40. Does Certified Organic Mean Pesticide Free?

In this solo episode of Hands in the Soil, we return to a commonly misunderstood topic in the food system: does certified organic mean pesticide-free? Building on a previous episode released a year ago, I dive deeper into the nuances of pesticide use in organic agriculture to clarify what the organic label really means—and what it doesn’t.

I explain the difference between organic and synthetic pesticides, how regulations work under organic certification, and why it's still essential to ask questions about where your food comes from. I also explore how integrated pest management and regenerative practices can help farms reduce or even eliminate pesticide use altogether.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Why certified organic doesn’t mean pesticide-free
• The difference between synthetic and organic pesticides
• How some synthetic pesticides are still allowed in organic certification (and why that matters)
• The loophole of EPA conditional registration and toxicity testing gaps
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternatives to pesticide use
• How farm scale, soil health, and biodiversity impact pest control
• Critiques of organic certification and the difference between small regenerative farms and large-scale organic monocultures
• Why knowing your farmer is often more valuable than any label
  

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Hannah: @hannahkeitel