Healthy Kids: Learn about Organic Farming What Does "Organic" Mean? Growing food is not easy. All farmers, all over the world, have to solve some big problems to make sure their plants can thrive and grow. They have to make sure the soil has enough nutrients to "feed" little plants so they will grow to be big and healthy and good to eat. They have to control bugs and other pests that can attack and eat the plants. And they have to control weeds that can "choke" young plants by taking up the space, sunlight and nutrients they need to grow. Most farmers in this country are what we call "conventional farmers." They rely on synthetic (man-made) chemicals and fertilizers to grow their crops. These farming chemicals and fertilizers are not found in nature, and they often build up in the environment, polluting our water and soil. Most of these chemicals remain active for a long time . . . long after their job is done. Although these chemicals can solve many farming problems, some of them are not healthy for the environment or for people!