Seth Barserian
S. Munoz
Engl 1A - 17744
2 December 2013

Organic Food Production Organic food production is more beneficial to people, soil, and animals than conventional food production methods. People choose organic foods to avoid being exposed to pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used for conventional farming. Organic foods have also proven to have higher amounts of nutrients in different varieties of foods. Organic food production is designed to conserve water and soil by not releasing harmful pesticides and harsh chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Organic farmers feed their animals organic feed and allow for them to roam. They also make sure their animals have a stabilized diet and healthy housing. Organic adverts to how farmers grow and process food. Most importantly, the United States Department of Agriculture requires farmers to apply for certification, pass at test, and pay a fee before certifying organic food products. These stricter guidelines allow for safer and better regulated methods of organic food production and allows for higher benefits than conventional food production. In the United States, the agriculture industry uses approximately 800 million pounds of pesticides each year, and almost 160 million tons of fertilizer each year. Explaining why many choose to consume organic foods. They don’t want to subject themselves to harmful pesticides and chemicals. These chemicals kill weeds and pests, but they also result in residue on our food. The USDA found that out of twelve most commonly consumed produce foods and wheat samples, approximately 73%-90% were contaminated with pesticides after washing and peeling. Also, twenty-five commonly used pesticides are toxic to the nervous system, harm the skin, lungs, and eyes, comprised of cancer-causing agents, result in genetic damage, damage reproductive organs, and/or cause abnormal functioning of hormones. On the other hand, organic farming offers minimal residues; therefore, proving to be a benefit to people’s health and not a detriment. There are other contributing factors that play a role in aiding higher health benefits from organic farming, such as: farms being inspected more frequently as a part of the certification process. According to Om Organics website, there have been at least 40 published studies that show organic crops to have increasingly more nutrients, whereas conventional farming has shown to have about ten times less mineral content. Lastly, organic farming is better for the farmers, themselves. Being in contact with conventional farming pesticides and fertilizers puts them at a risk of being six times more likely to develop cancer. Maintaining healthy soil ensures productive crops and allows for the promotion of healthy plant growth. Good soils resist erosion, absorb water quickly, and contain a higher capacity of water. Organic methods use natural fertilizers and pest controls. It preserves the natural state of the soils and waters- there are no harmful “run-off” of contaminants into the oceans or other water resources. Organic farmers use “cover crops” to blanket the soil and allow for the retention of moisture, supply of essential