We can?t indefinitely blanket our farms with synthetic fertilizer or fend off pests and weeds with toxic petrochemicals. The organic food movement is worldwide and here are five reasons the movement will be a success.
Organic is going global:
In the United States, we have the misperception that the kind of people who choose organic food are driving Teslas to Whole Foods for over-priced fennel. This couldn?t be farther from the truth: Organic consumers here and abroad come from across the economic spectrum and can be found in every single country in the world. And organic farmers span the globe from wealthy specialty growers in some of the richest areas of the United States to smallholder farmers in Namibia, and everywhere in between. Although the United States has the largest market for organic food, 80 percent of all organic producers farm in developing countries, with India, Uganda, Mexico, and Tanzania leading the pack.
Will the real innovators please stand up?
Disruption may be a buzzword in Silicon Valley, but when it comes to food and farming, the chemical and biotech industry like to paint their chemical concoctions and genetically engineered seeds as the agricultural disruptors, upending antiquated practices. Want to see real innovation? Visit Andre Leu?s 150-acre organic farm in northern Australia where he?s growing 100 varieties of tropical fruit and dozens of other species of medicinal herbs, oils, fibers, and more. Leu, the President of IFOAM, is doing all this while successfully returning 100 acres to native, tropical rainforest and creating a refuge for endangered species like Riflebirds, buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers and the six-foot tall, flightless Cassowary?all while creating a successful business.
Climate-smart farming is the next big thing:
On the heels of?the largest climate march in history, more and more of us are thinking about how to address runaway climate change and ensure we can still feed ourselves as extreme weather events become the norm. Organic agriculture may have our answer?or at least part of it. New research is showing two things that are great about organic agriculture and the climate crisis: organic agriculture can reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated on the farm and foster greater on-farm resilience to droughts and flooding.
Join Dr. David Jockers to learn everything you need to know about this transformational health tactic!
Eco-smart solutions right under your nose:?Many of the cool organic solution to the pests and weeds that can devastate crops come from the farm itself. That?s good news for farmers because it means they don?t have the costly burden of synthetic fertilizer or potentially toxic chemicals.
Organic food builds community:
At an organic-only farmers market I had an opportunity to meet with many of the vendors. The market was filled with more than 100 vendors, selling everything from organic shampoo to organic walnuts and vegetables. I spoke with a number of farmers about what they liked most about the direct sales and they all shared versions of the same sentiment. They love knowing their customers; they love the connection. That?s what they love.
Earth is an island, and organic food is the best way to ensure we can feed ourselves and our future generations on this small island we call home.
