This document summarizes the key differences between organically and conventionally grown produce. It discusses that organic farming is designed to conserve soil and water and reduce pollution, while conventional farming uses chemicals to promote growth and treat pests. Specifically, it notes that organic seeds are not genetically engineered or exposed to chemicals, while conventional seeds are often treated with chemicals. It also discusses differences in pest control methods, fertilizers, and appearance/freshness. The document provides an overview of USDA organic certification requirements and debates differences in nutritional content between organic and conventional produce. It emphasizes the benefits of eating locally grown and organic foods to reduce pesticide exposure and support the local economy and environment.

1. Organic vs. Conventional
What’s the difference anyway?

2. Are Organic Foods Better?
The difference between organic and conventionally grown
produce – nutrition, safety and sustainability.
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3. What is the purpose of Organic farming?
Organic farming is
designed to conserve soil,
water and reduce
pollution in the
environment.

4. What’s different in a conventionally or
organically grown apple?
Apple – both have vitamins, fiber, etc.

5. Conventionally Grown
• Seeds treated with chemicals to promote early
germination, fight pests, fungus
• Genetically engineered seeds to withstand heavy
pesticides
• Pest control - Sprayed with synthetic fungicides,
pesticides
• Growth – use of chemical fertilizers or human sewage
sludge is allowed
• Freshness - Waxes, gas and coloring can be used to
preserve freshness and improve appearance
• Costs – many large commercial farms are subsidized
by the government. Can mitigate crop losses through
pest and disease management.
Figure 15. An airblast sprayer being used to apply
fungicides in a commercial orchard. (Courtesy J. Hartman)

6. Organically grown
• Seeds - from organically grown plants, unexposed
to chemicals, and cannot be genetically engineered
• Weed control – natural methods like crop
rotation or animals
• Pest control - Predator bugs & traps for pest
control. Biodynamics
• Growth – Natural fertilizers and methods to
enrich the soil
• Cost – higher percent of crop losses do to insects,
fungus, etc., plus extra costs for USDA certification
process
• Appearance - May be different shapes, colors and
look less than perfect and spoil more quickly
• Consumers still expect perfect fruit. Most of us
still envision large, flawless fruit when we think of
apples. Organic apples are smaller, more prone to
skin discolorations, and more expensive than
conventionally grown apples.
Pest traps to manage,
rather than fully
eradicate insects.
Wheat growing in an apple
orchard to enhance soil
organisms to fight disease
and improve apple health.

7. Organic Certification
• USDA Certified -USDA Organic Label Required for farmers who
sell more than $5,000 annually.
• Government regulated certification program managed by
regional certifying organizations.
• Monitored annually
• Regulates how its grown, handled & processed.
• Where the seed comes from – no GMO seeds
• What’s in the soil
• How to control pests, diseases, etc.
• Any possible contamination from neighbors or surrounding environment
• What the cleaning methods are – no unsafe chemicals
• Containers and handling
• Costly and not possible for many farmers but the USDA has increased spending to support organic
farming.

8. Where it all starts….the Seed!
GMO or Hybrid - What’s the diff?
• GMO process takes totally foreign genetic material
and inserts it artificially into the DNA of the seed.
• Little is known about the long-term impact on our
environment, flora and fauna, or on us as consuming
humans!
• Hybrid seed is created by cross-pollinating two or
more varieties, usually of the same species which
mimics a naturally occurring process.
• Hybrids will not reproduce themselves well, so the
seed needs to be recreated through cross-pollinating
for every crop.
• Hybrid seed can be Certified Organic.
A farmer’s planned experiment
involving feeding squirrels GMO’s
and non-GMO’d corn never
happened because mice ate all the
non-GM corn first—while ignoring
the GM!
http://www.non-
gmoreport.com/articles/may08/farmers_non-
GM_corn.php#sthash.VIvtJuN5.dpuf

9. What’s a key benefit of eating Organic? What it doesn’t
contain - Pesticides
• Reduction in pesticide exposure which has
been linked to increases in cancer,
Parkinson’s, birth defects, dangerous food
allergies
• The chemicals for mold, insects, diseases
leave residue that goes into our bodies &
builds up over time. Some cannot be washed
off and removing the peel removes fibers and
nutrients.
• Study at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine – 85%
decrease in pesticide levels in people who
switched to organic food
• Chemical farming has been linked to bee
colony collapse disorder
• GMO seeds are engineered to withstand
heavy doses of pesticides which end up in our
food, air and water systems

10. The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen
Based on:
How susceptible it is to pests and fungus
(how often it needs to be sprayed)
Does the residue go inside?
Does it have a skin or not?

