In This Section:
Principles of organic
The Difference between Organic and Sustainable
Corporate Takeover
What You Can Do
Did You Know?
For More Information
Reports and Articles

Related information:
Animal Welfare
Pesticides
Policy and Legislation

The fundamentals of organic farming - the ideals of land stewardship in order to keep the land productive for generations - are not new.¹ However, organic farming as we know it now came about as a reaction to the wide adaptation of input intensive farming around the time of WWII, as a result of technological advances made earlier in the century and food shortages experienced during the war. During the first half of the last century, synthetic fertilizers were affordably manufactured and tractors were quickly replacing manual labor. Farmers around the world saw the potential detriment of this industrialized farming, rejected the idea that this was advancement in agriculture, and began to study and develop methods that increased the long term productivity of their farm system and practiced farming as stewards of the land.² This type of farming soon came to be known as "organic."

Principles of organic
The philosophy of organic food production maintains certain principles: biodiversity, ecological balance, sustainability, natural plant fertilization, natural pest management, and soil integrity. Since farms vary in product and practice, there is also a wide variety in how these principles are applied .³ However, generally, organic food products:

Traditionally, organic food production has certain characteristics, including:

• Are grown or raised by a producer who uses practices in balance with the natural environment, using methods and materials that minimize negative impact on the environment. The organic farmer is committed to replicating the ecology of the natural environment by maintaining biodiversity and fostering healthy soil and growing conditions.
• Are produced on land that has been free of known and perceived toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers for at least three years prior to certification, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are not used in production.
• Are planted on a rotating basis within the farm system. Crops are rotated from field to field, rather than growing the same crop in the same place year after year. Cover crops such as clover are planted to add nutrients to the soil and prevent weeds.
• Organic meat, poultry and egg products come from farms that use organic feed, do not administer added hormones to promote growth or any antibiotics and they allow animals the space and freedom to behave naturally. .

Regulation
In October 2002, the production and marketing of organic food came under regulation by the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program. The National Organic Standards Board, a federal advisory panel to the USDA for developing organic legislation, defines organic agriculture as "an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

Specifically, the regulations:

• Prohibit most synthetic (and petroleum derived) pesticides and fertilizers (for a list see the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances)
• Prohibit all antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation⁴ and sewage sludge
• Require all organically produced animals have 100% organic feed (which does not contain any animal byproducts or growth hormones)
• Require all organically produced animals to have access to the outdoors.⁵
• Require that processed products labeled organic contain at least 95% organic ingredients.⁶

After the USDA standards were implemented, all farmers describing their product as organic had to go through a national certification process involving a substantial fee and extensive record keeping. This process was too costly and time consuming for many smaller organic producers, who instead of certifying their farm, stopped using the word organic. These farmers are using growing practices that meet or exceed organic standards, but are legally not allowed to refer to their product as organic. Some grassroots certification schemes now exist to provide farmers and consumers an alternative to using the word "organic" and going through the USDA certification process. An example of a scheme like this is Certified Naturally Grown⁷ , which uses USDA organic standards guidelines, but is less costly to the farmer and is locally regulated.

Internationally, in 1992 the European Community developed organic standards and a certification scheme⁸ similar to that of the USDA. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)⁹ also has a set of organic principles which were the basis of the guidelines for organically produced foods of the internationally recognized Codex Alimentarius¹⁰ of the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (WHO/FAO food standards). Codex Alimentarius is the internationally accepted food safety standard for all food products traded worldwide. There is a set of standards within the Codex Alimentarius that covers organic food.

The Difference between Organic and Sustainable
Organic farming generally falls within the accepted definition of sustainable agriculture. However, it is important to distinguish between the two, since organic products can be (unsustainably) produced on large industrial farms, and farms that are not certified organic can produce food using methods that will sustain the farm's productivity for generations. Some organic dairy farms, for example, raise cows in large confinement facilities but are able to meet the bare minimum requirements for organic certification, while a non-organic certified small farm could use organic guidelines and be self-sufficient by recycling all the farm's waste to meet its fertility needs.

