to be or not to be Organic?

I think it's a matter of ethics and statement more than anything.

For instance: Free-range cattle versus slaughterhouse, "mass-produced" "beef factories"
Who wouldn't want to buy from a free-range cattle farm where animals are treated more humanely and given a higher standard of life? The question is: do you want to PAY more for your guilt?

I'm not sure about the hormones free-range farms put into their cattle, if any at all. I imagine their main selling point is that their cattle are, in fact, "free range." Of course, I don't know about the actual validity of the marketing claim, SO.

Organic vegetables, local farmers, what-have-you's I can't really say much about. I know that when I am given the option, I prefer buying local to aid my local economy and support my local farmers. Chances are they don't use as many pesticides as the huge conglomerate vegetable folks do, but that opinion isn't based in fact. I'd buy locally (or organically) not for health reason, but for local reasons. I like my local economy to thrive and be more self-reliant.

The reasons I would buy organic is not a question of health as much as ethics, local economy, supporting small-time Mom & Pop farmers, and to see a thriving local community.

I'm not someone who knows a hell of a lot about the agricultural fields, but I am pretty sure that locals do it better.

Healthier? Not sure. Depends. I can't imagine you can make such HUGE generalizations about an entire industry.

Jam it back in, in the dark.