Is Organic food worth the Cost?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Is organic food worth the cost?

U.S. organic farming has grown wildly for the last two decades, but with food demand rising and cash-strapped shoppers pinching pennies, are greener acres still the place to be?

By Russell McLendonFri, Oct 08 2010 at 11:09 AM EST

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/is-o...

$1.2 Million Federal Grant to Study Economics of Organic Farming

A $1.2 Million dollar federal grant will help Minnesota economists study the costs of switching from conventional to organic farming. The four-year project will collect data about costs and
profits for farmers who make the switch to one of the fastest-growing
segments in agriculture.

While organic farming is among the fastest-growing segments of agriculture, few public studies have been done on the costs and returns for those who make the transition. Researchers hope to learn from
organic farmers information that will help others decide whether to make
the switch.

[Sahib Punjabi]

We all talk about growing "Organic Food" and using organic grow media / raft systems / seeds ans so on. Just exactly what does "Organic" mean (no, not to you but what is termed as Organic by the powers that be)? The following is an extract of the opening article that I mention in the discussion question. Actually this is one of the most informative and educational articles that I have read on the subject, thus I selected to share it with you. I do humbly request that you review it and comment to what your understanding / opinion is.

Is it worth spending $1.2Million to answer the question "Is Organic food worth the cost?" or is it a just another waste of precious dollars? What has changed from 1940 when Lord Northborne coined the phrase "Organic Farming" and championed farms as natural ecosystems, and railed against chemical fertilizers and pesticides. "The farm itself must have a biological completeness," he wrote. "It must be a living entity ... which has within itself a balanced organic life."?



What does 'organic' mean?
"Organic farming" suffered an identity crisis until the late 20th century, but today the term is regulated by governments and independent certifiers around the world. The National Organic Program handles organic issues in the U.S., a duty it was given by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. It defines organic farming as any qualified system that's designed "to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity." The NOP website has details, including a list of allowed and prohibited substances, an archive of organic regulations, and a guide to accredited certifying agents. For casual grocery shopping, though, keep these four tips in mind when checking labels:

* Products labeled "100 percent organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids (aside from water and salt).
* Products labeled "organic" must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (again, not including water and salt).
* Products labeled "made with organic ingredients" must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients, and may list up to three on the main label.
* Nothing with less than 70 percent organic ingredients can say "organic" on its main label, but it can identify organic ingredients on its info panel.

organic labelWhen the USDA catches someone pitching unqualified products as organic, it can issue a fine — the agency may levy a civil penalty up to $11,000 against anyone who knowingly sells or labels an "organic" product that doesn't meet NOP rules. But many similar marketing phrases like "free range," "sustainably harvested," or "no drugs or growth hormones used" are often defined less specifically. For example, to call chickens "free range," a company "must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside," according to USDA regulations.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/is-o...

[Dan Brown]

Stated costs frequently cover hidden costs with industrial farming. I don't understand what position you're taking here, although it seems your passionate about it. It's been shown repeatedly that organic farming has broad benefits, as opposed to the havoc that industrial monoculture wreaks, so is your point that the study is a waste? If it shows benefits, which experience and history do predict, then wouldn't it be great to have some better scientific information to fight the likes of Monsanto? The problem with organic produce studies is that it's almost impossible to create a control when you're comparing it to an open organic system, so frankly, the cost seems about right to me. My friends and I have argued repeatedly about the inability to ascertain a proper scientific solution without controls, so addressing this as a dollar and cents issue also makes sense to me, since it's quantifiable.

It is depressing to see that Colorado was the number one organic producer in the country back in '00 and has slowly fallen off.

[TCLynx]

I think it will depend on what type of "organic" farming we are talking about. I personally don't see much difference between chemical farming and the carbon copy but use Organic certified alternatives organic farming that otherwise practices almost the same as the chemical farming and still shipping food around the world. Simply changing the chemicals used to organic alternatives won't save the planet, still is hard on the soil, still uses lots of oil, and is mainly just a ploy to get the buzz word on the marketing.

Now there are methods of growing food that can be far more productive in much smaller spaces will using far fewer resources and improving the soil and ecosystems. These are also better suited to local food production on a small scale. However, I don't really see much chance getting large universities and ag departments to study these sorts of systems.

And I probably didn't really answer the question asked here.

[TCLynx]

To answer your question more specifically.

I think it might be sort of a waste of money to do this study, however, there are people out there who do still need convincing that the food grown on depleted soils using chemical fertilizers are not as nutritious as organic foods grown in healthy soils. And there are still people out there who need convincing that herbicides, pesticides, and GM modified foods are not really good for us to eat either.

