Organic farming is important for human and environmental health. While conventional agriculture relies on synthetic pesticides, hormones, and GMOs to increase yields, organic growers use natural methods like crop rotation that are safer. Genetically modified and conventionally grown foods present health risks, whereas organic standards prohibit synthetic additions and chemicals linked to health problems. Choosing organic food allows consumers to avoid unknown risks and support more sustainable agriculture.

1. Support OrganicBridgett SinclairComp 1021G. Pueschner

2. Do you wonder where your food comes from?

3. In our media-intense culture it is not difficult to find differing opinions.

4. By revealing the deceptive ways food is mass produced readers will see the importance of organic products.

5. When talking about animals and produce being organic means to be grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or drugs.

6. Only products with either 100% or 95-100% organic ingredients can use the USDA organic symbol.

7. Since the late 1940’s the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture production was promoted to farmers as a way to enhance productivity and increase yield from every acre.

8. The use of antibiotics, pesticides, synthetic hormones, and genetically modified organisms to increase production in agricultural practices also present problems for human and animal health.

9. Growth hormones are widely used in the beef industry to enhance weight gain and milk production. The most well known hormone is recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH). This artifically created growth hormone can increase milk production by 15%.

10. Synthetic pesticides evolved from the chemicals like mustard gas and nerve poison developed for chemical warfare in World Wars I and II.

11. Organic growers use biological and cultural practices to handle pests, including crop rotation, nutrient and water management, and release of organisms to protect crops from damage.

12. You probably eat genetically modified foods at every meal without even knowing it.

13. The terms genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) foods and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques.

14. Organic food and products can sometimes seem like the trend of the moment, but I think the trend has started because people want to get involved with how their food is grown.

15. Whether it’s a reaction to commercial food scares or just wanting to have control over their own food, more people are looking at their yards as a place to start.