One of our propagating houses, fully enclosed.
Organic produce has become increasingly popular in recent years, as consumers have encompassed the health and environmental awareness.
Many stores and supermarkets have large sections devoted to organic fruits and vegetables, but contrary to what most people believe, "organic" does not automatically mean "pesticide-free" or "chemical-free." In fact, under the laws of most states and new federal standards, organic farmers are allowed to use a wide variety of chemical sprays and powders on their crops.
The word Organic has been primarily related to foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs, such as synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers absent from genetically modified organisms, irradiation, industrial solvents or chemical food additives.
For the vast majority of human history, agriculture was described as "organic" and only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. The organic farming movement arose in the 1940s in response to the industrialization of agriculture, known as the Green Revolution, which coincidentally, should of been labeled NATURALLY GROWN.
So what does organic mean?
Food grown with synthetic chemicals is referred to as "conventional," but organic foods for animals and human consumption can be labeled ORGANIC, if non-organic ingredients are present; At least a certain percentage of the food's total plant and animal ingredients must be organic by 95%. So which method is really organic?
That these pesticides if used, must be derived from natural sources, not synthetically manufactured.
Most organic and conventional farmers employ mechanical and cultural tools to help control pests. These include insect traps, careful crop selection (e.g., by planting disease-resistant varieties) and biological controls, (such as predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).
Organic VS. Synthetic Pesticides
Clearly, the less we impact our environment, the better it is for all! As mentioned earlier, organic farming practices have greatly advanced the use of non-chemical means to control pests. Unfortunately, these non-chemical methods, do not always provide enough protection and it's necessary to use chemical pesticides. The best practice... include insect traps, careful crop selection (e.g., by planting disease-resistant varieties), and biological controls (such as predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).
How does organic pesticides compare with conventional pesticides?
A recent study compared the effectiveness of a rotenone-pyrethrin mixture versus a synthetic pesticide, imidan. Rotenone and pyrethrin are two common organic pesticides; imidan is considered a "soft" synthetic pesticide (i.e., designed to have a brief lifetime after application and other traits that minimize unwanted effects). It was found that up to 7 applications of the rotenone- pyrethrin mixture were required to obtain the level of protection provided by 2 applications of imidan.
It seems that 7 applications of rotenone and pyrethrin are really better for the environment, than 2 applications of imidan, especially when rotenone is extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic life? It should be noted however, that we are not certain, which system is most harmful. We do not look at organic pesticides the same way as conventional pesticides. We do not know, how long these organic pesticides persist in the environment, or the full extent of their effects.
When you look at lists of pesticides allowed in organic agriculture, you find warnings such as, "Use with caution. The toxicological effects of [organic pesticide X] are largely unknown," or "Its persistence in the soil is unknown." Again, researchers haven't bothered to study the effects of organic pesticides, because it is assumed that "Organic" chemicals are automatically safe.
Organic Produce And Your Health
When you test synthetic chemicals, for their ability to promote cancer, you will find nearly half are carcinogenic. Few scientists ignored natural chemicals (such as organic pesticides), due to the assumption that they posed little, to no risk. But when the studies were done, the results were somewhat shocking: you find that about half of the natural chemicals studied, are carcinogenic, as well.
This is a case where everyone (consumers, farmers, researchers) made the same, dangerous mistake. We assumed that "Organic" chemicals were automatically better and safer than synthetic materials and we were wrong! It's important to be prudent in our acceptance of "Organic" as being innocuous and harmless.
Many stores and supermarkets have large sections devoted to organic fruits and vegetables, but contrary to what most people believe, "organic" does not automatically mean "pesticide-free" or "chemical-free." In fact, under the laws of most states and new federal standards, organic farmers are allowed to use a wide variety of chemical sprays and powders on their crops.
The word Organic has been primarily related to foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs, such as synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers absent from genetically modified organisms, irradiation, industrial solvents or chemical food additives.
For the vast majority of human history, agriculture was described as "organic" and only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. The organic farming movement arose in the 1940s in response to the industrialization of agriculture, known as the Green Revolution, which coincidentally, should of been labeled NATURALLY GROWN.
So what does organic mean?
Food grown with synthetic chemicals is referred to as "conventional," but organic foods for animals and human consumption can be labeled ORGANIC, if non-organic ingredients are present; At least a certain percentage of the food's total plant and animal ingredients must be organic by 95%. So which method is really organic?
