Honor Earth Month With Better Choices!

Organic agriculture is a production system that regenerates the health of soils, ecosystems, and people.

Organic farmers rely on natural processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. GMOs are not allowed in organic.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL

The essential difference between organic and conventional farming is that conventional farming relies on chemical intervention to fight pests and weeds and provide plant nutrition. That means synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Organic farming relies on natural principles like biodiversity and composting instead to produce healthy, abundant food.

Importantly, “Organic production is not simply the avoidance of conventional chemical inputs, nor is it the substitution of natural inputs for synthetic ones. Organic farmers apply techniques first used thousands of years ago, such as crop rotations and the use of composted animal manures and green manure crops, in ways that are economically sustainable in today’s world. In organic production, overall system health is emphasized, and the interaction of management practices is the primary concern. Organic producers implement a wide range of strategies to develop and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility”

THE EFFECTS

Conventional and organic farming methods have different consequences on the environment and people. Conventional agriculture causes increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and threatens human health. Organic farming has a smaller carbon footprint, conserves and builds soil health, replenishes natural ecosystems for cleaner water and air, all without toxic pesticide residues.

WHAT MAKES A FARM ORGANIC?

Organic farming works in harmony with nature. Since organic farmers don’t use synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, or pesticides, they have to fight insects, disease and weeds and grow abundant food with the help of other methods.

What connects all organic farming practices is their ultimate goal: to build and improve the soil, quite literally the foundation of our food system and our lives.

WHAT IS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE?

A new, holistic standard is raising the bar for how food is produced. Though the USDA Certified Organic seal continues to be a rigorous standard, it has some gaps when it comes to soil health and animal welfare requirements. Most importantly, it omits the treatment of farmers and farm workers. Many brands, farmers, ranchers, and nonprofits felt that a more holistic standard could go above and beyond the organic label.

How it Works-Regenerative agriculture uses the USDA Certified Organic standard as a baseline. From there, it adds important criteria and benchmarks that incorporate the three major pillars of regenerative organic agriculture into one certification.

THE THREE PILLARS:

SOIL HEALTH-Use of regenerative practices like cover crops, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Builds organic matter and promotes biodiversity with no synthetic inputs. Excludes soil-less systems.

ANIMAL WELFARE-Protects the “Five Freedoms,” grass-fed & pasture-raised, no large concentrated animal feeding operations, or extensive transport and suitable shelter.

SOCIAL FAIRNESS-Ensures fair payments and living wages for farmers and farmworkers, safe working conditions, capacity building and freedom of association.

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

While no system is 100% perfect, you have the power to contribute to a better world. Every time you choose organic, you vote for clean air and water, nutritious food, and resilient soil. You vote for a better, brighter future—one in which human health goes beyond measures of blood pressure and calories to encompass true well-being!🌎