The
Benefits of Organic Farming
If you're
interested in organic farming but aren't sure how to go about it, this article
can help. Here, you'll find useful information on starting an organic farm
business, from how to apply for organic certification to raising organic fruits
and vegetables managing organic livestock growing organic herbs, and more.
So, if
you’re looking to start an organic farm business or just want more information
on the subject, keep reading!
What is
Organic Farming ?
Farmers use
natural and organic farming practices to grow plants and raise animals. These
methods avoid or reduce chemical use and are good for both farm animals,
plants, and people who eat them.
The U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program offers a set of standards
on what can be labeled as organic.
To be
certified as organic, farmers must follow specific rules that aim to protect
farmworkers, consumers, rural communities, and wildlife. Here are some benefits
Animal
Welfare
In most
cases, a vegan or vegetarian diet is better for animal welfare than an
omnivorous one. The debate around factory farming has raged for decades and is
unlikely to end soon, but that doesn't mean you can't make your own decisions
about how animals are treated.
Choosing to
eat less meat, eggs, and dairy products reduces demand for these products and
help protect farmed animals from cruelty.
Wildlife
and Ecosystem Protection
The use of
pesticides and chemical fertilizers in conventional farming can have serious
consequences for local wildlife.
Not only
can toxic runoff from farms contaminate nearby lakes and streams, but it can
also kill fish and other aquatic life forms, or reduce their ability to
reproduce.
Likewise,
conventional farmland can destroy habitat for birds and animals who live off
insects that might otherwise have been controlled by natural predators.
For
example, if a farmer relies on insecticides to control caterpillars eating his
crops, he may also kill a bird species that feed on caterpillars during its
migration through his area.
As our
understanding of ecology improves and alternative methods are developed, more
farmers are switching to organic farming techniques that offer numerous
benefits to people as well as animals.
Food
Quality and Safety
Food produced with organic farming practices is grown without pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals.
As a
result, it's usually higher in nutrients than conventionally-grown foods. The
difference shows up when scientists compare the nutrient content of organically
grown produce to conventionally-grown produce from similar geographic regions
and weather conditions.
For
example, according to research compiled by Cornell University Food Science:
Vitamin C levels are 20 percent higher in organic broccoli, 37 percent higher
in organic cauliflower and 70 percent higher in organic peppers.
Minerals
such as calcium and magnesium are significantly higher in organically-grown
lettuce (32% for both).
Fatty acids
also showed dramatic differences between organic and conventional agriculture
including 10 times more omega-3 fatty acids and two times more vitamin E among
others.
Organic Agriculture Promotes Good Soil Health
The
chemical industry and big agriculture say that conventional farming is
necessary to feed an ever-growing population.
The truth
is that we don't have to rely on chemicals for healthy soil it's chemicals that
kill soil microbes.
But organic
agriculture promotes microbial activity on earth, which ensures a rich
environment for plant growth.
In
addition, conventional farming leads to climate change because it requires so
much energy and water.
The carbon
footprint of one conventionally farmed pound of beef (approximately 36 pounds)
is equivalent to driving 45 miles in an average gas-powered car and eating two
pounds of non-organic meat every day for a year.
Protects
Water Quality, Quantity, Accessibility
The health
of our planet depends on having access to clean, potable water. As we grow our
food supply, conventional farming methods can have a devastating effect on
local water supplies.
Practices
like over-fertilization and runoff into local waterways cause issues like
eutrophication and algal blooms.
These
processes can rob large bodies of water (like rivers) of oxygen, killing off
fish populations or turning them into dead zones.
The
long-term effects may also be irreversible; what looks clean today may not be
safe for human consumption in just a few years.
Organic
farming is much less likely to pollute nearby bodies of water because it relies
more heavily on crop rotation, which keeps fields fertile and provides good
drainage for excess fertilizer or moisture.
Preserves Biodiversity, Genetic Diversity, Wild Species
When a particular crop is grown using organic methods, it’s unlikely that pesticides and other harmful chemicals will be used.
This has a
direct benefit to non-target organisms that live in, on, or around soil (such
as earthworms) and species living in surrounding habitats (such as birds).
By growing
crops organically, farmers can also ensure their seeds aren’t genetically
modified, which could affect neighboring ecosystems.
Growing
crops organically preserve genetic diversity by helping to ensure all types of
plant varieties are maintained and cultivated.
For
example, when pesticides are used in a garden setting, there’s a chance they
may kill beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees but not pests like
aphids; using organic methods means you won’t need pesticides at all!
Reduce
the Use of Synthetic Pesticides, Fertilizers, etc.
By growing
food organically, we're not exposed to potentially harmful synthetic
pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals.
We also
eliminate risks associated with genetically modified foods. While these are
more complex issues than we can get into here, eating organic is a great way to
reduce your exposure to potentially harmful substances. Plus, it tastes better!
Farmers
have more control over their crops
One major
benefit of organic farming is that it’s more controlled and allows farmers to
be in more control over how their crops are farmed.
Farmers can
use natural fertilizers and take advantage of beneficial insects for
pollination. Since synthetic pesticides aren’t used, pests aren’t as common on
organic farms and have a harder time spreading disease.
Organic
farmers typically don’t have to deal with weeds since they use cover crops or
tillage instead of herbicides.
Improves
Living Conditions for Farmers and Their Families
Studies
have shown that organic farming results in increased quality and safety of
food, cleaner air and water, and greater biodiversity.
In
developing countries where pesticides are often used to boost yields on
conventional farms, farmers and their families can face a high risk of exposure
to toxins which are both costly to treat as well as tragic for those suffering
from long-term health effects.
Fortunately,
organic farms rely on natural fertilizers such as manure or compost. Not only
does organic food taste better than its chemically treated counterpart (as
revealed by a recent study) but it’s also safer for you to consume.