That these pesticides if used, must be derived from natural sources, not synthetically manufactured.
Most organic and conventional farmers employ mechanical and cultural tools to help control pests. These include insect traps, careful crop selection (e.g., by planting disease-resistant varieties) and biological controls, (such as predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).
Organic VS. Synthetic Pesticides
Clearly, the less we impact our environment, the better it is for all! As mentioned earlier, organic farming practices have greatly advanced the use of non-chemical means to control pests. Unfortunately, these non-chemical methods, do not always provide enough protection and it's necessary to use chemical pesticides. The best practice... include insect traps, careful crop selection (e.g., by planting disease-resistant varieties), and biological controls (such as predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).
How does organic pesticides compare with conventional pesticides?
A recent study compared the effectiveness of a rotenone-pyrethrin mixture versus a synthetic pesticide, imidan. Rotenone and pyrethrin are two common organic pesticides; imidan is considered a "soft" synthetic pesticide (i.e., designed to have a brief lifetime after application and other traits that minimize unwanted effects). It was found that up to 7 applications of the rotenone- pyrethrin mixture were required to obtain the level of protection provided by 2 applications of imidan.
It seems that 7 applications of rotenone and pyrethrin are really better for the environment, than 2 applications of imidan, especially when rotenone is extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic life? It should be noted however, that we are not certain, which system is most harmful. We do not look at organic pesticides the same way as conventional pesticides. We do not know, how long these organic pesticides persist in the environment, or the full extent of their effects.
When you look at lists of pesticides allowed in organic agriculture, you find warnings such as, "Use with caution. The toxicological effects of [organic pesticide X] are largely unknown," or "Its persistence in the soil is unknown." Again, researchers haven't bothered to study the effects of organic pesticides, because it is assumed that "Organic" chemicals are automatically safe.
Organic Produce And Your Health
When you test synthetic chemicals, for their ability to promote cancer, you will find nearly half are carcinogenic. Few scientists ignored natural chemicals (such as organic pesticides), due to the assumption that they posed little, to no risk. But when the studies were done, the results were somewhat shocking: you find that about half of the natural chemicals studied, are carcinogenic, as well.
This is a case where everyone (consumers, farmers, researchers) made the same, dangerous mistake. We assumed that "Organic" chemicals were automatically better and safer than synthetic materials and we were wrong! It's important to be prudent in our acceptance of "Organic" as being innocuous and harmless.
Completed
WHY HAVEN'T WE HEARD THIS BEFORE?
For obvious reasons, organic farmers have done little, if anything, to dispel the myth that "organic = chemical/pesticide-free. They would only stand to lose business, by making such a disclosure." Pesticide manufacturers have little concern in the matter. To them, "synthetic pesticides sold and organic pesticides sold, are both "pesticides sold." As for conventional farmers, they are not really in a position to be critical. It would not be in their interest to draw attention to chemical and pesticide use.
That said, NATURALLY GROWN food is believed to be the safest foods to consume. You can grow these foods yourself, under conditions that you regulate, or you can support your local farmer, who can assure the practices of safe agriculture.
These food practices guarantee non chemicals, non pesticides, non fertilizers, non herbicides or human sewage sludge were used to grow any food on their farm. Our environment, which includes the air, rain, ground water and soil, has for many decades been polluted with chemicals, metals and technological pollutants; therefore, by consuming NATURALLY GROWN foods, you can be sure you and your family are consuming the best nutrient foods available to you, today.
It seems as though every week there's a new scientific study strengthening the case for organic. Pesticides have been linked to ADHD, autism, obesity, Parkinson's disease, certain cancers, infertility, miscarriage, diabetes and many ills. Researchers have found that the most used pesticides, have and continue to taint our water supplies, soil, rain and our food chain. Systemic pesticides such as Roundup, is sprayed throughout the country, by county and state workers on land and air, which is absorbed in all plant material, air, water and soil, then evaporates into our atmosphere.
Pesticides are in conventional and organic foods, even though we take precautions, by thoroughly washing the produce beforehand. Our environment, which includes the air, rain, ground water and soil, has been polluted for many decades with chemicals, metals and technological pollutants.
