Organic Pesticides

Imagine walking through the grocery store, and seeing nearly 500 different types of lettuce to choose from. In grocery stores now, you will be lucky to see 10 different types. For many years we have turned to the use of pesticides as our primary method of producing food. The use of conventional farming has destroyed over 93 percent of the variety of crops (Tomanio). In society, we are used to what foods we have and are oblivious to the fact that there used to be many more options. We are the main reason this has happened; using pesticides to grow our crops. There are other methods such as organic or sustainable farming, but farmers fear that this style of production will result in higher costs and, less profit. The use of chemicals in farming

This study was conducted by Iowa State University that focused on corn and soybean rotations compared to oats and alfalfa. The soybean and corn rotations included a mix of chemicals and fertilizers. Where on the two separate plots of oat and alfalfa, they used manure fertilizer. This study showed that the need for herbicides was reduced by 88% and the costs did not change for the oat and alfalfa plots (Bittman). Organic farming is proving to be a threat to pesticides, with the increase popularity of going

Techniques in modern agriculture cause disease and health issues when people simply eat fruits and vegetables that are supposed to be good for you. A recent study completed by CNN’s Jacqueline Howard shows how pesticides pose a threat to women. The study was conducted of 325 women with ages ranging from 18-45 years old receiving infertility treatment. The study tested the effects of eating food that have been treated with pesticides. The study results showed, “...those who ate 2.3 servings or more had 18% lower probability of getting pregnant, and 26% lower probability of giving birth to a live baby” (Howard). It is extremely important for women who are pregnant to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in order to receive all of the required nutrients needed by the fetus. When the crops are grown by applying pesticides, this unintended side effect occurs. Organic farming presents a solution for these costly health issues.

Organic farming utilizes similar techniques as our early ancestors. Without the extreme application of pesticides, clean and environment friendly crops are grown. In addition, crops are produced using basic techniques without the negative aspects commonly seen today. Organic farming focuses on the root of the plant; feeding the soil correctly will help provide proper nutrients to the crop. When plants receive the clean nutrients, they have