This document provides information about organic and conventional farming. It begins with an agenda for a class comparing organic and conventional farming. It then discusses the differences between the two methods, including the use of pesticides, livestock practices, and soil quality. The document outlines the principles and requirements for organic certification. It also discusses the pros and cons of organic farming as well as statistics on organic farming. In the end, it provides references used throughout the document.
3. Objective
• Students will learn the
differences between organic
and conventional farming.
• Students will learn what makes
something organic.
• Students will demonstrate their
current and gained knowledge
through a pre- and post-test.
4. What is the Difference Between
Organic and Conventional
Farming?
6. What is Organic Farming?
• Organic farming is a natural form of farming that
uses no pesticides or chemicals. It relies on
procedures such as crop rotation, green manure,
and compost.
• “Organic” is a labeling term showing that the
agricultural product was produced through
approved methods.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/organic/whatdoyoumean.aspx
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop
7. History
• Until 1920’s, all agriculture was
generally organic.
• Changed dramatically during
WWII
• 1939: Development of DDT led
to dismissal of organic methods
• “Be Natural” movement of the
60’s and 70’s
• Organic Foods Production Act
(OSPA) of 1990
• 2007: 13,000 organic producers in
US
http://theorganicsinstitute.com/organic/history-of-the-organic-movement/
http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Bulletins/Transitioning-to-Organic-Production/Text-Version/History-of-Organic-Farming-in-the-United-States
http://www.ofrf.org/organic-faqs
8. Methods
• Biodynamic
– Related to lunar and planetary phases
– Plant and mineral bases preparations
• The Rodales
– Reduced pesticide exposure
– Produce nutrient vegetables
• Biointensive
– Growing organic produce meant to build the soil
– Gain high yields per unit area of produce
• Natural Farming
– Build soil through use of compost
– Little to no cultivation
http://www.safs.msu.edu/soilecology/pdfs/OrganicFarming.htm
9. 4 Principles
http://www.ifoam.org/en/organic-landmarks/principles-organic-agriculture
• The Principle of Health
– Sustain and enhance the health of the soil, plants
animals, humans, and the planet as one
• The Principle of Ecology
– Based on living ecological systems, working with
them, emulating them and helping to sustain them
• The Principle of Fairness
– Builds on relationships that ensure fairness with
regard to the environment and life
• The Principle of Care
– Managed in a precautionary and responsible manner
to protect the health and well-being of current and
future generations and the environment
10. Organic Requirements: Crops
• 3 years with no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or
GMOs)
• Implementation of an Organic System Plan with
proactive fertility systems
• Use of natural inputs and/or approved synthetic
substances
• No prohibited substances
• No GMOs
• No sewage, sludge, or irradiation
• Use of Organic seeds, when commercially
available
• Use of organic seedlings for annual crops
• Restrictions on use of raw manure and compost
• Maintenance of buffer zones
• No residues of prohibited substances exceeding
5% of the EPA tolerance
http://agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/organic/Certificate/2006/OrganicRequirementsSimplified.pdf
11. Organic Requirements: Livestock
• Implementation of an Organic Livestock Plan
• Mandatory outdoor access
• Access to pasture for ruminants
• No antibiotics, growth hormones, slaughter
byproducts, or GMOs
• 100% organic feed and approved feed
supplements
• Sound animal husbandry and preventative
health care
• Organic management from last third of
gestation or 2nd day after hatching
• No rotating animals between organic and non-
organic management
http://agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/organic/Certificate/2006/OrganicRequirementsSimplified.pdf
12. Organic Requirements: Processing
• No commingling/contamination of organic
products
• Implementation of an Organic Handling Plan
• No use of GMOs or irradiation
• Proactive sanitation and facility pest
management
• Use of organic agricultural ingredients
• Use of approved label
http://agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/organic/Certificate/2006/OrganicRequirementsSimplified.pdf
13. Organic Farming Statistics
Total Food and Beverage Represented by Organic Food 4%
Total Percentage of Organic Food sold by Mass Market Retailers 54%
Total size of Organic Cropland in the U.S. 3.92 hectares
Total annual Global Organic Sales $64.9 billion
Total amount of California Organic Cropland 460,000 acres
Percentage of total U.S. organic cropland .6%
Total Percent of Organic Dairy Cows 2.9%
Total amount of U.S. Certified-Organic Farms in 50 states 14,540
Total amount of surface area covered by Certified-Organic Farms 4.1 million acres
Percent of Organic Food sales that take place 100 miles or less from an Organic Farm 44%
Percent of Organic Food sold directly through Organic Farm Stands 7%
http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/business.html
14.
