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Confusion often arises about pesticide use between the two farming methods. While certified organic is encouraged to control pests, weeds, and disease through physical or mechanical controls (tilling), biological, botanical, or synthetic substances are approved when the latter practices aren’t sufficient. “Natural” pesticides are no safer than synthetic ones. The key to safe pesticide application is proper application according to product and industry instructions. In addition, the additional tilling for weed control can lead to loss of moisture, and wind and water erosion.

Images of a man, clad in overalls and a straw hat, sitting on a green tractor may come to mind when you think “farming,” but times have changed. Changes in weather patterns, draughts, land availability, and population growth are just a few reasons it’s vital to be able to make the most of our arable land, human resources, and time.

The notion of high-tech tools for farming somehow makes people uneasy. Especially if you bring up bioengineering (see the nearby sidebar “GMOs and you”). Today’s farmers are scientists. Almost all of them have bachelor’s degrees in agricultural, like plant science, animal science, engineering, or agronomy (the science of soil management, crop production, and ecology).