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The number one reason that people site for not choosing organic food is the cost. While organics are more expensive than commercially grown and produced food, the benefits not only in terms of health, but in terms of the environment, make it worth every extra cent.

The health benefits of organic food are tremendous. The most obvious one is, of course, the lack of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Journalist Bill Moyers had his blood and urine tested as part of a study at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and 84 different chemicals were found, including substances that had been banned for decades. The most troubling were organophosphates, which are linked to developmental delays and behavioral disorders, and can be passed from mother to child through breast milk. Organic food also contains higher quantities of vitamins and minerals, and is higher in cancer fighting antioxidants than commercially farmed food ("Organic Foods"). In a study by the Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming, rats fed an organic only diet were thinner, had drastically improved immune systems, and slept better (Mercola). Another troubling trend is the declining nutrition of factory farmed meat and dairy. A British study recently found dramatic reductions of nutrients like iron, magnesium and calcium in foods such as cheese, beef, chicken, and milk (Leahy). A diet of natural foods is more likely to keep you healthy, and to keep toxic chemicals out of your body.

A number of scientific studies have come out which show that natural, sustainable farming is good for the environment, not only in that chemical fertilizers and pesticides aren't used, but in unexpected ways as well. A twenty-one year study by the Swedish Research Institute of Organic Agriculture found that organic farming uses 26-53% less energy than conventional farming methods, and the soil has lower deposits of nitrogen and other elements that are inflated by artificial fertilization. They also found that organic soil is less prone to erode, and has more helpful fungi and earthworms, which contribute to a more dynamic food web, including birds and mammals ("Benefits of Organic Farming"). A study by the Soil Association, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, UK, found that organic farms have over 50% more species than commercial farms, and often contain rare and endangered species. The study also found more birds, less pests, and more quality habitats for other species ("The Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming"). Another interesting

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