AGRICULTURE »» FARM POLLUTION »» NITROGEN FERTILIZER »» Apr 01, 2024

Nitrogen fertilizer is a chemical fertilizer made primarily from petroleum. Although nitrogen is needed for plants to grow, too much of it depletes the soil. Over the years, farm fields require more and more of this fertilizer to maintain productivity. The run-off from farms using nitrogen fertilizer pollutes many waterways. Health advocates claim cancer and other health risks are associated with the use of nitrogen fertilizers, saying nitrates from this product also enter our water supplies through groundwater seepage. Recent research shows that nitrogen-based fertilizers have also spurred worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by stimulating microbes in the soil to produce more nitrous oxide, the third most potent greenhouse gas. Farmers say nitrogen fertilizers are the most effective crop supplement available and are necessary to maintain the productivity needed to feed the world’s population. Organic farming uses no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, but has been often criticized by those who claim these methods are unable to produce enough food to feed Earth's masses. Organic farmers say it is true that farmers could experience lower crop yields for several growing seasons when converting to organic growing methods. However, studies show the production of organic farms to be nearly equal, and in some cases exceeds, crops grown with conventional fertilizers and pesticides. They claim this finding holds true in nearly all areas and climates of the world. Proposed Legislation: To introduce legislation to enact incentives for organic cultivation methods Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI) I oppose reforming current nitrogen fertilizer policy, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA). I support reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizer and wish to introduce legislation to enact incentives for organic cultivation methods, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizer and wish to introduce legislation to enact incentives for organic cultivation methods, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider introducing legislation which offers incentives for organic cultivation methods. Organic Consumers Association If elected as a trustee, Organic Consumers Association will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to promote organic cultivation methods. The mission of the Organic Consumers Association is to protect and advocate for consumers' right to safe, healthful food and other consumer products, a just food and farming system and an environment rich in biodiversity and free of pollutants. OCA is an online and grassroots nonprofit public interest organization, and the only organization in the U.S. focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million consumers of organically and socially responsibly produced food and other products. OCA educates and advocates on behalf of organic consumers, engages consumers in marketplace pressure campaigns, and works to advance sound food and farming policy through grassroots lobbying.

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