Organic Cotton Facts~ 

 How is Organic Cotton Different From Conventional Cotton?

-Organic Cotton farmers use untreated and nongenetically modified seeds

- Organic Cotton builds strong soil through crop rotation and retains water more efficiently   through increased organic matter

-Organic Cotton controls the growth of weeds by hand hoeing rather than using herbicides

-Organic Cotton maintains a balance between pests and their natural predators through beneficial insects, instead of using harmful pesticides

-Organic Cotton relies on the seasonal freeze for defoliation rather than using toxic chemicals

55 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 (4.3 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton third behind soybeans and corn in total amount of pesticides sprayed. (USDA)

 Conventional Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants).(Allan Woodburn)

It takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one non-organic T-shirt. (SCP)

Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans.(USDA)

Approximately 10% of all pesticides sold for use in U. S. agriculture were applied to cotton in 1997, the most recent year for which such data is publicly available. (ACPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). (EPA)

 What is "organic"?

Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

 Is there an official definition of "organic"?

The following excerpt is from the definition of "organic" that the National Organic Standards Board adopted in April 1995: "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

  What does "Certified Organic" mean?

"Certified Organic" means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

*These cotton faqs were retrieved from www.ota.com, www.organicexchange.org

and their sources. Be sure to visit their websites to learn more!*