The word organic, since the early 2000s, has exploded in popularity. Organic foods have cultivated a reputation as ecologically sustainable, better produce, but this reputation, as we have learned in class, is largely unfounded, and is not enough. While organic foods are, at a glance, superior to conventional farming in requiring lower energy output per unit, and is unequivocally better at reducing pesticides found on food, this is deceptive. Organic foods have a lower per unit output to conventional foods, and when this is normalized, organic foods only remain decisively better than conventional foods at reducing pesticides found on the food itself, but are equal or worse than conventional foods on the metrics that matter, like methane output or species richness.
Organic isn't enough to create a sustainable, ecologically sound farming system, and for this to be possible a paradigm shift in the agricultural industry toward regenerative farming is essential.Regenerative farming is proven to promote carbon sequestration, rather than the current trend of conventional farming toward desiccation and desertification of the land. Regenerative farming also promotes greater understanding of the interconnected processes which govern soil and plant ecosystems, and give us the tools we need to take what we require from the land without irreparably harming it. I envision a future where regenerative farming is the focus of farm subsidies, and not on their periphery. Regenerative farming is primarily held back not at the implementation phase, but at funding, and with increased resources for farmers that wish to enact regenerative farming initiatives I believe it would be far more widespread than it currently is. A redirection of funding from conventional farming initiatives and instead toward regenerative farming would both incentivize those already wishing to implement regenerative farming but also those that would otherwise not wish to enact it themselves by appealing to their wallets if their commitment to sustainability isn't already enough. Organic isn't enough, but by choosing and promoting initiatives that actually promote sustainability, we can weather the agricultural ecological crisis. #Unleashvalues
I definitely agree that there are major economic barriers that stop farmers from implementing regenerative farming techniques. Providing funding may be able to push many farmers into regenerative farming, ultimately improving the ecosystem and the health of the Earth!
On top of this, it is actually really difficult to obtain an "organic" certification. So, I wonder why we are placing so much value on this when we aren't actually seeing much of a net benefit.