How do you know what to get at the grocery store? There's more marketing than ever urging you to buy organic food, which according to consumer reports can costs on average 47 percent more than conventional food
"You have to base your choices on facts not fear because there's a lot of fear marketing in food," explains Ag Inspirations spokesperson, Kim Bremmer.
NBC26 visited 3 farms in Fond du Lac, New Holstein and Egg Harbor to see how the food is grown and raised at all three.
The first farm on the list is Haberli Farms in Egg Harbor.
"We run 5,000 acres and my brother Mark is in charge of the cattle. We have 350 cows right now," said crop manager, Joe Haberli.
Haberli Farms is a non-organic farm. It's been run by the Haberli family since the 1950's, but they've changed quite a bit in that time, especially when it comes to their dairy operation.
"Farming has become very scientific," said Haberli about the way they do things on the farm.
He says everything is figured out including when and how much the cows get to eat.
"The cows get the same diet, it's tested every two weeks the feed goes in for feed samples," said Haberli.
The cows are fed corn and hay, never given hormones and milked daily.
When it comes to planting there's thousands of acres to care for at the Haberli Farm.
"Everything has to be precise on what nutrients are going in the ground, how accurate it is and how well it's reported and documented," said Haberli.
They spray the crops with pesticides, but they need approval from state and federal agencies.
"There's about ten different people that need to know everything," said Haberli.
However, for organic crop farmers like Robyn Calvey of Park Ridge Organics in Fond du Lac, pesticides must meet different standards.
"Nothing that we're using is synthetic, so it's persistence in the soil is low. All the fertilizers that we're using are national organic approved," said Calvey.
She grows all sorts of vegetables to sell at the Farmer's Markets, saying local food is fresher.
"Compared to the grocery store, there is much smaller environmental impact when you're purchasing local food," explained Calvey.
Just down the road from Calvey's farm, in New Holstein at G.W. Organics they raise cows, chickens and pigs.
"The beef and cows they eat grass only. No corn, no soy, not anything else other than grass," explained G.W. Organics owner Megan Self.
That method of farming has been proven to add more Omega-3 fatty acids to mile, but only in whole milk.
"It helps your brain function, helps your eyes function, helps your immune system to fight off diseases, it's really important," explained Oneida Nation Community Health Center registered dietitian, Jill Caelwaerts.
The cows at G.W. Organics are never in stalled barns. They're fed a diet of hay in the winter and eat grass once the snow melts.
"My cow is a spreader, my cow is a mower, my cow is a nutrient provider for the soil and we provide the soil back to the animal," said G.W. Organics owner, Charles Self.
NBC26 asked a dietitian, does organic food really benefit your body more than conventional food?
"Nutritionally wise, there's not a huge difference," said Caelwaerts R.D.
However she says if you can afford to buy organic, locally grown vegetables and fruits do it to avoid pesticides, especially in foods where you eat the skin.
"There's research out there that it may cause cancer, it may cause other immune defects, but they don't really know," said Caelwaerts R.D.
When it comes to the debate of price at the grocery store, both sides have an opinion.
"We're not that far fetched and we're not that far priced when it comes to organic agriculture," said Self.
On the flip side, Bremmer adds, "I am just fine purchasing traditionally raised food. I would never pay the extra money for organically grown food only because I've see both farms and both are good."
Ultimately, the decision is up to you what type of farming you choose to support and what type of food you choose to feed your family.
