Environmental Issues and Organic Food

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. This page provides information on environmental issues related to agriculture.

Magazine Articles
Scientific Journal References
Environment-Specific Internet Resources
General Organic Links

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The following articles appeared in our Magazine. The CCOF magazine is published quarterly and is provided to all CCOF supporting members. Become a member today to receive CCOF’s landmark publication.

Pollination Services in California - Native bee species often depend on natural habitat for food and nesting resources, and may migrate between natural areas and agricultural areas seasonally. Thus they provide a link between natural and agricultural landscapes, and are indeed essential for the sustainability of both systems. Read more...
Sharing the Burden: Agricultural Lands Used as Dumping Grounds for Toxic Waste - There is little disagreement that agricultural lands are often co-opted for non-agricultural uses. The majority of these uses are waste disposal-related. There are two major sources of waste disposal: sewage sludge and toxic fertilizers. Read more...
Global Warming Gives California Agriculture a Run for Its Money - Global warming is no longer a question, but a reality that has the potential to impact our economy, environment, and health. Although global warming spells trouble for many industries, it is expected to hit the agricultural industry particularly hard because of the industry’s direct dependence on the climate. Read more...

The following sites provide further information on agriculture and the environment.

State and Federal Resources

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center - U.S. Department of Agriculture. Provides information related to "alternative agricultural enterprises and crops as well as alternative cropping systems."
Economic Research Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture. Multiple Research Emphases related to environmental issues are available from the site, including Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment.
Environmental Health Perspectives - From the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Links to extensive agriculture and farming news and research publications. Other materials available elsewhere on the site.
National Organic Program - U.S. Department of Agriculture. Site provides information on organic agricultural practices and benefits.
Natural Resources Conservation Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture. Program is intended to support efforts to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

Non-Profit and Educational Resources

Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems - Located at U.C. Santa Cruz. A research, education, and public service program dedicated to increasing ecological sustainability and social justice in the food and agriculture system.
Conserve Online - A project from The Nature Conservancy providing online access to documents, maps, and community information related to conservation issues and practices.
Ecology Center - Provides information about household products, ecologically-sensitive methods of living, and large toxic threats to society and alternatives to those threats.
Environmental Defense - Focuses on relationships between environmental issues and public health.
Environmental Working Group - Addresses public health and environmental issues through research.
Food First - Progressive think-tank dedicated to addressing issues of hunger and poverty. Numerous articles available through the online Resource Library.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements - Promotes global adoption of organic farming practices. The Relationship Between Nature Conservation, Biodiversity and Organic Agriculture and other publications available online.
Natural Resources Defense Council - Works to to "protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things."
The New Farm - Organization of the Rodale Institute dedicated to agriculture research, outreach and training to promote sustainable agricultural systems.
Organic AgInfo - A searchable database of information on organic production.
Oxfam America - Links to "Environmental Impacts of Industrial Farming." Other publications are available from the site.
The Soil Association - Provides The Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming and numerous other documents through their online library.
Union of Concerned Scientists - Organization focusing on research and advocacy related to environmental, social and health issues.
World Watch - Independent research organization focused on sustainability and social justice. Diverse written materials available online through the Resource Center.

For more general information visit our Resources and Organic Links pages.