Target specific geographic areas for development. Meanwhile, OTA has tried to thwart efforts by Beyond Pesticides, Center for Food Safety, , a Center for Environmental Health, certifiers, and other farmer and consumer organizations to protect the integrity of the organic label under the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). 6771 South Silver Hill Drive, Finland MN 55603, This material, provided for educational and informational purposes, constitutes a "fair use" of any copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The best thing for you and your health that you can now purchase and is available in most shops is organic foods. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet, or click here to become a subscriber. Opinion from Salon and Jim Hightower? One of the biggest concerns with organic food is the price of the product. On a macroeconomic (i.e. By the 21 st century, the concept of a small family farm—one that has been owned and operated by one family for possibly several generations—fell to a mere one-third of the original 1935 total. The recently completed White Paper, U.S. Organic Hotspots and their Benefit to Local Economies, was prepared for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) by Penn State Agricultural Economist Edward Jaenicke, Ph.D. As a result, interest in organic at the production level has grown as the demand for organic has risen. It is impossible to discuss the ecological and economic benefits of organic agriculture without discussing the devastating effects of conventional agriculture. In the United States, consumers of organic produce pay a typical premium of 32 percent over conventionally grown produce. probably favor organic farmers. Studies have shown that the financial impacts of selling into regional markets are greater for fruit and vegetable farms with gross annual revenue under $350,000. click here to become a subscriber. Certified organic agriculture accounts for 70 million hectares globally, with over half of that total in Australia. Meter believes that in general, community-based organic farms make four major contributions: good health and nutrition for the population; a fair distribution of wealth among farmers; connections between people since food is so central to American and ethnic cultures; and the capacity for farmers, not corporations, to decide what foods to produce. Organic farming continues … A large number of people favor the organic food because the lack of pesticides. As the report highlights throughout, the food and beverage industry is a significant and stable contributor to the US economy as an employer, economic growth stimulator, and innovator in the food system. Organic foods have been shown to reduce dietary pesticide exposure. Whole Foods Market must address the strong force of the threat of substitutes. Organic crops command a significant price premium over conventionally grown crops. Organic Consumers Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for research and educational purposes. Sustainable food production is key to building a better world for today and the future. AlterNet counts on readers like you to support our coverage. Using the company’s standards, most food products in the market today are not organic or natural. The reasons for this vary, but are impart because they do not receive pesticides and are not made in the cheap bulk form similar to processed or pesticide contaminated foods. How Organic Agriculture Boosts Local Economies, U.S. Organic Hotspots and their Benefit to Local Economies, to end implementation of the sunset provision of OFPA, to ensure that compost and other farm inputs are protected from contamination. As the total global population continues to rise and economic growth drives a transition towards more resource-intensive diets, a growing number of consumers are concerned with how to reduce the environmental impact of their dietary choices. The lack of a market for transitional crops (non-organic crops grown during a farms transition to organic practices) to offset the sharp increase in production costs causes many farmers to that begin the process to abandon their changeover. Organic farmers tend to let their animals graze on grass and clover more often and feed them less grain than conventional farmers do, and milk and other dairy products produced by grass-fed animals are higher in omega-3 fatty acids and lower in omega-6 fatty acids than those produced by grain-fed animals. New research links county-level economic health to agriculture, and finds that organic food and crop production, along with the business activities accompanying organic agriculture, creates real and long-lasting regional economic opportunities. A comprehensive review of 97 published studies comparing the nutritional quality of organic and conventional foods show that organic plant-based foods contain higher levels of eight of 11 nutrients, including significantly greater concentrations of the health-promoting polyphenols and antioxidants. It’s through the generosity of our supporters that we’re able to share with you all the underreported news you need to know. People purchase organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats for a variety of reasons—among them the perceived benefits of organic food. Organic foods typically are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or synthetic food additives. The growing market interest in organic agriculture can be leveraged into effective policy for economic development.”