Shifting Baselines:

Organic vs. Conventional

Farming
Geryka F.
Ximena C.

Kim D.
Grace S.

What is Shifting Baselines?

-Incremental lowering of standards, it is a slow process that makes
it hard to notice changes in things (Randy Olson, 2002)
- People can work hard to restore the environment
(Randy Olson, 2002)

What do Organic and Conventional farming mean?

Organic Farming - organic farming and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers,
sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy
products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones (Forestel Organization, n.d.).

Conventional Farming- Conventional farming makes use of chemicals, synthetics, and other materials to manage
weeds and pests. They use unnatural farming methods, and pesticides that have acceptable levels of toxicity. Pesticides
used in conventional farming can be damaging to your health (Fresh Connect, 2014).

When did conventional farming start? What is the

baseline?
- During the Great Depression (1930s) in the U.S
people were growing their own crops (John Ikerd,2000)
- In the 1890 census, 40% of the population listed
their occupation --> farming (John Ikerd,2000)
- In 1990, the percentage of farmers in the U.S.
population dropped to less than 2%. (John Ikerd,2000)
- The baseline is that people used to grow their
own food and now workers are doing it for the
population, known as conventional farming.

What data is in between the baseline and the most

current?
- People are eating more conventional food
rather than organic (Chuck Benbrook, 2014),
because conventional is cheaper and more
common because farming has shifted baselines.
- More consumers eat less organic products
(George Kuepper, 2010) because some people do
not know how bad the pesticides they use in
organic farming is for their health. This is another
shifting baseline.

What is happening as of now?

People are getting more informed about organic and conventional

products (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)
Organic
Being demanded even more that makes prices increase (Mayo
Clinic Staff, 2014)
Safer to consume for a persons health (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)
Reduces pollution and conserves water and soil quality (Mayo
Clinic Staff, 2014)
Conventional
Produce is cheaper (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)
Pesticide residues and food additives are added (Mayo Clinic Staff,
2014)
Harmful for the health because produce are contaminated with
pesticide (Lippert, 2011.)
Pesticides pollute the air (Sustainable table, n.d.)
Soil degradation may happen because of chemical build-up on
the soil (Sustainable table, n.d.)

Predictions: Where this topic or problem might

end up in the future?

Increase in organic foods (HDRA Organization, n.d)

People are more informed as of now (HDRA Organization, n.d)

Knowledge of food types (HDRA Organization, n.d)

Demand for more organic (Lester, 2006)

Decreased sales in the dirty dozen in conventional farming (called

this because they are affected most by pesticides)(Levans, 2015)

References
Epipheo (2014). What is organic food? Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhIZWhJtY8w
(Foerstel Organization, n.d.) What does organic mean? Retrieved from:

http://www.organic.org/home/faq
(Fresh Connect, 2013). Organic Farming vs. Conventional. Retrieved from:
http://freshconnect.com/organic-farming-vs-conventionalfarming/
[Graph Green and Blue Bars]. Retrieved from
http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2013-october/growthpatterns-in-the-us-organic-industry.aspx#.VrWYmI-cHD4
HDRA Organization. (n.d). What is Organic Farming? Retrieved From
https://www.organicconsumers.
org/sites/default/files/what_is_organic_farming.pdf

Ikerd, John. (2000). New Farmers for a New Century. Retrieved from
http://web.missouri.edu/ikerdj/papers/Newfarmer1.htm
Levans, K. (2015). 12 Fruits or veggies you should avoid. Retrieved From:
http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/26/shopper-guide-pesticidesproduce/
Lippert, M. (2011). Organic or Not? Is Organic Produce Healthier Than
Conventional? Retrieved from
http://www.eatingwell.
com/food_news_origins/green_sustainable/organic_or_not_is_organic
_produce_healthier_than_conventional
[Machine Spraying Crops]. Retrieved from
http://www.project.nsearch.com/profiles/blogs/natural-farming
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?
Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthyeating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

References
(Organic and Non-Organic Price Comparisons). Retrieved from
http://txagtalks.texasfarmbureau.org/comparison-shoppingoganic-ad-conventional/

Sustainable Table. (n.d.). Organic Sceptics. Retrieved from

https://www.sustainabletable.org.
au/Hungryforinfo/conventional-and-organicfarming/tabid/114/Default.aspx

[Person planting crops]. Retrieved from

[U.S. Organic Foods sales chart]. Retrieved from
http://hightunnels.org/category/organic/basics-of-organicproduction-and-certification/

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/detail.
aspx?chartId=35003etr

Randy Olson. (2002). Environment Slow-Motion Disaster Below the

Waves. Retrieved from

http://www.shiftingbaselines.org/op_ed/
[Strawberry comparison]. Retrieved from
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/182255116143370149

[U.S. pesticides in crops], Retrieved From

http://www.thelibertybeacon.com/2013/03/11/americanacademy-of-pediatrics-says-pesticides-arent-bad-for-babieseat-more/
[100% Organic Food sign]. Retrieved From
http://www.vegout.nyc/news/huh-organic/