Organic. It's Worth It Newsletter Vol. 16

Organic Says No to GMOs
Organic standards are clear when it comes to GMOs: they are not allowed in organic products. There are several reasons for this. Organic farmers have shown that they do not need genetic engineering to grow high quality and nutritious food. In fact, using such practices as cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation, they are able to produce as much, and in some cases more, nutrient-rich food than farmers using non-organic methods. Plus, genetic engineering is a technology whose impacts on both human and environmental health are largely unknown.  A growing body of research suggests, though, that the use of genetic engineering may result in an increased use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. Click here to learn more about the risks associated with genetic engineering, and why organic standards prohibit its use in organic production.

No GMOs Needed: Organic Can Feed the World
We're often told that genetic engineering is the key to feeding the world's growing population. In fact, though, several studies have shown that organic production is on par with, and sometimes superior to, production achieved using non-organic methods. Discover the secrets behind organic's success,  and why it offers a compelling and sustainable alternative to conventional approaches toward addressing the world's hunger problems.

Supreme Court Upholds Ban on GMO Alfalfa
This week, the Supreme Court delivered its ruling on Monsanto v. Geerston Farms, its first genetically modified crop case. The case began in 2006 when the Center for Food Safety (CFS) filed a lawsuit against USDA, requesting that farmers' right to grow non-genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa be protected.  The lawsuit raised concerns about the unwanted spread of GE alfalfa, which would threaten both organic and conventional farmers' ability to grow, and sell, non-GMO alfalfa. In its decision, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision to prohibit the planting and sale GMO alfalfa.  Read more about the Supreme Court's decision, and why it was hailed as a victory by CFS, farmers, and members of the organic community.