Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and to reduce pollution. They are not designed to save money. To receive an organic food label from the USDA, farmers must follow different rules than conventional farming.

Organic farming cannot use pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, ionizing radiation, antibiotics, and growth hormones.

This leads to higher food production costs, or puts organic farmers at a disadvantage in the marketplace. This translates to lower profit margins.

The question is: Is it worth the extra cost?

A resounding yes! Organic foods are more nutritious and can dramatically improve your health, thereby reducing health care costs, and is sustainable for the environment.