Argumentation Draft for Final

           Why Organic Vegetable Production Is Better Than Conventional Production

                The need for a change is now, the place is here. As a population we have managed to destroy much of our soil, water, and air quality. The over use of synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and high nitrogen fertilizers; have contributed largely to this pollution problem. The mismanagement of land and the practice of monoculture crop plantings are draining our soils of their nutrients. Do we want to have a lush and fertile land that is healthy and clean, to pass on to future generations? I think the answer is yes, it’s a basic need for life to be sustained. The only way we can ensure this future is through the use of a sustainable practice, one that can be used for years to come. One way we can help ensure this is with the incorporation of an all organic agricultural system in this country. The organic production system is nothing new; in fact it’s the only natural way to raise crops. If there is one thing that plants, animals, and people want its natural. So what is organic crop production, and why is it so good?

                Organic food is simply “Food which has not been subjected to chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers and which has been grown in soil whose humus content has been increased by the addition of organic matter”. It is the way nature intended for produce to be grown, untainted and pure. Organic production is all about the soil, air, water, and living beings around it. It is all about making the smallest pollution footprint that one can make. It takes into account that the soil is a living, breathing, and growing being that must be natured and loved. We must do all that we can protect our water ways, because without clean, fresh water we all would surely parish. The air that we all depend on for life must be protected, without the air there would be no “us”. All of the living beings that are in and around the soil are all in a symbiotic association with one another. If you take away one, the other will suffer, every life form has its place in the soil eco-system. In contrast conventional production cares little about the environment or the people consuming their product. The one thing on the mind of big agriculture today is money, and how to make more. They put little thought into what their actions are doing to the land, and how it will affect future generations. The soil pays the price of the bad practices of big agriculture first.

                In organic production the soil is of key concern, without healthy, you cannot have healthy plants or consumers. Every time that you take something out of the soil, such as harvesting of a crop, you are taking valuable nutrients out of the soil. You must replenish these nutrients or they will deplete over time. The nutrients are what grow a strong, healthy plant, which in turn makes us healthy. One way to organically replenish these lost nutrients is through the incorporation of humus. Humus is the fully decayed remains of organic matter from formerly living plants and animals. It is often referred to as compost, and the words are interchangeable. Humus serves a number of vital roles in the soil, and is referred to as “black gold”. It holds nutrients needed by the plant, helps regulate soil pH, holds water, helps with drainage, improves soil tilth(makes the soil easier to cultivate); helps regulate soil temperatures, and help regulate soil fungi. Soil fungi produce natural antibiotics which control pathogenic fungi, the bad fungi. The incorporation of animal manure into the soil is a simple way to improve soil health that is used in organic production. The manure will break down and release nutrients into the soil over time, but it will take at least one year to take effect. One more way to easily improve soil health with organic production is with the use of cover crops, also called green manure. These crops are fast growing plants that are planted when the soil would otherwise be bare, and exposed to the elements. The cover crops are then cultivated into the soil where they will break down and release their nutrients. Conventional production puts little thought into restoring the soil nutrients that are lost, but instead rely on synthetic fertilizers to unnaturally feed the plant. The disrespect they do the soil will surely deplete it of all nutrients, and unusable for future generations. One of the main reasons soil health is so important is because the soil is literally “crawling” with life.

                “Healthy soil may be defined as soil that allows plants to grow to their maximum productivity without disease, fertility or pest problems limiting production, and without a need for unusual supplements or support”. The soil is full of life that comes in all forms, from big to microscopic, and they all play their part. The bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in the soil break down the organic matter to humus and other metabolic products influencing plants. Microbes in the soil transfer nutrients to the plant roots and transform unavailable nutrients to a usable form. The use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides is killing the delicate balance that is naturally in place.  The pesticides are non-selective, and will kill any insects or organisms that it comes in contact with. In the natural order of things there are predatory insects that will kill other problem insects, and these good guys are destroyed with the use of synthetic pesticides. An organic method of pest control is through the attraction of these beneficial predatory insects. One more method of organic pest control is the use of row covers, which are plastic sheets that cover the crop row and protect with from insects. A very simple organic method of pest control is the use of crop rotation, which is simply moving where you plant something to an area where there are no pests. There are some organic “pesticides” on the market that are made of plant derived materials. Natural soap also can be used as an organic “pesticide” in a spray bottle. The modern take on pest and weed problems is just to use more and stronger chemicals. No thought is given to the fact that these chemicals can end up in our drinking water, in the ground water, on our children, or pets, and our food. The production of these chemicals is major contributors to waterway eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of synthetic chemicals contributes 400% more greenhouse gas per pound of crop compared to organic production. The run off from synthetic chemicals can end up in waterways and feed algae which multiply rapidly, which deplete the oxygen in the water. This will kill all the other life forms in the water, and make the recreational value go down. The over use of these chemicals may directly affect humans, as research shows that they build up in our body fat. These chemicals are not highly regulated, which they should be. There are 17,000 pesticide products on the market, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has only tested 1%. So why would anyone want to use these chemicals if they are so bad? It takes a lot less man power to use these chemicals, and all of these chemicals are subsidized by the government to be cheap. There have been some arguments as to whether you can produce a larger yield with the use of synthetic chemicals, but the research shows organic production can produce the same yields as conventional. Some argue that organic production will end up costing the grower more money that is false.

                You have to be able to make money doing something, or what is the point of doing it? The research shows that there is more money to be made, with less land in organic production. The market has grown rapidly over the last 3 decades, and is still growing every day. Organic food and beverage sales have grown from 1 billion in 1990 to 26.7 billion in 2010. Fruit and vegetable sales in 2010 increased 11.8% over 2009 despite the slow economy. The long term economic viability of the organic system is vastly superior to the conventional system, which is very unsustainable. More jobs are created with the organic production because of the more labor intensive work that is involved. The operating profit for organic is $45,697, compared to $25,448 for conventional. You will also save money on energy cost and use, as organic production uses on average 45% less energy compared to conventional. One major reason that organic production is better than conventional is because of the finished product, the produce.

                 The produce that organic crops yield not only tastes better, but has a higher nutrient count. The plants are grown in lush, fertile soil, so in turn the produce is loaded with nutrients. On top of the other entire bad things synthetic chemicals do, they also leave residues of the plant that may affect the flavor. The antioxidants and vitamins have been shown to be in higher concentration in organically produced crops. Many blind taste tests have shown that the average consumer prefers the taste of organic produce over conventional. This is really just a small part of why organic production is better than conventional.

                The current condition of our agricultural system is a broken one, that is slowing dying and taking its citizens with it. To fix the current system we must focus on the basics, soil, water, and air quality. A simple switch to organic production will ensure we protect all of these for our children, and their children. We are really only borrowing this land from future generations, we do not own it. The organic system is the change we need in this country; it could very well be our saving grace. One thing that each and every person can do to help solve this problem is by planting your own organic garden, or being part of a community garden. Such a simple as soil can make or break a nation, we must do all that we can in our power to protect and preserve this land. We only get one chance, so why risk our future?