When people look at Ukraine, Argentina and DeKalb, they usually fail to find anything in common between the three.

However, as with the former two places, DeKalb’s most precious resource and greatest contribution to humanity is its soil.

“The color of the soil always impressed me,” said Miguel Checa, founding member of the DeKalb County Farming Foundation and research associate in NIU’s Office of Sponsored Projects.

DeKalb’s soil has been eroding for centuries, and the use of chemicals and land development is not helping the issue, Checa said.

A new trend may help the problem — organic farming. Organic farming is done by farmers who work with the prairie and avoid contaminating the land with any chemicals, Checa said.

There are about five organic farmers in DeKalb County, Checa said.

Last week, the USDA approved measures that took about 10 years to complete, which will enforce specific labeling for organic products.

More specifically, products claiming to be organic now will have labels denoting the percentage that they are organic.

This will make it more difficult for farmers to claim the organic title as liberally as they have in the past, Checa said.

“There is a market of people who appreciate wholesomeness and products that have no trace of chemicals in them, products that have been grown in a more nature-friendly way,” Checa said.

Third generation farmer Jaime Walter of DeKalb’s Walter Farm, located at 11660 Keslinger Road, said he has yet to see any scientific proof showing organic products are better than conventional ones.

“Organic products tend to have more injuries,” said Jim Walter, second generation farmer of the DeKalb Walter Farms. “These injuries can lead to molds getting into the products.”

His partner and son Jaime Walter added, “Nothing is proven safe, everything is proven not harmful and our products are proven not harmful.”

Another issue for DeKalb farmers is the use of biotechnology to engineer crops to become stronger and more productive.

“I want to provide the consumer with what they want; if they want less chemicals and cheap food, we are going to get it to them, and biotechnology has allowed us to breed products that are stronger and that require less chemicals to produce,” Jaime Walter said.

Consequently, the bioengineered products require less chemicals because they are engineered with certain protective additives before planting occurs, Jaime Walter said.

“The truth of the matter is that we are using less chemicals than ever before,” he said.

Organic producers use manure to fertilize their products as opposed to the conventional method of using fertilizers, Jaime Walter said. The use of manure could increase the chances of bacteria growth, like Ecoli, in the crops.

“You have to be organic for three years before you can be classified as an organic producer,” Jaime Walter said.

For most farmers, the three-year period is too long and requires some years of loss to become organic. The Walter farmers said the potential for economic gain are outweighed by the potential for losses.

Jaime Walter said the organic food trend was more of a psychological benefit sought after by consumers than a true health benefit.

“Organic farming has a perceived advantage; there is very little scientific evidence to suggest that they are healthier,” Jim Walter said.