by Sarah Parrish

Created on: July 19, 2011   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

Organic farming is popular.  Reducing pollution, living green, respecting the environment... These are all noble causes that the general public is starting to pay more attention to than in decades past.  Organic farming methods, however, have been oversold in many ways. 

Myth: Organic farming means no chemicals. 

Chemicals can still be used on organic farms, as long as those chemicals aren't synthetically produced. Many organic farmers still use

chemically-based pesticides. 

Myth: Organic food is cleaner.

Just like all crops grown in dirt, organic food can carry traces of soil, fertilizer, and even chemicals used in pesticides or fertilizers. 

Myth: Organic farms have free-range animals. 

Organic crops and free-range animals are two very different issues.  A farm can grow crops organically, but still house livestock in small cages. 

Myth: Organically grown produce is always healthier. 

Just because chemicals that come into contact with plants aren't synthetically manufactured, it doesn't mean those chemicals won't cause cancer.  It's true that the trend is for organically grown produce to be better for you, but it's not always the case.

Myth: Organic farming helps small businesses.

Sometimes organic farming helps small businesses by supporting the local economy, but other times it detracts from small businesses by pulling customers away from locally owned stores.  Organic farming practices function independently from small businesses. 

Myth: Organically produced crops are expensive.

Stores capitalize on trends.  Organic farming is currently appealing to many consumers, so shops will take advantage of the fact and charge a lot of money for fruits and vegetables that don't contain synthetic pesticides.  Check out a local farmer's market, however, and you'll find produce for sale that beats the price of major chain grocery stores, organic produce or not.

For those occasions where you do find yourself paying more for organic produce, ask yourself what you're getting.  You might pay more, but you might also be buying a higher quality item that makes it cost effective in the end. 

Myth: Organic farming is better for the environment.

While organic farmers might use fewer pesticides or rely on non-chemical farming methods, organic farming methods are less efficient than many industrial practices, so more resources are required to produce the same amount of food.  Using up more natural resources isn't good for the environment.  It's not the case that organic farming is necessarily worse for the environment than traditional, industrial practices, but it isn't necessarily better, either.  That depends on the specifics of the farm producing the food.

Myth: Organic farms don't use genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

GMOs are independent of organic farming practices.  In fact, many organic farmers rely more heavily on GMOs that naturally produce genes containing toxins that discourage pests than their industrial-practicing counterparts who rely more on pesticides for pest control.  The use of GMOs is one way to allow farmers to control pests without having to use synthetic pesticides.

Myth: Organic food tastes bland.

It's true that many people who choose to eat only organic produce are also familiar with tofu and some alternative forms of protein, which might be associated with bland flavors.  While tofu does have a mild flavor, organically grown strawberries or tomatoes are far more flavorful than their industrially-produced cousins because they are usually allowed to ripen on the plant rather than in a truck being shipped somewhere far away. 

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