Organic+Food+-+Melanie

=Melanie's Page=


 * Vocabulary**

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Organic: pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers orpesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguishedfrom manufactured chemicals: organic farming; organ ic fruits ===== Natural: having undergone little or no processing and containing no chemical additives: natural food; natural ingredients.Compare organic Persistent: lasting or enduring tenaciously Bioaccumulation: to build up within the tissues of organisms

Environment: "some pesticides damage the environment or with direct exposure, human health. The five main pesticides used in organic farming are Bt (a bacterial toxin), pyrethrum, rotenone, copper, and sulphur. Fewer than 10% of organic vegetable farmers acknowledge using these pesticides regularly; 5.3% of vegetable growers will admit rotenone use; while 1.7% admit pyrethrum use."
 * Effects on the: **

Soil: "Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients and symbiotic relationships with fungi and other organisms to flourish, but getting enough nitrogen, and particularly synchronization so that plants get enough nitrogen at the right time, is likely the greatest challenge for organic farmers."

Water: Wherever possible, organic farmers seek to retain natural water resources, such as streams and wetlands, while actively reducing runoff through:


 * Improving soil structure and its water retention capacity through practices such as a multi-annual crop rotation, appropriate plant selection and organic manure use
 * Planting and retaining hedges, meadows and natural vegetation to reduce soil erosion

Fuel: The elimination of synthetic nitrogen in organic systems decreases fossil fuel consumption by 33 percent and carbon sequestration takes CO2 out of the atmosphere by putting it in the soil in the form of organic matter which is often lost in conventionally managed soils.

-rich in nutrients -higher in antioxidants -lower levels of mycotoxin -beneficial fatty acids (from meat and dairy)
 * Health Benefits: **
 * Health Benefits: **

**Become Certified Organic:** Steps: __1. Identify a suitable certifier:__ can be operated by a state agriculture department, or private entities, but have to be accredited by the National Organic Program. __2. Submit an application:__ the producer should request a copy of the certifier's organic standards and an application packet, which typically includes an organic farm plan questionnaire: information about the farm or ranch, including details about soil fertility planning, seeds and seedlings, weed and pest management practices (including the materials one plans to use), and storage and handling routines. Required: farm maps and crop and input histories for fields. __3. Completeness Review:__ signed when complete and complies with NOP organic standards __4. On-Farm inspection:__ inspector looks for all indications that the producer is operating according to their organic plan and is in compliance with organic standards: fields, farm implements, and buildings; reviews borders and adjoining land use; and assesses contamination and commingling risks. nspector reviews all written records documenting management practices, seed sources, inputs used, compost production, conventional production done on the farm, and records of harvest, storage, transportation, and sales __5. Final Review:__ outcomes: approval for organic certificate, request for additional information, notification of noncompliance, or denial of certification.

**Organic Home Garden:** __//1. Goal Setting://__ a pretty planting bed? vegetable garden? make sure your goals are realistic, small and manageable to start with. __//2. Site Selection://__ for herb or vegetable garden you need a site that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day, make sure the site drains well. for a flower bed, put it somewhere you can enjoy it from inside your house. observe your picked site and see how many hours of sun it gets and type of soil. //__3. Creating the Bed__:// decide on the size and shape of your garden. completely clear the garden site. __//4. Amend the Soil://__ make sure the soil is good; add compost and maybe send soil samples to get them tested. __//5. Plant Selection://__ most nurseries have plants grown using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, however, you can find organically-grown plants in home and garden centers. you can also start to grow your own plants from seeds if you start early in the season. before bringing any plant home, inspect it for insect or diseases, also inspect the root system. __//6. Planting://__ when you get the plants home, water them, even before planting. to plant, dig a hole as deep but twice as wide and then backfill with the soil u removed and water thoroughly __//7. Labeling://__ allows you to remember exactly what you planted

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Mrs. Van Meter's comments on the above video. //** This is mandatory viewing for everyone!! Although in UK it's the "Soil" certification, a similar process happens to get that USDA organic seal. Pay attention to the function of the geese on the farm as well as the use of the flowers. **//

Resources for Organic Products: Pressure Rises to Stop Antibiotics in Agriculture (abcnews) Polyface Farm A Call to Make All Food Organic (Philadelphia Inquirer) Why Choose Organic Polyface Farm

Works Cited "IFOAM | Growing Organic | Environmental Benefits of Organic AgriculturePositive Benefits for Society and for Nature." International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . "Nutritional Considerations." Organic Trade Association. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . "Organic Farm Certification & The National Organic Program." ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . "Organic Farming." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . Vanderlinden, Colleen. "Start a New Organic Garden - How to Start a New Organic Garden." Organic Gardening. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . "Water - Organic Farming - EUROPA." EUROPA - European Commission - Homepage. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. <http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/environment/water_en>.