Organic coffee means that the coffee trees are grown without exposure to any pesticides, herbicides, or additional chemicals. In order for a coffee to be considered organic, it has to meet three criteria: The coffee is grown on land that wasn't exposed to synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years prior. A sufficient buffer exists between the organic coffee and the closest conventional crop. A sustainable crop rotation plan is in place to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil nutrients, and to naturally control for pests.
Organic coffee farming means that the producer doesn’t use pesticides, herbicides, or any other chemical material on their coffee farm. Organic agriculture promotes the environment’s natural defense against disease, while promoting forest preservation. Coffee is generally “shade-grown,” meaning other trees must be planted to keep the coffee trees in dappled sunlight. This comes with the added bonus that bird populations find symbiosis with coffee farms and keep insect populations under control while naturally fertilizing the soil.
You’re promoting the practices of the farmer, and rewarding them for their hard work and dedication to growing coffee organically. Growing coffee is already a difficult task made harder without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Buying organic coffee is important to incentivize farmers to put in the extra work that comes with growing their coffee.