With the growing popularity of conventional farming, skepticism of its environmental impacts and human health impacts are growing as well. Today, farmers are using chemicals, that yes may make vegetables grow faster and more in numbers, but that also may cause other harms like illnesses and water draught. The goal of many modern day farmers is to make the most amount of products in the fastest and cheapest way possible, but society is unaware of the many negative impacts conventional farming is doing to the economy, environment, and personal health, as well as, the possible ways for organic farming to be the most efficient method. To reduce the environmental harm and human health harm of conventional farming, organic farming is the future's best option due to its ability to reduce water usage, energy usage, and chemical spread. 

According to Wirtz, there are four major kinds of farming; industrial farming, traditional agricultural, horticulture, and organic farming. Industrial farming, the dominate U.S. food production, is a system that focuses on profit and efficiency at the expense of large numbers of animals (ASPCA 1). Over 99% of farm animals are raised in industrial farms. Not only does industrial farming affect animal health, but also the environments health and human health. The article, Farm Sanctuary states, "The extreme amount of waste created by raising so many animals in one place pollutes our land, air, and water." The article explains that, "Factory farms typically store animal waste in huge, open-air lagoons, often as big as several football fields, which are prone to leaks and spills." Because of this, residents in surrounding areas have reported a higher number of illness incidents. This method of farming use genetically modified chemicals to feed to their animals. Traditional farming became a commonplace after the world wars, becoming the most practiced form of agricultural farming around the world (Traditional Agriculture 1). This method treats soil with GMO products to prevent plant disease and pest contamination. Horticulture farming is the ancient art and practice of growing and caring for all kinds of plants including flowers, fruits, vegetables, field crops (agronomy), and forestry (Janick 1). This practice is recently becoming a growing partnership with science. Organic farming is a method of farming that strictly prohibits any use of genetically modified organisms, synthetic pesticides, or fertilizers.   

 GMO, meaning genetically modified organisms, are very commonly used in today's farming practices. One process of making a GMO involves a "cut and paste" operation, transferring genes with a special type of gun (University of Utah 1). For example, if one wanted to make an insect repellent tomato, a gene from the insect will be cut and transferred into the plant's genome. This new plant containing the new DNA will then be bred this way for the future generations. Another technique, called Electroporation, involves facilitating genes of the first organism into the host genome of the desired modified organism (Maghari, Ardekani 110). This method is commonly used in plant modification that lack cell walls. Electric pluses push DNA in plant cell pores, which are created by microscopic crystals. The biggest reason GMOs came into play was due to weeds. Farmers wanted a way to kill weeds fast and easy without killing the crops, therefore, crops were genetically modified with weed killers so they could withstand the spray while the weeds around them died off. This means that the foods we typically eat have weed killer chemicals in them. The most commonly used weed killer is called roundup. 

Roundup, along with any other chemical used on crops, can be a serious threat to whatever it touches including soil, crops, air, humans, etc. The main ingredient in roundup is a chemical called glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer, antibiotic resistance, and hormone disruption (Grossman 1). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has filed glyphosate, as well as another commonly used herbicide called dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, as a "probable human carcinogen" (Landrigan, Benbrook). These products accumulate and stay in the fat tissue in human bodies (Traditional Agriculture 1).

According to Marsa, foods filled with GMO's are very common in a typical American family dinner. Because of the advantage spraying herbicides gives to farmers, simplifying weed management, the use of herbicide-resistant crops have become omnipresent, resulting in an over reliance on herbicides (Landrigan, Benbrook). 90% of corn, soy, and cotton are made of or sprayed on with some sort of GMO, as well as 75% of processed foods (Marsa). Landrigan and Benbrook state, "In the United States, glyphosate use has increased by a factor of more than 250  --  from 0.4 million kg in 1974 to 113 million kg in 2014. Global use has increased by a factor of more than 10. Not surprisingly, glyphosate-resistant weeds have emerged and are found today on nearly 100 million acres in 36 states. Fields must now be treated with multiple herbicides, including 2,4-D, a component of the Agent Orange defoliant used in the Vietnam War." Marsa explains how the FDA does not tests these food for safety/health purposes, therefore, there is great line of uncertainty in the foods Americans are consuming. 

