Organic agriculture is not something that has just appeared in the last few decades. In fact, it is pretty much the only method we have used since people started farming centuries ago.
It was not until after World War II that there was a major change in the agricultural industry. That is when we started the widespread use of herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilizers to produce the massive amounts of fruits, vegetables, chickens, milk, eggs and the many other foods we see in our supermarkets today. And since 1994, the market opened for genetically engineered and modified products.
So, what's the difference? Why choose organic over conventional foods?
Organic foods are basically products of agriculture without any synthetic chemicals. They are produced using more traditional and natural styles of farming. Organic farming, when done well, increases soil's quality and level of micronutrients. This is also good for the consumer, as some research indicates that organic foods taste better and have higher nutritional value. High-input agriculture, on the other hand, slowly depletes soil.
Most of our conventional produce, dairy and meat come from large automated "factory farms" that produce food using methods that are highly resource-intensive. In the United States, food typically travels 1,200 miles before it reaches the consumer. To produce one pound of beef, 2,500 gallons of water and the energy equivalent of a gallon of gasoline are needed. Approximately 860 million acres - about one-third of the United States - is used for grazing livestock and growing the grains to feed them. Furthermore, 5 million acres of rainforest are destroyed every year in South and Central America just to create pasture for raising cattle.
Foods holding the USDA certified organic label, though, meet specific production guidelines that are better for our environment. Organic producers use no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, sewage sludge, genetic modification or irradiation. They apply positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices. Their livestock live more humanely, as they are given sufficient outdoor access to pastures, 100 percent organic feed and refrained use of antibiotics and hormones.
With these federal measures in place, we can be assured that when we purchase organic, we are really getting what we want: products of earth-friendly cultivation and grazing practices.
So, what can you do? Buy organic, of course! Visit the farmer's market in Davis Square at Day Street and Herbert Street on Wednesdays from noon until 6 p.m. through Nov. 21; there is a large selection of organic produce and locally raised organic meats. There is also a Wild Oats in Medford that has many organic products.
You can take the 80 bus towards Arlington Center or the 94 towards Medford Square to the stop at the intersection of Boston Avenue and Mystic Valley Parkway. After you get off the bus, take a right onto Mystic Valley Parkway until you reach the store. Better yet, get some exercise and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by taking a nice 20-minute walk to get there!
If you are going to eat meat, choose poultry over beef and pork. Plus, eating more fresh produce over processed foods is better for the environment, because less energy is used in growing and transporting those crops. It is also healthier, since processed foods contain many preservatives and perhaps other chemicals in order to be transported great distances.
Whenever possible, eat vegetarian, just like Good Charlotte, Jude Law, Mya, Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Pamela Anderson and many other famous figures. Even Vincent Van Gogh, Susan B. Anthony, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einstein were vegetarians in their respective times. If you need more inspiration, check out www.famousveggie.com.
Personally, I have grown to prefer produce to meat over these past years. For the most part, you can eat fruits and vegetables as is, without having to cook them, which is great for the typical busy college student. And since I have started to buy organic, grocery shopping has been easier and less time consuming. Most of the organic products I have tried taste really good! I do not eat grapes very often, but I have found organic ones to be quite addictive. My favorites are organically grown baby carrots.
Yes, at times, organic is a bit more expensive, but although I am quite the frugal shopper, I do not mind paying the extra cash. Some people pay a lot more money for Coach accessories over Nine West. I just happen to prefer buying organic foods over the conventional products.
Gouchlien Taing is a senior majoring in engineering.
