The Sierra Eco Label
The Sierra Eco Label supports and markets the sale of flowers from socially and environmentally responsible farms.
The Sierra Eco Label has as its guiding objectives to:
- Create awareness in the market of the social and environmental issues concerning flower growing
- Improve labor, social, health and safety standards in flower growing farms
- To help enforce environmental protection standards in flower growing farms
- Ensure an industry that is sustainable
The standards and criteria for certification are too many to list here, but below are just a few of the very important impacts the program has on the environment, the workers and their families, and the quality of the product being produced.
The environment
With strict guidelines for the proper use of WHO approved agro-chemicals, the water table and surrounding eco-systems are preserved, allowing communities to farm and have access to safe drinking water.
Floriculture requires an enormous amount of water, so the criteria that ensure proper water management, recuperation and treatment is vital in making sure that water levels are maintained at appropriate...
People and community
Employment security and guaranteed wages are part of the contract that employees sign with the farms participating in this program. This assures that workers will be paid higher than national average wages, be paid overtime and have job security to be able to provide stability and a quality of life for their families. Child labor is not tolerated on these farms.
There are extensive guidelines for the proper use and application of approved agro-chemicals, including appropriate protective clothing, non-entry rules strictly enforced, and proper storage and disposal techniques. These are part of criteria to ensure worker health and safety.
Farms carrying the Sierra Eco label provide training and education for their employees, making them more valuable to the farm and marketable in the industry. As the farms are most often in remote areas, schools are built and teacher's salaries are subsidized by the farm in order to provide education for other family members. Along with schools, there are funds allocated to help subsidize food co-ops and recreational programs. There are also medical services provided for employees and their families.
Quality
The quality of flowers being produced in farms that are committed to this program meet very high quality standards. Healthy, well trained employees, the proper use and application of agro-chemicals, and a close monitoring of all aspects of their growing process all contribute to a better, longer lasting flower.
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