Organic+Food+-+Sarah+F

=Sarah F's Page- Organic Food=


 * effects of organic farming and production on the environment? Soil? Water? Fuel?**
 * health benefits or organic - are the benefits real?**
 * how can a farm become certified organic?**
 * how can a home gardener work organically?**

// Organic Label //- Guarantees that no genetically modified organisms (gmo) have been used intentionally to produce a particular food.  37,000,000 hectares (0.9% of farm land) = organic farmland  __Some Key Methods of Organic Farming __  · Crop rotation- growing series of different plants in the same area.  o Helps replenish nitrogen  o Keeps away pests  o Keeps soil structure and fertility by switching deep and shallow rooted plants  · Green manure- a cover crop. Is usually grown for a period of time and then plowed into soil  o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Adds nutrients and organic material to soil <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Compost- plant matter that has been decomposed and recycled (old piled up waste) <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Natural pesticide <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Adds humus (or humic acid) <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -13.5pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Biological pest control- limiting pests by incorporating natural enemies <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Conservation, classical biological control, and augmentation <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">On a large scale, it helps ecosystems with… <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">erosion control <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Land/stream reclamation <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Wetland construction <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Landfill cover __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">NO __ <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Fertilizers <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Pesticides <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Plant growth regulators <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Antibiotics <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Food additives <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Genetically modified organisms <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Environmental Benefits __ <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Soil // <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">erosion is decreased <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">biodiversity is increased <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">less nutrient losses <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">helps maintain and enhance soil productivity <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Methods return more carbon to the soil <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Usually renewable resources will provide the soil with nutrients, but sometimes farmers may need to add potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and trace elements from external sources. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Water  // <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reduces the risk of groundwater pollution <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Enhances water infiltration <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Since fertilizers and pesticides are not used, the soil structure and water infiltration is enhanced. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Biodiversity  // <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">“species level”- the different plants increase nutrient and energy cycle <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">“ecosystem level”- the lack of chemicals used provides a better habitat for plants and animals <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The diversity re-colonizes organisms to the land such as pest predators, pollinators, flora and fauna <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Overall Ecological  // <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">soil forming and conditioning <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">soil stabilization <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">waste recycling <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">increased carbon <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">nutrients cycling <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">predation <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">pollination <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">habitats <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Health Benefits __ <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">food has a higher nutrient content <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">no hormones are used on animals, so youth doesn’t hit early puberty <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">smaller risk of pesticide danger <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">no antibiotics or gmo used <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">How a Farm becomes certified __ <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">1. Identify a suitable certifier- must be accredited by the National Organic Program <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">2. Submit an application- includes a fee and questionnaire of the detailed farming plan <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">3. Completeness review- certifier checks the questionnaire <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">4. On-farm inspection- Certifier hires and inspector to do a live judgment of farmland <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">5. Final review- certification committee reviews all the information and either passes, denies, or requests more information <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">A more detailed version: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Home Gardens __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To have a true home garden you must not use any of the methods listed under the “No” section. Most home gardeners make their own home fertilizers through manure and other techniques (as shown in the video below). Many nurseries carry plants that are already have traces of chemicals; therefore, the plants may take time to adjust to the lack of chemicals when moved to an organic garden. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bibliography <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Biological Pest Control." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_pest_control>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Compost." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Crop Rotation." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_rotation>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Green Manure." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manure>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Health Benefits Of Eating Organic." //Organic Foods, A Sensible Approach - Supercharge Healthy Eating//. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://www.mom-going-organic-sensibly.com/health-benefits-of-eating-organic.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program." //ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service//. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/organcert.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Organic Agriculture: What Are the Environmental Benefits of Organic Agriculture?" //FAO: FAO Home//. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. [].