Argumentative Essay On Organic Farming

Conventional farmers and the modern food industry argue that planting the same crop year after year is convenient and profitable because it cuts down on the different types of farm equipment necessary in production, and initially, in the types of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers needed. However, in this unnatural environment, tremendous amounts of pest... ... middle of paper ... ...d to Know About Organic Foods.” Online. Internet. 20 Nov. 2013. Available: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php Goodall, Jane, Gary McAvoy, and Gail Hudson.

However, organic foods only accounts for 0. 9 percent of total worldwide farmland” (10 reasons organic food is so expensive).The highly demand of organic food causes the high price, and organic farmers want to offset the loss of organic foods as much as possible when they grew it. Additionally, the less using of chemical makes the organic food fresher, because organic foods do not have preservative to make it longer (Organic Foods). The fresher food often tastes good and be healthier to people, so people prefer to buy organic foods. Usually, the performance of food can attract people to buy it.

This paper will take a look at the history of agriculture in the United States as well as the growth of the organic movement. Recent Consumer demand has been shifting the market for organics and the recent trends will be reviewed. The vitamin, mineral and nutritional content will be examined as well as organic farming regulations and the tainting of food through pesticides, contaminants and food borne illness. Dr. Walter J. Crinninon provides an opposing viewpoint on the state of organic foods and farming that is very supportive of the current state of organic foods and his article will be summarized and rebutted. Organic foods have no benefits today that are great enough to justify the additional cost.

In other words, since organic food has become popular to the public, big companies in the food industry have taken over (Coleman). Moreover, he defined organic food as “locally grown and unprocessed, with exceptional quality” (Coleman). His standard of “Real Food” farming is the place where fresh fruits and vegetables along with a 50-mile radius of their final sale. Additionally, beans grains and potatoes are developed inside a 300-mile radius of the last sale. His standard is not a realistic goal which is to grow and produce food products naturally because it costs more money and requires nurturing by good farmers.

Family farms are slowly fading away from the American landscape due to the increasing number of industrialized farms. Yet, there are so many benefits that the family farm brings to the community that it would be foolish to let them slip away. As Americans, we need to do everything we can to support out family farmers because they help the community out in many ways. Everything from local, fresh, produce, to helping keep our land free from chemicals and insecticides are just a few of the tasks they do to help everyone out. Without them, the United States will turn into a place where only few farm, and those who do, farm for an economical motive.

From the now popular recyclable cloth grocery bags, to the organic garden at the White House, food, and the food industry is changing. The popularity of organic and whole foods is on the rise. Processed foods are increasingly advertising that they are additive and preservative free, and all sorts of products now offer a “gluten-free” variety. The popularity of what is now being called the sustainable food movement, leads many to wonder why are some people willing to pay more, sometimes double, for organic produce, meat, eggs, and milk. Will this prove to be just another trendy American fad, or are there real health benefits from eating organic and whole foods?

There are many different opinions on what the word organic really means. For some it means that the produce was farmed with no chemicals and pesticides and it is better for us as well as eco friendly towards the Earth. These organic products are then shipped to a supermarket near you. However, not all people have the same definition of organic. These people view and define a product of being organic as being grown naturally and locally.

Most early American farmers did not grow food for profit but instead farmed to feed themselves. Farming was strictly for survival, not money. This philosophy is called subsistence agriculture ("The Local Food Movement"). Before the twentieth century, the majority of imported food was not shipped from any distance that extended out of the reach of a wind-powered boat. In those times, shipping ports of large urban areas were always hustling with merchants and consumers (Hartman).

Organic versus non-organic foods are always being debated to whether they are worth the extra cost. This seems to be an easy question, at first, but begs a more in-depth analysis to come to a conclusion. Organic definitions can vary by government, company and even individuals. Many people have their own ideas of what organic means. My personal definition, before this research assignment, was that organic products were grown with no pesticides, chemical additives, or preservatives and grown in a humane way.

This is not true because the environment and the treatment of animals are overlooked by businesses to make their products cheaper and to maximize profits. Industrial organic animal facilities are only a few changes away from becoming the same as conventional farming. The difference between organic animal farming and conventional farming could be as little as a few windows put on a chicken den. There is still major overcrowding of animals in organic facilities. The animals are entitled to an outside grazing area under the organic system which at times can be very small.