By Melinda Hemmelgarn m.s. | r.d.

body OrganiC

Whole You, Whole Earth, Wholesome

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated … whatever affects one

directly, affects all indirectly.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Teague Organic Valley family farm, NC

The Holter Organic Valley family farm, MD

OOrganic farmers work with

nature. Organic agriculture uniquely

focuses on improving and protecting the

core of our food system: soil health, water

quality and biodiversity.

Organic agriculture protects farmers and

farm workers from exposure to harmful

chemicals, as well as eaters who benefit

from cleaner, more nutritious food.

Cut through the clutter of confusing

food labels. Only the “USDA Organic”

label gives us legal assurance—through

third-party inspection and certification—

that no antibiotics,

synthetic hormones,

sewage sludge, ir-

radiation, synthetic pesticides or petro-

leum-based fertilizers were used in our

food production. Choosing organic food

is also our best way to avoid genetically

modified (GMO) ingredients.

No other product label delivers a stronger

set of growing and production guidelines.

When you purchase foods with the USDA

Organic label, you’re choosing products

with the highest, most rigorous standards.

Plus, you’re voting with your food dollars

for farmers who go the extra mile to protect

our environment for future generations.

We all live downstream and value safe

water, air and food.

Ever wonder why organic food sales thrive and drive the market?

Smart farmers and savvy eaters!

W HOL E YOU, W HOL E E A R T H, W HOL E SOME ! healthy soil > healthy plants > healthy animals > healthy people > healthy planet

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“ Everything that happens in our environment happens to us, even if we don’t know it yet.”

– Celine Cousteau, American Public Health

Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia

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ORG A NIC AGRIC ULT URE F E E DS T HE P E OPL E , P RO T E C T S OUR HE A LT H & E N V IRONME N T

& F IGH T S CL IM AT E CH A NGE

R esearch shows increased yields

and steadily improved soil quality

when organic farming systems are adopted.

Plus, organic farming practices, including

composting and cover crops, result in

soils that are less likely to erode, and are

better able to hold onto water during a

drought. Organic soils, especially organic

pasture, also show improved ability to

“sequester” or store carbon, which helps

reduce global climate change.

Organic agriculture can feed the world. In fact, the United Nation’s

Food and Agriculture Organization recommends organic farming to

help fight hunger and tackle climate change.

The Ranck Organic Valley family farm, PA

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In addition to enhanced soil quality, organic

farming also boosts biodiversity. How? By

not using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

and by adopting wildlife-friendly farming

techniques. Increased biodiversity is a

win-win for farmers and wildlife—with

an average of 30% more biodiversity on

organic farms compared to conventional1

—organic farmers benef it from higher

yields and wildlife enjoys ideal habitat.

According to the Organic Center and

USDA f igures, more than one billion

pounds of pesticides are applied to crops

each year in the U.S. alone. Along with

synthetic fertilizers, these fossil-fuel-

based chemicals deplete our soil, pollute

our environment and bodies, and further

contribute to global climate change.

Good news: Consumer demand for organic

food can drive agricultural policies and

practices, resulting in better health for

people and planet. Organic Works!

“The destiny of nations depends on how they nourish themselves.”

– Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin , 1755-1826

The Johnston OV family farm, OR The Bontrager OV family farm, WI

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A

TA K ING C A RE OF YOU F ROM T HE INSIDE OU T: YOUR ORG A NIC P E ACE OF MIND

A r e v ie w of t he r e se a rc h

shows that average levels of 11

nutrients are 25% higher in organic

foods compared to conventional2 and

that organic fruits and vegetables are

about 30% higher in health-protecting

antioxidants, thanks in part to nutrient-

rich organic soils3. Because of mandatory

time spent on pasture, organic animals

provide milk and meat with higher levels

of beneficial essential fats, such as heart-

healthy conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and

Omega-3. In fact, eating a diet of organic

dairy, meat and eggs and some fish enhances

the nutritional quality of breast milk—up to

36% higher levels of CLA4. In addition, the av-

erage American's Omega-6 to Omega-3 intake

ratio is a range of 10:1 to 15:1 when,

in fact, it should be closer to 3:1 for

optimal health. To reap the benefits

of a healthier balance of Omega fatty acids, eat

a diet of organic dairy, meat and eggs and some

fish and stay away from high Omega-6 foods,

especially corn and vegetable oils5.

Most important, organic food and

farming helps protect our most vul-

nerable loved ones—our children—

from exposures to harmful chemicals.

Researchers at the University of Wash-

ington discovered simply switching chil-

dren from a conventional to an organic

diet resulted in a dramatic drop in high-risk

organophosphate insecticides, or break-

down products in the children's urine—to

non-detectable levels within just a few days6.

