Organic farming is not the same as regular farming. It is more then just the restriction in the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. It is also important that the farm area had been free of synthetics for a period of three years. Certified Organic implies that a set of crop standards must be maintained. A yearly certification process must be initiated including inspection before produce can be “Certified Organic”. This can make certain aspects difficult, such as controlling disease, insects, and weeds.
Organic farming also requires more attention to the soil and the needs of plants. On a small farm organic may not be cost effective and can be labor intensive resulting in a higher cost for produce. Many small farms practice a non certified form of organic farming, based on an honor system. In a capitalist world this system has many detractor. When there is money to be made the honor system goes out the window. When you buy non-certified organic be sure and know the source so you can trust the product.
Organic farming starts with the soil. Farmers must add organic matter and amendments to the soil regularly in order to keep the soil productive. In fact, compost is essential to the healthiness and well being of plants grown organically. Compost can be made from leaves, dead flowers, vegetable scraps, fruit rinds, grass clippings, manure, and many other things. The ideal soil has a dark color, sweet smell, and is full of earthworms. Some soil may need more natural additives than regular compost can give, such as bone meal, rock phosphates, or green sand. A simple soil test will tell you the pH balance and which nutrients you will need to use.
One thing that organic farmers take seriously is insects. Insects account for one of the greatest loss on an organic farm. The best way to defend plants against insects is to take preventative measures. One thing that can be done is to make sure plants are healthy and not too wet or dry because insects usually attack unhealthy plants. Healthy plants can often outgrow minor insect damage. A variety of plant types is a good idea to keep pests of a particular plant type from taking out the entire garden.
Perhaps the best way to defend against insects is to make your garden enticing to insect predators, such as ladybugs, birds, frogs, and lizards. You can do this by keeping a water source nearby or by growing plants that attract insects who feed on nectar. Other ideas are sticky traps, barriers, and plant collars. There are some household items that prevent against insects too, like insecticidal soaps, garlic, and hot pepper. Of course as the garden grows into a farm many method are not cost effective.
To avoid plant disease in organic farming, choose disease resistant plants and plant them in their prime conditions. Many diseases will spread because of constant moisture and bad air circulation, so the site of your farm and the way it is watered can help prevent diseases. This is why many farms use organic chemical to insure plants are healthy. Many organic pesticides work as well as synthetic but they may require more frequent spraying and may not be compatible with other natural methods.
Weeds can be an annoying and a frustrating part of organic farming. Organic mulch can act as a weed barrier. On a small scale put a layer of newspaper, construction paper, or cardboard under the mulch. Many farmers will use weed barriers and plant directly in the barrier. The main problem is how to insure these items are certified organic. Corn meal gluten will slow the growth of weeds if spread early in the season before planting. There’s also the old-fashion art of hoeing and hand pulling that always works. Your best bet in weed prevention is persistence. Mulch well and pull and hoe what you can; after a few seasons you can beat the weeds for good.
Organic farming is an excellent way to assure that your plants will be free and clear of all pesticides and, if taken care of properly, will be as healthy as possible. Organic farming may take a little more time and care than regular farming, but after farmers get the hang of it and figure out all the quirks of their land, it is definitely worth the extra time.
In my area there is an Certified Organic Farm next door. The surrounding neighbor were ask to restrict the use of commercial herbicides and pesticides but there is no legal requirement for them to do so. Now their Organic Certification is based on the farm practices of the neighbors. I practice a non-certified form of organic farming but I can not guarantee that my farm has not been exposed to commercial pesticides or herbicides. But I still try to be organic by restricting the use of non organic commercial products.
On many occasions the utility company has come to the farm on the utility easement, cut the trees, and sprayed them with a herbicide. Unless you are there when they cut the trees and stop them they do what they consider normal and you legally can not stop them. On a certified organic farm all materials with some exceptions must be certified organic. In the real world it is very hard to maintain this standard as you can not control what workers, neighbor, visitor or the wind brings to the farm.
I firmly believe that growing organic is the way to go. It’s important to produce food of the highest quality, but you may not get there by being organic. Certified Organic does not guarantee that the food you produce has higher nutritional content. I read a Harvard Health study that showed little nutrition increase in Organic vs. Standard Farm produced food. The main advantage is the absence of commercial pesticide and herbicide residues. Of course this is a major plus. Then you have to ask the question. Is the health benefit worth the cost? For some it is not and for others it is. But many would like to eat organic but they just can not afford it.
In my opinion the USDA should establish and support a form of natural farming, for lack of a better term. This farming practice should encompass many of the organic farming philosophies but not be so restrictive as to force higher prices. It’s goal should be high crop nutritional value with less use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides. It should entail the restoration of fertile farm land, use less fossil fuel, with protection of water quality. It should be subsidized just like large agrifarming businesses with intent to restore small farms as the mainstay of the country. I am not against large farms but the goal should be nutrition above profit, quality of life above quantity in life. High quality nutritional food should be the right of every citizen. It can be done in a capitalist framework but the playing field must be, equal, leveled and supported.