By: Tyler Hock

My issue is making the decision between using conventional or traditional farming methods in growing produce. According to an author for Appropedia, organic farming is defined as a form of agriculture that cultivates land without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators. Conventional farming consists of techniques using synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other genetically modified organisms to create faster and higher production. The use of conventional farming methods has left its print on the environment according to leafcertified.org. By reducing soil productivity and playing a role in climate change, the issue at hand is the use of conventional faring techniques.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, sustainable agriculture is the wave of the future. Sustainable and organic farming aren’t exactly the same, but are very similar. Sustainability includes all different facets including economic, social, and environmental. Now, there is an entire field of research devoted to organic farming, which, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, is agroecology; the science of managing farms as ecosystems. The United States Department of Agriculture states that organic products are sold in 3 out of 4 conventional grocery stores and are often more expensive than conventional products.

The USDA also writes that consumer demand for organic produce has shown double digit growth during almost every year since 1990. According to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, the organic food industry saw its first big growth in the 1970s. The first certification programs were decentralized, which lacked clarity of what exactly organic means. In 1990, the Organic Foods Protection Act was passed, which set a national standard for organic foods.

In the process of deciding between growing organically or conventionally, there are advantages and disadvantages to each style. According to Appropedia, it is generally realized that conventional farming produces a higher yield. However, these conventional farming methods are creating irreversible, harmful effects on the environment. Another negative effect that conventional farming has is that it harms the soil and is eventually unable to grow again in that area according to Vision Launch. HealthResearchFunding.org writes that the cost of food production is significantly lower than that of organic farming techniques. Also, while conventional farming may produce greater yield and cost less, it is shown to present health concerns for people and the environment. Meanwhile, organic farming has a much higher nutritional level and less of an environmental impact.