The President’s Cancer Panel Report

specifically recommends choosing food

grown or produced without chemical

fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic pesticides

and growth-hormones7—that’s organic!

You already know the bountiful benefits of exercise, meditation, and fresh

fruits and vegetables. Now, take the next step to peace of mind: embrace

organic food and farming for a higher level of holistic healing.

“We need to protect our children at critical times of their development.”

– Linda Birnbaum, Director of the National

Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

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“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ”

– Hippocrates

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SIMPL E S T E P S T O G O ( A ND GROW ) ORG A NIC! It’s a Movement ... like a dance, take it one step at a time.

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1 R E A D L A B E L SLook for the trustworthy USDA Organic label, but beware of imposters. “Natural” may sound good, but it has no legal definition. For example, the “natural” label on meat and poultry simply applies to post-slaughter processing. Only certified organic meat, poultry, dairy and eggs assures you the animals received no hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified feed produced with synthetic pesticides.

G E T C O O K I N G Invite your children and friends into your kitchen and share the fun.

G R O W Y O U R O W NWhen we grow, prepare and preserve some of our own food, we get to enjoy and share the fruits of our labor and rest assured knowing the real story behind our food.

V O T E A N D I N V E S T ! Think of your food dollars as votes for, and investments in, your bright, healthy future. Go organic!

“What we are calling for is ... a real Delicious Revolution.”

– Alice Waters

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“The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us

to see beyond our own time.” – Terry Tempest Williams, Naturalist

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The Shepard Organic Valley family farm, WI

Beyond Pesticides: www.beyondpesticides.org

Beyond the Plate: www.organicvalley.coop/community/beyond-the-plate

Consumer Reports, “Greener Choices”: www.greenerchoices.org

Environmental Health Perspectives Journal: www.ehponline.org

Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org

Green America: www.greenamericatoday.org

Healthy Child, Healthy World: www.healthychild.org

Pesticide Action Network, “What’s On My Food?”: www.panna.org

The Organic Center: www.organic-center.org

The Rodale Institute: www.rodaleinstitute.org

Union of Concerned Scientists: www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture

Organic Valley: www.organicvalley.coop/why-organic/overview

Organic Prairie: www.organicprairie.coop/whyorganic/our-7-step-safety-net

YOUR RIGH T T O K NOW Learn more, stay informed and tell your friends about

the benefits of organic food and farming.

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R E F E R E N C E S[ 1 ] Blakemore, R.J. “Ecology of earthworms under the ‘Haughly experiment’ of organic and conventional management

regimes.” Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. 2000: 18 (141-59). http://bio-eco.eis.ynu.ac.jp/eng/database/earthworm/Haughley%5CHaughley.pdf

[ 2 ] Benbrook, C., et. al. “State of Science Review: New evidence supports the nutritional superiority of organic plant-based foods.” March 2008. The Organic Center. www.organic-center.org/science.tocreports.html

[ 3 ] Benbrook, C. “State of Science Review: Elevating antioxidant levels in food through organic farming and food processing.” January 2005. The Organic Center. www.organic-center.org/science.tocreports.html

[ 4 ] Rist, L., et. al. “Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk of lactating women in the Netherlands.” British Journal of Nutrition. April 2007.

[ 5 ] Russo, Gian L. “Dietary n S 6 and n S 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: From biochemistry to clinical implications in cardiovascular prevention.” Biochemical Pharmacology. 2009. 77 (937-46). Elsevier.

[ 6 ] Lu, Chensheng, et. al. “Organic diets significantly lower children’s dietary exposure to organophosphorus pesticides.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 2006. 114:2. www.ehponline.org/ambra-doi-resolver/10.1289/ehp.8418

[ 7 ] Reuben, Suzanne H. “Reducing environmental cancer risk: What we can do now.” 2008-2009 President’s Cancer Panel Annual Report. April 2010. (112). http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf

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Printed on New Leaf Imagination, FSC certified, 100% PC recycled paper. | © Organic Valley 2014-41014 SPJ-SO2219

A BOU T T HE AU T HOR :

Melinda Hemmelgarn, m.s., r.d. is a registered dietitian, investigative

nutritionist, and award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’

experience in clinical, academic and public health nutrition. Known

nationally as the “Food Sleuth,” she connects the dots between food,

health and agriculture, and helps consumers “think beyond their plates.”

She is a tireless advocate and strong voice for organic food and farming,

social and environmental justice and food system literacy.

Re a d her c ol umns AT :

www.organicvalley.coop/community/

beyond-the-plate

> T O O R D E R F R E E C O P I E S of this booklet and other materials, visit: www.organicvalley.coop/bodyorganic

Education Series