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.
trusted cleaning company Bannockburn ..What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
Here is a continuation of the light and darkness metaphor:... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More
I'd like to explain an important concept that most online... Read More
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
luxury cleaning services Lake Forest ..Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
Inflammation is not a disease.Inflammation is best described as a... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Nutrition |