The Debate Over Organically Farmed Foods

                                                                           http://cacor.ca

The question of whether or not to eat organically grown food has been debated in my family for years. Like most people, the number one concern was whether or not organic food was a healthier, more nutrient rich choice. What dissuaded my family was the significantly higher price point.  

Research to date is contradictory. Some studies show that eating organic food versus conventionally grown food has no real health benefits. Other studies show that some organic foods are higher in antioxidants than conventionally grown food. Other research demonstrates that infants are exposed to hundreds of chemicals before they are even born.

As I divulged further, I discovered that the original purpose of growing food organically was not for the health benefits. Organic food was grown to address environmental factors and concerns. Organically grown food must meet a list of standards to be classified and labeled as organically grown. The photo  to your right outlines some of the standards that must be met in organically farmed foods. 
These standards include such practices as promoting crop rotation, soil conservation to minimize soil degradation, and prohibition of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers and drugs. 

Organic has also been shown to have reduced pesticides both in soils and waterways, as well as in the actual produce and protein we ingest. 
                                             

Additionally, these principles aid in the fight against animal abuse. Standards include the prohibition of feeding animals by products such as chicken brains and poop. Organic produce is fed organic grains and protein supplements.  

A further growing concern is whether organic farms could sustain the population in upcoming years. Organic farms employing extensive farming techniques create healthy ecosystems but yield less food than intensive farming. T Also, organic farming takes more acreage than conventional farming. However, if conventional farming continues to destroy the soils and pollute the water ways than we will be left with very little land suitable for growing anything at all. Organic farming promotes crop rotation and nutrients are restored back into the soils.

There is a great deal of controversy over this topic. The biggest question is how we are going to sustain a growing population in years to come. Whether we will employ techniques of organic farming, conventional, or a mix of both will require further research and debate. This is only the beginning.