Learn About Organic Farming   >  What Does Organic Mean?

Let's Learn About Organic Farming

What Does "Organic" Mean?

Growing food isn't easy. Farmers have to solve some big problems to make sure their plants can grow and thrive. They have to make sure the soil has enough nutrients to "feed" little plants so they will grow to be big, healthy, and good to eat. They have to control bugs and other pests that can attack and eat the plants. And they have to control weeds that can "choke" young plants by taking the space, sunlight, and nutrients they need to grow.

Most farmers in the United States are what we call "conventional farmers." They rely on synthetic (man-made) chemicals and fertilizers to grow their crops. These farming chemicals and fertilizers are not found in nature, and they often build up in the environment, polluting our water and soil. Most of these chemicals remain active for a very long time — long after their job is done. Although these chemicals can solve many farming problems, some of them are not healthy for the environment or for people!

What's Different about Organic Farmers?

Organic farmers grow food differently from conventional farmers — we choose to use nature's ways of solving farming problems. We grow plants without herbicides (weed killers) or fumigants (soil sterilizers). All of our fertilizer (plant food) is natural.

Sometimes we do use some insecticides (insect killers) or fungicides (fungus killers), but only specific ones that are approved for organic farming. And we use them less often than conventional farmers use chemicals on their crops. Substances approved for organic farming are made from naturally-occurring ingredients and are less harmful to people, animals, and the environment. It takes a little more effort to grow food organically, but it's a good way to grow healthy, strong plants.

To enrich the soil, organic farmers plant cover crops, such as bell beans and hairy vetch, that make the soil richer as they grow and when they are tilled under. We also use compost, a natural form of fertilizer that comes from different materials that have rotted away and broken down. We keep pests and diseases away by rotating our crops, which means switching the location of plants each season. We also use natural insect repellents, and we bring in good bugs ("beneficials") that like to eat bad bugs ("pests"). We do most of our weeding with tractors, and also by hand with tools like hoes.

Even though it takes more work, we think farming organically is the healthiest choice. Organic farming helps keep our air, soil, water, and food supply clean. It also keeps the environment healthier for our farm workers and our neighbors. Organic farming helps make healthy food and a healthy planet!

 

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