Organic Farming ❤️ The Environment!
Buying organic is often marketed as the healthy and ethical choice; but beyond health and ethic, organic farming results in many environmental benefits!
“Save the Planet...Buy Organic”
― Nancy Philips
Reduced Exposure to Chemicals and Pesticides
Did you know that if all US farmers practiced organic farming, more than 500 million pounds of pesticides would not enter the environment each year?
Organic Farming Builds Healthy Soil
Did you know that organic farming practices build up organic soil matter much better than conventional no-till farming? This becomes extremely important when you realize that to grow healthy food you need healthy soil in the first place. Because of harmful chemical, we very well might end up with soil that cannot thrive on its own.
Fighting against Erosion
Yes, organic farming fights erosion! Nowadays, erosion is a very serious issue worldwide affecting our lands, food supplies and ultimately us, humans.
Fighting the Effects of Climate Change and Global Warming
Did you know that a healthy organic agriculture system can significantly decrease carbon emissions and help slow climate change? Research shows that "If only 10,000 medium sized farms in the U.S. converted to organic production, they would store so much carbon in the soil that it would be equivalent to taking 1,174,400 cars off the road, or reducing car miles driven by 14.62 billion miles."
Organic Farming Supports Water Health and Conservation
Whether it's its quality, abundance or lack thereof, water is an issue worldwide. Superficial water sources are particularly affected by run-off pollution from nearby farms (harmful pesticides, toxic fertilizers and animal waste). The solution rests in organic farming practices that actually prevent these types of runoff and also helps to conserve water.
Reducing and Preventing Algal Blooms
Conventional farming tends to make extensive use of petroleum-based fertilizers to optimize crop outputs and appearances. Unfortunately, this results in strong negative effects on the health of marine organisms and ecosystems, eventually impacting our health and local/regional economies.
Supporting Animal Health and Welfare, as well as Biodiversity
Organic farming practices encourages natural pest control through the presence of natural predators and helps preserve more natural habitats, free of chemicals. Generally, the more bio-diverse an organic farm is, the more stable and prosperous it is. This biodiversity is actually necessary to optimize how resilient or not the farm is to pests, bad weather or diseases.
Recently, because of COVID, I have had to have all my organic food delivered at home each week thanks to CAI Productos Orgánicos y de Pastoreo (WhatsApp +506 7018-5175). CAI is a very responsible company making sure all their products are a 100% organic, from fruits and veggies to grain and more. They can also send to your home free-range meats, traditional cheeses and fish caught through responsible fishing practices. Yet, some of my favorite organic markets also include The Green Center in San Rafael de Escazu and Armonía Agricultura Orgánica en Heredía.
In the past, buying organic food used to be so expensive and limited...but nowadays there are so many stores in Costa Rica and in the world in general;
Organic food is becoming accessible to most people.
Why not buy it...if it is good for you and for the world around you?