15. Conventional Farming
• According to the USDA,
conventional farms, or “factory
farms,” make use of:
• rapid technological innovation
• large-scale farms
• single crops grown year round
• uniform high-yield hybrid crops
• extensive use of pesticides
• Confined and concentrated livestock
systems
• While these may sound like good
things, they have proven to be
harmful to produce, livestock,
consumers, and the environment
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/terms/srb9902.shtml
16. Organic Farming vs. Conventional Farming
(continued)
Conventional livestock are
kept in crowded, dirty, and
enclosed environments
while Organic livestock are
given plenty of space, open
air, and fresh grass to graze
on.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOPOrganicStandards
17. Organic Farming vs. Conventional Farming
Soil quality is one of the biggest differences between
Conventional and Organic crops because nutrients in
the soil are passed on to the plants.
Use of pesticides is a more official difference
between the two agricultural methods; the USDA
requires that organic farms be pesticide free.
Conventional farms, meanwhile, use over 1
billion pounds of pesticide a year in America
(National Center for Biotechnology
Information).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946087/
18. Organic food is better for your body, right down to an
elemental level:
Tomatoes
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
Calcium Magnesium Potassium
Organic
Conventional
http://theforgivingbody.com/organic-farming-vs-organic-farming/
19. Organic food is better for your body, right down to an
elemental level:
Lettuce
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
Calcium Magnesium Potassium
Organic
Conventional
http://theforgivingbody.com/organic-farming-vs-organic-farming/
20. Misconceptions About Organic Farming
• Misconceptions:
– “True” organic farming
• Small scale
• Open air
• Animals graze; they are
not fed
• Does not use ANY
artificial chemicals
• Not owned by a
corporation
– Organic produce
availability
• Many Americans believe
that you can’t find organic
produce; this is not true.
http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/02/moses-board-petition/
21. Organic Produce Availability
• Farmers Markets
– Gives urban communities access to
organic produce and meat from
nearby farms.
– Gives organic farmers a place in
the city to sell their products
• Gardens
– In addition to selling meat and
produce, many organic farmers will
sell seeds
– You can create a garden for these
seeds in your own home
(backyards, porches, and
windowsills are great spots for a
garden)
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/whats-a-cfm.html
22. Pros of Organic Farming
• Aims to produce food while establishing an ecological
balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems.
• Reduces non-renewable energy use by decreasing
agrochemical needs (these require high quantities of
fossil fuel to be produced).
• Plants will grow healthier and richer in color
• No pesticides or chemicals
• More nutrients
• Better taste
http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/
http://healthresearchfunding.org/organic-farming-pros-cons/
http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/advantages_and_disadvantages_organic_farming.html
http://organic-center.org/reportfiles/Taste2Pager.pdf
23. Cons of Organic Farming
• Organic foods are often 20% higher in cost, if not
more, and many families simply cannot afford that.
• Organic foods have a lower production ratio, and
often have less environmental resistance.
• Specific organic produce only grows in the specific
food’s season, organic food often times cannot be
bought year round.
• Organic food uses no pesticides the crops are far
more susceptible to disease and pests.
http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/
http://healthresearchfunding.org/organic-farming-pros-cons/
http://www.nrec.org.uk/organic-farming/
24. Why Should You Care About Organic
Farming
• Healthier overall
• There are no contaminants such as GMO’s,
pesticides, weedicides, and other chemicals
• Without the use of chemicals, natural water sources
aren’t contaminated
• Less toxins are released into the air which helps the
Earth and the environment
http://www.greencalgary.org/images/uploads/File/Top10_Organics.pdf
http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/gm/harmful.html
25. Where to Purchase Organic Produce
• Certified Farmers' Markets of Sacramento
– Sunrise Station: Folsom and Sunrise Blvd
– Country Club Plaza: Butano Drive Parking Lot
– Laguna Gateway Center: Laguna and Big Horn Blvd
– State Parking Lot: 8th and W St
– Florin Sears Store: Florin Rd. and 65th St.
• Oak Park Farmers Market
– McClatchy Park: 35th St and 5th Ave
• West Sacramento Farmers Market
– 1271 West Capitol Ave
