Why go Organic?

 “When I was a child we didn’t eat organic and I grew up just fine.” 

That is a statement I often hear from my husband during many of our “discussions” on why I should or shouldn’t continue to buyorganic food for our family. I frequently tell him that’s because they didn’t have organicfood in the store back then.  Pesticide use was not as frequentand what was used was not as toxic as today’s chemical cocktailsbeing used.  And of course they didn’t genetically modify or irradiateour foods like they do today.  Soon they’ll have us eating plastic andtry to tell us that it is good for us.  Oh wait…they already do that.Hydrogenated oils are only 1 chemical compound away from thechemical formula of plastic!  Oddly even cockroaches won’t eat it, but yet they put it in our foods and tell us it’s safe.  Enough of my rant…there are many, many reasons to go organic. There seems to be a lack of knowledge of what organics do,not only for our families, but how they impact the planet we all share. I feel very strong about organic products and I hope that I can helppeople increase their knowledge so they can make informed choicesin their lives. So…

Why Organic? 
 

Organic farmers work in harmony with nature
Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

Organic farms respect our water resources
The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.

Organic farmers build healthy soil
Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.

Organic producers strive to preserve diversity
The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

Organic production reduces health risks
Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

Organic producers are leaders in innovative research
Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

Organic products meet stringent standards
Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.

Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy
USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

Organic food tastes great!
It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.

Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike!
Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way. 

Why organic food is more expensive than conventional food:In general, organic food costs more than conventional food because of the laborious and time-intensive systems used by the typically smaller organic farms. You may find that the benefits of organic agriculture off-set this additional cost. At the same time, there are ways to purchase organic while sticking to your budget. Consider the following when questioning the price of organic:

§                                 Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do. Therefore, the price of organic food reflects the true cost of growing.

§                                 The price of conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay for through our tax dollars.

§                                 Organic farming is more labor and management intensive.  Source: The Organic Trade Association

Organics is not just for food, but for everything we grow.  Any pesticide use contaminates our soils and water sources!   Tomorrow I will discuss why we should (and much to my own surprise) also buy organic cotton.

~ by digitalpoetry on December 4, 2007.