A Brief Historical Account Of Organic Farming - News and Society

The availability of certified organic products in our stores could appear to be a relatively new occurence, but organic farming has existed for more than a thousand years, so the idea is plainly nothing new. Artificial fertilizers and agri-chemicals are in use now, but this isn?t the way farming began. Pest management using artificial chemicals started with the discovery of DDT in 1939.. The hybridization of plants which lead to the development of new types of wheat and rice, combined with the utilization of fertilizers and irrigation lead to large increases in yield. This was all part of what?s been called the green revolution and influenced the production of fruit and veggies also. Notwithstanding the successfulness of DDT in prevention crop damage by pests, DDT was banned by the US government in the 1960s, and organic methods of farming were re-introduced.

The environmental movement that arose after the publication of Rachel Carson?s ?Silent Spring? in 1962 encouraged gardeners and farmers in the 1960?s and 1970?s to reconnect with the land and get more attuned to nature. In 1972, the World Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) was established. Then, during the 1970s and 1980s relations started to form between organic farmers, especially in Europe and the United States. Growing commodities organically can be appealing as it is recognized more natural and benign toward nature.

Organic agriculture in effect not just the removal of agri-chemicals from farming techniques, but also results in using tactics like covering crops, revolving crops for the purpose of enriching the soil and allowing for rest and regeneration. Feeding the soil in this way, helps the plants grow in a habitat defended from plant diseases and pests naturally, without depending on manmade insecticides or the fertilizers utilized in non-organic farming.

Just as organic farming does not make allowances for the use of fertilizers and pesticides, the plants, to be certified organic, can?t grow from seeds that?ve been genetically adapted (GMO?s) or with the application of artificial herbacides. Animals also can?t be fed derivatives of other animals or kept in cages that block their access to fresh air and socialization with other animals. Organic growers eliminate animal waste material in a way that will keep the air and water conditions safe from contamination. Besides practicing organic growing and treating their animals humanely, organic farmers advance biodiversity.

Organic producers select what crops to grow based primarily on the climate and soil of where their farm is found and are probably going to grow several different types of crops during any growing season. The reason behind this kind of farming is to guarantee natural growing cycles, preclude the erosion of the soil, conserve water and energy, and protect the wildlife, watersheds and river banks, all of which protect the environment by lessening CO2 emissions that have been connected to causing global rises in temperature.

Fundamentally, organic agriculture can be described as the elimination of the artificial chemicals that agricultural supply companies have invented that are harmful to the natural environment. Organic farming opts for an approach toward production that includes only the resources that are provided by nature.. You can click here to learn more about some useful solutions that come from natural sources.

Steve Vanwoude often contributes to blogs on the subjects of organic agriculture and safe control methods for a variety of issues that can negatively impact the natural farming community. Organic agricultural producers can discover a number of safe, toxic residue free solutions at a website called EnviroSelects.

Source: http://www.gongyifair.org/a-brief-historical-account-of-organic-farming.html

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