A 13-yr old organic farmer should be our inspiration.

If you watched “The Revolution” last Monday you met Birke Baehr, a 13-yr old organic farmer whose TEDx speech about our nation's food supply went viral and turned him into the poster child, literally, for incredible kids making a difference just by asking smart questions. For instance, one of his questions is, "Would you rather pay a farmer or pay the hospital?" Give that some thought next time you're grocery shopping.

Birke is another example of an Everyday Hero. But maybe we should call him an Unexpected Hero. Sometimes you see a kid like this on YouTube and you think his parents must have coaxed him into this. People are skeptical that a kid his age would care less about video games and texting than about issues like organic farming. I think it's probably normal to question why a 13-year-old boy would have more interest in learning about the dangers of the industrial food system than finding cheats for Modern Warfare. Ty Pennington said, after spending just a couple of minutes with Birke there's no doubt he's the real deal. He's on a mission and I'm pretty sure our world will be a better place for it.

You can learn all about his message and how this young man came to be so passionate about sustainable living by visiting his website. He also has a great book titled Birke on The Farm.


A 13-year-old organic famer that’s making a big difference just by asking smart questions. Well, his questions got me thinking a little more about where my food comes from, and this week I’m challenging you to do the same.

Over the next seven days here’s your assignment: go organic. Who knows, once the week is up you might want to stick with it…. Here are five reasons to really give organic food some extra consideration:

1. Organic foods are produced without the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Genetically engineered ingredients are now found in 75% of all non-organic U.S. processed foods, even in many products labeled or advertised as "natural.”

2. Organic foods are safe and pure. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, nano-particles, and climate-destabilizing chemical fertilizers. Consumer Reports has found that 77% of non-organic produce items in the average supermarket contain pesticide residues. The beef industry has acknowledged that 94% of all U.S. beef cattle have hormone implants, which are banned in Europe as a cancer hazard.

3. There’s more humane treatment of animals. Organic farming prohibits intensive confinement and mutilation (debeaking, cutting off tails, etc.) of farm animals.

4. You can expect a higher nutrition value. Organic foods are nutritionally dense compared to foods produced with toxic chemicals, chemical fertilizers, and GMO seeds. Studies show that organic foods contain more vitamins, cancer-fighting anti-oxidants, and important trace minerals.

5. Buying local supports local farmers and small business.

Give it a try for seven days and let me know how your organic challenge goes in the comments below.