Learning Biology

Devan Neal

3rd Period

March 12, 2009

Organic farms do not consume or release man-made pesticides into the environment, as conventional farms do.  Some of these pesticides have the potential to harm soil, water and local terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.  This plays a part in the fact that organic farms are better at maintaining a diverse ecosystem.  None of the plants, fruits, vegetables or animals on organic farms are subject to harmful pesticides or herbicides.  These are just a few of the reasons that I find organic foods to be the better choice over conventional foods.  <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food<ref>

There are many, many advantages to choosing organic foods over the family favorite, conventional foods.  Organic farmers take care of their crops manually, encouraging the growth of plants with natural fertilizers such as manure or compost.  This is a better alternative to conventional farmers loading their crops with harmful chemical fertilizers to ‘boost’ their plant growth.  When it comes to protecting their livestock from disease or sickness, conventional farmers give the animals medication, anitbiotics and sterioids.  All of these products that are being given to the animals on the farm can show up in the food you grab out of the meat freezer at your local grocery store.  On the other hand, organic farmers fight off disease or sickness in their livestock with a healthy diet, proper hydration, rationalized grazing and clean housing.  Some pesticides that conventional farmers add into our food have been linked to things in a range from headaches to some cancers.  I believe that organic farmers prepare their crops and livestock much better and more safely than their counterparts.  <ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255<ref> <ref>http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/truth-about-organic-foods<ref>

With my stong feelings on the subject in mind, I can respectfully see the opposition’s argument.  One may argue that conventional foods are cleaner and that you get more out of your money because of the size of the food is larger.  Also, conventional foods are cheaper once they hit the shelves in grocery stores.  This is because of the physical labor organic farmers put into preparing their crops.  Some critiques vouch that organic buyers are wasting their money because there is no hard proof that conventional foods truly pose significant health risks.  Also, there are some foods that aren’t really necessary to spend the extra cash on because there are undetectable levels of chemicals in the conventionally prepared version of them.  Even though I feel that organic is the way to go, there are some disadvantages to it as well.  <ref>http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/diet-nutrition/organic-products/organic-products-206/overview/<ref>

In conclusion, I still feel that organic foods are the much better decision in the grocery store.  The pro’s outweigh the con’s by far in my mind.  It is a good health choice for you and your family going with organic foods.  Don’t put yourself in the situation where you consume the hundreds of chemicals and pesticides sprayed onto conventional crops.  More than not, the extra change is well worth the health benefits.  Organic is the better choice.  <ref>http://www.organic-center.org/<ref>