Organic Agriculture in the US

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements has released their 2010 Annual Report. (scroll down to 20.05.2011) According to the chart on page one, the United States has the largest organic market size, and yet North America is at the bottom of the continents when it comes to area used for organic production, surpassing only Africa and only in the aspect of agricultural land, not wild or non-agricultural areas.

I take that to mean that not only do we need to import most of our organic products in order to meet the needs of the market, but we're also behind the rest of the world in realizing, as a whole, that what we are putting into our bodies, by eating or even what we're exposed to and breathing in, is causing problems.

So, what can we do?

Spread the word/Live by example. I'm putting these two together, because I think being an example is showing others how to do what you're saying is the best way to spread the word and get others involved.

Request organic. Many stores are beginning to add more organic options at the request of their customers. So, if there is something that you can't find, it can't hurt to ask for it.

Let the locals know too. Requests go for local farmers as well. When you're out at the farmers markets, ask the farmers where the produce is coming from. Some stands ship their produce in from other states. Those that do grow their own produce should be able to tell you exactly what was used to grow it. Don't be afraid to say "no" to foods that were not grown organically or sustainably, and let the farmers know that you would buy the product if it was grown in a healthier way.

Grow it yourself. North America may be behind in organic production, but do you know how easy it is to grow a few things yourself? Salad greens, I've found, are one of the easiest things to grow and can be placed in containers or even in a small patch. Many other fruits and vegetables like patio blueberries or tomatoes can be grown in containers right on your porch.

Educate yourself. This one probably should have gone first, because it is nearly impossible to make a difference in your own life and totally impossible to educate others if you're not well-informed first. Everyone reading this blog also has access to millions of resources in healthy/organic living. Just a simple Google search will result in hundreds of websites waiting to tell you what you need to know. However, it is also important to keep the sources in mind and I always try to verify what I'm reading with other resources that I trust.

Go to the top. If you want to see a change, write to lawmakers and/or contact someone who is currently trying to make changes and see how you can help. Right now there are many campaigns working to make changes in the way this country regulates our food. For a few examples go to http://westonaprice.org/get-involved. There are campaigns listed on the right.