Why it's important to find Natural solutions
Often, we react to seeing weeds or pests by immediately applying chemicals, or even apply chemicals as prevention. Exposure to pesticides has been linked to a long list of diseases and health problems. The law does not require companies to test lawn pesticides with the same standards as pesticides used on commercially-grown food. Many of these contact hidden "inert ingredients" have never been tested for possible harm.
In addition to the harm they can do to us, pesticides contaminate the air, water, soil, plants and animals around us. For example, many studies have proven that pesticides harm honeybees, butterflies, ladybugs (which eat lots of other pests) and fish. These lawn chemicals seep into the water table and also destroy all aquatic life, including birds and other animals that drink from these waters. Besides all these facts, they are expensive. Learning to combat pests without chemicals, is a great way to help your health, your pets, your neighbors and the environment.
Pests are actually a normal part of every garden. They come and go with the seasons, without really causing too much drama. In healthy gardens, they are kept in check by birds, frogs and lizards, as well as beneficial predatory and parasitic insects. Keeping plants in good shape is crucial, because weak, sick and stressed plants, are prone to attack. Cultural practices, crop rotation and companion planting, reduce the risk of attack.
Traps and barriers can be used to protect vulnerable plants such as seedlings. As a last resort, make organic sprays to cure particular outbreaks. Look on olive trees, citrus or passion fruit vines and you'll probably find black scale. These sucking insects gather on leaves and stems and can quickly build up to the point where they stunt plant growth.
Scales shoot a sweet substance called honeydew. Ants literally farm the scale to feed on the honeydew. They'll pick them up and they'll move them all over the tree. Honeydew also leads to sooty mold, a black dusty fungus that grows over the leaves and stems. Controlling the scale will also get rid of the sooty mold. If you only have a small amount of scale, scrape it off with a fingernail or toothbrush. Larger infestations can be controlled by spraying with an oil to suffocate them.
Make the oil spray by blending two cups of vegetable oil with one cup of pure liquid soap and mix it until it turns white. Dilute one tablespoon of the emulsion to one liter of water and spray all affected areas thoroughly. Do this during mild weather; spraying during hot weather may burn the leaves.
Mealy bug, is another common sucking insect. It likes sheltered conditions and are commonly found on plants under patios, in glass and shade houses, as well as indoor plants. Being sap suckers, they cause the leaves to wilt and distort. They also produce honeydew, which leads to sooty mold fungus, also farmed by ants. The larger insects, can be squashed with your fingers, but dab the little ones with methylated spirits. This dissolves the waxy coating, which causes them to dehydrate and die. Or spray with garlic spray.
Citrus leaf miner is a common pest during summer and autumn affecting all citrus. The larvae tunnels in the leaf, forming a squiggly silvery window pattern. When it's fully grown, it curls the edges of the leaf together and pupates to emerge as a small moth about five millimeters in length. The moth is only active at night, so it's rarely seen and its life cycle may take as little as three weeks. The leaves often become severely distorted, which can stunt growth and reduce yield, but rarely kill the tree. Damage is normally on new sappy growth and can be controlled by cutting off and destroying the damaged parts. Citrus leaf miner thrive in warm weather, so fertilizing citrus at the end of autumn and in early spring, can reduce new growth damage. During warm weather, you can also protect new growth by spraying with an oil spray, similar to that for scale.
Chilli Spray repels aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers. Blend together ½ cup chillies with 2 cups of water. Add a dash or dish washing liquid or vegetable oil, strain and spray
Garlic spray repels aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, mealy bugs, mites and even prevents the spread of certain diseases! Plant edible garlic between your plants to repel aphids and other insects. Soak 125g of minced garlic in 40ml of mineral oil or alcohol. Leave to soak for two days to extract the garlic oil. Then add 500ml of water and 10g of grated pure soap and mix well. Strain and store in plastic or glass. To use, dilute one part garlic mix to 50 of water. Repeat spraying after rain.
Please note!: Some natural sprays can be harmful. For example, chilli and garlic spray can be painful if they get in your eyes. Always label containers, even if they're harmless, and keep out of reach of children. Remember, even natural sprays should only be used as a last resort, because they can also harm beneficial insects, some of which help keep pest insects under control.
Are products bearing the Non-GMO Project Verified seal “GMO Free”?
