Growing Power and the impacts of Organic Farming

Introduction Organic farming is defined as growing fruits, vegetables, and plants without the use of harmful pesticides, chemicals, or inorganic fertilizers. This is true, however, many people don’t realize the extent of organic farming’s impacts on the environment. Organic farming doesn’t “only” not use harmful chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers. Its effects are far greater than anyone could possibly imagine.

Which is more productive? Conventional or Organic Agriculture For decades it has been believed that conventional farms produce far more crops per acre than organic farms. However, a 13 year study by scientists at the agricultural firm AGSTAT and researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have concluded otherwise. In the study conventional and organic farm systems were planted and monitored for 13 years. In both farms corn, soybeans, and wheat were rotated with alfalfa to limit variables and receive an accurate report.

The Results and which is more productive? The results indicated that the organic farms yielded 10% less than conventional farms. In other words, organic farms produced 90% as much crops as conventional farms did. From an economic and productive standpoint, conventional farming has a slight edge on organic farming…………. or does it?

Is there really a difference economically? The increasing input costs of conventional agriculture have made it so organic agriculture can compete. As the demand for crops(mainly corn and soybeans) grew in the mid 2000’s, so did the demand for inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. According to the Farm Business Management Association of Illinois, conventional farmers should expect to spend about $127 per acre on a field of soybeans, and $260 per acre on a field of corn. From 2003 to 2007 the average cost per acre was $52 for soybeans, and $115 for corn

Economics cont. The price of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides has more than doubled in the last 2 years! Combine that with the fact that crop prices have plummeted over the past 6 months. This means that many conventional farmers may have a tough time making ends meet this year. Sadly, fertilizer companies will not lower their price, even though crop prices are low.

Environmental and Global Impacts Unlike conventional, organic farming does not pollute. In fact, farming organically may help combat global warming. Instead of emitting CO2 into the air by way of planting and spraying, organic soils trap carbon and use it. As a result, more organic matter is created because it is made of carbon. As more organic matter is created, the soil becomes richer and more fertile on its own.

Environmental Impacts cont. Use of artificial fertilizers can make soils weaker by inhibiting growth of natural phosphate and potassium. Potassium and phosphates make the soil more resistant to wind and water erosion. This can be especially important to areas vulnerable to desertification. By having a stronger, sturdier soil places like the Sahel could be more resistant to desertification.

How much of an impact? It is estimated that agriculture accounts for 13.2 % of greenhouse gas emissions. If all conventional farms in the U.S. were converted to organic, it could have the same effect as taking 158 million cars off the roads! Some scientists believe that converting to organic farms has a greater impact on the environment than planting trees!

Local Impacts Organic farms are small, versatile, and can be managed on small plots of land. This is ideal for urban settings. Local economies can spur as there will be increased job opportunities. Food distribution will be spread out more evenly.

Local Impacts cont. As more organic farms open up, the cost of organic foods will go down because of increased supply. That, combined with the fact that there is little to no transportation/storage costs, organic foods will eventually be cheaper. This will make it easier for people, especially in poorer areas since organics will be more accessible and cheaper to buy.

Headed in the right direction? Efforts to incorporate organics into mainstream society are rapidly growing. According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic products have increased from $1 Billion in 1990 to over $20 Billion in 2007. About 1 in 10 Americans eat organic foods or use organic products on a daily basis. Americans are realizing that organic food is not only good for your body, but also the environment.

More could be done Here in the U.S. organic movements are moving more slowly than in Western Europe. The European Union gives benefits and subsidies to those who maintain organic plantations. The U.S. is taking a free market approach. If someone wants to start an organic farm, they are on their own. As a result, only 0.6 %(2.2 million hectares) of North American farms are organic. 4%(7.8 million hectares) of farmland in Europe is organic.

Growing Power Experience(What did I do?) At Growing Power, I got to feel, sense, hear, smell, and yes even taste what it was like to work at an organic farm. For the most part I shoveled compost, hung and moved plants, sifted worm castings, and helped move gravel into the aquaponic system. For the first hour I didn’t enjoy it. It was raining, I was cold, wet, and dirty. However, after a while, I realized that I was serving a significant purpose.

Growing Power, cont. After a while, I realized that my help was making it easier for everyone else to do their work, which in turn, allows seeds to get planted on time. Essentially, my work could have helped someone down the road. Maybe my work helped plant a few extra seeds, which will allow someone to eat that normally couldn’t afford driving, or taking a bus to the grocery store. It may not be a lot, but I feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that I may have helped someone who needed it.

Conclusion The facts are in, it’s time that the U.S. provides subsidies or benefits for organic farmers. There is simply no reason not to. As technologies have improved and as we’ve learned more about natural crops, organic farming has closed the gap on production. Maybe 15 years ago conventional farms were more efficient, but as time has passed, we’ve began to realize that going organic may be the answer. It’s not okay to just ignore organic farms as an option, because they are about as efficient , and they don’t pollute.

Conclusion cont. There are so many positives to organic farming. Obviously, there is no pollution involved, food distribution across urban areas could be helped out tremendously due to the increase in urban farms. It has been stereotyped that all the work, cost, and labor that goes in is not worth the output. However, with the increasingly high input costs of conventional farming that simply isn’t true anymore. I just hope that in the upcoming years, countries (including the U.S.) realize that it will be inexpensive and efficient to plant more organic crops, and more importantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of it.