Grocery shoppers who feel that buying organic is the be-all and end-all for sustainability are missing a bigger picture, according to guest blogger Steve Groff. Any kind of growing method involves a degree of compromise, including organic agriculture. To produce food at a price that people can afford, farmers often must decide what will do the least harm as they await better innovations.

An obstacle no-tillers often cite for not using cover crops in their rotation is getting them established in a timely manner after corn and soybean harvest so they get optimum growth and benefit. This is especially true in colder northern climates, where the growing season is shorter.