Growing the future: next generation of farming

Organic farming – what do students think?

By Grace Waltz, student reporter

Organic food is becoming more common, but do students really care about it? To find out, I talked to 50 students at our school about organic farming. The results were very surprising!

What is Organic farming?

Organic farmers do not use man-made chemicals to grow food. Instead, they use natural things like compost to help plants grow. They also look after their animals well. Cows, chickens, and pigs on organic farms have more space than on non-organic ones, and eat natural food.

Many people say organic food is better for your health and better for nature. But what do students at our school think?
 

Question 1: Do you eat organic food?

• 20 students said they eat organic food a lot.
• 15 students said they sometimes eat organic food.
• 15 students said they never eat organic food.

This shows that more than half of students eat organic food at least sometimes. But why?
 

Question 2: Why do you eat organic food?

• 25 students said organic food is healthier.
• 18 students said it is better for the Earth.
• 12 students said it tastes better.

Lisa (13) told me, “My family buys organic vegetables because they don’t have chemicals. My mum says they are better for us.”
 

Question 3: Should more farmers grow organic food?

• 30 students said yes.
• 10 students said no.
• 10 students were not sure.

Mr. Wagner, our science teacher, said, “If more farms start growing organic food, prices might go down in the future.”
 

Question 4: Can new machines make organic farming easier?

• 32 students said yes, new machines will help farmers.
• 12 students said maybe, but only if the machines are not too expensive.
• 6 students said no, organic farming will always be hard.

Mr. Grohl, our geography teacher, said, "Machines like robots and smart watering systems can help farmers. This could make organic farming easier and faster."
 

Question 5: Will all farms be organic one day?

• 20 students said yes. They think that, one day, every farm will be organic.
• 18 students said no. They think organic farming will be more common, but not all farms will be organic.
• 12 students said no. They believe regular farms will always be needed.

Felix (13) said, "Maybe in 50 years, all farms will be organic. People care more about health and nature now."

But Anna (14) said, "I do not think all farms will be organic. Farmers have to grow a lot of food, and organic farms grow food more slowly."
 

Is Organic food worth it?

What do you think? Is organic food better than other food? Will organic farming be the future of food?