      Organic Library > The Experts Speak > Otto Kramm Why I Farm Organically: 
by Otto Kramm, Organic Farm Manager I started my farming career as a conventional grower, relying heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. But it puzzled me why, when our organic garden thrived at home, farming on a large scale meant going into battle against nature. I knew the conventional system hadn't been with us forever. All farmers used to farm organically way back when. So when Earthbound Farm offered me a chance to grow organic produce for their company, I jumped at the opportunity. At first it was scary, because conventional agriculture comes with so many solutions to farming problems—potent pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and synthetic fertilizers. In organic farming, challenges such as weed control, fertilization, and pest control must be handled in a way that respects the health and balance of nature. There are no "silver bullets." You can't just follow a sequence of prescribed chemical applications, as conventional farming does. I think of organic farming as a cooperative working relationship with Mother Nature. Conventional farming made me feel like I was just using the land. But with organic, I'm in partnership with the earth to grow the best food possible while making the soil healthier and protecting our delicate ecosystem. I knew I was on the right path when organic farming eased my mind about coming home to my family after a day's work. When I arrived home as a conventional farmer and my two small children would run out to greet me, I'd immediately push them away because I didn't know what chemicals I had on my pants. I might have walked in a field of broccoli that had just been sprayed with pesticides. I was never sure what I was bringing home on my clothes. Would it affect my children ten years down the road? Twenty? Now that I farm organically, when I come home, my kids can run up and give me a big hug. What feels better than that? I'm an organic farmer because I know that nothing's more important than protecting my family and this planet we call home |