organic agriculture – The Environmental Benefits Of Organic Farming
The Environmental Benefits Of Organic Farming
Modern agriculture often relies on unsustainable practices to produce high yields. These practices include everything from using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to monoculture, which is the planting of a single crop in the same place year after year. These chemical inputs have been linked to human health problems such as cancers, neurological problems, and reproductive disturbances in both humans and animals. Monoculture can deplete soil of specific nutrients, which in turn causes farmers to apply synthetic fertilizers. In Washington State, a 2001 study found that apple orchards had lower soil quality, presumably because apple orchards themselves are essentially monocultures and undergo conventional farming practices such as spraying to prevent insect damage. There is also concern about the threat that conventional agriculture poses to wildlife populations due to the use of pesticides and herbicides, as well as the expansion of croplands into natural habitats.
A national organic program has been created in the United States by the US Department of Agriculture to help consumers identify foods that were grown organically. For a product to be labeled organic it needs to have been farmed naturally and not have pesticides, fertilizers, and synthetic additives used in the farming process. The soil in which the produce is grown cannot contain these chemicals either. Finally, genetically modified organisms are not to be used in the process of organic farming.
Organic farming is more healthful for the environment in that does not rely on pesticides and other synthetic chemicals that remain in the environment as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are toxic to humans and wildlife. Organic farming does not contribute nitrogenous chemicals from fertilizers to waterways, which cause algal blooms, oxygen depletion and the death of aquatic wildlife. Organic agriculture aims to keep a sustainable mineral content in the soil. Smaller organic farms that do not use pesticides are also less intrusive to natural habitats, helping preserve biodiversity.
Organic agriculture also aims to maintain a balanced mineral content in the soil, which yields not only healthier soil but produce with a potentially higher nutrient content, although there is still some disagreement over
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whether organic produce is indeed more nutritious than conventional produce. However, there is evidence that organic produce has a much lower pesticide concentration than non-organic produce. In 2003, a study analyzed urine samples of school children eating a non-organic diet and found the presence of organophosphate pesticides. Organophosphates are known to cause neurological damage in humans and animals, and are commonly used in modern agricultural practices. After eating a diet of organic foods for five days, pesticide levels in the children’s urine dropped to nearly undetectable levels, only to become elevated again after resuming a non-organic diet.
To help reduce toxic pollutants in the environment we need to start using products that are reusable – such a reusable grocery bags, recyclable products or products that can be safely disposed of. We also need to reduce our energy use and use non toxic cleaners or pesticides in our homes and gardens.
By: David Kraft
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
David Kraft is a freelance author that writes about a variety of subjects. He supports eco-friendly living and green products such as organic cotton bags. For more information about eco-friendly living, visit his reusable bags site.
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Tips for Organic Farming
by: Morgan Hamilton
I really surprised myself by becoming involved with organic farming just if you are short years ago, and boy am I glad that I did. I was going through some tough times in my little home. I live in a small ranch style house in the California country, attempting to make a living as a handyman. Work turned out to be a little more scarce than I first had anticipated and times call for a little belt tightening to say the least.
I got a book on organic farming, figuring that if I grew my own food, it would help things along for me. My feeling was that I would use up some of my increasingly abundant free time, save some money on food, and perhaps best of all, began eating more healthy diet. Once more, it would give me a sense of pride. Having something to do keep your mind sound and your spirits from sinking.
I actually have been consuming organic farming for for quite some time, but never really gave it much thought. I guess that I still don’t in some ways. I was doing it in such a small scale that I had no idea how huge in industry organic farming really had become. The large corporate farming interests have to find ways to grow huge fields of the same crop, and they can afford expensive measures to control pests without using any unnatural pesticides. I was again a little different in this respect in that I did not have the expertise or resources to fight the little varmints, so I had to get clever so that my organic farming would not be compromised.
The first thing I had to deal with or slug. Did you realize that peer works great for getting rid of slugs? They are attracted to the liquid itself but are then ironically drowned in it. What you might not realize until you try organic farming, is that there are always more slugs out to ravage your crops. You wouldn’t believe how much of the pain in the butt these little fellas are. But I found that they weren’t even the worst of it. Little bunny rabbits or a huge threat to my organic farming venture. You see, unlike my neighbors,
I never have sprayed my lawn, so I have always had a family of cute little bunnies living in my yard. But there are two things bunnies are known for, and the lesser known one is equally impressive. You wouldn’t believe the voracious appetites on these little guys and gals. As for carrots, it’s not fiction, they really do love them. Organic farming is wonderful but you had better be prepared to roll up your sleeves and put in the work.
About The Author
Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding gardening. You can get interesting and informative information here at http://www.groovygardening.com/gardening-information/gardening-tips/tips-for-organic-farming.html
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