1. By the Plainwell Groupies!
What does organic mean?
By the Plainwell Groupies!

2. For crops:
Prohibits most synthetic (and petroleum derived) pesticides and fertilizer, and all antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation, and sewage sludge.
Also special handling and processing requirements.

3. For livestock:
Animals must eat 100% organic feed that is free of animal byproducts or growth hormones.
Animals must also have access to the outdoors.

4. Small but growing portion of the market…
Currently makes up 2.5% of the retail food sales.
Totaled $14 billion in 2005
Costs about 20-30% more than conventional versions.

5. So what’s conventional?
Conventional means that farmers can use chemicals, genetic engineering, irradiation, sewage sludge, and other techniques within EPA guidelines.

6. Differences in farm management:
Organic farming tends to take more labor and management, certification
Tillage is used in both, though conventional farmers can use no-till

7. Your task is… Break into four groups
Given data on research comparing organic and conventional systems, assess the risks and benefits of each system

8. Timeline 10-10:20 pretest, discussion, intro
10:20-10:50 4 groups each tackle a topic
10:50-10:55 Break
10:55-11:15 Discussion
11:15-11:30 Taste-test and post-test, Small group discussions of what you think (if time)