Although it seems like a recent fad, the organic way of life has actually been around for centuries. Until World War II, farmers largely used organic approaches – like hand-weeding and composting – to harvest the country’s crops. During the war, technology boomed, and petroleum-based chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides made their way to U.S. farmland in the years that followed. This created a chemical-based approach to agriculture that was different from the chemical-free methods of the past.

As writers and researchers began investigating the effects of these chemicals on humans, animals and the environment, the organic movement gained popularity for its sustainable, earth-friendly approach. The movement received a big boost in the United States in 2002, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented national organic standards.

Now, organic foods – everything from steaks to wines to dog food – occupy significant shelf space in most supermarkets. The organic fiber industry grew out of the organic food movement, and, after a period of decline in the 1990s, it’s gaining steam again. Stuffed animals, diapers, napkins and a host of other cotton-based products are now available in organic varieties.