Ten Good Reasons to Buy Organic 1. Organic products meet stringent standards. Organic certification is the public's assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent chemical inputs. 2. Organic food tastes great! It's common sense - well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals. 3. Organic production reduces health risks. Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us. 4. Organic farms respect our water resources. The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen fertilizers, done in combination with soil conservation, protects and conserves water resources. 5. Organic farmers build healthy soil. Soil is the foundation of the food chain. A primary focus of organic farming is to protect and build healthy soils. 6. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature. Organic farmers respect the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by using permanent pastures, utilizing buffer zones, planting wildlife refuges and by protecting wetlands, forests and other natural areas. 7. Organic producers are leaders in innovative research. Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture's impact on the environment. 8. Organic producers strive to preserve diversity. The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades. 9. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy. The USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops. 10) Organic abundance - Foods and non-foods alike! Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically - even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way. © 2001 Organic Trade Association.