Organic Agriculture Flashcards
Organic Agriculture is based on principles of
health
ecology
fairness
care
Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of
soils
ecosystems
people
Organic Agriculture relies on
ecological processes
biodiversity
local conditions
Organic Agriculture is agriculture that fits into and benefits from
nature’s system
Theme of Organic Culture
Produce high quality, safe food in a manner that tends to preserve the integrity and stability of the biotic community and builds, or at least sustains the inherent productive capacity of the soil and biological resources used in the production process
History of Organic Movement
1915-20s Rudolf Steiner - anthroposophy - spiritual science, later biodynamic farming
1940, Sir Albert Howard published An Agricultural Testament, advocating that Britain preserve the ‘cycle of life’
50s, J.J. Rodale (US) health and nutrition
1960s, the Soil Association opened selling organic produce (England)
60s saw an interest in organic techniques grow throughout Europe and the United States
1990, Federal government set standards for the production, processing, and certification of organic food in the organic food production act of 1990
National Organic Standards Board established by this act
Recent years have seen impressive economic growth
Organic Production Today
106 million acres in production worldwide, sales $72 billion
2 million producers in 170 countries
rise in demand 10% per year
Top 10 Organic Producing Countries
Australia Argentina China USA Spain Italy Uruguay France India Germany
Organic Farming Trends
one of the fastest growing sectors of American agriculture
provides ~2% of food supply, occupies <0.5% of cropland
fruits and vegetables = 43% of market
meat, fish and poultry = 1% but is fastest growing (+30%/year)
44% of sales at grocery stores, 47% at independent stores, 9% at farmer markets, restaurants
organic dairy sales are growing segments
What drives the appeal of organic farming
environmental concerns health concerns economic concerns ethics sustainability of food systems
Why might organic foods be better
pesticide residues in foods antibiotic drug residues food safety genetically engineered foods the environment loss of rural societies
Principles of Sustainable Agriculture are Basis of Organic Farming
Preserve the capacity of the land to meet the needs of humans and other species (ecology)
preserve farming as an economically viable occupation and a rewarding lifestyle (economy)
preserve the integrity of rural communities (society)
Soil characters are Basis of Organic Farming
soil quality = plant health, yield and quality
-strong relation to soil biology and crop
soil is a “organism”, living soil
-eats
-breathes
-circulates fluids and nutrients
-reproduces itself
Five Principles and Practices in Organic Production
Biodiversity Diversification and integration Natural plant nutrition Natural pest management Integrity
Biodiversity in Organic Agriculture
“hedges your bet” on pests, climate, etc.
with diverse crop mixes and animal diversity
intercropping, companion planting, rotation, beneficial habitats
balanced ecosystem
pollination, pest management, nutrient cycling, disease suppression, tilth, nitrogen fixation