| Eating organic food benefits not only the individual but | | | | reduction of species variety. Use of pesticides and |
| also the larger society and the environment. Eating | | | | other agricultural chemicals are non-specific, and so |
| organic food creates a chain of positive | | | | may also kill other insects and animals. Organic farming, |
| consequences, from consumers to farmers to | | | | on the other hand, uses methods such as crop rotation |
| monarch butterflies. This choice is about health as | | | | and composting--- methods which are basically about |
| much as it is about sustainable development. Here are | | | | working with nature than against it. |
| the top ten reasons why it is good to eat organic | | | | 6. Preserve water quality. |
| foods. | | | | Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other harmful |
| 1. Organic foods taste better. | | | | chemicals may runoff into streams or seep into our |
| Organically grown fruits and vegetables are allowed to | | | | groundwater. Testing of groundwater in many |
| grow slowly. They are not forced to ripen using | | | | municipalities in the US have shown that drinking water |
| chemical fertilizers. As such, they have lower | | | | sources are positive with traces of farm chemicals. |
| carbohydrate and water content, giving them a fuller | | | | Organic farming keeps our water resources free from |
| taste than non-organic ones. | | | | pollutants and nitrogen leaching. |
| 2. Organic foods are healthier. | | | | 7. Improve soil quality. |
| A study by the Environmental Protection Agency | | | | Conventional farming techniques, particularly tillage, |
| shows that more than 60% of all herbicides and | | | | cause soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Organic farming |
| fungicides and 30% of insecticides cause cancer. | | | | adopts a "no-till" method. New crops are planted |
| Because organic foods are grown without use of | | | | directly on crop residues. This method maintains both |
| fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, organic foods are | | | | the structure and fertility of the soil. |
| free of chemicals that are potentially harmful to the | | | | 8. Protect farm worker health. |
| human body. Studies show that nitrates in fertilizers | | | | Conventional farming, which involves use of fertilizers |
| also significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of | | | | and pesticides, exposes farmers to the highest amount |
| Vitamin C and minerals in plants. Organic foods, as | | | | of harmful agricultural chemicals than any other |
| such, contain higher levels of minerals such as iron, | | | | segment of the population . |
| magnesium, antioxidants, and chromium. | | | | 9. Organic foods are GM-free. |
| 3. Reduce exposure to pesticides | | | | The effects of genetically-modified organisms are not |
| Pesticides are not entirely washed away by rainwater. | | | | yet fully understood, but certain studies show that |
| A study by the Government Pesticide Residue has | | | | GMOs are potentially harmful to humans and animals |
| show that more than 40% of all harvested fruits and | | | | that consume them. GMOs also pose significant risks |
| vegetables in non-organic farms contain pesticide | | | | to wildlife biodiversity and to the ecosystem. |
| residues. Pesticide residues are highest in pears (95%) | | | | 10. Organic farming expends less energy. |
| and grapes (72%). Pesticide residues can create | | | | Processing of chemical fertilizers involves substantial |
| harmful effects on fertility and development of fetuses. | | | | amount of energy input (electricity and water). |
| Organic foods are 100% pesticide-free. | | | | Transport of commercial chemicals from factory to |
| 4. Environment-friendly | | | | store to farm requires fuel energy. Since organic |
| Organic farming creates less carbon dioxide and | | | | farmers use natural farmers such as manure and |
| emissions that pollute the air since it doesn't use | | | | compost, they often turn to renewable and alternative |
| fertilizer and other chemical sprays. | | | | energy sources in the making of these fertilizers. |
| 5. Preserve wildlife and biodiversity. | | | | These natural-fertilizers are also made or sourced |
| Conventional farming especially those used by | | | | within or from near the farm, giving farmers savings on |
| large-scale agri-businesses involves mono-cropping. | | | | transportation fuel. |
| This method results in depletion of soil nutrient and | | | | |