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.

May 18, 2020

Organic herbicides compete with glyphosate for controlling invasive vines

Woody vines can plague farms in the eastern U.S. nestled among natural woody areas, as well as home gardens across the entire country. Glyphosate (Roundup) has been a commonly used herbicide to...

May 18, 2020

Human gut microbiome is altered by occupational exposure to conventional, confined swine operations--more antibiotic resistant genes discovered

Organic certification prohibits continuous confinement and the use of antibiotics in livestock production, which increases the health and wellbeing of the animals, as well as those who handle them...

May 18, 2020

Greenhouse gas emissions lower in organic farming than conventional, even on a per unit basis

The body of science that shows organic farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon storage, and mitigate climate change is growing. However, since organic production is generally...

May 18, 2020

Organic pest management protects beneficial insects and promotes more natural pest control

Chemical control of pests using synthetic insecticides like neonicotinoids, organophosphates and pyrethroids can harm non-target insects such as natural enemies to pests. A recent study published...

Apr 27, 2020

Environmental concerns drive organic management for lawns, home gardens

While the agricultural sector uses the majority of conventional pesticides, lawn and home garden care accounts for 24 percent of pesticide sales and 6 percent of overall...

Apr 20, 2020

Life Cycle Assessments have been underestimating the value of organic agriculture

Organic agricultural practices provide many ecosystem services that improve farm production while simultaneously protecting the environment. For instance, organic farming...

Apr 13, 2020

Organic soybeans reduce the risks associated with glyphosate use, while glyphosate-tolerant soybean production puts more glyphosate into the food system than previously reported

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema

According to a new study in the journal Foods, conventional farmers are now using twice as much glyphosate spray as they did in the...

Apr 09, 2020

Press Release: Organic agriculture – the recycling bin for nitrogen

The Organic Center collaborates in new study that finds organic ag can curb nitrogen pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2020)—Nitrogen is part of the foundation for all life. But too much of a...

Apr 06, 2020

Sustainable palm oil produces high yields while benefiting public and environmental health

Palm oil is a widely used ingredient in processed foods and a popular cooking oil that is often preferred for its affordability when compared to other vegetable oils. Unfortunately, oil palm...