The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

164 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 The Debate between Conventional and Organic Agriculture Timothy VanWingerden In the produce section of a grocery store, the vegan carefully selects the fruit and vegetables in order to satisfy his or her diet. The celiac chooses with even more care, being sure not to eat anything that will cause their body harm. The working man looks for the food that is the cheapest, while the stay-at-home mom casually chooses her trusted brands. All of these people: the vegan, celiac, working man, and stay-at-home mom have their own agenda and perception on the quality of the food they are purchasing. This is inevitable in consumer driven societies such as America. Consumers become aware of how food is processed, and decide what they like best. Food labeling and other marketing techniques aim to “hook” the consumer, trying to gain their trust. This essay will examine the reasons why consumers purchase organic food; it will explore the arguments between the conventional and organic methods of farming, looking at how each method affects the environment and the individual. When food from agriculture is produced, it can either be produced conventionally or organically. Conventional agriculture uses synthetic materials to help with growing. For example, pesticides are used to prevent bugs from damaging the plant, or fertilizer is used to adjust the nutrients the crop receives. Using chemicals allows the farmer to easily control the quality of his crop from the time of maturity, to the amount it produces. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Organic agriculture produces products using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics” (2014). A farmer controls his organic crop by using natural fertilizer and pesticides. Manure acts as a natural form of fertilizer that revitalizes the nutrients in the soil allowing the plant to be fed. A natural form of pesticides organic growers rely on are biological processes, which are living organisms that consume pests. Biological processes are