TEN GOOD REASONS TO
BUY ORGANIC
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 food tastes great!
It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce
strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for
people and animals.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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. |
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