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Answers To Your Questions About Organic Farming

Carol asks…

organic farming?

please give me the pros and cons of organic farming, thank you x
thank you everyone. x

Green Thumb answers:

BELLA HAS THE BEST ANSWER FOR THAT

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtE0yKXRJapR5DKU9Yiizo7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080505171652AANKmtM

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There are no cons in the long run at least not for the small farmer ,

I am not talking about Corporate organic farming

The only concern of Corporate farming is profits and the long term health of the Environment( like water supplies and soil) is to them less important nor The bad effects on our
bodies,Because of the chemicals they use .

But this is the short term view,because many lands end up exhausted , Polluted or as desert .

Incas ,Mayas ,Aztecs thought about farming for centuries ,so their vision and application had more depth

Organic is about sustainability
and that means ,both the production and the soil improve with time ,http://byderule.multiply.com/journal/item/4

And It requires Intelligence,knowledge of the elements and plants ,and love for the soil and integrity as well as more labor ,so it seems more expensive, at first .

One begins to get the idea, after a few years ,but it can be
a few hundred ,when one has healthy soil ,without pests , and a fruitful diverse production in a healthy community,when it really makes sense.

PERMACULTURE

Permaculture is the best form of Organic farming because it includes so many other concepts
like land design and water harvesting ,organic pest control ,diversity and guild planting,using and creating energy flows,
mulching ,working with niches ,etc

so first what is Permaculture

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvwzVgiEYEuCyWR5maE2O0_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070621234541AAcarVJ

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aqc9OaSnYsr0K1ea50CmRO3sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070815183923AA8E0NK

how does Permaculture compare to other types of land management

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Arw6NKRkiTGIjTDA58DvDBjsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071021180237AAwlr6Q&show=7#profile-info-uVH3IoTjaa

ORGANIC FARMING

The only real organic farming you can be sure of is if you do it yourself or personally know the people.

.The label Organic sells for more ,and some farmers will adopt the label to make more money.

Some think that not to use chemicals means

organic farming.

Chemicals is cheaper ,because one works with kilos ,pick up trucks and less labor

But real Organic signifies many tons of organic material ,compost ,mulch and so on..so bigger equipment is needed,tractors and trailers big trucks ,and more labor .

In theory pure Organic means no Harmful Chemicals ,no Pesticides ,herbicides or fertilizers ,

But when faced with a plague it is easy to reach for an emergency method ,

And people that set out on Organic Farming face these problems especially in the beginning,

Because Organic pest control,.
Takes time to set up and running,such as producing wasps to combat caterpillars ,breed Chooks ,Silkeys or Bantams(for running or hopping pests) get them living as a component within the concept ,with their shelters etc .
Or encouraging birds to eat caterpillars
the potions made from tobacco ,Lavender,Chilli,etc are a lot quicker.

The production of sufficient compost or to grow for mulch also takes time.

All in all a 100 % Organic situation may take a few years before it is established .

So instant Organic farming is not possible and the change over takes time .

During which time even the best intended person can stoop to half truths.

As to why Organic is better
for the consumer it is of course much healthier.
No nasty chemical to have sterile babies from and a whole range of possible health hazards

For the soil it is much better because the soils gain in quality instead of tiring it out or polluting it

But is is a lot more work . So it takes enthusiast ,a demanding Market and energy to make it happen .

The Ancient agricultural method were Organic because there was nothing else ,and some of this farming has proved to be sustainable after even a thousand years
such as the Inca terraces or the Aztec Chinampas

Modern farming is about cutting costs ,and with less and less labor ,and we are paying the price for that ,
with desertification and a range of illnesses loss of land ,loss of water ,and loss of soil

In Mexico are many examples of sustainable ancient farming ,but the Mexican farmer is very hard headed about taking advice from mere natives
Their invading culture wiped all Native memories of the board including the agriculture

And on top of that It has been and is the Government who is peddling the chemicals as well as high bred seeds to addict the farmer to these products and then control them and profit from them .

In 100 years thousands of species of local seeds have been systematically destroyed .
Everybody must start to produce their own seeds again and preserve indigenous ones that are still around ,because they are hardier and more disease resistant ,even though they may not look as pretty on the shelf -

Why do people prefer Organic

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlVYPF3bcwczStsflWDo1EgAAAAA;_ylv=3?qid=20080505171652AANKmtM

Pesticides

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipYXT_2Inncd.19oS8vfyjsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070605194122AAv6Hzn

you will find more relevant questions and answers here http://byderule.multiply.com/journal/item/5,under Soil,Plants and Permaculture

Sandra asks…

Organic farming on college campus to cut costs?

So, I’m writing a research proposal for English.

We’re supposed to go along the lines of finding ways to promote environmentally friendly living our college campus.

My idea is that our college should devote some of the land (where they’re bulldozing eight dorms) to grow houses and farm land. Organic farming could help promote healthier living, If they develop a class to teach the students about hands-on organic farming, then the university could utilize what is grown for their own use. Not only would students be educated about organic foods and farming, but the university could use these foods and hopefully promote the local economy by buying from our area.

Does this sound decent? Any tips? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Green Thumb answers:

Organic farm land will benefit both students and local community. The aim towards the benefit of both school and community is great. On the other hand, it may be costing schools rather than saving money since organic farming takes a lot of effort to maintain.

So, how about these ideas;

1. Renting farm land out to local organic farmers and associate with them, so that they can assist agriculture classes and provide study materials.

2. Hire local organic farmers to maintain the farm. Students can get hands on experiences and study the farm. Distribute the harvested vegetables to local community. Community can donate to the school to keep the service.

3. Get funded to build a research facility to develop future organic farming methods. Something like this. Http://marukuwato.multiply.com/journal/item/171

Sandy asks…

Where can I find out which companies use organic farming practices?

I’m curious to find out which brands in my pantry and refrigerator use organic farming, fair trade, cruelty-free and other fair and healthy farming/testing practices.

I know theres “Charity navigator” to see which charities are legitimate, is there a similar navigator for foods and products?

Green Thumb answers:

Not that I know of, but all organic foods are labeled as such…they have to be by law. It should state ‘certified organic’ somewhere on the package, label, or sticker as demanded by the FDA.

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