Celebrate Organic
Celebrate Organic!
Beyond Pesticides suggests a complete switch from chemical-intensive agriculture to regenerative organic agriculture can significantly reduce the threat of the climate crisis by eliminating petrochemical, synthetic fertilizers, and toxic pesticide use to improve and sustain human, animal, and environmental health. .png)
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Originating in the early 1900s, the organic movement began in response to agriculture’s trend toward synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides. By 1972, multiple organic organizations formed the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM). Over the years, environmental awareness has opened the conversation about organic farming. Organic food sales increased significantly in the early 2000s as the links between diet, health, and the environment became more apparent. Now, more than ever, the global food system needs urgent transformation in the face of climate change, diet-related illness, and wildlife endangerment. Emissions from fossil-fuel-based synthetic pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers continue to threaten the ecosystem, fueling the climate crisis.
Fortunately, the Soil Association launched a month-long campaign in September 2013 called "National Organic Month" to raise awareness of the various benefits of organic food and farming, thus protecting biological diversity and wildlife, contributing to the fight against climate change, reducing pesticide exposure, and sustaining high-quality food.
As we forge ahead, converting local parks and playing fields to organic land management practices to make them safer for kids (and pets!) to play in via our Parks for a Sustainable Future program, Beyond Pesticides is also honored to partner with Natural Grocers for Organic Month! As part of their Organic Month Headquarters® campaign, Natural Grocers is donating $2 for every Ladybug Love pouch sold and $1 for every “Organic Month Headquarters” bag sold at all in-store locations to Beyond Pesticides! With your support, we can say YES to the livable future we aim to achieve!
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What is Organic?
Synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides lead to undesirable conditions that restrict water and air movement in the soil. High-nitrogen fertilizers can disrupt the nutrient balance, accelerate turf growth, increase the need for mowing, and contribute to thatch buildup.
Why Choose Organic?
- To Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Pets
- To Protect the Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators
- To Protect Birds, Especially Song and Migrating birds
- To Protect Beneficial Organisms and Microorganisms in and around Soil
There are alternatives to pesticides (The Safer Choice) for effectively managing insects, rodents, and weeds without exposing yourself, your family, your pets, and the environment to harmful toxic chemicals. [Read More on Our Flow into Fall Page]
Safer, Least-Toxic Alternatives
Now, you may be wondering what products are safe to use. Well, following the organic/OMRI label helps guide an individual to the least-toxic products: Products Compatible with Organic Landscape Management. This List of organic products applies two established lists of materials and products: (i) the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), and (ii) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of exempt pesticides, Section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Plant Your Organic Garden or Buy Them Straight from the Source.
- A guide on how to “Grow Your Own Organic Food.
- Companies and Nurseries that Grow and Distribute Organic Seeds and Plants: Seed and Plant Directory Brochure.
- Buying organic produce whenever possible is always an option: “Buying Organic” and “Eating with a Conscious.”
- Organic doesn’t mean expensive: “The Real Affordability of Organic Food."
Other Garden, Lawn, and Pesticide Resources