingly sold out and supported H.R. 1599, a bill colloquially known as the DARK Act (Deny Americans the Right to Know). It revoked states' right to impose mandatory labeling of GMOs, making Vermont's state law for mandatory GMO labeling, which had taken effect July 1, 2016, null and void. In its place, the federal law replaced clear GMO labeling with quick response (QR) codes which, when scanned with your smartphone will bring you to the company's website, where you may or may not find information about the presence of genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. The companies that convinced the OTA to support the DARK Act and its current iteration are nonorganic junk food brands that happen to own organic brands. Their main concern is not protecting organics but, rather, exploiting the organic niche while continuing to peddle their GMO-laden wares. Dag Falck, the organic program manager for Nature's Path, served on OTA's board in 2016 but resigned due to their handling of the DARK Act. He told Living Maxwell: "This was such an enormous issue that the entire membership should have been asked, but they weren't. As a board member and a member of the executive committee, I was never asked to take a vote on the issue of OTA supporting the mandatory federal labeling of GMOs. Instead, the OTA President and the Executive Director made the decision on their own, and we found out after the fact."4 >>>>> Click Here <<<<< OTA Member BASF Continues to Devastate the Environment With Dicamba In 2017, BASF released Engenia, a dicamba-based herbicide designed specifically for use with GE dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. That year, they announced a more than $270-million investment to expand production capacity for the herbicide in Texas; it was the company's largest investment ever in facilities for agricultural products.5 BASF's production and expansion of dicamba has no place in the organic movement, and this product is even mired in controversy among conventional farmers because the drift-prone formulations are damaging neighboring crops. By November 2017, an estimated 3.6 million acres across the U.S. had been damaged by dicamba drift,6 as had trees in Iowa, Illinois and Tennessee. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed some restrictions on dicamba usage, making it more cumbersome for farmers. For instance, special training is required to apply the herbicide, and its application is prohibited when wind speeds are greater than 10 mph. Farmers are also asked to assess the risk that spraying could have on nearby crops, as well. Despite this, reports of damage from dicamba drift have continued in 2018, including 25,000 acres of soybean damage in one area of Missouri alone. Some farmers feel they're being forced to buy GE dicamba-tolerant seeds, just so they can survive their neighbors' chemical sprays.7 The Center for Biological Diversity also estimated that dicamba is slated to be sprayed on more than 60 million acres of monarch butterfly habitat, even though it's toxic to milkweed, their only food. "America's monarchs are already in serious trouble, and this will push them into absolute crisis," said Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center, in a news release. "It's appalling that the EPA approved this spraying without bothering to consider the permanent damage it will do to these butterflies and their migration routes."8 BASF Wants to Market Organic Mulch Made With GMOs While turning a blind eye to the environmental destruction caused by dicamba, BASF is also attempting to get organic approval for a biodegradable mulch product being made by its biopolymers division. The mulch is made using GMOs as a "processing aid," which should automatically disqualify the product from organic certification, since GMOs are not allowed in organics. However, BASF is claiming that the GMOs "do not survive the production process" and using that loophole to gain approval from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). According to Living Maxwell, NOSB board member David Mortensen, Ph.D., professor of weed and applied plant ecology at Penn State University, told the business development manager for BASF's biopolymers division:9 "I was coming back from the dicamba drift discussion, a closed-door discussion, where I heard multiple organic farmers say that they're on the verge of not being able to grow their crops because of dicamba drift, which is manufactured by BASF. I guess I'm trying to reconcile a corporate ethic that wants to sell a product for organic production on the one hand and is selling a product that's being used on about 50 million acres of cropland on the other hand. Could you just help me see the corporate ethic where there's consistency here?" OTA Member Cargill Is Synonymous With CAFOs and GMOs Nature's Path also cited OTA member Cargill as another reason to part ways with OTA. "Cargill is one of a handful of global players that are driving the factory farm model of food production. Cargill is also intimately involved in the production of cheap GMO soy that is one of the top feed sources for factory farmed livestock and fish," Patty Lovera, policy director for Food & Water Watch, told Living Maxwell.10 Cargill has also partnered with BASF to create GE canola seeds that produce plant-based omega-3, even though GE canola commonly contaminates organic farms. It's an unsettling irony that Cargill, a company that operates using CAFOs, GMOs and toxic pesticides, also sells organic sunflower and soybean oil, as though they're interested in organic farming. Stephens, the Nature's Path executive, cited Cargill, BASF and other OTA members like Kellogg, General Mills and Smuckers as those who have spent millions of dollars to fight GMO labeling and transparency. Yet, when