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.

Mar 10, 2017

Beneficial birds more abundant and diverse on organic farms

Photo credit: Noel Pennington

A study from Japan confirms that bird diversity is greater on organic versus conventional farms. The study fills a gap in our knowledge about...

Mar 07, 2017

Study estimates the costs of pesticide use at $15 billion

Photo credit: Nick Ares

Opponents to organic often cite the benefits of pesticide use, such as controlling pests and increasing yields. However, economic models rarely...

Mar 06, 2017

Fertilizer use and the environmental cost of a loaf of bread

Photo credit: Karen Sabin

A new study published in the journal Nature Plants analyzed the environmental impact of the complete supply chain for producing a loaf of bread....

Mar 01, 2017

Organic rice paddies use less energy

Photo credit: Adam Levine

A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Management assessed energy usage and yields for organic and conventional rice production...

Feb 24, 2017

Pesticide cocktails have synergistic negative impacts on human health

Photo credit: USDA

Unfortunately, we rarely are exposed to a single pesticide residue at a time. Most products are sprayed with a cocktail of chemicals, and, according to...

Feb 22, 2017

Health benefits of organic food highlighted

Photo credit: David J

A new editorial published in the medical journal The Lancet highlights some important details from the recently commissioned European Parliament...

Feb 21, 2017

Eating organic during pregnancy reduces some birth defects

Photo credit: Frank de Kleine

A new, groundbreaking study out of Norway shows that eating an organic diet while pregnant can reduce the occurrence of certain birth defects...

Feb 20, 2017

European Parliament commissions report on health benefits of organic food and farming

Photo credit: Masahiro Ihara

A new report commissioned by the European Parliament reviews the existing scientific literature on the human health implications of organic...

Feb 17, 2017

Organic farming increases the amount of carbon in soil

Photo credit: USDA

Accumulation of carbon in the soil is key to improving soil fertility and productivity. A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of...