Organic Agriculture

1020 Words3 Pages

Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture is the oldest type of agriculture there is. Many people don't know exactly what has to be done to say that you are farming organically, these days. Organic Agriculture has been increasing in size over the past few years as more people worry about what they are eating. Many people donít know what it exactly means to be farming organically.

The National Organic Standards Boards defines organic agriculture is ìan ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.î (NOSB, 1999)

Many farmers are switching to organic farming for many different reasons. According to Iowa State University, ìOrganic farmers hope to reduce the 240 million pounds of herbicides applied each year in the Midwest.î (February 2002) There are also large premiums paid for organic crops. According to Born and Sullivan, ìPrices for organic grains have been running at double the conventional prices, and organic oilseeds, particularly soybeans, at triple the conventional prices.î (2002)

In order to sell your crops as organic you must be certified. There are many different agencies that do this; the state of Iowa just started a certifying agency. In order for your crop to be certified you must follow certain rules exactly. According to Iowa State University, ìTo sell a crop as organic the crop must have been raised on land that no synthetic chemical ...

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...s want to try make more money.

Works Cited

Bowman, Greg (1997). Steel In The Field-A farmerís guide to weed management tools. Sustainable Agriculture Network, USDA, National Agriculture Library, Beltsville, MD.

Iowa State University (May 2002). Organic Agriculture. Retrieved November 12, 2002, from http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/pubs/PM1880.pdf.

Iowa State University (February 2002). Weed Management for Organic Farmers. Retrieved November 12, 2002, from http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/pubs/PM1883.pdf.

Born, Holly and Sullivan, Preston (February 2002). Marketing Organic Grains. Retrieved November 12, 2002 from http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/marketingorganicgrains.html

The National Organic Standards Board tells the definition of Organic (http://www.organic.org/7/guide/board.html). Retrieved November 12, 2002.

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