Organic farming is the production of food using all natural methods - avoiding all synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms. Its' core philosophy is that of sustainability or 'zero impact'. The organic farmer seeks to leave the earth in its' natural state after the harvest.
The focus of organic methods is on soil quality. Crops are grown without artificial fertilizers and pesticides, and livestock is reared free of drugs and hormones. Proponents of organic food believe it produces food with higher quality and nutritional value than conventional chemical-based methods.
Many countries including the US and the EU have certification programs to control the use of the term "Organic". This benefits the consumer by ensuring best practice has been followed. This varies from region to region but includes things like the minimum length of time a field can be left free of chemicals before it is allowed to be used for organic farming.
There are many different styles of organic food production but they all adhere to the same principles:
* no artificial fertilizers or drugs
* no genetically modified organisms
* prevention of soil depletion
* 'bio diversity' - the growing of a range of crops not just a single species.
One recent researcher found that vegetables in the 1950s contained more than eight times as many trace elements as modern crops, which he attributed to the excessive use of nitrate fertilizers. You can read all the latest research at http://www.ge-free.com/
Organic farming has come about as a consumer reaction against the chemical based methods that have been used so widely in 20th century food production. Really though it is simply a formalized definition of traditional agriculture as it has been practiced for thousands of years before 20th century chemicals were invented.
So far, organic farming has been limited to small businesses growing for local markets. Organic farming methods are very expensive compared to their chemical counterparts, and the production yields are low when compared to 'conventional' farming.
Consumers of course are willing to pay a premium for the improved flavor and nutrition value of organic produce but it remains a premium market. This will change as more large scale organic producers enter production.
Most countries now have 'all organic' type food stores in the larger cities. So long as there are people who enjoy healthy living and an alternative to the chemical ridden norm, these businesses will continue to flourish.
Jeremy is the owner of http://www.ge-free.com/ and publisher of Organic News. His site reports on all the latest news and research articles to do with Organic Food.
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
Most people understand that it is wise to limit the... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..Making simple changes to your food diet can help remedy... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts... Read More
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a... Read More
Nutrition |