Organic Farming: Responsibility Today for a Healthier Tomorrow

SAN MATEO, CA — Farming has existed with humans for over 10,000 years and has seen significant advancements since its earliest cultivation. Archaeologists and historians studying ancient agricultural practices collected the earliest evidence of plant harvesting, traced back to the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East. Independent development of agriculture also occurred in northern and southern China, Africa’s Sahel, New Guinea, and several regions of the Americas.

Advancements in Modern Agriculture

Humans developed agricultural methods such as irrigation, crop rotation, fertilizers, and pesticides long ago, but these methods have made great strides in the past century. Over the past 100 years, agriculture has become characterized by enhanced productivity, labor substitution for synthetic fertilizers and agriculture chemicals, selective breeding, mechanization, water pollution, and farm subsidies.

The Rise of the Organic Movement

For quite some time, there has been an ongoing backlash against conventional agriculture’s external environmental effects, which has resulted in the organic movement. This movement faces many challenges to eliminate the following from farming:

Farmers use pesticides and herbicides to combat insects and weeds. However, some crops still contain highly toxic chemical residues. While the FDA has banned these chemicals domestically, many imported crops still contain them.
Contaminated Sewage Sludge: Initially considered a breakthrough idea, human waste was used as fertilizer for non-organic crops due to its low cost and easy availability. However, recent testing indicates that large amounts may contribute to chronic illnesses.
Hormones, Antibiotics, and Animal Remains: These methods quickly fatten animals for sale—hormones, although expensive and often illegal, are injected to accelerate growth. Antibiotics help keep animals alive until slaughter, but consuming this meat can lead to antibiotic resistance in humans. Farmers often feed animal remains to other animals. Health professionals have recognized that these remains may be diseased, potentially contributing to periodic outbreaks of mad cow disease in the U.S. and abroad.
Irradiation: Foods are exposed to radiation to kill bacteria or microorganisms that may be present. However, exposing food to radiation may cause more harm than good and could lead to various diseases.

Health Risks of Conventional Practices

As previously mentioned, studies show that chemicals and other substances used in conventional farming are toxic and can cause various illnesses and even death. The government has changed the agricultural industry to encourage farmers to shift from a chemical-based farming method to something less threatening and safer for everyone.

The Stanford Study and Its Implications

However, organic farming experienced a significant disruption when researchers from Stanford University (in partnership with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System) noted organic produce and meat typically offer little advantages over conventional varieties regarding vitamin and nutrient content. This finding has led to some skepticism about the health benefits of organic farming. However, according to the same study, Organic options may help lower exposure to pesticide residue and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While organic foods might not always be more nutritious, they can still reduce contact with harmful substances.

Key Findings from the Research

Researchers reviewed over 200 studies comparing the health of people who ate organic and conventional foods. They often examined the nutrient and contaminant levels in these foods, which included organic and non-organic fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk.

Researchers found little difference in vitamin levels between organic and conventional plant and animal products. The only nutrient difference was a slightly higher amount of phosphorus in organic foods. Based on limited studies, they also noted that organic milk and chicken had more omega-3 fatty acids.

Interestingly, the study found that there were more significant differences in the amount of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food as follows:

Over 33% of conventional produce had detectable pesticide residues, while only 7% of organic produce did. Organic chicken and pork were also 33% less likely to be bacteria-resistant to three or more antibiotics than conventionally raised meat.

The Importance of Pesticide Exposure

According to researchers, people should consider pesticide exposure in food/supplement shopping decisions. Savvy consumers should choose food and supplements that have no pesticides for their health and the health of their families. Isn’t this the best way to protect your health?

Correcting the Message

Organic is a hot button for so many health-centric consumers. And with consumers spending up to twice as much on organic foods, this study has many organic consumers wondering what they’re getting for their money. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), U.S. sales of certified organic products approached $70 billion in 2023, a new record for the sector. Dollar sales for the American organic marketplace hit $69.7 billion last year, up 3.4 percent. In 2023, the organic supplement industry in the US saw sales increase by more than 4% to $2.1 billion in 2023.

Curiously, the reaction has been mild. Criticism has been that the Stanford report looked at the health effects of organic versus conventional farming too narrowly. However, that’s not the point of the organic lifestyle.

Organic farming is not just about better nutrition; it’s about taking responsibility for a healthier planet and a sustainable food system. It’s about working with nature, while conventional farming often works against it.

Principles of Organic Farming

Organic farming develops crops and livestock using the most environmental, humane, and economic systems available. For this to work effectively, two things are needed:

Farmers can use fertile land to plant diverse crops.
People who are willing to work on the land and learn the organic way of farming.

Organic Farmers Prioritize:

Legacy: Ensure that the soil remains productive for many generations of crops without relying on the fertilizers used in conventional agriculture
Natural: Properly care for crops by using soil organisms instead of pesticides
Recycle: Reusing livestock manure and organic materials, including crop residue
Rotation: Controlling weed growth and insect infestation with crop rotation. Also, using something other than science is used in conventional, non-organic farming.
Respect: Unlike conventional food preparation and farming, organic farms encourage biodiversity. They don’t kill or remove any animals or insects from farms unless they harm the crop. In addition, organic dairy cows are not injected with hormones or treated inhumanely. Finally, organic farmers do not tamper with the genes of animals (no genetic engineering). They allow animal life to progress naturally.
Protect: Conventional farms allow chemicals and pesticides to run into area waterways and pollute the air and soil. Organic farms don’t do this.

Broader Goals of the Organic Movement

Moreover, the organic movement is about local food production, economic fairness, health for farm workers, and creating a system that avoids nitrogen runoff, a major global threat to waterways.

Critiquing the Stanford Study

Ironically, the Stanford study makes a strong case for organic farming in many areas if you read between the lines. As with so many controversial health studies, the Stanford study was a meta-analysis of all the research on organic dating back decades. Researchers could have eliminated certain studies that didn’t meet their objectives.

Tom Philpott of www.MotherJones.com had some very compelling thoughts on the Stanford study. In short, he challenges the findings of the entire survey.

Valuing the Future

The Stanford study is a flawed meta-analysis that is more fodder for the media with little or no scientific impact. On one front, the study reinforces what organic advocates have been saying for years: Organic consumers benefit by avoiding the pesticide residues generated by conventional farming. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, people must maintain sight of what the organic lifestyle aims to accomplish: Organic is not about taking nutrition to the next level. The organic lifestyle is about a healthier planet, a sustainable food system, and working with nature. We need to make smarter choices. Organic is one of them.