| Is organic farming a niche fad, or is the way of the | | | | Does Organic Farming Produce Less than |
| future? There are many advocates who claim that the | | | | Conventional Farming? |
| environmental, nutritional and health benefits of this type | | | | Today organic farms on the average yields about 92 |
| of farming makes it the preferred method of farming. | | | | % of what is produced by conventional agriculture in |
| Others believe that the benefits are exaggerated and | | | | the United States. In less developed countries organic |
| the lower yields and higher costs make it impractical | | | | farming yields over 130% of conventional yield. This is |
| for meeting the world's food supply. The following are | | | | mainly due to the fertilizers that are available to the US |
| five common questions on organic farming. | | | | farmer, but not to developing countries. Some |
| Is It Better for the Environment? | | | | opponents of organic farming claim that if we all |
| Organic farming does not use the pesticides, herbicides | | | | switched to organic farming, there would be world |
| and synthetic fertilizers that conventional farming does. | | | | wide shortages of food. |
| These chemicals can remain in the land as well as on | | | | There are a number of studies that dispute the claim |
| the product itself. Organic farming methods tend to | | | | that organic farms produces less than conventional on |
| leave the soil in better condition over the long haul and | | | | corn and soybean. One study from Ohio University |
| consume less energy and water than conventional | | | | claims that organic farming can produce as much corn |
| farming. These issues would point to organic farming | | | | per acre as traditional farming. Other research |
| being more environmentally friendly. However, organic | | | | published by Rodale Institute Farming Systems claims |
| farming covers a very broad array of farming (crops | | | | that organic farming "produces the same yields of |
| dairy and cattle) and directly comparing the | | | | corn and soybeans as does conventional farming, but |
| environmental impact of organic farming vs. | | | | uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no |
| conventional is nearly impossible. Suffice to say that | | | | pesticides." Additionally, studies indicate that organically |
| most people believe the use of pesticides is harmful to | | | | produced crops hold up better under drought conditions |
| the environment and thereby makes organic farming | | | | and organic farmed land may produce more over the |
| more environmentally friendly. | | | | long term. The reason is that wind and water erosion |
| Does Organic Food Taste Better? | | | | degrades the soil on the conventional farm while the |
| It appears that this is a common perception, in fact a | | | | soil on the organic farms steadily improve in organic |
| survey from the UK's Organic Body the Soil | | | | matter, moisture, microbial activity and other soil quality |
| Association indicates that most people who buy | | | | indicators. The same study that cited corn and |
| organic food, believe it tastes better. There is also a | | | | soybean results also admitted that other crops such |
| supposed scientific study cited by "The Organic | | | | as potatoes, apples, grapes and cherries may not be |
| Center" that claims that organic food tastes better. | | | | as productive with organic farming because of pest |
| There have been many other studies done that are | | | | control issues. |
| inconclusive. There does not appear to be any valid | | | | Since less than 2% of agriculture in the US is certified |
| study that conclusively states that organic food tastes | | | | organic, there is a huge difference in resources applied |
| better than conventional. Taste is very subjective and | | | | to conventional agriculture versus organic. The debate |
| can also be affected by storage and shipping of the | | | | about farming organically being less productive is not |
| produce. | | | | yet settled, and any broad statement about organic |
| Is Organic Food More Nutritious? | | | | farming productivity needs to be questioned. |
| Many organic enthusiasts believe that organic food has | | | | Is Organic food is more expensive to produce? |
| more nutrients in it. However two major studies one by | | | | There is no question that organic food is more |
| the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine | | | | expensive for the consumer. Price comparisons on |
| and another done by Food Standards Agency (FSA) | | | | typical produce show organic 50% to 300% more |
| dispute any claim that there is significant nutritional | | | | expensive. Organic farming is considered more labor |
| benefit from eating organic food. Freshness of the | | | | intensive than conventional farming. However the price |
| product, storage conditions and food preparation | | | | difference is also due to organic food having much |
| methods will make a bigger difference in nutritional | | | | higher profit margins for both the retailer and the |
| benefits than whether it is organic or conventional. | | | | farmer. Consumers are willing to pay more for |
| Is Organic Food Safer for You? | | | | organically farmed product and there is a fairly limited |
| The level of pesticides used in conventional farming | | | | supply. Ask any conventional farmer and he will tell you |
| has created a concern that conventionally grown | | | | that price at the grocery store has nothing to do with |
| foods are covered with pesticides and therefore | | | | farming costs. It is supply and demand. So while prices |
| poisoning the consumer. There is no question that | | | | are much higher now, if there was a significant swing |
| ingesting pesticides is a bad thing, but is the amount of | | | | to organic farming, market conditions and economies |
| pesticides normally ingested when eating conventionally | | | | of scale would cause prices to drop significantly at the |
| farmed foods dangerous? Not according to former | | | | retail level. Whether the prices ever get as low as |
| Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, the EPA and | | | | conventional farmed foods is unknown. |
| even the FDA. A number of studies have concluded | | | | Summary: There are a lot of good reasons to continue |
| that the amount of pesticide residue found on US | | | | to promote and develop farming organically. The fact |
| grown crops is not harmful. | | | | that it is better for the environment and tends to leave |
| However, there are still many health experts that raise | | | | the soil in better condition over longer periods of time |
| concerns particularly on the effect of infants. There | | | | are compelling reasons. Further development and |
| are also concerns for the farmer who is applying | | | | expansion of organic farming should result in better |
| pesticide as they are subject to a much greater | | | | efficiencies and economies. Whether organic farming |
| exposure. Organic food is probably safer, but there is | | | | grows and becomes a significant percentage of |
| no conclusive evidence that the levels of pesticides on | | | | agriculture or remains a small niche is still a mater of |
| conventional foods are harmful. | | | | speculation. |