Part of this week's Natural Gardening class was on the history, myths and current research surrounding organic and conventional farming and foods. Here's some of the highlights:
Organic Farming is What We Used to Do Before Science - Not (entirely) true. While organic practices have been going on for centuries, many of the past failures we remember had more to do with the technology and "modern practices" of the time. For example, the Dust Bowls were a caused by a combination of the invention and misuse of the tractor and poor (non-organic) farming practices. At the turn of the century, the invention of the tractor opened up the American "breadbelt" of the midwest. The organic content of the soil was around 10% and was some of the most fertile soil in the world. All a landowner had to do was to plow a spot and plant it. And he did...until the soil was depleted. Then he would move to the next spot. Finally, there was nothing but depleted, exposed soil and, with drought and wind, came the dust bowls. If you want to consider how technology has affected agricultural sustainability, consider this: America has lost more topsoil in the last 50 years than China has in the last 5000 years.
The Green Revolution and the Advent of Chemical Agriculture. For decades, we couldn't feed ourselves and were a net importer of food. After WWII, munitions factories were converted to produce fertilizer and pesticides were created from war tools such as Agent Orange. It was called the "Green Revolution" because the results were remarkeable. Yields skyrocketed and we became the food provider of the world!
The Green Revolution and Non-Sustainability. However, this type of "instant gratification" farming has come with a price. We continue to lose our topsoil. As example, the geographical map of the mouth of the Mississippi must be redrawn every decade as new land appears as a result of runoff. This runoff, filled with chemical fertilizer, also creates a "dead zone" 7000-9000 squares in the Gulf of Mexico. the fertilizer feeds the algea which in turn use up all the oxygen and kill or run off all life in the area. Yields have stabilized or declined in spite of increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides. GMO crops that were susposed to reduce the use of chemicals have actually increased resistance of pests and "super weeds" and Round-up is being used at an all-time high for many crops. Costs of inputs is also increasing. Chemical nitrogen is made from 33,000 to 40,000 cu. ft. of natural gas, a non-sustainable natural resource to produce only 1 ton of fertilizer. Many of the other fertilizer components such as phosphorous, potash, and trace minerals remain at a high price as they are being exported to China, India and other countries. Probably most important, there is evidence that quality is declining. According to USDA records, nutritional quality (the amount of vitamins and minerals) is declining. Researchers speculate that the increase in size of produce is mainly due to increased fiber and water. Others also speculate that the exclusive focus on the major nutrients has caused deficiencies in trace minerals and other properties only found in live soil is resulting in a decline in the nutrition in the end result - our food.
The Green Revolution looks very similar to the economic credit bubble - buy now, pay later - that we are coping with. Hopefully, we won't have to endure the same pain when we are required to pay for our past farming practices.
Organic vs. Conventional Agriculture. Conventional agriculture is viewed as a chemical process where the soil is the medium, fertilizers feed the plants, and chemicals protect the plants from random, external attacks of pests and disease. The role of soil life is limited to "mineralization" and all fertilizers are considered the same. Organic (Natural) agriculture is viewed as a complex, natural, living system of interdependent cycles. Organic farmers work with nature to maximize and enhance plant growth and health and see the soil as the key to a successful result. Pests, weeds, and disease are seen as a result of incorrect soil balance. Pests and disease are treated in ways that don't destroy the soil and, in addition, they are evaluated to determine what steps to take to correct the soil. The good organic farmer can see a weed and tell you what's wrong with the soil!
Organic Food and Free Markets. Another huge difference between conventional and organic food is the market. Conventional agriculture is a hugely subusidized and protected by the government. Ag corporations regularly influence the USDA and most executive positions are held by former corporate executives. The USDA is more of a trade organization than the protectors of our food. Organic farming and food is a free market system created from grassroots support of both the producers and consumers. It is the highest food standard of the world, received virtually no money from the government, and the indivitual farmers can make a decent living. While the USDA administers the certified organic program, it is because of the continued pressure from the farmers and consumers that the standard has not been too diluted. It is an industry born from American values.
The "Organic Farming Cannot Feed the World" Myth. The biggest argument made against organic agriculture is that it cannot feed the world. This appears to be a myth as recent research points to organic agriculture's ability to produce as much or more food than conventional agriculture! There has been several studies in Europe that support this but the one that got my attention is from the US. Iowa State conducted a study comparing organic and conventionally grown corn in otherwise identical conditions. The organically grown corn either match or beat the conventionally grown corn in yield. Much of the gain was in kernal size! As conventional agriculture continues its decline and organic farmers get smarter, we may see the evidence become overwhelming.
Organic Costs More Than Conventional Food. Yes, it does. But would it if your tax dollars didn't subsize conventional food? The mostly highly subsidized food is usually surprising to most people: it is meat! It's because the highest subsidies are on feed grains. Most of your tax money doesn't go to food but to feed. That is my many people are now pushing Congress to rename the Farm Bill, the Food Bill, and refocus nutritious, abundance, quality food.
The Link Between Food and Health. The question of cost would be very different if healthcare was included in the calculation. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has admitted that as much as 70% of our modern diseases (cancer, heart disease, and diabetes) are linked to diet and lifestyle. It is now known that these diseases can be prevented and even reversed by making diet and lifestyle changes. How much of our health problems are created by our cheap, non-nutrituous food?
The Future of Organics. As organics grows, the mega-corporations are buying out the smaller organic companies. With this has come pressure to increase profits by diluting quality. Horizon and Aurora (a private label company that provides milk to Walmart and HEB) both cheat on their milk by not allowing the cows grass while lactating. This milk costs a buck less than the non-cheaters such as Organic Valley and Woodstock Farms but I have not doubt that the grass is critical to maintaining the nutritional value of the milk. Organics foods are being imported from around the world, traveling thousands of miles to your door. The USDA will not and cannot monitor the quality of food from China and other countries. The future may well be in our ability to shop and support local farmers. Fredericksburg Texas has a "Be a Localvore" program promoting locally-grown food. Organic standards may not keep up with state of the art practices as well. By knowing the farmer, you can make your own choices on how your food is grown.
