Organic farming acknowledges that everything is interconnected. It relies on natural farming principles, such as conserving biodiversity and promoting ecological balance to produce vibrant, abundant food.
Organic farming emphasizes the health of the entire agricultural ecosystem.
We are deeply committed to the organic movement, which is why over 94% of Vika's Essentials beauty products are USDA Certified Organic or made with USDA Certified Organic ingredients.
WHAT DOES ORGANIC MEAN FOR OUR WORLD?
It's not an exaggeration to say that choosing organic products contributes to our planet's preservation.
The predominant conventional food system needs to be fixed. While conventionally grown products may be cheaper at the grocery store, these farming methods rely heavily on chemical interventions (think toxic pesticides) to grow crops. This increases chemical water pollution and leaves our lands with low-quality, eroded soil.
Not the prettiest picture.
But that's where organic agriculture comes in.
Better for You and All People
Nutritional benefits
Filled with essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and much more, organically-grown produce deeply nourishes our bodies – we're talking 69% more micronutrients like antioxidants versus its conventionally farmed counterparts!
Not to mention, it tastes better. Think of farmer's market produce – usually brimming with flavor, right? You can thank the nutrient quality for that. Organic food also has less exposure to the harmful residue of synthetic pesticides found in conventionally grown products in abundance.
Community Impact
Due to the restriction of toxic synthetic chemicals in organic farming, it's also a solution for supporting public health. Curbing synthetic pesticides reduces the amount of chemicals that would otherwise seep into the food, soil, and water – ultimately safeguarding farmers and nearby rural communities from undue exposure.
Better for the Planet
Regenerating Soil & Biodiversity
When soil quality erodes, so does the quality of our food. Organic farms are required to implement cultivation practices – like cover crops and crop rotation – that minimize soil erosion, enhance soil fertility, and foster ecological biodiversity.
Cover crops are plants grown to cover and protect the soil. They help promote crop nutrients, weed suppression, and soil fertility, making them essential to regenerative soil ecosystems.
Crop rotation is a farming practice that naturally helps protect plants from pests or diseases. Planting different crops in the same area over multiple growing seasons interrupts insect lifecycles, suppresses soil-born plant diseases, builds soil organic matter, and much more.
Easing Emissions & Storing Carbon
Because organic farming emphasizes building healthy, living soils and restricts the use of synthetic chemicals, organic food systems produce 40% fewer greenhouse gases per pound of crop than conventional systems.
Not to mention, the soil health is much better on organic farmland, with 14% more organic material than soil on conventional farms. That means it's 44% more effective at sequestering carbon (removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere), a benefit that further eases the impact of greenhouse gases.
Crop Resilience
Under severe drought conditions, which become more frequent with climate change, organic agriculture yields up to 40% more crops than conventional farms. Water infiltration is much more effective in organic soils, almost ten times greater than in conventional soils.
HOW CAN I TELL IF A PRODUCT HAS CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS?
Check the Label for Certification Seals
HOW DOES USDA ORGANIC COMPARE TO OTHER LABEL CLAIMS?
The USDA Organic Seal is the only label claim (read that again) backed by stringent federal regulations. Organic certification is a multi-step process that verifies every stage of production meets federally outlined standards.
That means the USDA Organic Seal provides traceability from the farm to you.
Plus, annual reviews and third-party inspections continuously guarantee those standards. Under federal regulation, anyone who tries to defraud organic consumers faces massive fines and, in some cases, jail time.
This stringent federal oversight does not apply to other label claims; however, the USDA Organic Seal supports other claims.
THE USDA ORGANIC SEAL JUST GOT MIGHTIER
In March of 2024, the "Strengthening Organic Enforcement" rule was passed so that consumers can maintain complete confidence in the integrity of the organic seal. The rule closes gaps in current organic regulations and builds on consistent certification practices to further prevent fraud.
We make Vika's Essentials products in-house at our certified organic manufacturing facility in Burnsville, Minnesota. So, in the wake of this ruling, we mobilized to ensure our organic certification and those of our ingredient suppliers remain steadfast. We will also adapt to meet any new regulations that may come in the future.
Timely, updated rules mean clear guardrails. Guardrails that make organic farming, production, and certification scalable.
Organic farming is what is needed to save the planet.