Organic Farming

Organic Farming

Organic Farming is a form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control.

Introduction

History

The organic farming concept developed in the period prior to 1940 and was pioneered by Sir Albert Howard. The Federal Organic Foods Production Act passed in 1990. In 2002, the official label was set as USDA Certified Organic.

Industries

- Natural Marketing Instatute- Health and Wellness Trends Database

How does it apply to biology?

The level of biodiversity that can be yielded from organic farming provides a natural capital to humans. Species found in most organic farms provides a means of agricultural sustainabliity by reducing amout of human imput.

Impaction on Agriculture

Agriculture imposes negative externalitiies upon society through land and other resource use, biodiversity loss, pesticides, subsidy payments, and assorted other problems. Positive externalities include self-reliance, respect for nature, and air quality. Organic mehtods reduce some of these costs.

How does it affect you?

- PARSIFAL studied children with an anthroposophical lifestyle and were found to have less allergies and a lower body weight compaired with a group consuming conventionally produced foods.Organic foods make your living healthier.

New and Innovative

The main results show that organic farmers have little technology in product form. The main innovations that enable competitive advantage or allow higher labor productivity occur in the form of processes, organization and marketing.

FUN FACTS!

"Organic" is a wayof growing agricultural products or raising livestock. The processes used uphold the intergirty of the farm and follow a high set of standards that guarantees specific practices that are used for food and non-food products.

Packages that contain the USDA Organic seal may have up to 100% organic ingredients included.

Products labeled "organic" may reflect higher prices because the production process is often on a smaller scale with more labor- and management-intensive practices and stricter regulations.