GO GREEN with Organic Farming – Create a Sustainable Future

Thank you, Flicker Images for Organic garden photo.

The USDA defines organic farming as "a production system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."

In short, to really ´go green´ American, commercial farmers truly need to convert their land from Monsanto, chemical latent production, to natural and all organic, for a sustainable future. The big question remains, will the farmers consider it?

Currently, the prices of organic foods are running high because the quantities just aren´t there. Too few stores carry 'real' organic foods, and accept those from manufacturers with claims of being 'all natural.' However, how natural are they and how are they being defined? This makes label reading a must because many of these so called all natural products that have been tested, still contain chemicals such as MSG and Butylated Hydroxyanisole, an antioxidant preservative.

"Some studies have found that BHA can produce allergic reactions and, in larger doses, affect liver and kidney functions. The Select Committee on GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) Substances of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported in 1980 that no evidence exists to indicate that BHA is a health hazard. However, it recommended caution in its use and suggested additional studies on possible risks to human health. Currently FDA regulations limit the concentration of BHA in commercial foods to 0.02% in products containing fats and oils and to somewhat higher concentrations in other food products. In spite of current FDA regulations, some nutrition experts have recommended that BHA be banned from use in foods on the grounds that safer antioxidant alternatives are available." (Science.jrank.org)

These are just two of what consumers should consider 'bad' preservatives. There are hundreds of chemicals being pumped in what we consider to be safe foods, as well as irradiating (another topic). Yet, since that is what´s on the grocers shelf it is sometimes what we are forced to buy.

There is another dread lurking out there, besides the chemicals in food, and that is the 'white can liners.' This is the BPA latent material that may keep the vegetable and fruit acids from destroying the can, and the taste of metal out of our mouths, but has now been found to be an instigator of ill health.

According to the most recent research, details by Change.org, and Consumer Reports states: "The food processing world is reeling right now one day after a shocking new series of tests released by Consumer Reports revealed that many leading brands of canned foods contain Bisphenol A (BPA)—a toxic chemical linked to health risks including reproductive abnormalities, neurological effects, heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems.

BPA is used in the lining of cans and the toxin leaches from the lining into the food. According to Consumer Reports just a couple of servings of canned food can exceed scientific limits on daily exposure for children.

The federal government is currently studying the dangers of BPA and advocates are calling on the FDA to ban the use of BPA in food and beverage packaging by the end of the year. Companies in other industries, including Wal-Mart, Target, Nalgene, and Babies R Us have already made commitments to stop using BPA.

The food industry, however, is fighting hard to stop any government regulation. They say it is too logistically complicated to move away from BPA-lined cans. And it is true that right now there isn´t a good way to produce cans without BPA. But alternative packaging does exist. You may have heard of glass, to take just one example. Or, given how much mind-blowing chemical science goes into the production of most packaged foods, with a shift in research spending the manufacturers could probably devise a technological solution.

While more comprehensive government intervention is ultimately important, right now the companies that produce the food we feed our children could choose to be supportive partners in moving past the use of BPA."

These statements are so true. When Organic foods are subjected to cooking the nutrition out of it, chemical preservatives and BPA can lining, it certainly does 'not' make them organic or all natural anymore. It's time for the American consumers to realize they´re being 'had.'

In addition, when it comes to this rather questionable 'prepared food industry,' the manufacturers have not been handed legislation by Congress, which would impose strict guidelines about label printing, giving the actual contents that consumers are eating. In other words, not all cans are properly labeled so the shopper is able to determine the GMO (genetically modified) or Organic food.

In recent shopping experiences, I´ve spoken with hundreds of people at various grocery stores, who are completely appalled concerning the ingredients of products on the selves. Most everything, including bread, supposed ´all vegetable oil´ and even the canned Tuna now contains GMO soybeans. We ask each other, "Should we sue the companies for misrepresenting 'all vegegable oil' pictured with various vegetables, and when you turn it over it says 'Soybean Oil?' Why are they putting soybeans in Tuna? What is the point?" and then we quickly put the Tuna fish back on the shelf. The point is, is that they want to consumer to 'eat it whether they like it or not.' If that´s the case, and it´s the best America can do for food, I´ll grow my own, thanks. Think about this. How many consumers appear to have an allergy to soybeans or other GMO and do not realize the just the chemicals and DNA changes alone will cause a reaction?

Sad to say, that this is where the FDA and USDA have not taken a stand. Since the FDA began employing Monsanto associates, the food industry has taken a horrific dive. Even some brands of Olive Oil now contain part Soybean Oil. When the consumer buys Olive Oil, I can´t see where the confusion would come in, on the part of the company making and bottling it. Obviously they do this to ´cut cost´ because GMO Soybeans are cheap. Please, READ THE LABELS! The oil they use in margarine and spreads is Soybean Oil. The flour they use for bread is Soybean flour. First and foremost, you´ve been totally lied to. The GMO Soybeans that are being tossed into everything we eat are ´not´ nature´s perfect food.

