Arizona Agriculture: But Isn't All Farming Organic?
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
Yes, I stand by this statement, “All Farming is Organic.” This is a contemplative conclusion as I’ve witnessed some of the most amazing organic and conventional agriculture in our state and certainly in Yuma County, and even prior to my coming on board with Arizona Farm Bureau.
Defined, “organic” means “Having properties associated with living organisms;” basically all plant and animal life. So, organic farming in Arizona is all agriculture in Arizona.
I especially like how Brian Dunning, host and producer of the podcast Skeptoid explains organics and specifically organic food. “Scientifically, the term ‘organic food’ is meaningless. It’s like saying a ‘human person.’ All food is organic. All plants and animals are organic. Traditionally, an organic compound is one produced by life processes; chemically, it’s any carbon-containing molecule with a carbon-hydrogen bond. Plastic and coal are organic [the process begins as a fundamental organic process], a diamond is not. So when we refer to organic food in such a way to exclude similar foods that are just as organic chemically, we’re outside of any meaningful scientific use of the word, and are using it as a marketing label.”
So then, all farming is organic since all farming is growing or raising plants and/or animals. Organic farming is what we do in Arizona and across America. It’s the thing we do abundantly, correctly and with a variety of best management practices. It’s American agriculture, pure and simple.
Distinct methods of farming exist and in modern culture our distinct methods typically constitute the “organic” (labeled) method of farming and the “conventional” method of farming. But if “organic” simply means having properties associated with living organisms, then again all farming is organic.
As a representative of Arizona Farm Bureau, our agriculture members farm a vast array of produce and raise an abundance of farm animals. They use a variety of agriculture production methods on small, medium and large operations. I’ve appreciatively met hundreds of farmers and ranchers in my lifetime (and often on their operations) and my ongoing observations confidently conclude 99.9% use high standards, adhere to the U.S.’s intense regulations (regardless of method of farming) and represent great dedication. American agriculture is in a class by itself.
If you want to meet some of the best organic (method) farmers, you’ll find them right here in Yuma, Arizona. If you want to meet some of the best traditional (method) farmers, you’ll find them again, right here in Yuma, Arizona.
As a profession, farming has one of the most valuable and noble contributions to make to a society and a nation. And, organic belongs to all of us in the profession of growing and raising living organisms.
