Gary Gardner

Organic farming involves the use of few or no chemicals or pesticides to grow crops. In the following viewpoint, Gary Gardner maintains that increasing numbers of farmers worldwide are adopting organic farming methods. Gardner argues that such reductions in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which he says contribute to water and soil pollution, benefit the environment. Gardner is a research associate for the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington, D.C., organization that studies environmental and other global problems.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What percentage of U.S. consumers purchase organic produce at least once per week, according to Gardner?
2. In Gardner’s opinion, why are many farmers hesitant to adopt organic farming methods?
3. According to the author, what factor limits the expansion of organic agriculture"

Output from organic farming is up...