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Organic Is The Ultimate In Going Green

An Organic Farm uses 30% less energy to produce crops and has less soil erosion than a conventional farm.  These are some of the results of a 22 year study by the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial.  In addition, an Organic Farm does not use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides or herbicides all of which pollute our air, groundwater, rivers and lakes.

Are you aware that many conventional farms are using genetically manipulated seed?  What are these plant's genes altered for?  Well, it's not for nutrition or taste.  They are altered for unnatural reasons such as not dying when herbicides are applied, changed growth patterns and toughness so they can be harvested by a machine and transported without bruising or breaking.

Are Organic Farm products more nutritious than products from a conventional farm?  Yes.  A recent 10 year study from the University of California-Davis, compared organically grown tomatoes to nonorganic ones.  The study compared levels of two flavonoids, which are plant compounds that have health-promoting properties, including protection against cancer, dementia and heart disease.  The level of the first flavonoid, quercetin, was 79% higher and the second flavonoid, kaempferol, was 92% higher.

Seven different studies from around the world dating back to 1974 with the most recent being conducted in 2007, have compared "Free Range Chicken Eggs" to those from hens raised in a conventional manner.  Here are the results:

1. Cholesterol   33 to 50% Less
2. Saturated Fat   25 to 30% Less
3. Vitamin A   66% More
4. Vitamin E   300% More (That is 3 times as much)
5. Folic Acid   50% More
6. Vitamin B12   70% More
7. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids   200 to 1,300% More (2 to 13 times more)
8. Beta Carotene   700% More

In addition, the 1999 Study compared the meat from "Free Range Chickens" to that raised in a conventional manner and found 21% less fat, 30% less saturated fat, and 50% more vitamin A.

Please be aware that true "Free Range" chickens range on pastures where they can do what comes naturally.  That is, feed on green plants, seeds, insects and earthworms.  The USDA is very loose with its definition of "Free Range" and allows eggs and chickens that have Quote: "daily access to the outdoors" to be labeled "Free Range".  It doesn't matter if the chickens actually go outside or whether there is pasture, bare dirt or a concrete pad outside.

This brings up another important point about Organic Farming.  Much of the Organic Farming is done on relatively smaller farms and sold locally.  This gives you an opportunity to actually visit the farm that is producing your food and see how it is done.  This builds a sense of community for people and buying locally helps the local economy.  Supporting Organic Farming helps protect your local environment and provides you with food that is fresher, higher in nutrition and just plain tastes better.

Finally, because most of the food that you buy at the supermarket travels an average of 1,500 miles before it gets to you.  By buying locally, you can help conserve fuel and reduce air pollution.  Incidentally, the fuel used to transport fuel over long distances is subsidized by your hard earned tax money.

I encourage you to visit your local Farmer's Market, visit local Organic Farms and try organic food.  A search on line will give you the names of local Organic Markets and Farms.