     Organic Farming 101 > Fertilization Organic Farming 101: Fertilization 
Organic Farmers Create Nutrient-Rich Soil Without Chemical Fertilizers When most people think about the difference between conventional farmers and organic farmers, they think of chemical pesticides. Ask an organic farmer about the cornerstone of organic farming, and their answer will always be "creating rich, healthy soil." Proper preparation and stewardship of the soil is the foundation of organic farming — to a large degree, that's what makes it possible to grow crops without relying on the many chemicals used in conventional farming. Developing Healthy, Fertile Soil the Organic Way At Earthbound Farm, we think about how plants will be nourished well in advance of planting time. We make sure our soil is rich in "organic matter," the part of the soil that is comprised of anything that once lived, including plants and soil organisms. Fields high in organic matter have less soil erosion, retain water better, and release nutrients more slowly into the soil for natural, healthy plant growth. Every time crops are harvested or weeds pulled, nutrients and organic matter are withdrawn from the soil. If they're not replaced, the soil is eventually depleted of the very resources plants need to flourish. Healthy soil, rich in organic matter, is "alive" with microorganisms. These vital organisms break down nutrients to make them available to plants, making the soil more fertile and helping control soil-based plant pathogens (see Disease Control). At Earthbound Farm, we build the fertility of our soil in a variety of ways:
The Costs of Using Synthetic Fertilizers Conventional farmers rely on various chemical fertilizers to nourish their crops. These synthetic fertilizers provide more precise and immediate control over the growth rates of crops, at a cost. Synthetic fertilizers can pollute the environment when they're manufactured and leach into our water supply after they're applied. Most synthetic fertilizers are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and they require a lot of energy to produce. Organic farming preserves natural resources by recycling and using renewable materials. At Earthbound Farm, most of the materials we use to increase soil fertility are recycled byproducts from other industries that might otherwise go to waste. A principal ingredient of Earthbound Farm's compost is plant parts left over after harvest. We may also use pelletized feather meal, pelletized chicken manure, fish slurry, and pelletized bat and seabird guano. This ingredient list may sound unappealing, but utilizing these waste products enables us to grow healthy plants without the use of petroleum-based fertilizers. Slower-Growing Organic Plants Have a Longer Shelf-Life and Lower Nitrate Levels?? When it comes to the final product you buy in the grocery store, all the organic farmer's hard work really pays off. Plants fed with synthetic fertilizers can actually grow too fast, creating cellular material which is thinner than that of more slowly growing organic plants. This means that if both products are handled correctly, our organic salads actually have a longer shelf life than their conventional counterparts. Organically produced foods have also demonstrated lower levels of pesticide residues and, in many cases, lower nitrate content:
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