Organic Farming Research Institute
A new report from the Organic Farming Research Institute reviews North American scientific literature concerning organic farming in the United States and Canada. The report, Organic Farming for Health & Prosperity, examines the multitude of benefits that organic agriculture can provide and identifies the key ways in which agricultural policies in the United States could support organic farmers.
The scientific literature shows that organic farming practices build soil quality, maintain water quality, support biodiversity, and have potential to mitigate global climate change while supporting an economic bright spot. Organic farming is comprised of an integrated suite of practices that provide these benefits in addition to producing food, fiber and feed.
Studies conducted over the past decade have called for the agricultural industry to be responsive to changing climate and environmental conditions. None of these studies, however, has focused primarily on organic farming.
Organic Farming for Health & Prosperity was drafted to help fill that void.
When the scientific literature is reviewed as a whole, it’s easy to see that organic farming practices are good for human health, economic prosperity, the environment and for slowing climate change. Healthy soil, which organic farming enhances, is the basis of a healthy nation.
Despite the obvious benefits, several key challenges have slowed the growth of organic agriculture. Increasing public awareness of the value of organic farming, implementing public policy changes that support organic growers and conducting research to advance the industry are essential in overcoming the challenges of organic agriculture. Additional research is imperative to fill the gaps in the scientific understanding of the benefits of organic farming.
To read the full report, click here.