11. Is organic produce more nutritious? The debate
• A 2010 study from Stanford said there wasn’t any nutritional benefits in
organics vs. conventional.
• A NEW study in 2014 shows substantially higher antioxidant levels in
organic crops which have been linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases
and cancer.
• The Organic Center and UK based Soil Association – Overall organic food
is about 25% higher in nutritional contents
• Why? Organically grown plants create compounds to fight off insects &
diseases naturally. The stress of growing naturally produces higher sugar
content
• Organically grown fruit doesn’t get artificially large so the vitamins are
concentrated.
• You don’t have to peel them to avoid the pesticides. You can even eat the
skin of the orange
• But the biggest question is…not if you’re eating organic or
conventional…but…are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? The
recommended amount is nine servings every day!

12. Bottom Line….
• Choosing organic is cleaner, absent from
pesticides & chemicals
• Fruit & veggies get their flavor from the
nutrients feeding them.
• Natural weather conditions and picking times
maximize flavor
• Choosing locally grown produce that’s grown
in the right season will give you the freshest,
tastiest fruit & veggies.
• If it tastes better, you’ll want to eat it more
often.
You be the judge!

13. The benefits of eating Locally grown food
• Local foods are fresher and taste better!
• Reduce the environment impact by eating local!
• Eat seasonal produce that is bursting with
nutrients because it ripened naturally and is
harvested at it’s peak. Ripens on the plan not in a
shipping container!
• Local foods require less processing which reduces
your chance of eating toxins and food
contamination.

14. Support your local farmer!
• San Diego farms contribute over $5 billion
annually to our local economy
• Viable farms maintain open space and are a
hedge against urban sprawl
• Farms maintain air quality through carbon
sequestration from millions of plants and trees
• Makes fresh products available locally
• Where San Diego County Ranks Nationally
• More small farms than any other county
• Top grower of avocados, guavas, pomegranates,
lemons, limes, strawberries and macadamias
• #2 in farms with women as principal operator
From San Diego Farm Bureau
Blue Heron Farm &
Inn, Fallbrook

15. A sampling of some of the local farms and
artisans we work with:
J.R Organics Farm, Escondido
Polito Family Farms, Valley Center
Blue Heron, Fallbrook
Sundial Farms, Vista
Dassi Family Farm, Leucadia
Springhill Cheese, Petaluma
Revolution Roasters, Leucadia
Stehly Farms, Valley Center
San Diego Honey Company, La Jolla
Eben-Haezer Egg Ranch, Ramona
Sweet Tree Organics, Dinuba
and the list goes on and on…

16. Shop for locally grown produce from your
desktop!
Now you can~
• Buy locally sourced & organically grown produce so
you’re not eating unhealthy hormones or pesticides
• Get local, artisan foods to round out the selection,
such cheese, honey, jams, almonds, infused olive
oils & balsamic vinegars condiments and coffees

17. We bring the farm to YOU
• Each week, we gather an
assortment fresh fruits and veggies
from our local farmers
• We pack them in assorted boxes –
veggies only, fruit & veggie medley,
juicing, or whatever you prefer&
deliver them to your office.
• You get to eat healthy, fresh foods
and spend more quality time
doing what you enjoy!

18. Locally sourced artisan foods
Goodies for Foodies
• Local, Raw Honeys
• Locally Roasted Coffee
• Local Free Range Eggs
• Organic Cheeses
• Raw, Organic Almonds
• Olive Oils, Balsamic
Vinegars

19. Here’s how it works
• Log on to the website and place your order
by Saturday
• We bring it to your home or office
• You can choose to order one time or get
regular deliveries every week or every other
week
• There are no upfront fees and no long
term commitments - cancel or schedule a
hold anytime
• You can also add to your regular order for
special occasions

20. Eat well, Stay well & Save time!
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