The Latest Research on Organic

There is so much (in)credible science that explains why organic is a good choice for people and the planet, and more is published every week. The Organic Center summarizes the latest research into distilled bites so you can make informed choices. We only report on peer-reviewed studies and always will. Check out our research blog and sign up for our newsletter to get the latest science delivered right to your inbox.

Aug 22, 2013

Farm fertilizer runoff contributing to Dead Zone

Photo Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Excess nitrogen is impacting Mississippi River and worsening the Gulf of Mexico’s Dead Zone, according to researchers...

Aug 20, 2013

German study examines antibiotic use levels in livestock

Photo Credit: Andy L.

A current project out of Germany called VetCAb (Veterinary Consumption of Antibiotics) is examining the total amount of antibiotics used in livestock...

Aug 19, 2013

Intensive land use decreases soil biodiversity

Photo Credit: Colette Kessler, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, South Dakota

A new study published in the journal PNAS shows that intensive land use can...

Aug 17, 2013

Synthetic fertilizer use contributes to manatee, dolphin, and pelican deaths

Photo Credit: Jim Reid, USFWS

Synthetic fertilizer running off into the Indian River estuary may have contributed to disrupting the balance of its rich marine...

Aug 16, 2013

Honeybee population decline effects on crops

Photo Credit: Jennifer C.

The mass deaths of bees associated with colony collapse disorder (CCD) may prove disastrous for farmers. This pollinator population decline has...

Aug 15, 2013

Converting to organic agriculture can improve farmer livelihoods

In a study published in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, researchers examined 31 documented cases of farmers converting from conventional systems to organic and...

Aug 14, 2013

Presence of toxic insecticide in California air samples

Photo Credit: Tim Bates

California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently published an air monitoring paper reporting that air tests have detected chlorpyrifos...