What is Organic?
Organic is a legally defined and monitored production method for farms and agricultural products. In general, organic agriculture is a system of farming practices that seeks to use ecological methods of production. Its goal is to learn from and mimic natural processes in order to produce the food we eat while also making farmers better stewards of the land. Organic farmers forego the use of certain petro-chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and weed killers in favor of more environmentally benign inputs and techniques.
Organic agriculture combines both old and new ideas and practices to produce healthy, tasty, vitamin-rich crops. In 2002, federal regulations went into effect governing the labeling of foods produced using organic agriculture. These regulations prohibit the use of irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms in organic production. They also prohibit antibiotic and synthetic hormone use in organic meat and poultry, and require 100% organic feed for organic livestock.
The Organic Farming Process
Organic agriculture is a way of working with natural processes to solve some of the problems that all farmers face: weed control, insect pests, soil fertility management, etc. Instead of herbicides (and GMO herbicide-tolerant plants!), organic producers must rely on timely mechanical cultivation, flame-weeding techniques, good old-fashioned hand weeding, or the use of cover crops and mulch to suppress competing weed pressure. Organic farming allows for beneficial populations to co-exist and aid in control, minimizing the negative impacts of the pests to tolerable levels. Providing habitat for the beneficial creatures helps limit the population of the "other guys" while maintaining bio-diversity.
Sometimes farmers intervene with approved organic materials such as BT (bacillus thurigenensis), a bacterium that effects only leaf-eating caterpillars. Fertility of the soil is a key component of organic farming: feed the soil and healthy crops will follow. Compost production is foremost in this strategy to build biologically active soil communities. These in turn support healthy root structures that allow plants to develop to their fullest potential. Other natural enhancements such a ground rock powders are also a way to add and incorporate trace minerals.
Certified Organic
The definition and standards for organic production are legally defined by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, under the National Organic Program. Farms are certified as organic producers to these rigorous standards. Certification groups (both public and private, regional and national) have been accredited by the USDA to perform inspections of organic producers. They verify application of these standards nationwide.
Organic Food: Good For us all!
What does organic mean for the consumer? Fresh organic produce is eagerly sought-out by consumers wishing to reduce and minimize their exposure to the residues from agricultural chemical use. And rightfully so! Studies have found residues in many of the foods we currently consume, the long-term health effects of which are highly suspect. While "organic" is not a "residue-free" claim, it has been demonstrated that by eating organically produced fruits and vegetables, consumers can best avoid and reduce their exposure risk. Buy purchasing organic food, you can:
- Support organic farmers and this environmentally sensitive production method.
- Help move agriculture to more widely adopt these sustainable practices.
- Encourage environmental stewardship of land, water and other resources.
- Protect wildlife and water quality.
- Provide great tasting, healthy food that is assured to minimize exposure to harmful residues.
