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What is the difference between growing organic vs. non-organic plants? Organic plants are grown in a lesser amount, while conventional plants are grown in larger amounts. But conventional farming uses things like manufactured fertilizers and pesticides (agrochemicals), and has a negative affect on the environment while organically grown plants are healthier AND don't affect the environment whatsoever. In conventional farming, soil tilth(the physical structure of soil) gets ruined because of the constant use of heavy machinery to plant and harvest the plants. On the other hand, in organic farming, farmers try to increase the soil fertility(the soil's ability to grow crops and plants) by increasing organic matter, such as dung and urine, in the soil. When it comes to pests, conventional farmers use things such as pesticides like insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides to get rid of them, thought they also have a negative affect on the environment. On the other hand, organic farmers use a variety of crops which do not attract pests. They also introduce natural predators to the pests which are eating their plants and changing the crop's habitat, to make it less suitable to predators. They also might rarely use a pesticide, but only ones derived from natural material.

Organic fruits and vegetables do not use pesticides or any chemicals that are harmful to the environment, while conventional fruits and vegetables do. Studies also show that organically grown foods usually have higher levels of vitamins, minerals and amino acids when compared to food that was non-organically grown. Some organically grown foods, such as kiwis and tomatoes, have higher levels of vitamin C and polyphenol antioxidants, which reduce the risk of cancer.

media type="youtube" key="tY9p0RxxOf0" height="344" width="425" How do we know for sure that the food we buy is organic?

One way that you can tell if they food you buy is organic is if you look at the packaging. If the food is organic, then it will have certification by your state and the regulations of organic food vary, state to state. Another way you can tell is if it is approved by the FDA, or the Food and Drug Administration. Another way you can tell if something is organic is if it is locally grown. In most cases, if organic food is locally grown, it has a greater chance of being organic. Also, if you find a product approved by the USDA, or the United States Department of Agriculture, it is also organic. However, the USDA isn't very strict, as it allows food to be at least 95% to 100% organic. Also, when looking at the ingredients, avoid things like a color of dye in the list, or a long chemical name.



-This seal means that a product is 95% to 100% organic and is distributed by the Unites States Department of Agriculture. But, if it is 100% organic, that is stated along with the seal of approval.



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 * **100 percent organic.** Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
 * **Organic.** Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
 * ** **Made with organic ingredients.** These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packaging

Bibliograpies

"Organic farming." //UXL Encyclopedia of Science//. Ed. Rob Nagel. 2nd ed. Detroit: U*X*L, 2007. //Junior Reference Collection//. Gale. Hershey Middle School. 22 Jan. 2010 . "Organic Food." //Issues & Controversies On File:// n. pag. //Issues & Controversies//. Facts On File News Services, 8 June 2007. Web. 4 Feb. 2010. . "How to Tell if Food Is Organic." //EHow//. Demand Me "YouTube - Organic Food vs. Conventional Food" //YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.// Web. 04 Feb. 2010. [].

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