Unfortunately, “GMO Free” and similar claims are not legally or scientifically defensible due to limitations of testing methodology. In addition, the risk of contamination to seeds, crops, ingredients and products is too high to reliably claim that a product is “GMO Free.” The Project’s claim offers a true statement acknowledging the reality of contamination risk, but assuring the shopper that the product in question is in compliance, with independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
This article is not to discourage you from buying organic produce, but written in awareness to what you are or aren't receiving, when you make such a purchase. Unless you know your grower personally, there is no guarantee that your produce has been grown without pesticides, or other chemicals. It's a point to consider, given the substantially higher cost of organic foods. Whether you're at home or on the road, find NATURALLY GROWN FOOD growers in the area. There are many choices and decisions that we, as consumers are asked to make. Hopefully, this has provided new and helpful information.
Resource
Many thanks to the Organic Crop Improvement Association, for providing much of the information for this study. The OCIA has chapters in AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, PA, SD, UT, and WI.
Many thanks are also extended to the California Certified Organic Farmers, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.
The following State Departments of Agriculture have also been very helpful: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, IA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, ND, OK, SC, TN, VA, and WA.
States - No Laws Governing Organic Products: Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi and Tennessee. Minimum requirements are established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Organic Standards Board.
The data describing the carcinogenicity of natural and synthetic compounds is referenced in Gold, L.S., et al. (1992) Science Vol. 258, pp. 261-265.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food
For obvious reasons, organic farmers have done little, if anything, to dispel the myth that "organic = chemical/pesticide-free. They would only stand to lose business, by making such a disclosure." Pesticide manufacturers have little concern in the matter. To them, "synthetic pesticides sold and organic pesticides sold, are both "pesticides sold." As for conventional farmers, they are not really in a position to be critical. It would not be in their interest to draw attention to chemical and pesticide use.
That said, NATURALLY GROWN food is believed to be the safest foods to consume. You can grow these foods yourself, under conditions that you regulate, or you can support your local farmer, who can assure the practices of safe agriculture.
These food practices guarantee non chemicals, non pesticides, non fertilizers, non herbicides or human sewage sludge were used to grow any food on their farm. Our environment, which includes the air, rain, ground water and soil, has for many decades been polluted with chemicals, metals and technological pollutants; therefore, by consuming NATURALLY GROWN foods, you can be sure you and your family are consuming the best nutrient foods available to you, today.
It seems as though every week there's a new scientific study strengthening the case for organic. Pesticides have been linked to ADHD, autism, obesity, Parkinson's disease, certain cancers, infertility, miscarriage, diabetes and many ills. Researchers have found that the most used pesticides, have and continue to taint our water supplies, soil, rain and our food chain. Systemic pesticides such as Roundup, is sprayed throughout the country, by county and state workers on land and air, which is absorbed in all plant material, air, water and soil, then evaporates into our atmosphere.
Pesticides are in conventional and organic foods, even though we take precautions, by thoroughly washing the produce beforehand. Our environment, which includes the air, rain, ground water and soil, has been polluted for many decades with chemicals, metals and technological pollutants.
Why it's important to find Natural solutions
Often, we react to seeing weeds or pests by immediately applying chemicals, or even apply chemicals as prevention. Exposure to pesticides has been linked to a long list of diseases and health problems. The law does not require companies to test lawn pesticides with the same standards as pesticides used on commercially-grown food. Many of these contact hidden "inert ingredients" have never been tested for possible harm.
In addition to the harm they can do to us, pesticides contaminate the air, water, soil, plants and animals around us. For example, many studies have proven that pesticides harm honeybees, butterflies, ladybugs (which eat lots of other pests) and fish. These lawn chemicals seep into the water table and also destroy all aquatic life, including birds and other animals that drink from these waters. Besides all these facts, they are expensive. Learning to combat pests without chemicals, is a great way to help your health, your pets, your neighbors and the environment.
Pests are actually a normal part of every garden. They come and go with the seasons, without really causing too much drama. In healthy gardens, they are kept in check by birds, frogs and lizards, as well as beneficial predatory and parasitic insects. Keeping plants in good shape is crucial, because weak, sick and stressed plants, are prone to attack. Cultural practices, crop rotation and companion planting, reduce the risk of attack.
Traps and barriers can be used to protect vulnerable plants such as seedlings. As a last resort, make organic sprays to cure particular outbreaks. Look on olive trees, citrus or passion fruit vines and you'll probably find black scale. These sucking insects gather on leaves and stems and can quickly build up to the point where they stunt plant growth.
