Within agribusiness, the practice of organic agriculture is the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants by following the essential principles of organic agriculture in soil building and conservation, pest management, and heirloom variety preservation. Organically grown flowers reduce toxic chemical use, bring life back to the soil, are best for the environment, are safer to grow for farmers and farm workers, and promote the long-term sustainability of farmlands.
What is Organic Agriculture?
Organic agriculture is built on the fundamentals of land stewardship that keeps land productive for generations to come. Intensive farming and the use of synthetic fertilizers have been detrimental to soil quality and the long term productivity of the land. Organic farming uses practices in balance with the natural environment and that have minimal negative impact on the environment.
Principles of Organic Agriculture
The philosophy of organic food production maintains certain principles: biodiversity, ecological balance, sustainability, natural plant fertilization, natural pest management, and soil integrity. Since farms vary in product and practice, there is also a wide variety in how these principles are applied.
Traditionally, organic food production has certain characteristics, including:
- Are grown or raised by a producer who uses practices in balance with the natural environment, using methods and materials that minimize negative impact on the environment. The organic farmer is committed to replicating the ecology of the natural environment by maintaining biodiversity G and fostering healthy soil and growing conditions.
- Are produced on land that has been free of known and perceived toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers for at least three years prior to certification, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are not used in production.
- Are planted on a rotating basis within the farm system. Crops are rotated from field to field, rather than growing the same crop in the same place year after year. Cover crops such as clover are planted to add nutrients to the soil and prevent weeds.
- Organic meat, poultry and egg products come from farms that use organic feed, do not administer added hormones to promote growth or any antibiotics G and they allow animals the space and freedom to behave naturally.
Organic Flowers and Plants
Organic flowers and ornamental plants are grown free of harmful chemical fertilizers and dangerous pesticides, and are better for the health of workers and the environment.