To distinguish between organic and sustainable, here are some comparisons:

• Certification
  Organic farms must be independently certified every year and approved by the USDA, while a farm using sustainable practices do not require any official certification. Organic is an actual certification; sustainable is more a philosophy or way of life. The best way to be sure about the growing practices is to buy directly from a farmer - that way you can ask questions if you are uncertain about the sustainability of his or her practices.

  USDA Definition: “Organic Production”

  A production system that is managed in accordance with the [The Organic Foods Production] Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.ⁱⁱ
  
  
  In order to bear the USDA "Certified Organic" seal, a product must contain 95 to 100 percent organic ingredients. Products that contain 100 percent organic ingredients²⁵ can be labeled "100 percent organic," while products that contain more than 70 percent, but less than 94 percent organic ingredients can be labeled "Made with Organic Ingredients," but cannot use the USDA "Certified-Organic" seal. ²⁶
  
  Violators of organic labeling regulations can be fined as much as $10,000 for each offense.²⁷ Farmers need to prove that their operations comply with all the requirements specified by the USDA, establish and submit their organic farming system plans, keep all records regarding their organic operations, and permit on-site inspections in order to be certified as an organic producer.²⁸

• Animal Welfare
  Organic farmers need to give animals "access" to outdoors, but they can actually confine animals and gain organic certification with as little as an open door leading to a cement patio. In recent years, on larger USDA certified organic farms, a system of semi-confinement has been implemented. In this case, animals can spend their entire life in housing, but are granted "access to the outdoors" through screened windows.¹¹ In a more sustainable system, animals must be permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, like rooting, pecking or grazing. A farmer using sustainable methods might keep his or her animals indoors in bad weather, but the animals are given ample space to move around naturally and are healthy, comfortable and well cared for.
• Antibiotics
  While no antibiotics can be fed to organic-certified livestock, there is no legal restriction for antibiotic use in sustainable farming. Many farmers using sustainable practices do not administer any antibiotics at all, but some may do so when their animals are sick and need to be treated. The milk and meat of animals given antibiotics on these farms are not used for human consumption until the antibiotics have fully passed out of the animals' systems.
• Artificial Hormones
  No added or artificial hormones are allowed for organic farming, nor are they used for sustainable farming.
• Corporate Involvement
  Organic food can be produced by large corporations, while sustainable food production is carried out by small farmers and families who live on the land where they farm.
• Size of the farm
  For organic farming, there is no limitation on how many acres can be used to grow crops. Sustainable farmers plant crops in relatively small, mixed plots as a form of pest control and to build soil fertility.
• Food Miles
  Organic food can travel thousands of miles before reaching your dinner plate, and certification does not take into consideration the use of fossil fuels used to truck food.  Sustainable food, however, is distributed and sold as close to the farm as possible.

Corporate Takeover
Organic agriculture is becoming more popular because consumers are demanding healthful and environmentally-friendly food. This shift in consumer behavior is good news, but unfortunately, increased demand for organic foods has attracted large agribusiness corporations that intend to profit from the trend.

Although it's not obvious to consumers, large corporations own many popular organic food brands. For example, Silk soymilk and Horizon dairy products are produced by Dean Foods, the nation's largest milk producer.¹² Since 1997, Heinz has acquired many smaller organic/sustainable labels, such as Celestial Seasonings, Rice/SoyDream and WestBrae¹³. Additionally, supermarket chains have now developed their own organic brands and are large players in the organic market. Since 2003, major chains such as Safeway and Krogers have added organic lines.¹⁴ The corporate takeover of organic food is further encouraged by Wal-Mart (the number one food retailer in the country), as it recently expanded their organic food sales in spring 2006.¹⁵ While the impact of Wal-Mart's involvement in the organic food sector is still uncertain, corporate involvement in organic farming has raised questions. . Such corporate involvement can threaten the existence of small sustainable farmers by encouraging farm consolidation and making it harder for small organic farms to compete in a large market.

Corporate-owned organic brands can push down the prices of organic products because they’re willing to cut corners in the production process and share a smaller portion of their profits with the farmers. They’ll confine dairy cows most of the year and sacrifice animal welfare,¹⁶which allows them to sell their “organic” milk at low prices that small organic farms with higher standards can’t match.