As they say, would you rather pay more now to buy the food or would you rather pay the doctors and hospitals later. I don't know if this study will do much to convince people but if it can change more minds, it might still be worth it. I suppose it will all depend on how they go about the study.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Thank you Daniel. I agree with your statement that "It's been shown repeatedly that organic farming has broad benefits, as opposed to the havoc that industrial monoculture wreaks, so is your point that the study is a waste? Every one is aware that food which has experienced no pesticides or herbicides not only has superior taste better but is better for your health. We honestly do not need to spend $1.2Million to confirm that. That is like spending money to study if smoking is harmful to your health! A much better alternative would be to invest that money in local Aquaponic programs run by high schools as well as local charities and food banks :-)

Sincerely thank you TCLynx for your response. I was confused (still am), and unsure how to address the issue that you responded with "I think it will depend on what type of "organic" farming we are talking about. I personally don't see much difference between chemical farming and the carbon copy but use Organic certified alternatives organic farming that otherwise practices almost the same as the chemical farming and still shipping food around the world. Simply changing the chemicals used to organic alternatives won't save the planet, still is hard on the soil, still uses lots of oil, and is mainly just a ploy to get the buzz word on the marketing."

I visited my local Hydroponic store recently to buy some organic seeds and noticed huge Kale plants and a gigantic summer squash plant that was being grown by hydroponic means. Infact, every plant there was looking freaky...un-natural. The salesman informed me that they were using "Organic" growth additives and that they do not affect humans as they merely wash through upon consumption.......really? You see, I get rather confused as to how one can say such food is "Organically" grown when it has been subjected to a variety of "Organic" growth hormones and such other "chemical" products. How is this even close to what Lord Northborne's statement that "The farm itself must have a biological completeness...It must be a living entity ... which has within itself a balanced organic life."? The only system that I honestly believe meets this other than a true "Organic Farm" is Aquaponics. That is why I am becoming rather crazy about this sustainable and natural way of growing food for local consumption :-)

[TCLynx]

Yea, it is kinda a dilemma about the fact that a basically industrial farm can get organic certification while still running essentially monoculture oil guzzeling ways while many more sustainable and essentially "organic" methods might not be able to get certified.

The more enriched and live the soil is, the better all around. And I tell you, aquaponics might not have "soil" as such but I would call the ecosystem in my media quite live and how different is it from a gravel soil anyway? Except for the fact that the automatic watering means my gravel soil doesn't starve my plants for water or nutrients.

Well the hydroponic plants are not organically grown if they are using any petrochemically derived hydroponic nutrients. However, if it is a media based system they are growing in, it is possible to use organic substances to essentially mimic aquaponics, you don't have to have fish for the bacteria and plant parts of the system to work. Many people tout worm tea for it's organic growth hormones and stuff. Many of these claims though are just marketing.

Saddly the term "organic" has lost much of it's usefulness since it became a marketing tool and many companies have been able to claim their products are "organic" even though some ingredients are not organic simply because there were no easily/cheaply available organic alternatives available at the time.

[Richard Wyman]

The whole issue of Organic versus Industrial type farming is a very complex issue. We know that organic methods will produce food that is safer in the long run. The issue though is what is worse, starvation, or the possibility of a host of other later developing issues?

I can't answer these questions. I think if myself or my family was starving I would eat what I could get. Because I am not I can try to eat with some thought to the long term health implications of my meals.

1.2 Million dollars is nothing in the face of all the money being thrown about by governments these days. If it can help us learn anything its money well spent. If it gets one more person growing their own food, or buying organic for their kids lunch then it is money well spent. Will it solve all our world food issues? No. But it won't hurt either, and its better than spending our money bailing out banks.

[Two Jay]

Organic.. hmmm, that's a subject we have been discussing for months and months around the farm.

Test: Which one is the organic egg?
a. Left
b. Middle
c. Right
d. None of them

[Sahib Punjabi]

OK Two Jay...just for you, I am going to say c. Right. It looks so rich in color.

Actually they all look good and now I am hungry again...even though I just had a wonderful omelette that my wife cooked :-)
the

Two Jay said:

Organic.. hmmm, that's a subject we have been discussing for months and months around the farm.

Test: Which one is the organic egg?
a. Left
b. Middle
c. Right
d. None of them

[TCLynx]

Well I can tell the two where the chickens get to eat things other than the commercial feed. The richer color yolks tend to be layed by birds that eat bugs and weeds and flowers and free range etc. I can't claim that my chickens or their eggs are "organic" but they definitely have the more Orange yolks.

Now I don't really expect you are frying a store bought egg along with your backyard eggs so are they all Organic?



Two Jay said:

Organic.. hmmm, that's a subject we have been discussing for months and months around the farm.

Test: Which one is the organic egg?
a. Left
b. Middle
c. Right
d. None of them

[Sahib Punjabi]

Who says organic farming can't be hip? A new ad for a British dairy farm, Yeo Valley Organic (pronounced "yo valley) uses rap music, along with a hopping tractor and a gyrating owl, to milk its message.


source : http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/10/rap...

[Sahib Punjabi]

Interesting article...thought I would share:

Is it Organic? Or just socialism?

By Mischa Popoff, U. of S. and IOIA Advanced Organic Inspector

http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&vie...