Have you ever wondered what the difference is between organic and non-organic foods? Some may say that there is no difference in the food itself, but the real difference is in the means of producing the food. The controversy here concerns the environmental effects of different agricultural methods. Some believe that organic farming methods are better than conventional farming methods, while others believe the opposite. There are many factors that go into determining which method is best, but we are here to look at the environmental side of the issue. In short, organic farming is a method of agriculture where the techniques used are less damaging to the environment by not using synthetic chemical fertilizers and herbicides and by limiting the quantity of pesticides. Conventional farming is the farming method that uses synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to ensure the production of higher yielding crops. Conventional farmers often use genetically mutated seeds to reduce the cost of chemical pesticides and increase the size of fruits to be harvested. There are many pros and cons both ways, but after doing some research I will say that I believe organic farming is definitely the way to go. Not only is it better for your personal health through consuming the products derived from the methods used, but it is also less damaging to the environment in many ways. First, let's look at the big picture and the motivations behind each type of agriculture. methods. In the book Organic Foods by Debra A. Miller, she states that "organic farming is perhaps best understood by comparing it to conventional farming, which is the method used to produce the vast majority of foods found in supermarkets local and consumed by most Americans. and...... middle of paper......ganic farming is the way forward even if it costs more time and money to maintain a better environment for all of us. Works Cited Dimbleby, Jonathan. “Organic farming is good for the environment.” Environmental conservation. Ed. Debra Miller, John Woodward and Jennifer L. Skancke. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Current Controversies. Rep. from “On the Farm”. The Ecologist 3 (February 2001): 44. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Internet. June 1, 2012. Miller, Debra A. Organic Foods. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent 2008 PrintSinger, Peter and Jim Mason. “Organically produced foods improve human, animal and environmental health.” Food. Ed. Jan Grover. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Current Controversies. Rep. of “Why buy organic products?” » The way we eat: why our food choices matter. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Internet. June 1 2012