Organic farmers cultivate their soil’s fertility and produce healthy food by:

• rotating their crops to balance nutrients in the soil, as well as discourage pests;
• composting and using ”green” manures to add nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, keep weeds down and prevent drought and soil erosion;
• using beneficial insects or mechanical and manual methods to control pests and weeds
• ensuring their animals have access to the outdoors: fresh air, sun and access to pasture are essential for animals’ health, and it’s the right thing to do!

Organic farming methods offer the best current model for promoting climate-friendly food production. This is because it is less dependent on fossil-fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides and builds resilience in the face of climatic extremes. Organic farming also stores higher levels of carbon in the soil, promotes wildlife diversity, reduces pest outbreaks, protects soil from erosion, helps prevent contamination of water, and uses far less energy than conventional farming methods.

Is organic food pesticide-free?

Most organic products test free of chemical pesticide residues, but this is not always the case. Sadly, chemical residues already contaminate much of our water, air and soil, and residues can sometimes show up in our food—even organic food. Organic agriculture is a response to this pollution but it doesn’t mean organic products will always be 100% residue “free”, since no one can make that guarantee 100% of the time (at least not until more farmers go organic!). However, many studies and experts have verified that if you want to reduce your exposure to chemical residues, the best way to do this is to choose organic products.

It’s important to remember that organic is about more than simply not using chemicals: it’s about rotating crops and building healthy soil for the future, it’s about treating animals well, and many other things you can’t “test” for (which is why we have organic inspectors out in the fields!).

What is the difference between “organic” and “natural”? 

A lot! In Canada, organic is regulated by the government and must follow national standards, while “natural” is a marketing term used by companies based on their own definition of what “natural” is. That means anyone can use the word “natural” on their products, and consumers have to trust them. “Organic” on the other hand, is the gold standard for “eco-labels”—inspected and overseen by the government. Make sure you Think Before You Eat and look for the “Canada Organic” logo!

Information provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada / Government of Canada