Why Organic Farming Is Better for You and the Environment
More and more farms are adopting organic farming practices, which not only produces food that is better for you, but better for the environment as well. As an organic consumer, you might want to know a little bit more about where your food comes from and how it is produced.
What Is an Organic Farm?
An organic farm is typically one that practices sustainable agriculture methods. This means the farm raises livestock and grows crops in a way that does not pollute the environment or deplete its resources. This type of farm also uses natural methods of controlling pests. On an organic farm, livestock is raised under humane conditions, on natural feed sources instead of antibiotics or genetically modified food. Other methods of organic farming include protecting water and soil quality so that animals and crops don’t absorb the toxins found on conventional farms. Don’t forget—if you consume farm products that have been exposed to harmful toxins, then you will be exposed to those toxins as well.
How Do Organic Farms Avoid Polluting the Environment?
One method that many organic farms use is called “farmscaping.” Farmscaping is the sculpting of the agricultural environment to attract beneficial insects rather than pests. This is done by making sure the environment has the proper concentration of flowering plants, water reservoirs and food to attract the beneficial insects. These insects can eat or deter the presence of insects that harm crops, and even help the crops prosper by reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides.
What Organic Methods Are Used to Sustain the Environment?
An important element to sustainable farming is what is known as nutrient cycling. This means designing the farm so that key nutrients are periodically recycled into the soil, nutrients such as water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous. This can be done with the right distribution of plant cover, the right kind of organic fertilizer and through practices that encourage animal movement rather than confining them to one area where they remain relatively stationary.
Another benefit to organic farming is that most organic farms use renewable, clean energy sources, like solar power, wind power and biodiesel. Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel that can be made from natural sources like vegetable oil or animal fat. It is non-toxic and limits environmental pollution.
Here are some interesting articles to learn more about organic farming practices:
- University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program - What Is Sustainable Agriculture?
- Dr. David G. Patriquin: Farms as Ecosystems
Articles and References
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