Going through the halls of the local farmers' market can be quite exciting (all the cool, fun walls for such affordable prices!) and incredibly overwhelming (um, what's sustainably raised lamb?). That's why we're here to make it easier for you by breaking down some of the common fishing practices at the farmer's market.

Free cage-There is no legal definition for free cages, but it generally indicates that animals are not restricted to individual cages. This does not mean that they are autonomous, considered or authorized to have access to the outside.

Certified Natural Grown-Farms that choose not to go through the government regulated process to become a certified organic farm may choose to go through another independent regulatory alternative – Certified Naturally Grown. This program is less expensive than the USDA certified organic program, but still requires the same high standards as farms that choose to be certified organic.

Conventional / Conventionally Grown-This means that the product is grown or raised using conventional agricultural practices widely accepted by the profession. This can include the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics, hormones and other artificial practices.

CSA (community supported agriculture)Many farmers at the markets also have a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. In a CSA, the consumer pays a purchasing fee at the start of the season and also receives a weekly or biweekly box of produce from the farm. This helps the farmer cope with high costs at the start of the season, by ensuring the consumer has a new source of local produce every week, usually at a lower price than they could have found at the market or in the store.

farmThis term generally refers to cheese and dairy products, meaning that the same livestock raising farm also produces cheese and dairy products.

farmer-This is a USDA regulated term for poultry only. Meaning When used on poultry meat and eggs, this term means that the animal has had access to the outdoors. The USDA does not require a certain amount of time or space for access to the outdoors. But many farmers in the market take the term “open access” to mean “grazed” and will use the two terms interchangeably.

Grass fed/grass finished-These terms, which generally refer to livestock, indicate that the animal was fed a natural grass-based diet instead of a more conventional diet of corn, corn, or soybeans. Cereals are often used to feed cattle and sheep in conventional farming, because they hold them to slaughterhouse weight more quickly. However, animals' digestive systems are not designed to process grain and negatively impact their overall health. Meat and milk from herbs or herbs are generally considered much healthier than meat or milk from non-grass-fed animals.

GMOs (genetically modified organisms)-GMOs are plants or animals whose genetic makeup has been modified in the laboratory to have properties not commonly found in the plant or animal. Currently, GMOs are permitted in conventional agriculture, but are not permitted in certified organic agriculture and certified natural agriculture.

timeless-When it comes to crops, heirlooms are centuries-old varieties of fruits or vegetables. They usually have a unique color, appearance, and taste, just like what you usually find at the grocery store.

cultural heritage.– When it comes to livestock, heirlooms are animals that have been bred specifically for the local community over generations, making them particularly suited to the weather, conditions and disease issues in the area.

Local/locally grown– There is no legal definition of how close a product’s origin is to “local,” but many historic markets will impose a specific limit on how local products must be sold. Be warned: some farmers markets do not regulate this and some of them will sell the product delivered. Always be wary of a tripod that holds tomatoes or other summer roots several weeks before other sticks.

locavoreA locavore is a general term for a person who is interested in a diet primarily comprising foods from their region.

Natural / Natural Cultivated / All-Natural– The requirement to be “natural” is largely unregulated (although the USDA requires that meat labeled “natural” cannot contain any artificial ingredients). Basically, someone can put “natural” on their product without regulation. This is an occasion where it would be good to ask the farmer in attendance what they mean by “natural.”

Organic / certified organic-For a farm to mark its food as “organic,” it must adhere to a strict USDA approval and regulation process. Many small farms don't have the means to follow this process, so don't turn them off if a tripod doesn't (and can't) notice that it's an "organic" food. Many farms use organic growing practices without being certified organic.

in grazing– Although this term does not have a regulated definition, many breeders use it to mean that animals are free to roam a pasture for at least part of the day. If in doubt, ask the farmer for their practice.

No pesticides / no chemicals– Many farmers who cannot afford to be certified organic or certified natural will mark their products in this way to indicate that their products are organically grown.

brut– Regarding dairy products, these are unpasteurized or homogenized dairy products. In many states, the sale of raw dairy products is illegal. However, many people consider raw dairy to be the healthiest option. So you may see a stand that sells cottage cheese or raw milk “just for pet consumption” to get around those states’ laws.

secondsMany stalls will sell second-hand fruits or vegetables that don't look as good as others, for a considerable discount. This is especially true for hail or storms with high winds that may have damaged raw materials in your area. These products are good for preservation or other processing.

Sustainable / responsible / responsible / human developmentThese terms designate socially, ecologically and economically responsible agriculture. Generally, these terms are used to refer to animal products and the conditions in which the animals live and are slaughtered (if applicable). These terms are not regulated, but some regulatory bodies do.

of transition– When switching from conventional to organic production, farms must follow a three-year period during which they follow organic farming practices, but cannot legally label their products as “organic.” Many farmers refer to their produce as “transitional” during these three years.

Rotten wines / Three ratsThis means fruits and vegetables can reach peak ripeness on the plant, instead of being picked early and shipped unripe (most produce is sold at the grocery store).

What is your favorite farmer's market research?