Food For Thought:
Issues in Organic vs. Conventional Agriculture
In response to several inquiries about the differences between organically grown foods and conventionally grown foods, NPIC presents this collection of science-based articles, fact-sheets and resources. Our goal is to promote informed decision-making based on sound science. This page represents one subtopic, other topics are available at the main index page.
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (seven days per week, 6:30am-4:30pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.
Note: Articles published outside the US may not reflect organic standards in the US.
Environment
- Organic FAQ (Question 3: Is organic farming better for the environment?) -- Macilwain, C, 2004
- Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming -- Mäder, P., et al, 2002
- Does organic farming benefit biodiversity? -- Hole, DJ, et al, 2005
- A critical assessment of organic farming-and-food assertions with particular respect to the UK and the potential environmental benefits of no-till agriculture -- Trewavas, A., 2004
- Soil erosion potential of organic vs. conventional farming evaluated by USLE modeling of cropping statistics for agricultural districts in Bavaria -- Auerswald, K, et al, 2003 (Abstract only)
- Beta diversity at different spatial scales: plant communities in organic and conventional agriculture. -- Gabriel, D, et al, 2006
- Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems. -- Pimentel, D., et al, 2005
