There are many benefits to eating and drinking organically-produced food, and this is certainly true for organic coffee. Growing coffee crops organically is more natural and, more importantly, healthier for everyone and everything involved. Synthetic chemicals, which help grow food unnaturally, often damage the environment around them. They make the surrounding eco-system unstable by introducing unnatural forces. Organic coffee growing, on the other hand, helps reverse this damage by introducing natural and environmentally compatible solutions.
But there’s more. The difference organic makes goes beyond just the environment. Buying organic coffee also promotes positive economic and social change. It’s not just good for you; it’s also good for the farmer.
Organic coffee uses natural solutions, such as composting and terracing. To control pests, organic coffee farmers use biological pest control. Additionally, because organic coffee is often shade grown, many trees can be preserved. In the end, organic methods make the environment around the crops a healthy one. The aim is to promote the stability of the ecosystem they are using to grow their crops.
As a result, in many ways the farmer benefits from growing organic coffee. The farm can become naturally sustainable, and the farmer saves on the cost of buying pesticides and other chemicals. Accordingly, the initial amount of capital required to grow a crop is lower. As well, organic farms are healthier for those who work on the land, and for those who live nearby.
Non-organic farming often results in the polluting of nearby water sources, which harms the entire nearby community. Going organic is one way to avoid this. Organic farming promotes sustainability for both water supplies and the soil it uses. And the methods it does use only do more to make the earth healthy. Organic farms are also much better for any animals that live around or migrate through the farm, such as birds.
If all those reasons weren’t enough, don’t forget that you also benefit. There are health benefits of organic coffee, which uses only the best of ingredients. You don’t need to worry about drinking any synthetics or chemicals used in the processing stage.
The only downside of organic farming is that it yields a smaller crop. While it may be cheaper to grow, the crops will be less abundant. Consequently, organic farms tend to make less money than they would otherwise, given the same amount of land. This is why non-organic farming is still the predominant form of growing coffee.
Nonetheless, there are many good reasons to go organic. And as consumer demand for organic coffee increases, more and more farmers will see organic methods as beneficial to them. But until we start paying for it, we cannot expect coffee growers, who can barely make ends meet, to initiate this change. It’s up to us—the ones who can afford to make a difference. We can do more by buying organic fair trade coffee, as well, which is another way to support coffee growers.
So consider switching to organic coffee, now that you know the facts. Organic coffee is better for you, the farmer, and the environment. Help send a positive message. Help make a real difference.