With corporate players in the organic market, the integrity of the standards themselves is also threatened. One ongoing debate is about the process by which ingredients in processed foods that are certified organic are approved.¹⁷ Substances that are synthetic, or not widely available using organic production methods, can be used in organic processed foods as long as they are first approved by the USDA. But the agency's list of these allowable non-organic ingredients keeps growing and there are worries that continual additions to the list will weaken the meaning of organic certification and not live up to what consumers expect. A 2005 court decision forced USDA to revise its procedures for allowing ingredients onto the list of acceptable substances, but unfortunately the agency's response was a proposal to allow 38 more synthetics onto the list, sparking a wave of controversy and public outcry. By summer of 2008, the issue still wasn't settled. This is a good example of how important it is that consumers keep an eye on the integrity of the standards behind the labels they rely on.

However, the fact that corporations have involved themselves in organic food production is not all bad. As large corporations sell more organic food, more acres of land are being protected from chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thus helping the environment and the soil in which our food is grown. Additionally, corporate organic products have significantly raised awareness of organics among consumers. Buying organic products is the first step in the learning processes necessary to create a more sustainable food system.

What You Can Do
The organic label is a useful tool when you're shopping in a conventional grocery store, because it helps you find food free of pesticides, antibiotics and artificial hormones. But don't go by the label alone! The easiest way to avoid the confusion around the organic standards is to purchase whole fruits, grains, vegetables, and meat and dairy products - and to get them directly from an organic producer. If you want to buy processed goods, try to get these from independent, local sources as well, as these are less likely to include preservatives and additives. If you have a question about their practices or ingredients, you can ask the person that produces your food - or better, visit the farm or look in the kitchen.

• Don't overwhelm yourself! If you are new to this, purchasing organic food is a great start. As you learn more, it will be easier to determine which products are sustainably produced, such as those from a local farmer that may or may not be labeled as organic.
• Ask Questions! Use our Questions to Ask cards to help you hunt down the most sustainable organic meat, dairy and eggs.
• Visit the Eat Well Guide for a national listing of stores, restaurants and small farms that sell sustainable and organic meat, eggs and dairy.
• Visit localharvest.org to find a farm or farmers' market near you.
• Know your brands! Use the Cornucopia Institute's Dairy Report and Scorecard to find out which milk and dairy brands are both organic and sustainable. Dr. Phillip Howard has been studying consolidation in the organic food industry for years! Find out which large company owns your favorite brand by visiting his website with telling graphics of the organic industry.

Did You Know?

• Mass market channels (supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and specialty chains) accounted for 46% of all organic foods sold in the US in 2005. ¹⁸
• U.S. sales of organic products were $15.7 billion in 2005-nearly 2.5 percent of total food sales. ¹⁹
• According to the USDA, consumer demand for organic agricultural products has increased steadily in the U.S., rising 20 percent or more annually throughout the 1990's. ²⁰
• A 22-year study conducted by the Rodale Institute determined that organic farming operations use 30% less energy than conventional farms.²¹
• Between 1997 and 2003, US farmers and ranchers increased the amount of certified organic farmland for crops and livestock by nearly one million acres.²²
• The year 2005 was the first time all 50 U.S. states contained some certified organic farmland. ²³
• In 2005, over 4.0 million acres of farmland - 1.7 million acres of cropland and 2.3 million acres of rangeland and pasture - were dedicated to organic food production. ²⁴

For More Information

• Organic Consumers Association - The OCA is a nonprofit public interest organization which focuses on issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, corporate accountability, and sustainable agricultural production. The website contains an extensive archive of news articles and scientific reports about organic food, genetically engineered food, irradiation, globalization, mad cow disease, bovine growth hormone, and other topics related to food safety.
• The USDA National Organic Program - This is the USDA's official National Organic Program website. The site contains information for consumers, producers, organic certifying agents, food processors, and food distributors about organic standards and the organic certification process.
• The Definitions and History of Sustainable Agriculture – In this page the AFSIC defines and describes the background and concept of sustainable agriculture.
• International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR) - ISOFAR promotes and supports research in all areas of organic agriculture.
• The Organic Center - To generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.

