Scientists from Washington State University organized the study. Their experiment is believed to be one of the first to compare the effectiveness of organic farming with other methods. Organic farmers do not use chemicals to increase their crops or to control insects, weeds and disease. Many people believe eating organic food is more healthful than eating food produced with chemicals. Americans are willing to pay more for organic food products.
Organic food is one of the fastest growing areas of American agriculture.
The number of organic farmers is growing at a rate of about twelve percent each year. In the study, the scientists grew Golden Delicious apples on three experimental farms in Washington state. The scientists used a different method on each farm. On one farm, they treated the apple trees with fertilizer products and chemicals to kill insects. The scientists used organic farming methods to grow apples on the second farm.