Organic foods require a lot of work and dedication from the farmers and inviduals involved in growing or producing the organic products that many people count on to keep them healthy. The prices for organic goods are usually slightly higher than prices for foods and produce that come from conventional farming because, quite simply, it costs more for farmers to grow and produce healthy and organically.

NPR news followed the story of one Dairy Farming family who switched from converntional farming to organic farming practices with their herd of cows.

But after a couple of years with an empty barn, they decided to try again. This time, they would go organic. Kristen says she’s always felt organic farming is healthier for the cows and the environment. It means the cows must be given feed grown without pesticides, and they can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormones. And, for at least three months a year, the cows have to be out on pasture.

“We know that there is a growing movement of consumers out there that are truly concerned about where their food is coming from, and what is — and is not — in it,” says Kristen.

In the past, pesticides and fertilizers were created in order to help produce more foods at a faster pace, even though much of the food chain was then covered in toxic chemicals.  To go organic means to forgo any of those chemicals.  Foods purchased for the cows must be grown naturally, which takes time and patience.  There are other differences in organic farming that don’t involve chemicals.

The names are cute, but knowing the cows individually serves an important purpose. Because organic farmers can’t give their animals antibiotics, catching any potential sickness early is the best health care.

“Prevention is a huge part of what we do,” says Kristen. Her family does things like check the hooves of each cow nearly every day to see if they’re getting an infection.

“The hardest part was learning how to treat the cows organically,” she says. “The milking isn’t different, but labor-wise the cows need more attention. If we have a cow that isn’t feeling well, we don’t come in the house until they’re taken care of.”

Living green means supporting organic farming practices and all of the wonderful healthy benefits that come from it.