Conventional and Organic Farming Methods Compared

A recent 30-year study at Pennsylvania's Rodale Institute comparing conventional and organic farming methods has produced results that those of us in the back-to-basics prepper movement have known for years. The findings don't surprise those of us who have known (even if just by applying basic common sense to the question) that genetically-manipulated, chemical-laden fields of crops cannot perform to the output and standards of organic farming... and actually cost more to produce!1

Because corn and soybeans comprise 49% of the total cropland in the United States, these were the crops that were focused on for research purposes. This study shows that organic crops are more resilient, produce larger yields, improve the soil, and are more profitable.
Here are some quick numbers from the study:

• Organic methods produced 4,079 lbs per acre - conventional farming produced 4,022 lbs per acre.
• Organic methods netted $558 per acre profit - conventional farming netted $190 per acre profit.
• It took 3,264 megajoules of energy to produce organic crops per acre per year. It took 4,568 megajoules of energy to produce those same crops conventionally.
• Greenhouse gas emissions from organics were 906 lbs of carbon dioxide per acre a year with organics. Conventional crops produced 1,400 lbs of carbon dioxide per acre a year.
• In years of drought, organic crops outperformed even those GMO crops designated "drought resistant."

Over the years, conventional farming has relied on the no-till, herbicide-concentrated method of farming, which has produced herbicide-resistant weeds and lower soil nutrients. One way soil health is measured is by the amount of carbon in the dirt. According to the study, "Carbon performs many crucial functions such as acting as a reservoir of plant nutrients, binding soil particles together, maintaining soil temperature, providing a food source for microbes, binding heavy metals and pesticides, influencing water holding capacity and aeration, and more." In the study, soil health in the organic systems increased over time, while soil health in the conventional systems remained unchanged or actually decreased.

Soil health is directly related to how well your garden can fend off pests and weeds. It also determines how nutrient-dense your garden produce will be. Clearly, using natural, organic methods for gardening is far superior to the junk that Big Ag is introducing into the food growth chain.

According to Andre Leu in his article The Benefits of Organic Food, "A scientific study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition in 1993 clearly showed that organic food is more nutritious than conventional food. Organically and conventionally grown apples, potatoes, pears, wheat, and sweet corn were purchased over two years in the western suburbs of Chicago, and then analyzed for mineral content. The organically grown food was on average 63 percent higher in calcium, 73 percent higher in iron, 118 percent higher in magnesium, 178 percent higher in molybdenum, 91 percent higher in phosphorus, 125 percent higher in potassium, and 60 percent higher in zinc. In addition, the organic food was on average 29 percent lower in mercury than the conventionally raised food."2

Those are some impressive numbers. And this doesn't just apply to foods like fruits and vegetables. This also applies to those herbs that are grown for use in supplements as well. After all, we're coming into the fall and winter flu and cold season, and now is the time to start beefing up our immune systems. More and more people are foregoing conventionally produced supplements for organically grown supplements... or even growing their own.

For example, boneset is useful for treating the symptoms of influenza, and is helpful for treating the aches and pains and fevers of colds and flus. Upset stomachs can be calmed with calendula, and red pepper is great for fevers. Hyssop is a wonderful expectorant, and where would we be without that time-proven herb, Echinacea, used to rid the body of the common cold up to three times faster than doing nothing at all? And in a recent study presented to the World Congress on Osteoarthritis, herbs beat traditional medicine in their pain-relieving abilities.

Okay, I know... it's wintertime. Well, just because summer is winding down doesn't mean the end of your ability to grow herbs. Herbs make wonderful container plants! You can grow them inside your house and benefit from their naturopathic properties throughout the winter season. As long as you have 5 hours a day of sunlight and you keep the plants out of drafts, you should be able to snip fresh herbs from your container garden all winter long.

Instead of pumping your body full of even more chemicals from the pharmaceutical industry (that would just add to the chemicals you're ingesting from Big Ag), use the natural methods that God has created to keep your body at its peak. You can do this with the Survival Herb Bank from Solutions From Science.

The remarkable herb strains found in this herb bank are authentic herb strains that have NOT been genetically modified in any way. These seeds not only allow you to plant nature's medicine chest with unlimited access, they also will produce seed for continuous production and harvest. And these seeds have been selected for their extraordinary germination rates.

The Survival Herb Bank includes seeds from 20 powerful herbs, all with proven track records in off-the-grid treatments for many common ailments. Grown in remote places all over the world by independent herbalists, these seeds have been selected not only for germination rates, but for medical potency and storage life as well.

Some of the herbs included in the Survival Herb Bank are:

• Arnica - used since the 1500s for soothing muscles and reducing inflammation
• Black Cohosh - a traditional Native American root used for menopause symptoms and sleep disturbances
• Catnip - with a long history of easing colic and diarrhea
• Chicory root - useful in ridding the body of parasites
• And so many more!

You can choose to plant these seeds now, or you can store them in your freezer for use later on. The choice is entirely up to you. (However, with the FDA's attempt to decimate the natural supplement industry in favor of Big Pharma, you may not have as much time as you think!) But as a bonus, you also get the eBook How to Grown Your Own Herbs for Survival Remedies, a $39 value that is free and included in every Survival Herb Bank order.

Even better! We've all heard how garlic is nature's all-purpose remedy, how it helps counter the affects of aging and increases antioxidant enzymes in your blood. It's also nature's germ-fighter, with one percent of the potency of penicillin without the ability to cause resistance in bacteria. What better way to round out your herbal medicine chest! And for a limited time (actually, until Saturday, October 15th at midnight), we're going to throw in a Garlic Pack for free with your order! This one-pound package of German Extra Hardy garlic contains 6-8 bulbs that will enable you to harvest up to 45 bulbs of garlic by next spring! This wonderfully hardy heirloom variety will enable you to plant garlic year after year. You'll never have to buy seed garlic again!

Here's the best part! The shipping for these combined products is a flat-rate $20, a savings of $15! With all the freebies we're throwing in, you're realizing a savings of $74 with this limited time offer. Simply enter coupon code GARLIC to claim your free German Hardy garlic pack and flat-rate shipping.

Please understand, we're not saying you should not go to your doctor when you are sick. By all means, if you can, utilize the medical system that is still the best in the world (for now). But in these tough economic times, many families simply cannot afford the cost of doctor's visits. With that in mind, this off-the-grid herbal growing system will show you step-by-step how to grow your own backyard medicines. And for just the cost of a single doctor's visit, you can have your own off-grid medicine garden to help with those common illnesses that make life simply miserable. Consider it a down payment on your health!

Join me and others who are preparing their family for what could be the worst to come. Click here to order your Survival Herb Bank today with your free ebook, along with the extra Garlic Pack bonus and $20 shipping and handling. But hurry! Remember, this offer ends at midnight, Saturday, October 15th.

For Your Natural Health,
Bill Heid
President
Solutions From Science