Why Buy Organic?

ORGANIC

or-gan-ic

Pronunciation: or-'ga-nik

Function: adjective

Date first used (in literature): 1517

Date first used (in agriculture): 1869

1. (1) Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms (2) of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.

2. Having properties associated with living organisms. Resembling a living organism in organization or development; interconnected: society as an organic whole. Serving organic food: an organic restaurant. Simple, healthful, and close to nature: an organic lifestyle.


Pesticides? No Thanks!

Organic farming methods often involve more labor but take far less of a toll on the environment and your health. In fact they improve the local ecology through soil building, crop rotation, careful harvesting, assimilation of the local environment and composting. Conventional non-organic crops require large amounts of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers which are directly sprayed on the crops or injected into the ground. This presents serious problems in the form of run-off from the originating farms, and contributes to the contamination of our ground water supply. This residue will also be fed through wildlife by a process that is known as bio-accumulation, forever changing the blueprints mother nature designed. It also neutralizes the composition of the soil creating an "addict"-like dependency for synthetic supplements, which of course lead to an increased use in chemicals. We need to remind ourselves that when we do not buy organic, we are assuming a risk. Not only with the planet but also with our health.

Benefits of Buying Organic

1. Chemical free food/herbs. (Need we say more?)

2. Natural sustainable agriculture. (Organic crops build healthy soil through crop rotation, using composting methods, and relying on natural cycles of life to help reap bountiful harvests)

3. Farm worker safety. (Non-organic harvesters are directly exposed to agricultural chemicals. Adding enormous health risks, skin irritations, lung degeneration, and several known cancers. Organic harvesters need not worry about this)

4. Reduced pollution. (Organic agriculture avoids substances that contribute to air, water, and soil pollution and it does not contribute to the problem of chemical manufacturing and waste disposal)

5. Our bodies will thank us!

Disturbing Statistics

According to the Environmental Protection Agency's Report on Conventional Pesticides Applied to Agricultural Crops in 1994-95, each year an estimated 911 million pounds of synthetic pesticides are applied to conventional agricultural crops throughout the United States.

According to the EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, about 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually in the U.S. Pesticides are used not just for conventional crops, but also in homes, gardens, schools, offices, grocery stores, golf courses and parks.

In the study, "Food and the Environment: A Consumer's Perspective," 86 percent of respondents said they believe there is a connection between the health of the environment and their own well-being. Since 1945, total U.S. crop losses from insect damage have nearly doubled. During the same time, insecticide use has increased tenfold.

Today, seventy-one known carcinogenic pesticides are sprayed on food crops. (In Harmony's report, "Pesticides: Losing Their Effectiveness")

According to a 1997 study, up to 14 percent of all occupational injuries in the agricultural sector and 10 percent of all fatal injuries can be attributed to pesticides. (International Labor Organization)

The EPA reports that Americans ingest 167 times more dioxin every day than the acceptable daily level.

According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, only 1% of all imported fruits and vegetables are tested by the Food and Drug Administration for illegal pesticide residues.

Learn More...

Organic Consumers Association (Protecting organic standards for the consumer)

The O'Mama Organic Report (A resource for organic living, information and inspiration)

Mothers for Natural Law (A fabulous organization on the front lines in the battle against genetically altered foods and herbs)

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