Overview Conventional Farming Organic farming Video: My Father’s Garden The difference between conventional farming and organic farming Why are organic foods more expensive? Nutrition 10

Conventional Farming Late 1940’s began farming with agri-chemicals Fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides 1972 Congress ordered the EPA to test all agri-chemicals for potential hazards. All agri-chemicals can remain until EPA proves dangerous 1990’s pesticide companies focus on genetic engineering Using agri-chemicals and GE seeds is the predominate way food is grown in U.S. so it is called “conventional” farming Nutrition 10

Organic Farming Based on : Primary methods used: Using natural, renewable fertilizer and pesticides Compost, manure, Bt Farming in a way that maintains and replenishes the life and nutrients in the soil. The farmer feeds the living organisms in the soil. Handful of organic soil – 5 billion microorganisms Primary methods used: Crop diversity Crop rotation Biological pest control Nutrition 10

Organic Foods Grown without conventional pesticides or fertilizers Animals are fed organic feed and raised without use of antibiotics Produced without genetically engineered seeds Processed without irradiation or food additives Nutrition 10

Why are organic foods usually more expensive?

Why are organics more expensive? Less supply Organic farms are small % of US agriculture Lower yields than “factory farming” Labor intensive farming techniques. True cost of growing our food in a way that replenishes the soil & preserves water No soil degradation No surface or ground water contamination Out of season - price 2-3x more; In season price is slightly higher than conventional Nutrition 10

Agrichemicals in Produce The Dirty Dozen: A list of produce with the highest agrichemical residue Clean 15: A list of produce with least agrichemical residue Mobile app: Environmental Working Group (EWG’s Dirty Dozen)