Organic is better

This article was originally published in April 2016

A systematic review of more than 100 studies comparing organic and conventional farming finds that organic crop yields are higher than previously thought. University of California, Berkeley researchers said, “With global food needs predicted to greatly increase in the next 50 years, it’s critical to look more closely at organic farming because, aside from the environmental impacts of industrial agriculture, the ability of synthetic fertilizers to increase crop yields has been declining.” They also pointed out that available studies comparing farming methods often were biased in favor of conventional agriculture, so estimates of the yield gap are overestimated. Researchers found no significant differences in organic and conventional yields for crops such as beans, peas and lentils.

Also in this issue

News bites, April 2016

Organic dairy, meat benefits; FDA revises raw-milk cheese stance; Obama's action on slave labor; and more

Proposed PCC bylaws

PCC members have the opportunity to support our co-op by voting in our annual election between April 13 and May 23. They'll vote for a new board of trustees, a new nominating committee, and a proposed set of of amended bylaws.

Letters to the editor, April 2016

Avoiding carbs?, Sprouting grains and beans, Liquid smoke, and more