It's Not Too Late

It is Not Too Late

In today's world, we all run from our jobs to our families and try to eat what we can in between. Usually the food we choose is not healthy for us, but it is convenient. Modern farming practices have made it so that processed fast food is less expensive than real food from the earth. The reason is because modern farming is no longer about just planting a seed and harvesting the rewards. It now involves chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, which in itself has turned into a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise. So it stands to reason that getting back to nature is more about taking control of our lives and the lives of our families by not buying into the corporate mindset of faster is better. A logical choice is eating only organically produced food, which means no chemicals were added during the growing process. The benefits however, do not stop there. Organic farming holds an equally as important place concerning the welfare of local farmers, the environment, and the future of humankind. Also, organic food holds a higher nutrient content, making it a better alternative to conventionally farmed foods, and for the long-term health of the world's population.

Local organic farmers feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that they are contributing to a healthier future for generations to come, and that they are ensuring our environment stays in good condition (Druce). Food that is grown locally keeps money in the community, which in turn helps to stabilize local economy. Bobby Jones, a local organic farmer in Huron, Ohio, buys all of his feed and supplies from the local supply company, then the owner of that store buys meat and other organic items from Jones. They are helping to support the local economy by

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utilizing the resources within the community. Another incentive to local organic food is that there is no damage to the environment from pesticides, since organic farming rejects all forms of chemical toxins. Conventional farming practices load their products with pesticides, many of which are harmful to the humans and wildlife that consume them. According to Jones, his entire family and much of the community now reject conventional foods because of the effects that the chemicals could have. He is doing his part to ensure the longevity of the human race.

Organic farming is more than just a passing fad; it has been expanding at a rate of up to twenty percent a year for twenty years now, so it is unlikely that it would suddenly stop (Belsie). In the past four years alone some farmers have seen an increase of up to 225 percent in gains for their crops of organic beans. Lettuce, flax, and corn are close behind with over 100 percent in gains (Druce). This is most likely due to the fact that organic foods are becoming more popular as consumers take responsibility for what they put into their bodies. For many individuals, eating healthy is no longer just about losing weight; it's about being healthy from the inside out. When the environmental benefits are weighed as well, including the positive impact on local biodiversity, the choice seems clear (Hole). The problems with non organic foods are not going to go away by themselves.

The future looks bleak right now for the environment, and subsequently for humankind, if modern farming practices continue. Craig Minowa, an Environmental Scientist for the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), says that the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can lead to the contamination of an entire city's water supply, or the toxins can saturate the soil, resulting in negative effects on the surrounding environment and wildlife (Druce). Today, more than four hundred pesticides are available for use on America's farms, with 2.5 billion pounds used annually on crop lands (McWatters). One flaw in the system is that when pesticides are licensed, they are tested singly, which means that it is unknown how two or more pesticides react

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and effect crops when used in combination. That is of major concern to consumers, considering that up to twenty-five different pesticides can be used on a single crop (McWatters).

Organic farmers reject pesticides and opt instead for natural methods for removing pests, such as insect predators, traps, barriers, or even mating disruption (McWatters). The farmers use methods that protect the soil, air, and water supplies while encouraging biodiversity (Twelve). This practice also promotes soil fertility, since nothing is being dumped into the ground.

By making the decision to go natural, farmers do not have to spend unnecessary money. This is an important factor in conserving what soil remains for the future of farming, and one that many farmers can grasp. A survey conducted by the Ohio State University cites conservation of natural resources as the number one reason most farmers choose to go organic. According to the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), "Soil stewardship is essential for the survival of our species. Conventional farming practices are rapidly depleting topsoil fertility" (Twelve). That fact is evident when we consider that a one-acre planting of one ton of tomatoes will remove eight-hundred pounds of mineral nutrients from the soil (Heltman), the majority of which will not be replaced by standard fertilization with Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (Heltman).

The failing health of the general population may be due to the presence of chemical residue in the foods we consume. While the immediate effects can be quite clear, including nausea and vomiting, the long-term effects will not be known for years to come (McWatters). There is some speculation that current diseases may be due to exposure to pesticides. Some of the possibilities include immune deficiency disorders, central nervous system problems, as well as reproductive and hormonal problems (McWatters). These illnesses are very common in today's society where they never were before. It is possible that chemicals are the cause of some of these common illnesses, because most of the population eats food or drinks water that may

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have been contaminated. Many cancers and other life threatening diseases are even thought to be traceable to pesticides in the foods we eat. While none of these scenarios have been proven yet, they have not been rejected either, so it remains a possibility that some diseases like cancer, with a seemingly random occurrence, can be traced back to pesticides (McWatters).

Foods grown organically are proven to be higher in nutrients than ordinary foods, making them a much healthier alternative to conventionally farmed food. Crops grown today are manipulated