he complained about their OTA membership, specifically for BASF, he didn't receive a suitable response.11 OTA's Acceptance of Hydroponic 'Container Growing Systems' Is Highly Controversial OTA and the hydroponic lobby, led by the Coalition for Sustainable Organics, are seeking to rewrite organic rules to include hydroponics, which are plants grown in a liquid medium without soil. However, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations require that your crop rotation plan maintains or improves soil organic matter. Since hydroponics do not involve the use of soil, they do not qualify for organic certification, yet hydroponic operators have been certified organic by USDA accredited certification agencies, which is deceitful to the public. Hydroponics also use chemicals, which organic producers are barred from using. Worse, commercial hydroponic growers will rarely reveal the fertilizers they use. Further, keep in mind that while growing food indoors does reduce the need for pesticides, it does not automatically mean hydroponic vegetables are pesticide-free. In addition, at least one study found hydroponically grown vegetables had lower levels of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein than conventional vegetables.12 While OTA claims that they are not in favor of hydroponics, they support the allowance of container growing systems, which are those grown in mediums such as coconut fiber with liquid nutrients added. Companies such as Driscoll's and Wholesum Harvest, also OTA members, claim to use container growing systems, but many say they are actually one in the same as hydroponics because most of the nutrients are delivered via a liquid solution.13 Organic Factory Farms Become the Norm Unfortunately, an organic label on your food is not necessarily enough to verify that it comes from a farm using humane, sustainable practices. In the dairy industry, for instance, some organic farms are passing off industrially produced milk as organic — and pocketing the increased profits while small family farms struggle to survive. Cows produce more milk, faster, when they're fed grain in the barn, as opposed to grazing on grass on pasture. Industrialized organic dairies are capitalizing on this by skimping on grazing time, raising thousands of cows in veritable CAFOs, yet still gaining the USDA organic label that suggests a superior product. In fact, thousands of chickens could be raised in squalid conditions on a CAFO, yet still be labeled as organic.14 In April 2016, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a proposed rule to amend organic livestock and poultry practices to provide for better animal welfare. A final rule was published in January 2017, delayed multiple times until November and then finally withdrawn in May 2018.15 In short, some organic companies continue to operate as CAFOs, raising animals in confinement and producing sub-par "organics" that taint the entire system. If you want to know who really owns the organic brands you trust and love, check out the Cornucopia Institute's Who Owns Organic graphic16 — but be prepared, you're probably in for some surprises. The Solution? Biodynamic Produce and AGA-Certified Beef and Dairy There are many organic companies that are doing it right, raising "clean" meats and pesticide-free produce using traditional, chemical-free farming methods that support surrounding ecosystems and laws of nature. However, many are not, and it's not always easy to decipher the good guys from the bad. Biodynamic farming is a welcome alternative that goes beyond organic in some key ways. Biodynamic farming is organic, regenerative farming, taking advantage of crop rotation, cover crops and so on, but it goes a step further, taking moon phases and planetary cycles into account when planting and harvesting, for example. Biodynamic farming also differs a bit in the way farmers are certified. While an organic farmer can section off as little as 10 percent of the farm for the growing of certified organic goods, in order to be certified as a biodynamic farmer, your entire farm must be biodynamic. In addition to that, biodynamic certification also requires 10 percent of the land be dedicated to increasing biodiversity, such as forest, wetland or insectary. Not only does biodynamic farming provide superior crops both in volume and increased density of nutrients, but biodynamic farms are also completely self-sustaining. For meat and dairy, because the USDA is not doing nearly enough to protect the integrity of its organic label, I encourage you to look for the American Grassfed Association (AGA) logo, a high-quality grass fed standards and certification for American-grown grass fed meat and dairy.17 The standard allows for greater transparency and conformity18 and is intended to ensure the humane treatment of animals and meet consumer expectations about grass fed products, while being feasible for small farmers to achieve. An AGA logo on a product lets you know the animals were fed a lifetime diet of 100 percent forage, were raised on pasture (not in confinement) and were not treated with hormones or antibiotics.19 You can further protect your family by consulting Cornucopia's organic dairy scorecard, which separates organic high-integrity dairy brands from what they call the "factory farm imposters." The Cornucopia Institute's Scrambled Eggs report and organic egg scorecard are also important resources, which rank 136 egg producers according to 28 organic criteria. As demand for truly sustainable, high-quality food sources grow, it's becoming easier to find biodynamic and AGA-certified foods at local health food stores, farmers markets and food co-ops; however, if you can't find these, look for organic foods grown by small farmers you know and trust.