According to the TED Case Studies, "The US & EU Trade Dispute Over GMO Soybeans" he states: "This case study will examine the production of genetically modified (GMO) soybeans in the US and the effect that they have on trade and the environment in the European Union (EU). Since the late 1980's the US Corporation, Monsanto, has been working on soybeans, which are resistant to Monsanto's herbicide Roundup. The benefit of this GMO soybean is a lower production cost through reduced tillage and increased yields through the elimination of competitive weeds. After a ban on the GMO soybean, the EU has allowed the beans to enter its market; however, individual members within the EU have not allowed the entrance of the soybean across their borders. The EU itself has also enacted a "novel food" law requiring all GMO soy to be labeled.

The US position on the GMO soy is that the new crop is no different from its original form. The US contends that scientific tests have generally not shown harmful side effects in the production and consumption of Roundup Ready soybeans. Despite the EU ban and labeling laws, some EU officials have conceded that the Roundup Ready soybeans are scientifically sound. For instance, EU environmental spokesman, Peter Joergensen, told reporters that three EU scientific committees had not found any new information to counter the Commission's decision of GMO maize and soybean approval. (Reuters June 18, '97)"

However, in more recent reports, Monsanto could get another hand slap. However, this is not enough. According to Dr. Mercola.com, in a report by the BBC they state that, "France's highest court has ruled that U.S. agrochemical giant Monsanto had not told the truth about the safety of its best-selling weed-killer, Roundup. The court confirmed an earlier judgment that Monsanto had falsely advertised its herbicide as "biodegradable" and claimed it "left the soil clean." Roundup is the world's best-selling herbicide.

French environmental groups had brought the case in 2001 on the basis that glyphosate, Roundup's main ingredient, is classed as "dangerous for the environment" by the European Union.

In the latest ruling, France's Supreme Court upheld two earlier convictions against Monsanto by the Lyon criminal court in 2007, and the Lyon court of appeal in 2008, the AFP news agency reports.

Monsanto already dominates America´s food chain with its genetically modified seeds. Now it has targeted milk production. Just as frightening as the corporation´s tactics, including ruthless legal battles against small farmers, is its decades-long history of toxic contamination."

Since more and more issues have come about with Monsanto giants messing up the not only the ecology, but also willingly and wantonly dumping toxic chemicals into the groundwater areas across the U.S., infecting citizens with carcinogenic materials, would it be too much to make government tackle and bring down this company, instead of rewarding them with jobs in the FDA and USDA?

Since the GMO Soybeans have been in question from the very beginning, it will probably assist the consumer to know that George Bush, Sr. was a willing proponent for Monsanto crops.

In Dr. Mercola´s own words, he states in "The Reality about Roundup"

"Monsanto long used the slogans, "It's Safer than Mowing," "Biodegradable," and "Environmentally Friendly" to describe Roundup -- until the real effects of this toxic herbicide were revealed and they were forced to discontinue their deceptive advertising.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, is the most commonly reported cause of pesticide illness among landscape maintenance workers in California. Additionally:

The surfactant ingredient in Roundup is more acutely toxic than glyphosate itself, and the combination of the two is even more toxic.

Glyphosate is suspected of causing genetic damage.

Glyphosate is acutely toxic to fish and birds and can kill beneficial insects and soil organisms that maintain ecological balance.

Laboratory studies have identified adverse effects of glyphosate-containing products in all standard categories of toxicological testing.

In one animal study, rats given 1,000 mg/kg of glyphosate resulted in a 50 percent mortality rate, and skeletal alterations were observed in over 57 percent of fetuses!

This is very concerning because millions of pounds of Roundup are used every year on U.S. gardens, lawns and farms, especially on GM crops that are engineered to be Roundup resistant. Roundup works by inhibiting an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is necessary for plants to grow. Without it, plants are unable to produce essential proteins so they slowly yellow and die. Monsanto developed a cash cow when they created not only Roundup, but also their genetically modified "Roundup Ready" crops. It´s widely known that GM Roundup Ready crops, which are very common in the United States, contain Roundup residues. A study published earlier this year even showed, for the first time, just how toxic these residues may be to your health.

The study found that residues of Monsanto´s Roundup herbicide found in GM food and feed can cause cell damage and death, even at very low levels. The authors of the study said their research "... points to undesirable effects which are currently masked or hidden from scientific scrutiny."

Even when researchers tested formulations of Roundup that were highly diluted (up to 100,000 times or more) on human cells, the cells died within 24 hours.

They also found damage to cell membranes and DNA, along with an inhibition of cell respiration.

Further, the researchers discovered that the mixture of components used as Roundup adjuvants actually amplified the action of the glyphosate, making at least one of its metabolites even more toxic. The researchers wrote:

"This work clearly confirms that the adjuvants in Roundup formulations are not inert. Moreover, the proprietary mixtures available on the market could cause cell damage and even death around residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from Roundup formulation-treated crops."

With findings like these, you can see just how outrageous Monsanto´s claims really were. Roundup is not "biodegradable," safe or in any way good for people or the environment. Not by a long shot. "

The most important reason for this article is to wake up the consumer, whose bodies are being poisoned by big industry. Monsanto´s idea to be quick about it, and feed the world just doesn´t cut ice anymore as people are still starving in many nations, and getting sickened by their products.

Continuing to eat or grow the GMO, Round-up ready foods will not help in sustainable farming practices. There are too many chemical plant foods and fertilizers that are not healthy for human consumption.

The need in America is for groups to stand up ´against´ commercial farming practices, and being forced into buying GMO seeds, which contaminate Organic crops, and for the ´real farmers´ to accept responsibility for a sustainable future.