Why is Organic Important?
Organic Family Farms have been certified by specially licensed and trained auditors to comply with USDA organic regulations covering factors such as soil quality, animal-raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of chemicals. Organic farmers work with nature to allow the soil, crops, pasture, and animals to flourish without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, artificial hormones, or GMOs. Over 700 synthetic agricultural chemicals are expressly prohibited by USDA organic regulations.
There are truly countless ways in which organic farms benefit all of us. Here are a few:
Organic Farmers Build Healthy Soils - Organic farmers focus on building healthy soil, utilizing crop rotation, covering crops, and using natural fertility sources like compost or manure to enrich the land they farm on. This builds long-term fertility for future farm health and increases biodiversity while significantly decreasing harmful environmental impacts. Organic farms have been scientifically shown to sequester 26% more carbon in their soils than non-organic operations(1.) Studies have also shown that organic farms produce less nitrogen runoff than conventional farms(2), which helps to protect our region’s beautiful lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wildlife.
Organic Farms Avoid or Minimize Harmful Chemicals - A number of studies show either dramatically reduced or a complete absence of pesticides and other chemicals in organic milk. In one study, residues of several particularly toxic pesticides were found in 26-60% of conventional (non-organic) milk samples, but none were found in organic samples(3).
Organically Raised Livestock Are Healthier - Organic cows are healthy cows. Veterinarians say that organically raised cows live twice as long as conventionally raised ones. Organically raised cows must have 120+ days per year in pasture and ready access to shade and clean shelter, all under the care of organic farmers who often know each one by name. Pasture grazing not only improves the quality of their milk, but they also enjoy healthier body weight, hoof, and joint health. Organic cows fertilize their own fields, churn up and aerate pasture with their hooves. In organic dairy, healthy, happy cows are the star players.
Organic Farmers Are Climate Heroes - Because organic farming bans the use of synthetic fertilizer, studies estimate that on a per-acre basis, organic soil management can reduce nitric oxide (N2O) emissions by over 40%(4). The manufacture of synthetic fertilizers alone comprises as much as 10% of global agricultural emissions. In short, organic production methods significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use less energy because of the decreased use of fossil fuel-based inputs(5).
To summarize, organic family farmers are outsized contributors to a healthy environment and thriving rural life. Family farms have been the lifeblood of our region’s food system, and they deserve our support. We must do everything we can to keep the at-risk 135 organic farms, and all of our region’s organic family farmers, in business and our communities.
