1. Organic farming methods reduce the amounts of toxic chemicals in the environment.
By regulating the amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that can be used in agriculture, organic farming methods are better for both the planet and its people. According to the Organic Trade Association,
“Organic agriculture reduces the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer. Because organic agriculture doesn’t use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products is an easy way to help protect yourself.”
Buying and eating organic is just one contribution many of us can make to ensure generations behind us will continue to be able to have food to eat and a planet on which to live.
2. Organic farming methods preserve top soil.
Conventional agricultural methods – which rely on pesticides, herbicides, and many other harmful chemicals – have been shown to reduce top soil at alarming rates. Throughout history, the rise and fall of entire civilizations has come down to famines caused by low-quality soil. In the past when people wore out the land, they would move to a new area. With over 7 billion people living on this planet, we can’t do that anymore.
A 37-year study done near Spokane, Washington comparing two wheat farms found the conventional farm lost more than 8 inches of top soil while the organic farm lost only 2 inches of top soil. It takes on average 100 years to generate 1 millimeter of soil. Think of how much top soil could be saved if all farms adopted organic methods.
3. Organic farming methods protect our water supply.
Because organic farming seeks to maintain a balance of microorganisms in the soil, farmers use composted manure and other natural materials, rather than petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers can not only disrupt the balance of nutrients in the soil, they can also result in chemical runoff that pollutes local water supply and creates “dead zones” in larger bodies of water.
By regulating the amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that can be used in agriculture, organic farming methods are better for both the planet and its people. According to the Organic Trade Association,
“Organic agriculture reduces the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer. Because organic agriculture doesn’t use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products is an easy way to help protect yourself.”
Buying and eating organic is just one contribution many of us can make to ensure generations behind us will continue to be able to have food to eat and a planet on which to live.
2. Organic farming methods preserve top soil.
Conventional agricultural methods – which rely on pesticides, herbicides, and many other harmful chemicals – have been shown to reduce top soil at alarming rates. Throughout history, the rise and fall of entire civilizations has come down to famines caused by low-quality soil. In the past when people wore out the land, they would move to a new area. With over 7 billion people living on this planet, we can’t do that anymore.
A 37-year study done near Spokane, Washington comparing two wheat farms found the conventional farm lost more than 8 inches of top soil while the organic farm lost only 2 inches of top soil. It takes on average 100 years to generate 1 millimeter of soil. Think of how much top soil could be saved if all farms adopted organic methods.
3. Organic farming methods protect our water supply.
Because organic farming seeks to maintain a balance of microorganisms in the soil, farmers use composted manure and other natural materials, rather than petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers can not only disrupt the balance of nutrients in the soil, they can also result in chemical runoff that pollutes local water supply and creates “dead zones” in larger bodies of water.
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