Along with the uncertainty of human food consumption, there is also a large grey area when it comes to how GMOs affect human bodies. Farm Sanctuary explains that conventional farmer's use of "unnatural feeds, hormones, and excessive quantities of antibiotics" may cause humans more susceptible to chronic disease, obesity, and drug-resistant bacteria. Maghari and Ardekani write, "Independent GM researchers have led to a concern about the risks of GMFs and the inherent risks associated with the genetic technology (113)." Humans are at big risk by consuming GMOs because not only are construction of GMOs still under a microscope, but so are the construction of human genes. Just recently was it determined that human genes do not work independently, and because of this the authors believe "the genetic engineering techniques seem to be imprecise and must include gene optimization steps to minimize this concern" (Maghari Ardekani 111). Multiple scientific studies have been done showing examples of  GMO reported harm, including: soy allergies increasing over the past ten years in the United States, villagers developing a skin allergy, and many case studies revealing results of death and/or abnormalities of cows, pigs, goats, and other livestock due to the consumption of GM corn, cottonseed, and maize. Even though there is many recorded studies of GMO testing on animals, "at the present there is no peer-reviewed publication on clinical studies of GMF effects on human health" (Maghari, Ardekahi 112), therefore, more emphasis should be placed on the need for countries to follow intense testing guidelines before distributing food to the public. 

Along with human health risks, GMOs, weed killers, and other conventional farming practices can also cause serious harm to the soil and ecosystems. These products kill off the topsoil and subsoil of crop's bedding, which carry important soil life crucial in healthy plant development (Traditional Agriculture 1). These chemical products also block important proteins essential to plants (Grossman 1). If soil is contaminated with harmful chemicals, it is most likely that those chemicals will end up in waterways, air cycles, rain, etc. Rain and irrigation can lead to agrochemical runoff, resulting in toxic contamination of aquatic ecosystems (HUNGRY FOR INFO 4). Blue-green algae blooms are an example of a result of agrochemical runoff. These blooms can sometimes be fatal to livestock, wildlife, plants, and humans. In a study of the Great Barrier Reef, results revealed that oceanic creatures were being exposed to oxygen deprivation due to the runoff of a nearby farm. This farm was using chemical induced fertilizers on its crops, resulting in an overload of nitrogen and phosphorus into the oceanic ecosystem. And not only was the ocean effected by this, but also the biodiversity in all surrounding areas. In 2011, a hog farm in Illinois spilled 200,000 gallons of manure into a creek, killing over 110,000 fish (Farm Sanctuary).  

According to the article "HUNGRY FOR INFO", "A report on the global assessment of soil degradation states that 'the earth's soils are being washed away, rendered sterile or contaminated with toxic chemicals at a rate that cannot be sustained'. Today almost a quarter of the world's farmland is affected by serious degradation, up from 15% two decades ago." 

Conventional soil not only puts the ecosystem's health at risk, but it also performs less efficient when compared to organic soil. Soil plays a very important role in farming because it is the main source of water for crops. Soil's water efficiency is determined by the crop yielded divided by the amount of water used (Gomiero 103). In a Rodale Institute farming system trial, extreme drought was experienced in 1999 where the organic system had outstandingly higher yields than the conventional system. According to Gomiero, soil's texture determines air and water circulation and erosion resistance. Although texture is uncontrollable, soil aggregation is and is important to be aware off as a farmer. Soil aggregation affects the quality and health of soil. Tilling, excessive nitrogen fertilization, using sodium based fertilization or water, and moving the soil when too wet or dry are typical soil aggregates which are commonly seen in conventional farming. 