Reports and Articles

• New research proves organic milk is higher in vitamins and antioxidants than non-organic milk
  According to new research released at the Soil Association's annual conference, organically reared cows, which eat high levels of fresh grass, clover pasture and grass clover silage, produced milk which is on average 50% higher in Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), 75% higher in beta carotene (which our bodies convert to Vitamin A) and two to three times higher in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine than non-organic milk. (The UK Soil Association, January, 2005).
• “Organic Foods in Relation to Nutrition and Health: Key Facts”
  Summary of an article published in “Coronary and Diabetic Care in the UK 2004” by the Association of Primary Care Groups and Trusts. It was written by James Cleeton, Policy Projects Co-ordinator at the Soil Association. (The UK Soil Association, 2004)
• "Organic food 'better' for heart"
  BBC News article published July 2007 referencing recent studies conducted at the university of California, Davis which determined tomatoes and berries grown organically were higher in antioxidants. (Actual studies referenced below).
• Mitchell, Alyson E, et al. "Ten-Year Comparison of the Influence of Organic and Conventional Crop Management Practices on the Content of Flavonoids in Tomatoes" J. Agric. Food Chem. 2007. 55(15). Pg. 6154-6159.
• Benbrook, Charles et al. "New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Foods," State of Science Review, March 2008. A review of published scientific literature completed since 2003 about the nutritional benefits of organic food.

Sources

• The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. “Organic Food Production.” National Agricultural Library, USDA 2003.
• Lockeretz, William, Ed. Organic Farming An International History. CAB International. Cambridge, MA. 2007.
• Kuepper, George and Gegner, L. "ATTRA Publication #IP170: Organic Crop Production Overview:Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture". National Center for Appropriate Technology. August 2004.
• "Fact Sheet: National Organic Production and Handling Standards." USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Accessed online April 2008.
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. "Organic Livestock Workbook."National Agricultural Library, USDA. 2007.
• "Fact Sheet: Organic Labeling and Marketing Information". USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Accessed online April 2008.
• Certified Naturally Grown website. Accessed online April 2008.
• "Fact Pages: Organic Farming." European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. (Europa Website). 2007. Accessed online April 2008.
• About IFOAM. IFOAM. Accessed online April 2008.
• "Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Marketing and Labelling of Organically Produced Foods." The Codex Alimentarius Commission and the FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. 1999. Accessed online April 2008.
• "National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Organic Livestock Workbook". National Agricultural Library, USDA 2007.
• Gogoi, Pallavi. “Wal-Mart’s Organic Offensive.” Business Week. March 2006.
• Howard, Pill. "Organic Industry Structure: Top 30 Acquisitions." Michigan State University. January 2008. Accessed online April 2008.
• Howard, Pill. Organic Industry Structure: Private Label Brands." Michigan State University. January 2008. Accessed online April 2008.
• “Organics at Walmart.” (accessed October 20, 2006).
• Warner, Melanie. “A Milk War over More than Price.” New York Times, September 2006.
• Wilson, Scott J. "'Organic' food rule could have up to 38 loopholes." Los Angeles Times. June 10, 2007.
• Howard, Pill. "Organic Industry Structure: Private Label Brands." Michigan State University. January 2008. Accessed online April 2008.
• "Briefing Rooms: Organic Agriculture: Consumer Demand Continues To Expand". USDA Economic Research Service. Accessed April 2008.
• Demitri, Carolyn, and Catherine Green. “Recent Growth Patterns in the U.S. Organic Foods Market,” USDA Economic Research Service September 2002.
• "Organic farming produces same corn and soybean yields as conventional farms, but consumes less energy and no pesticides, study finds." Cornell University. July 2005.
• "Data Sets: Organic Production: Data Files: Certified Organic Pasture and Cropland, by State 1997; Certified Organic Pasture and Cropland, by State 2003." USDA Economic Research Service. 2008. (Accessed online April 2008)
• "Data Sets: Organic Production." USDA Economic Research Service. 2008. (Accessed online April 2008)
• Ibid.
• "Fact Sheet: National Organic Production and Handling Standards." USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. April 2008. (Accessed online April 2008)
• Fact Sheet: Organic Labeling and Marketing Information." USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. April 2008. (Accessed online April 2008)
• Ibid.
• "Fact Sheet: National Organic Production and Handling Standards." USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. April 2008. (Accessed online April 2008)