The Big "O" - Ten Good Reasons to Go Organic
From the Organic Trade Association, The O'Mama Report
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.
