Dianne writes:

<<I would respectfully disagree.  While there is a lot of certification wrt
process, there is nothing really to prevent cross-contamination which,
iirc, is indeed a problem for many organic farmers.  Not their fault, not
much, if anything they can do about it, but those 100s of chemicals have so
permeated most of the inhabited areas, at least in the US, that it's neigh
on impossible to avoid getting some of them.>>

I think the key point here is in your last sentence - ..."impossible to
avoid getting SOME of them."

This is true for some organic farming.   But cross contamination contains
much lower levels of pesticides and herbicides is preferrable to the
commercial produce sold that is permeated with pre and post harvest
pesticides and herbicides.

Most natural food stores are knowledgeable about their sources and can tell
you about them. If they can't, you need to shop elsewhere. More organic
farms are choosing crop rotation because it keeps their soils healthy which
contributes to healthier plants.  Each year, organic farming in the U.S.
improves.  Can you say this about conventional farming?  Do they choose crop
rotation?  Do they look to improve anything except their yield each year?

A number of organic farms also choose to plant only heirloom varieties.  You
will be hard pressed to find that in conventionally grown produce.

Siobhan