Organic is healthier!  Here's why...

"Throughout history people have farmed organically, working with the natural resources that were available to them to ensure the productivity of their land.  However, during the twentieth century chemicals were developed that artificially replaced plants and animals need for defense mechanisms and natural fertility.  This meant that farmers changed the way they managed their property.  For instance they no longer needed to grow plants that were resistant to diseases varieties that had no resistance could be propagated without concern.  Also soil fertility was now just a case of applying a range of chemical fertilizers.  Since farmers were no longer using their traditional farming techniques the knowledge became lost.  Unfortunately it was soon discovered that the artificial chemicals often caused health problems.  Some effects of earlier chemicals (eg. cancer, deformities, stunted growth, eczema and long term soil contamination) were quite obvious and of course it was supposed to be "safe" (although farmers were not supposed to breath in or touch them)!  However research continues to link health problems with the use of these chemicals.  One difficulty is that the long term effects can only properly be assessed in the long term.  And that is when it is too late to say "Hey, don't put that stuff on my vegetables, I'm going to eat them"!

So what's the solution?  Well, you either put your trust in modern agricultural chemicals, or you farm in a way that history has proven to be healthy - organic farming!

The main aspects of organic farming include:

• Enhancing the fertility of the soil by using appropriate land management practices such as Permaculture.  Techniques such as collecting and composting organic matter, crop rotation, growing nutrient rich plants, allowing sections of the land to lay in fallow and growing a diverse range of crops all help the soil's fertility.
• Excluding the use of artificially produced agri-chemicals.
• Humane treatment of farm animals eg. using natural remedies and providing a 'free-range' environment.
• Working with natural systems to make sure pests and diseases are kept in check eg. companion planting, growing disease-resistant varieties and ensuring that the pest's natural predators are present.

The theme here is very much working with nature, not fighting it!

Today organic farmers are reviving the traditional techniques that ensure that their soil is fertile and 'alive' and their plants and animals are healthy and free of disease.  As well as traditional techniques organic farmers and scientists are also developing modern techniques such as biological control of pests, flame and mechanical weeders and more advanced management practices such as permaculture."