Organic Vs. Conventional Farming- 22 yr Study

[Guest guest]

Comments?

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

ORGANIC & CONVENTIONAL FARMING FACE-OFF IN 22-YEAR STUDY

 

This might be of interest

 

The July issue of the journal Bioscience reviewed a 22-year-long

field study by the Rodale Institute which compared organic and

conventional farming on similar plots of land with similar crops. The

study found that in the initial five years of the study, the

conventional crops (i.e. crops grown with pesticides and synthetic

fertilizers) had slightly better yields than the organic crops. But

during that same initial period, the organic farming practices were

building up higher levels of soil mass and biodiversity which then

allowed the organic land to generate yields equal to or greater than

the conventional crops. The conventional crops collapsed during

drought years, while the organic crops fluctuated only slightly, due

to greater water holding potential in the organic enriched soil. The

conventional crop also had pesticides leaching into the water at

levels exceeding the EPA's safety limits. Over the 22 year period,

the organic crops used 30% less fossil energy inputs than the

conventional crops.

 

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/norm071805.cfm

 

 

Caroline Collard