. It identifies 225 counties across the United States as organic hotspots, then looks at how these organic hotspots impact two key county-level economic indicators: the county poverty rate and median household income. Organic is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. food industry. In the last decade, the production and consumption of organic food have increased steadily worldwide, despite the lower productivity of organic crops. Economic Impact The demand for local food has helped support an industry that had been in decline, with the number of small farms ever decreasing and the median age of farmers continually rising. Click here to donate by check. Did you enjoy content from David Cay Johnston, Common Dreams, Raw Story and Robert Reich? The significant and long-lasting economic benefits that organic agriculture can offer local communities are featured in an important new publication released Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors, The new book, Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities, is a Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Try AlterNet All-Access for just $1. But to meet the projected demand from increased consumption and continuing population growth, global yields must also increase. @2021 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Organic food is better for the environment. The industrialized food system has had a detrimental effect on the local economy, said Pothukuchi. As a result, interest in organic at the production level has grown as the demand for organic has risen. Trump tapes 'are going to be dynamite': John Dean details how much trouble the ex-president is in, House Republican makes a colleague burst with laughter when he uses the Bible to argue against gun laws, Ted Cruz attacks Biden's 'radical agenda' — but actually shows how the GOP got backed into a corner, Trump blames 'terrible' Stacey Abrams and 'dishonesty' in Atlanta for Georgia loss: leaked call, Sen. Duckworth mocks and curses at Tucker Carlson after his twisted clip about 'masculinity' in the military, I went down the 'rabbit hole' to debunk misinformation – here's what I learned, Trump's own defense secretary just threw him under the bus for inciting the Capitol riot, GOP Sen. Tim Scott faces Twitter firestorm over gaslighting remarks  about the severity of white supremacy, Susan Collins throws herself a pity party — here's why she's really upset, Newly revealed audio caught Trump pressuring a Georgia official to help him overturn the 2020 election. Expand outreach efforts and facilitate network effects. Promote organic agriculture at the federal, state and local level. Organic farming also helps conserve water. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet. Outreach and knowledge transfer are critical in creating organic hotspots. “This significant research shows organic can also benefit our livelihoods and help secure our financial future.”, “Organic agriculture can be used as an effective economic development tool, especially in our rural areas,” said Ms. Batcha. Organic food is food produced by methods complying with the standards of organic farming. “The findings of this research show organic certifiers and the transfer of knowledge and information play a critical role in developing organic. Organic crops command a … If a previously fertile field becomes depleted, this hurts the farmer economically and decreases the country’s overall food supply. The prevalence of outreach services by organic certifiers is found to play one of the strongest roles in organic hotspot formation. Organic agriculture can be used as an economic development tool. Organic food sales in 2015 jumped by 11 percent to almost $40 billion, far outstripping the 3 percent growth rate for the overall food market. This no-till planting helps to maintain soil health and lower fuel and labor use. Independent journalism is increasingly imperiled; ads alone can’t pay our bills. The report also identifies what factors create organic hotspots, how the effect of organic agricultural hotspots compare with those of general agriculture (combined organic and conventional agriculture). And while locals tend to buy most of their organic produce at the supermarket, he says, that produce is coming in from out of town. The food industry is evolving rapidly. The White Paper summarizes and discusses three research papers that investigate organic agriculture hotspots in the U.S. and systematically assesses the impact of organic agriculture on local economies. Organic farming is an agricultural system which originated early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. And we’re proud to say that we’ve been bringing you the real, unfiltered news for 20 years—longer than any other progressive news site on the Internet. However, organic cotton farming needs less irrigation and thus conserves water. A study published in February found that organic dairy and meat were higher in essential nutrients. We're offering AlterNet ad-free for 15% off - just $2 per week. Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. Send a tax-deductible donation to the OCA. Join us! Focus on rural development, organic transition, capital structures and barriers to investment. It would reduce federal costs for supporting commodity prices, reduce depletion of fossil fuels, reduce the social costs Standards vary worldwide, but organic farming features practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. This is already being done in many ways. Analysis by The Conversation? In terms of economic impacts, food waste represents high waste management costs and money wasted, given the considerable amount of edible food thrown away every year. Thank you. Also of note, studies find that consumers are exposed to elevated levels of pesticides from conventionally grown food. A productive and important class of society may be lost as a result. Indeed, the population