Organizations and practices supporting organic farming

Differences in organic farming methods

Preface

Organic or naturally grown farming is sustainable farming that produces soil unlike chemical based farming which reduces the soil and does not last. There are many organizations globally that certify the product in such a way that it does not harm the environment and strives to preserve or improve soil fertility, soil makeup and farm durability. There are various organizations and practices that support this type of farming. Major methods and organizations in the United States include certified organic, certified naturally grown, naturally grown, and conventional farming using a number of state-level organic methods and organizations, such as the Organic Association of Kentucky. Blueberries are especially suitable for organic growth because they have some natural enemies.

Organic farming methods combine the power of modern technology and traditional farming with ecology to create effective agricultural techniques that give high yields of healthy crops without harming the environment. The aim is to maintain a natural ecological balance throughout the farming process. It removes all synthetic substances from the equation to reach the organic matter which is free from any chemical residues that may be harmful to the health of the consumer. Even genetically modified organisms are not entertained. Every decision is carefully taken from the location of the field to the type of seed to be planted.

Crop diversity

Crop diversity is the most popular among organic farming methods. It is also called polyculture in which different species of crops are grown on the same piece of land. Different types of plants absorb different nutrients and release them in and out of the soil. Cultivation of various crops maintains soil fertility. Cultivation of different plants provides a basis for a variety of beneficial insects, wild plants and microorganisms that increase biodiversity. In contrast to traditional farms, only one species of plant is planted on the soil so that they have to use only the same type of fertilizer and the same type of machinery which will reduce all the production costs.

Farm size

Farm size is also one of the popular organic farming methods. Organic farms use smaller sized farms because they are relatively easy to maintain without the help of machines. Small yards allow a variety of crops to be grown on the field at the same time. This makes crop rotation more efficient and increases biodiversity. Due to the large size of the field, organic farmers may need to avoid the machine as much as possible because the machine needs fuel, and pollution occurs when the fuel ignites. This is why organic farms are often kept in small quantities.

Soil fertility

Soil fertility is a very important factor for organic farming practices. Organic farms revolve around the maintenance of natural nutrient cycles in the soil. Organic farmers allow organic matter to return to the earth naturally and become fertilizer for plants. Soil fertility is important for sustainability as it ensures that the farm can continue to function effectively as a farm even after several decades. Traditional farms, on the other hand, greatly compromise soil durability. Traditional farmers constantly spoil the soil nutrition with various artificial substances applied to their crops. After a few years the soil is not nutritious and becomes barren and is no longer able to support agricultural crops.

Organizations and practices supporting organic farming

Organic or certified organic

Organic certification is the process of certification of food producers labeled organic and other organic agricultural products. Organic is a legal term that the government uses to certify that it is taking organic crops. The word "organic" actually means. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, it is "certified organic." In the United States, organic production is a system that is governed by the rules of Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) and Title 7, Part 205 of the Code of Federal Regulation, "Organic food" is a food that adheres to organic standards. Way. This includes keeping costs and detailed records which is very expensive for many small farmers and involves it being practical even if they use organic methods to grow their crops. According to the USDA's National Organic Program, you cannot sell a product labeled as organic unless you have an organic certificate.

Certified Natural Growth (CNG)

CNG is a grassroots certification program especially for small farmers. A certified naturally grown network is a farmer-to-farmer certification nonprofit process that provides farmers with a low-cost alternative to USDA organic certification. The CNG certification standardization process is based on the USDA's National Organic Program but with some exceptions, including better livestock living conditions and more explicit access to pasture requirements. Certified is a naturally occurring self-regulating program that is not affiliated with or approved in any way by the USDA's National Organic Program.

Certified Naturally Grown, a non-profit alternative certification program designed for small-to-large, direct-market farmers using natural methods.

Many farmers in almost all states are members of and use certified naturally grown labels.

Certified Naturally Grown was created to give customers another way to guarantee that strict growing practices were followed. CNG works to support the organic movement by removing financial barriers to certification that tend to exit small direct marketing farms, while maintaining high standards for natural growth production methods.

The certification of CNG is based on the highest principles and standards of organic farming. The CNG program requirements are realistic and reasonably priced, and many farmers find the farmer-to-farmer inspection process itself a useful learning experience because it involves other people around you with whom you can exchange information and conduct investigations instead of using government inspectors.

Naturally grown

Some farms prefer not to apply for organic certification or certified naturally grown, but adopt organic methods to increase their yield. These farmers prepare food grown using organic methods but are not allowed to use the word organically grown when marketing their products. In some cases restrictions for the growth of some growers may seem too restrictive in the eyes of some growers. For example, one of the restrictions on certified organic or certified natural ripening is that no chemical produced can be used, whether it is toxic or non-toxic. This is usually a good strategy but in some cases it may seem more restrictive in practical daily application. Ammonium sulphate, for example, is naturally available in the form of a mineral called mascanite found in volcanic fumaroles. But since it is usually manufactured, it is not allowed to use it as it falls in the category of manufactured product.

Ammonium sulfate and itself is toxic and can provide the nitrogen needed for plant growth, and its use in the case of blueberry plants also helps maintain a low pH in the soil. Ammonium sulfate is listed as an ingredient for many vaccines in the United States. Ammonium sulfate is also a food additive. It never falls short of the range of products produced if it is organic certified and cannot be used.

Transitional

Organic certification and Certified Naturally Grown standards are very stringent, and it frequently takes years for a farm to get them, because all the pesticide and chemical residue from the soil is slowly broken down and leached away. 

Conventional

Conventional farming does not automatically have to be as harsh on the environment as large-scale chemical agriculture. There are a lot of small farms around the world that use chemicals in moderation when needed and that otherwise follows good guideline in the care of their environments. 

Biodynamic

Biodynamic farming is a method based on the work and lectures of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924. It is a method of agriculture seeking to actively work with the healthy forces of nature. In addition to natural grown organic practices such as composting and crop rotation, biodynamic farmers rely on particular plant, animal and mineral measures. It is the oldest method of non-chemical agricultural and predates the organic agriculture interest groups by some 20 years and now extends all over the world. 

Grass-Fed / Pasture-raised

The diet of pasture-raised animals consists of freshly grazed as opposed to being held in confinement and fed chiefly grains. During the growing season they graze on pasture and in the winter months on stored grasses (hay or grass silage) or in drought conditions they can also be feed stored hay or grass silage. Grass feeding poultry and livestock is the traditional method of raising farm cattle, sheep, goats and free range chickens, is an ecologically sustainable, humanitarian, practice. It produces nutritious eggs, meat, and dairy.