The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

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Organic vs Conventional Pesticides: What’s the Difference?

March 4, 2015

If you have never watched a video I posted, this is the perfect time to start and this is the best video for you to see!

Organic farmers use organic pesticides. The next question is simple: What’s the difference?

Check out this video that features farmers that actually farm both conventionally and organically:

See? That’s why I keep telling you – organic is a marketing decision.

My favorite observation in the video is this – many times “synthetic” pesticides are only “synthetic” because of how they were created. This was mentioned in my article with Steve Savage about the little girl’s science experiment gone wrong. In our article, we discussed a new sprout inhibitor for potatoes called SmartBlock. SmartBlock is derived from natural sources – such as yogurt, tuna, soy and, mushrooms – but scientists recreated the exact same thing in the lab. That makes it much easier to collect and use (and, I imagine, cheaper), but prohibits it from being used in organic agriculture. But conventional farmers are starting to use it as an effective tool in prohibiting potatoes from sprouting.

Organic isn’t about whether something is better for the environment or safer – it focuses on this random distinction about whether something is sourced “naturally” or not.

Also interesting, in that same article, we noted that the organic sprout inhibitor was much less effective and had to be sprayed as many as 5-8 times to work. The farmers in the video confirmed that was the case for other organic pesticides as well.

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Filed Under: Organic, Production Methods Tagged With: pesticides, truth, video

Comments

  1. Organic Farming says

    March 5, 2015 at 5:54 am

    It should be noted, however, that we don’t know for certain which system is more harmful. This is because we do not look at organic pesticides the same way that we look at conventional pesticides. We don’t know how long these organic pesticides persist in the environment, or the full extent of their effects.

  2. Kirsten Ziegler says

    March 10, 2015 at 11:58 am

    What would cause the difference in effectiveness between the natural sprout inhibitor and the identical synthetic version? If there are the same compound, shouldn’t they have the same effectiveness?

    • Amanda says

      March 10, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      I was discussing two different sprout inhibitors. The SmartBlock is not widely used (yet), but the synthetic variety is the same as the version found naturally. As for the organic inhibitor not being as effective, I was referring to the one that is in use now by organic farmers. I believe the original article states it a little more clearly than I did here. Sorry about that. 🙂

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

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thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finall Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finally!
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
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