The Benefits of Organic Farming

Organic (in three definitions):

-being or relating to or derived from or having properties characteristic of living organisms
-involving or affecting physiology or bodily organs (an organic illness)
-of or relating to foodstuff grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or hormones


Today, I'm going to be talking about that third definition, but I thought it was important to remind you readers that it is related to the first two.  It seems to me like the term has been twisted around about itself a lot since the beginning of the organic farming movement in the 60s, and I don't want its roots to get lost in history.

Organic farming often gets flak from those shoppers strongly committed to their cheap, industrial meat and produce, and I think I understand where the animosity comes from.  Just to look at, the only observable difference between a bag of organic baby carrots and the regular stuff is the price, and why would you ever want to pay more for the same product?  But, if you could see the processing that went behind these two bags with the same cursory glance you give a price tag, you might see my point.

One of the biggest problems with factory farming that can be easily avoided with organic practices is pollution.  Like any kind of pollution, the industrial farm is one link in a long chain we call our environment, so what you put into the soil on a farm in Mississippi could travel downstream and contaminate the drinking water of a family in New Orleans.  Nitrogen-based fertilizers are a common cause of groundwater pollution in communities that rely on farming and the surrounding areas across the country.  Furthermore, these fertilizers are used to increase the growing potential of a field of course, but over time they produce the opposite effect.  The soil is degraded by harsh chemical additives like ammonia, and eventually even effects the amount of nutrients (especially antioxidants) to be found in the foods growing there.

In addition to reducing pollution and enhancing the nutritiousness of your food, organic farming has positive effects on biodiversity, small farmers, and your very own body.  For more information, visit The Organic Trade Association, and see what a difference a few dollars really makes.