| When you buy organic products, you
are voting with your dollars for an agricultural system that works in harmony with nature.
Organic growers concentrate on building the health of the soil through techniques such as
crop rotation-the practice of alternating the types of crops grown in each field; or
planting cover crops such as clover or vetch to add nutrients to the soil or to prevent
weed growth. Preserving the
Soil
By ensuring the soil has plenty of humus, organic farmers encourage the growth of
organisms in the soil. Microbes and earthworms help make up healthy, living soils that
need less irrigation and grow healthier plants without adding petroleum-based fertilizers
that can later run off and pollute the nation's waterways. According to a recent
Environmental Protection Agency report, among the sources of ground water contamination
most frequently reported by states were agricultural activities; the most common
contaminants included nitrates, pesticides and petroleum compounds.
Preserving Biodiversity
Organic farmers may also release beneficial insects to prey on pests, which helps
eliminate the need for chemical insecticides that can remain in the soil for years. Many
organic growers help preserve biodiversity, or the existence of a large number of species,
by using plant varieties valued for their flavor or hardiness under local growing
conditions. Because organic farmers care about the health of the soil, they improve the
planet while they grow your dinner.
Preserving the Planet
Whenever you buy organic products, rest assured that your choice tells farmers,
producers and retailers that you care about the earth, too, and that you want them to
continue with their efforts to save the planet. If we all do our part, organic peas will
prevail.
©Organic Trade Association |