attributes healthier properties to organic food. This report focuses on the food and beverage industry within the food value chain, particularly on its role in transforming raw farm commodities into consumer products. Also, some people worry about the long-term health, economic and environmental consequences of GM foods and choose organic foods in support of an industry that does not use GM techniques. Certified organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts (for which prices have been declining) for a number of reasons: Prices of organic foods include not only the cost of the food production itself, but also a range of other factors that are not captured in the price of conventional food, such as: Given these facts, Reinhardt says he finds it impossible that he and his fellow local farmers are having a significant community-wide effect on the economy. The crush of urbanization has nearly forced the family farm into obsolescence. But the researchers found that even if premiums fall to lower levels as sales continue to grow, organic agriculture will likely keep its competitive edge … Organic crops command a significant price premium over conventionally grown crops. Thank you. Most Americans Have Roundup in Their Bodies. Then join the hundreds of readers who have supported AlterNet this year. Visit Beyond Pesticides’ Keep Organic Strong webpage to learn more about organic and what you can do to support its growth. Do you approve of Biden's presidency so far? OTA has not stood up to USDA’s efforts to end implementation of the sunset provision of OFPA, a provision that requires the rigorous reevaluation of synthetic materials allowed in organic production. Researchers Say One Week of Eating Organic Can Help. Sustainable agriculture also incorporates practices such as crop rotation, which ensures soil does not become depleted. To support our work, please send a tax-deductible donation to: OCA, 6771 South Silver Hill Dr., Finland, MN 55603, Petition for Scientists, Lawyers, and Policy Experts, Heroes of a Different Stripe: How One Town Responded to the War in Iraq, The COVID Gardening Renaissance Depends on Seeds—if You Can Find Them, Public Oral Argument in Lawsuit Challenging the Labeling of Hydroponically-Grown Foods as Organic, Why Food Systems Need Resilient Farmers Markets: 5 Lessons From 2020. According to the report, organic hotspots are diverse and represent the various kinds of organic agricultural activity and accompanying businesses: crop production, livestock production, organic processors. Organic food sales in 2015 jumped by 11 percent to almost $40 billion, far outstripping the 3 percent growth rate for the overall food market. Taken together, studies have shown positive economic and environmental impacts. From now until March 15th. … then let us make a small request. And it provides policymakers with an economic and sound reason to support organic agriculture and to create more economy-stimulating organic hotspots throughout the country.”. Additionally, a ten-year University of California study, which compared organic tomatoes with those chemically grown, found that they have almost double the quantity of disease-fighting antioxidants called flavonoids. The following paper is based on the aim of identifying the factors that effect consumers of the UK's willingness to purchase organic foods. Most farmers never even consider a changeover. Organic food sales in 2015 jumped by 11 percent to almost $40 billion, far outstripping the 3 percent growth rate for the overall food market. Organizations regulating organic products may restrict the use of certain pesticides and fertilizers in the farming methods used to produce such products. Both primary and secondary data was collated. A similar study, also found that organic farmers who let their cows graze as nature intended are producing better quality milk, with significantly higher beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins than their conventional counterparts. In this article, food industry leaders and innovators weigh in on top trends driving change toward a healthier and more sustainable food future. Policymakers at all levels—local, state and national—have a proven economic reason to support organic agriculture and to create more economy-stimulating organic hotspots. Twice as many emissions result from land use for livestock (16%) as for crops for human consumption (8%). We’re here seven days a week, 365 days a year. Also, organic hotspots were found to have a greater positive impact at the county level than such major anti-poverty programs as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Support Truth! Although scientific evidence is still scarce, organic agriculture seems to co … Food waste or food loss is food that is discarded or lost uneaten. Help ensure AlterNet remains independent long into the future. Organic farmers, in general, tend to spend time amending soil correctly and using mulch - both of which help conserve water. The causes of food waste or loss are numerous and occur at the stages of production, processing, retailing and consumption. In the long term, reducing vulnerability in developing countries will be one of the most critical factors to ensuring global food security. On average, county poverty rates drop by 1.3 percentage points, and median income rises by over $2,000 in organic hotspots. The lack of pesticides and wider variety of plants enhances biodiversity and results in better soil quality and reduced pollution from fertilizer or pesticide run-off. The fight isn't over. Certified organic food. AlterNet’s journalists work tirelessly to counter the traditional corporate media narrative. Organic matter in the soil also increases the soil’s