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A growing battle in the $47 billion organic food industry could fundamentally change the program — and some farmers are worried

The National Organic Standards Board, an advisory committee to the US Department of Agriculture, voted to allow some crops grown hydroponically and aquaponically to have organic labels.

Organic food sales totaled $47 billion in the US in 2016.

Some traditional organic farmers are threatening to leave the NOSB, the program they helped create, over the controversial vote.

The United States organic industry — whose 2016 sales totaled around $47 billion — is facing a battle between traditional farmers and high-tech producers.

In recent years, hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic farms — which grow produce in nutrient-rich solution without soil, often indoors — have boomed. Some of these businesses have been granted the organic label for their products. 

But that trend has dismayed some traditional farmers, who argue that allowing non-soil producers to label their food organic weakens the integrity of the program. True organic farming, they say, requires nurturing, natural soil. 

But in a series of close votes on Wednesday night, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), an advisory committee to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), voted to allow the majority of these high-tech operators to stay in the National Organic Program. The decision creates an organics standard for non-soil farming, which did not exist previously.

Dave Chapman, a longtime organic tomato farmer in Vermont, is not happy with the decision, which he calls a "tragic failure."

"The National Organic Program has failed at the very thing it was created to do: creating trust and transparency between organic farmers and eaters," he told Business Insider in a statement. "After a publicized series of failures in defending organic integrity, the Organic Program's Advisory Board decision to embrace hydroponic production as the 'new organic' is the final straw." 

Chapman said he is considering leaving the program. He and other critics of the board's decision say that hydroponic farming does not meet the USDA's definition of organic due to its lack of soil.

Organic traditionalists point to the ideas of Albert Howard, an English botanist who inspired the organic farming movement. In 1940, Howard wrote that "the health of soil, plant, animal and man is one and indivisible."

PlentyLisa Stokke, cofounder of farmer advocacy group Food Democracy Now said in a statement that the USDA's definition "reflects the beliefs of the international organic movement."

"To suggest calling hydroponic 'organic' is to completely misunderstand the meaning of organic," she addd.

But hydroponig growers argue that they're growing what consumers expect from the organic label: crops produced without synthetic pesticides.

Plenty, a California-based hydroponic farming company, gained organic certification earlier this year. Matt Barnard, the company's CEO, told Business Insider that he was pleased with the NOSB's vote.

"We are growing fresh fruits and vegetables that are as organic as any other method," he said. "People have spent 35 years understanding what 'organic' is, which is a long time. We, as a business, did not feel it would've been fair or equitable to cause a just-as-organic farming operation to have to explain to people something as convoluted as 'Oh, it's just as organic as ... but not organic.' That would've cost us an amount of money and years that we don't have the budget for."

AP Images

The NOSB issued its recommendation in four parts. It voted to allow hydroponic systems, which grow plants in water-based nutrients, as well as aquaponics, which combine hydroponic systems with fish farms, to remain in the Organics Program. 

The committee chose not to tighten its rules on container growing, a type of hydroponic agriculture that grows crops in a solution made of water, nutrients, and organic matter. Several large organic berry growers, including Driscoll’s and Wholesum Harvest, have implemented container growing.

But aeroponic farming — which grows plants suspended in the air with exposed roots — will be kicked out.

Overall, the decision may signal a new direction for the organic industry, since it will include farmers who don't produce crops in fields.

But some pioneers of the sustainable farming movement believe the vote could splinter the organics industry.

"At the very time that we most need the leadership of the organic community, the corporations have completed a hostile takeover of the National Organic Program," Chapman said. "We will have to start again."

NOW WATCH: A nutritionist explains which foods you should buy organically

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