Soil also plays an important role in controlling pest management. Most conventional farms use chemical spray to terminate or ward off pests, but studies show pests preferring crops that have been fostered in synthetic fertilizer lather rather than crops growing in organic soil (Gomiero 105). This is explained by the "mineral balanced hypothesis", which states that "organic matter and microbial activity associated with organically managed soils allow to enhance nutrient balance in plants,which in turn can better respond to pest attack" (Gomiero 105). In a study by Larry Phelan, professor at the Ohio State University, it was found that the European corn borer consistently laid more eggs on corn planted in conventional soil. Another study was done revealing that a species of butterfly, known for being pests to cabbage, are partial to laying eggs on synthetically fertilized plants.

Although pest are unwanted in farming areas, biodiversity is. Gomiero states, "Biodiversity refers to the number, variety and variability of living organisms in a given environment. It includes diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems" (105). A study conducted in 2001 reviewed 44 investigations worldwide concerning the effects of organic versus conventional farming on fauna, the animals of a specific ecosystem. The study reported that organic farming performed better on both species diversity and organism abundance (Gomiero 106). Another study was done in 2003 showing more abundance and diversity in earthworms, carabids, spiders, and other epigeal arthropods in organic farming fields compared to conventional farming fields. It was hypothesized that these results are due to the organic fertilization, protection and weed management, and close proximity to other semi-natural habitats (Gomiero 106). Overall, 84% of studies show that organic farming shows higher biodiversity richness.  

Within the phrase "biodiversity" also exists the idea of crop, animal, and farm management biodiversity. Conventional farming focuses on growing large amounts of single commercial crops, which in return has minimized the food average Americans eat quite substantially. For example, the article "HUNGRY FOR INFO" points out some interesting facts; "There is an estimated 23,000 edible plants of which we only eat around 400", "Between 1804 and 1904 there were 7,098 apple varieties documented as having been in use in the USA. Today, approximately 86% of these varieties have been lost", and "In Brazil only 12 out of the 32 native pig breeds are left and all are under threat" (6). Because of the great loss of biodiversity within the food Americans consume, humans are becoming more and more defenseless to risks. For example, if a disease wipes out a monocrop, it would result in extinction.

Energy efficiency is a big factor when it comes to successful farming. According to Gomiero, organic farming has higher efficiency rates because of three main reasons: "(1) lack of input of synthetic N-fertilizers (which require high energy consumption for production and transport and can account for more than 50% of the total energy input), (2) low input of other mineral fertilizers, lower use of highly energy-consumptive foodstuffs (concentrates), and (3) the ban on synthetic pesticides and herbicide" (109). Although, according to Wirtz, modern day farmers are becoming blind to land management and energy use. He explains that organic farming calls for more energy usage due to its heavier need for labor, transportation, and fuel, therefore, actually causing more of an environmental impact. However, a study was done in the Danish Government showing up too a 51% energy reduction rates in farms converting from conventional methods to organic methods (Gomiero 109). 

Other concerns regarding organic farming relate to world hunger. Many scientists argue that industrial farming is the only way to solve this epidemic due to its production of massive, cheap products, however, "HUNGRY FOR INFO" argues that the current centralized food system, which is characterised by; "large mono-crops with little diversity, transporting food long distances, massive amounts of food waste and majority control by a small number of player" is what is holding society back. Approximately 80% of food products are consumed by the wealthiest 20% and up to half of the food products produced are thrown out. For example, Australia values at 5.2 billion in lost food (HUNGRY FOR INFO 6). Instead of wasting that food, it can be distributed to starving communities. 

In conclusion, within the last century conventional farming has become the desired farming method due to its cheap, fast, and rate of productivity of products. However, this method has come with a cost on the environment due to its high intensity of energy use, water consumption and the large use of costly chemicals, as well as, the detrimental health risks of organisms, such as butterflies and humans. Like Maghari and Ardekan say, "GM crops are alive; they can migrate and spread worldwide" (114), therefore, farmers need to take precaution when practicing their specific methods. Because of organic farming's ability to save energy, maintain biodiversity and keep soils healthy for future agriculture, it serves as the best farming option for America. Through extensive studies and research, organic farming methods have shown to be more efficient, as well as harmless, when compared to conventional farming. 