water holding capacity, reducing pressure on water resources and making organic farms more resilient to drought. There are many substitutes, such as non-organic foods or products that contain artificial ingredients. “Its important findings show that organic contributes to the economic health of local economies. Organic agriculture reduces non-renewable energy use by decreasing agrochemical needs (these require high quantities of fossil fuel to be produced). Organic foods promote healthier and more sustainable use of … Underpinning the success of organic in the U.S. are small-scale producers who focus on fostering biodiversity, limiting external inputs, improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and using integrated holistic approaches to managing pests, weeds, and disease. Cotton, an in-demand crop, requires a lot of irrigation and excess water when grown conventionally. In addition, OTA has opposed public interest efforts to ensure that compost and other farm inputs are protected from contamination through a public process to establish acceptable standards, rather than allow USDA to issue standards that are not vetted. All the things that you eat during your entire existence have a bigger impact on you and your life than you might think. Since water costs money (and increasingly so), drought tolerant farming systems mean cheaper food production over time. Good organic practices work to build the soil and maintain an ecological balance that makes chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides unnecessary. Did you enjoy AlterNet this year? national) scale, conversion to organic farming would have many benefits. The lost consumer surplus resulting from our food waste pushes up the price of food. Other studies that have looked at organic produce have found better nutritional profiles. 12 Agricultural expansion results in the conversion of forests, grasslands and other carbon ‘sinks’ into cropland or pasture resulting in carbon dioxide emissions. Land use accounts for 24% of food emissions. Organic agriculture has been proven time again to be equally viable for both farmers and consumers while also providing significant health and environmental effects over conventional industrial agriculture. In 1935, 6.8 million family farms existed in the U.S. Not only does GMO contamination affect seed purity, but it also has serious ramifications for organic and non-GMO farmers that face economic harm due to lost markets or decreased crop values. This loss has a relatively greater impact on poorer individuals, as food costs account for a greater percentage of their income. The research highlights the success of organic agriculture and demonstrates, yet again, that organic agriculture can and must feed the world. Organic hotspots are found throughout the country, but specific examples identified in the report include Monterey County in California, Huron County in Michigan, Clayton County in Iowa, and Carroll County in Maryland. The same beneficial results are not found for general agricultural hotspots. Not curbing its taste for meat could cost the U.S. almost $200 billion each year—and the global economy up to $1.6 trillion. Specifically, the research finds that: Additionally, the report recommends specific policies to foster more organic economic hotspots throughout the nation as a result of the findings: “We know that organic agriculture benefits our health and our environment,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of OTA. “This research systematically investigates the economic impacts of organic agriculture,” noted Dr. Jaenicke. Beyond Pesticides supports organic agriculture as effecting good land stewardship, and is working to strengthen organic farming systems by encouraging biodiversity and holistic management practices, and upholding the spirit and values on which the organic law was founded. Organic foods are widely available in supermarkets as well as specialty health food stores and farmer’s markets. More farmers are transitioning to organic production, more organic businesses are sprouting. Also, whether a certifier is government-sponsored, by a state department of agriculture for example, is another key factor in enabling organic hotspots. See also Save Our Organic. It finds organic hotspots—counties with high levels of organic agricultural activity whose neighboring counties also have high organic activity—boost median household incomes by an average of $2,000 and reduce poverty levels by an average of 1.3 percentage points. Our food system should be a community-based system that revolves around small, polycultural farms that practice sustainable agriculture, preserve regional biodiversity and help build local economies. Counties within organic hotspots have lower poverty rates and higher median annual household incomes. Many studies show that organic food is not only better for the economy, but for human health and the environment, and in fact, a study published earlier this year by researchers at Washington State University deemed organic agriculture essential to a sustainable food system. Read the fact sheet to learn more. Higher prices and lower quantities of food invariably cause nutritional deficiencies for lower-income people. Organic farming is widely considered to be a far more sustainable alternative when it comes to food production. Build broader coalitions to help promote organic agriculture. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Organic activity was found to have a greater beneficial economic effect than that of general agriculture activity, such as chemically-intensive, conventional agriculture, and even more of a positive impact than some major anti-poverty programs at the county level.