Organics

ORGANIC GARDENING

Just the other evening a class was held at a local health insurance building on organic gardening. We were presented with a documentary on the benefits of organic versus chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The film began with America shortly after World War II. The farmers of that era were encouraged to mass produce everything from grains to potatoes. Along with this mass production came the pesticides to control crop damage. The soil was injected with chemical fertilizers together with natural fertilizers. The crops that are raised with this type of farming carry the ingredients found within the chemicals used.

Unbeknownst to all, when ingesting these grains and vegetables, one is also ingesting the chemicals. Concerned? We were. There’s been an increase in varying types of cancers which could possibly be blamed on the produce we consume.
Apparently there are areas along our beach fronts called ‘dead zones’. It’s caused by the fertilizer runoff when it rains. These dead zones are the areas that algae grow. The algae apparently uses up all the oxygen in the water, which causes the fish to die because they can’t breathe. Haven’t you ever wondered why fish are washed up on the beaches?

Today we are aware of what can be absorbed by the crops we grow. There is a big surge for organically grown crops. We are encouraged to ask our local grocery stores to buy produce from the local organic farmer. Not only will the produce be healthier for the consumer, but we can also encourage local economic growth. Sounds like a win-win situation for both the consumer and the local economics.