THE 411 ON FARM CHEMICALS
Protecting our food – and what that means for our plates
In a perfect world no farmer would use any chemicals. But because there are insects, weeds and diseases, our crops need protection. So, farmers use different methods to combat those pests and there are tradeoffs with each choice.
Three different perspectives. Three different practices. A Chicago mom explores firsthand. And what that means to you.

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"So, as I grow crops, my family’s health is the..."
Andrew Bowman
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"When I had a chance to talk to farmers about..."
Genevieve O'Keefe
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"One of the best aspects of farming is taking both..."
Paul Taylor
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"There are no mechanical harvesters on our farm, only people..."
Ruth Zeldenrust
FEWER, SMARTER CHEMICALS = LESS IMPACT ON SOIL, WATER AND CROPS

- The only chemicals I use have been proven safe by the FDA, the USDA, and the EPA after rigorous
testing.
- Before applying chemicals, the applicator must be certified for proper use and application.
- Today’s chemicals are precise, effective and leave virtually no residue on the soil, water or crop – that’s because they are designed to break down after they accomplish their job and become inactive.
- That’s why I’m confident I can walk through a sprayed field just days or even 72 hours later, and the products I harvest are safe to eat.
HI TECH CHEMICAL SPRAYING
When I had a chance to talk with farmers about how chemicals are used, I came away with a better understanding – less fear about my food:
- Both conventional and organic farmers may use chemicals to get the highest yield possible.
- Farmers are required to attend trainings and be certified to apply any chemical.
- GPS technology allows farmers to spray precisely, where needed, depending on weed levels.
- 95% of what they spray is water.
TRADEOFFS – GENETICALLY MODIFIED VS. MORE INSECTICIDE
Because most of the sweet corn grown is still non-GMO due to consumer demand, we have to, unfortunately, resort to putting more insecticides on those plants to protect them from certain insects:
- Beetles will eat the silks off of the corn, which means that ear is unable to pollinate and leaves us with bare cobs.
- Rootworms will lay their larvae on the stalks to feed off of the roots.
- Earworms will get into the husk and eat the end of the cob.
Once we assess the impact that the pest is having on our crop, we may spray the corn with an insecticide to control the pests and protect the plant.
I HARDLY USE ANY CHEMICALS

My garden is what you would call "supersized," with 32 acres of fresh produce harvested from early summer to fall. We’re not certified organic, but use
many of the same farming practices like crop rotation. And just because it’s marked organic, doesn’t mean pesticides aren’t used. Rest assured
that everything we grow and sell is safe, high-quality, nutritious and most important: fresh from our fields.
- For weeds, we cultivate (think of a garden hoe, but larger) and pull weeds by hand.
- For bugs, I’d like for all my produce to be pesticide free. If I have to spot treat something, I label it and tell my customers. Like other farmers,
I like to catch things early.
- If I see white moths on the cabbage, a lifetime of experience tells me I have to get in there and get after them quickly because if I don’t,
they lay eggs, eggs turn into worms and the worms poop. And no one wants to eat that, including me.
- To kill the pests, I use Bt, an allowable pesticide for organic farms, and a naturally occurring bacterium that causes them to die after they ingest it.
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