Over the course of the last several years, you’ve likely noticed an upswing in the popularity of organic products. What you might not have realized, though, is that the government doesn’t seem to like organic farmers very much at all.

Organic Farmers are Often Harassed Unnecessarily

Anyone who has followed the news during the last few years knows that many farmers who focus on growing and producing organic goods haven’t exactly had an easy time in the United States. This probably comes as a very interesting fact, because it stands in direct contrast with the sharp upswing that has been observed in the popularity of organic products and other healthy food choices. America seems like it’s on something of a “health food kick” but the very farmers who are best suited to actually help make this happen are getting routinely harassed and bothered by a variety of government agents. They’re being arrested, and the reasons why are often astounding.

The Organic Movement is Making Waves for Big Agriculture

One of the biggest and simplest reasons that farmers who specialize in organic produce have been having so much trouble with the law and with government regulations is because larger agricultural corporations are exerting their influence over legislators and law enforcement agencies. As one might be able to understand, it’s not exactly good for large agricultural corporations when smaller farms that specialize in local, healthy, and organic produce start to become more and more popular. As a result, these farmers and their produce have been subjected to raids. Honest farmers have been arrested and their produce has been branded as “unsafe”.

Your Health isn’t the Primary Concern Obviously

Organic farms have a tendency to grow their crops without the use of expensive commercial pesticides. These chemicals are not only bad for the environment, but they have negative effects on anyone who eats the crops that are treated with them. Similarly, farmers that specialize in organic produce are a threat to corporations that specialize in genetically modified organic (or GMO) food. These entities are going to do everything they can to protect their interest, and this includes harassing organic farmers whose true mission it is to bring healthy produce to the American people.

The Problem Doesn’t Seem to be Stopping

More and more farmers that specialize in organic and raw produce have been made the target of harassment by a collection of different government agencies. Multiple protests have sprung up time and again, but the problem doesn’t seem to be letting up. In fact, President Obama just recently appointed the former head of Monsanto (a company that has been a leader in the development of GMO products) to a top agricultural position within the government. It doesn’t look like farmers that specialize in organics will begin to experience more leeway anytime soon. Multiple protests have sprung up time and time again for people to voice their concern. Make your voice heard, if you haven’t already. The problems facing farmers who specialize in organic produce are quite serious. We must all be thinking about why our government treats them the way they do, and consider what we can be doing to enact the change that’s necessary. Image Source: Flickr/Lews Castle UHI