Does organic farming contribute to well-being? [L’agriculture biologique contribue-t-elle au bien-être ?]

Through a case study of a producer association of organic fruit and vegetables in the Loire Valley Region of France (Loire Ocean Bio), this article proposes several approaches for understanding the potential links between organic farming and health and well-being. In the cases encountered by the authors, the classic utilitarian approach used by economists regarding health and well-being does not prove very useful in analyzing these links. Multidimensional measurements of the determinants of health and well-being, such as those proposed by Stiglitz report (Stiglitz, Sen and Fitoussi, 2009), prove to be better suited in this matter. Using their framework, this article highlights the finding that there appears to be a mutually reinforcing relationship between organic agriculture and health and well-being. That is to say, on certain points, organic agriculture helps to improve the quality of life in the region concerned, while at the same time the interests of health and well-being are of a central concern to organic producers.