We need to be concerned about the impact that agriculture and food have on our world, our communities and our health. Making the right choices for our future and our children’s future will bring immeasurable rewards. A safe food supply and the protection of our planet’s resources should be a high priority for us all. Keeping toxic and persistent chemicals out of the environment and nurturing the soil helps us leave a healthy and safe planet for future generations. The cost may be a little more now, but the value for you, your family and the earth will be far greater
“In the current system, food is inexpensive because the cheaper prices come first, and years and decades later we pay the true costs in erosion, toxic wells, and poisoned life, including our own.” Paul Hawken, The Ecology of Commerce (Harper Collins, 1993)

Highly Toxic And Highly Persistent Chemicals
Every year, 5 to 6 billion pounds of chemicals are applied throughout the world. These chemicals are, often, highly toxic and highly persistent; many are known or suspected carcinogens. Pesticides contaminate soil and water and harm farm workers. Chemical fertilizers contaminate rivers, lakes, oceans and drinking water! Payal Sampat, in “Groundwater Shock: The Polluting of the World’s Major Freshwater Stores,”  reports that pesticides as runoff from farms, backyards, golf courses, and landfill leaks are a major threat to groundwater.

(WorldWatch, January-February 2000.) Chemical fertilizer contributes to soil erosion and soil loss by feeding the plant, not the soil. Topsoil erosion affects water quality, habitat quality and contributes to flood risks. Soil that is rich in organic matter is better able to resist wind and water erosion.

Organic Agriculture
Organic agriculture is transforming farming by increasing biodiversity, especially in the soil. Worms multiply, microorganisms aerate the soil, and organic matter retains nutrients, prevents leaching, nourishes the plants, and sustains abundant crops.

Health And Developmental Damage
Young children and people with compromised immune systems are very vulnerable to the poisons that are put on our food and in our soil, water and air. Evidence now shows that chemicals in combination “the way we are usually exposed in everyday life” may exponentially increase the risk of health and developmental damage.

We need to keep our planet healthy. We need to keep our children and ourselves as free from harmful chemicals as we can!

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