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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“Why I Quit Organic Farming”

September 10, 2014

I’ve never been shy about my lack of enthusiasm for organic farming and certification. I understand that some farmers benefit from it by commanding a premium for their products. I don’t mind if a farmer has taken that approach.

 Unfortunately, most consumers are confused about what the organic certification actually means (hint: they still use chemicals!). Organic advertising does nothing to correct the image either, usually taking the opposite approach and encouraging it. The Organic Consumer Association usually has no problem talking about how terrible conventional farming methods are for people. I also hate the assumption that organic farming is better for the environment than conventional farming. 

To me, sustainable farming is finding a way to maximize production while minimizing the impact on the environment. The organic certification was not designed to promote that ideal. Rather, it focuses on whether something is “natural.” Such a definition can lead to odd conclusions and contradictory arguments. At some level, everything can be considered natural.
In any scenario where we want to reach my definition of sustainable farming, biotechnology will obviously play a role. In fact, I have argued previously that organic farming should find a way to fit in GMOs, especially because the use of biotechnology lowers pesticide use and increases yields. However, organic has taken the opposite approach and often leads some of the scare campaigns against the technology.

If someone wants to farm organically, then they should go ahead and do that after they make an informed decision. Be my guest. Production methods are a choice and I like farmers having choices. I also appreciate that I can choose not to support certain production methods, especially if I have a philosophical disagreement with that production method. 

Which is why I was particularly taken by an article I found entitled “Why I Quit Organic Farming.” Mike Bendzela recaps his experience of becoming an organic farmer, getting involved in organic farming society, and finally realizing it was a big contradiction.
The article is lengthy, but well worth the few minutes to read it. I’ve pulled out a few of my favorite parts to (hopefully) entice you to read the article:

I found the philosophy of the organics movement to be a barrel raft covered in loose planks. In trying to justify their beliefs, they pile on the claims (planks), each of which rests on a different assumption (barrel). And when one claim is questioned, they simply jump to another plank on the raft and try to hold it all together. Sadly, for the investigator, dismantling a raft of claims requires a crew of rebuttals.

…

Members of the Organic Consumers Association also employ the derisive term “chemical farmers” in their screeds. They even come right out and say that local foods not “organically-produced” are unsafe and that consumers should shun their local farmer who is not certified organic. Their modus operandi is to frighten people into buying organic.

…

It doesn’t even follow that organic methods are more “sustainable” than “conventional” ones. My deconversion from this last plank of belief has been preserved for posterity in an exchange with Robert Carroll of the Skeptics Dictionary, under his entry on “organic (food and farming).” He says: 

“…the problems we will face will probably be exacerbated if we went totally organic. Think of how much more land we would have to use to feed the world’s population. Where is this land going to come from? Clear-cutting rainforests? …organic farming could feed the world if population stopped or receded, but that is unlikely to happen any time soon. Conventional farming of genetically modified crops may be the only hope for feeding the billions more that are likely to be added to world population within the next 50 years.”

You can read the entire (lengthy, but worth it) article here.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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Filed Under: Organic, Production Methods Tagged With: consumers, environment, GMO, good reads, organic, truth

Comments

  1. Barbara Womack says

    September 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Great post!I completely agree with your definition of sustainable. And, while we were once organic, we left that behind for reasons similar to the author's. If consumers could only see beyond the media hype and their own preconceived notions!Off to read the original article. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Anonymous says

    September 10, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Great article!

  3. vkvravi says

    September 11, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    In India Organic farmers use a fermented mixture of Cow Urine, Cow Dung etc as a spray formulation. I heard some of them soak the dead rats for few days in boiled water, take out the extract and spray it as pest repellent called " Gunabalam ". How safe is organic food? Why not it be subjected mandatory labeling stating that it is free from harmful organism including E Coli Bacteria?

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
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
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
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