Scales shoot a sweet substance called honeydew. Ants literally farm the scale to feed on the honeydew. They'll pick them up and they'll move them all over the tree. Honeydew also leads to sooty mold, a black dusty fungus that grows over the leaves and stems. Controlling the scale will also get rid of the sooty mold. If you only have a small amount of scale, scrape it off with a fingernail or toothbrush. Larger infestations can be controlled by spraying with an oil to suffocate them.
Make the oil spray by blending two cups of vegetable oil with one cup of pure liquid soap and mix it until it turns white. Dilute one tablespoon of the emulsion to one liter of water and spray all affected areas thoroughly. Do this during mild weather; spraying during hot weather may burn the leaves.
Mealy bug, is another common sucking insect. It likes sheltered conditions and are commonly found on plants under patios, in glass and shade houses, as well as indoor plants. Being sap suckers, they cause the leaves to wilt and distort. They also produce honeydew, which leads to sooty mold fungus, also farmed by ants. The larger insects, can be squashed with your fingers, but dab the little ones with methylated spirits. This dissolves the waxy coating, which causes them to dehydrate and die. Or spray with garlic spray.
Citrus leaf miner is a common pest during summer and autumn affecting all citrus. The larvae tunnels in the leaf, forming a squiggly silvery window pattern. When it's fully grown, it curls the edges of the leaf together and pupates to emerge as a small moth about five millimeters in length. The moth is only active at night, so it's rarely seen and its life cycle may take as little as three weeks. The leaves often become severely distorted, which can stunt growth and reduce yield, but rarely kill the tree. Damage is normally on new sappy growth and can be controlled by cutting off and destroying the damaged parts. Citrus leaf miner thrive in warm weather, so fertilizing citrus at the end of autumn and in early spring, can reduce new growth damage. During warm weather, you can also protect new growth by spraying with an oil spray, similar to that for scale.
Chilli Spray repels aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers. Blend together ½ cup chillies with 2 cups of water. Add a dash or dish washing liquid or vegetable oil, strain and spray
Garlic spray repels aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, mealy bugs, mites and even prevents the spread of certain diseases! Plant edible garlic between your plants to repel aphids and other insects. Soak 125g of minced garlic in 40ml of mineral oil or alcohol. Leave to soak for two days to extract the garlic oil. Then add 500ml of water and 10g of grated pure soap and mix well. Strain and store in plastic or glass. To use, dilute one part garlic mix to 50 of water. Repeat spraying after rain.
Please note!: Some natural sprays can be harmful. For example, chilli and garlic spray can be painful if they get in your eyes. Always label containers, even if they're harmless, and keep out of reach of children. Remember, even natural sprays should only be used as a last resort, because they can also harm beneficial insects, some of which help keep pest insects under control.
Are products bearing the Non-GMO Project Verified seal “GMO Free”?
Unfortunately, “GMO Free” and similar claims are not legally or scientifically defensible due to limitations of testing methodology. In addition, the risk of contamination to seeds, crops, ingredients and products is too high to reliably claim that a product is “GMO Free.” The Project’s claim offers a true statement acknowledging the reality of contamination risk, but assuring the shopper that the product in question is in compliance, with independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
This article is not to discourage you from buying organic produce, but written in awareness to what you are or aren't receiving, when you make such a purchase. Unless you know your grower personally, there is no guarantee that your produce has been grown without pesticides, or other chemicals. It's a point to consider, given the substantially higher cost of organic foods. Whether you're at home or on the road, find NATURALLY GROWN FOOD growers in the area. There are many choices and decisions that we, as consumers are asked to make. Hopefully, this has provided new and helpful information.
Resource
Many thanks to the Organic Crop Improvement Association, for providing much of the information for this study. The OCIA has chapters in AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, PA, SD, UT, and WI.
Many thanks are also extended to the California Certified Organic Farmers, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.
The following State Departments of Agriculture have also been very helpful: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, IA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, ND, OK, SC, TN, VA, and WA.
States - No Laws Governing Organic Products: Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi and Tennessee. Minimum requirements are established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Organic Standards Board.
The data describing the carcinogenicity of natural and synthetic compounds is referenced in Gold, L.S., et al. (1992) Science Vol. 258, pp. 261-265.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food
