Important Organic Farming Facts

Organic Farming Facts 
Critics are quick to regard organic farming as just another fad without even checking the organic farming facts. The different advantages of organic farming that its supporters maintain are actually proven by a lot of studies. If you want to learn more about this form of alternative agriculture, here are a few organic farming facts that can influence your attitudes about it.

One of the organic farming facts that only a few people know is that it promotes biodiversity. A lot of researchers have found out that the species found in organic farms are more abundant and diverse than those that are found in conventional farms. It has been discovered that in organic farms, there are more trees on field boundaries, 1 to 2 times more species of spiders, 3 times more non-pest butterflies, 1.6 times more arthropods, 25 per cent more birds at field edge, and 57 per cent more species of plant. There were also lesser instances of aphids because of the increased number of insects who eat it. Even though the field boundaries have the most plentiful number of wildlife, the highest increases were found in the areas where there are crops. These facts show how beneficial organic farming is for ecology.

Another significant organic farming facts is that organic products provide more nutrients than conventionally grown foods. Though doubters say that there is still no scientific consensus about the health benefits of organic products, a review of 41 published studies by nutrition expert Virginia Worthington discovered that organic plants indeed have significantly more nutrients. For instance, there is 13.6% more phosphorous, 27% more vitamin C, 29.3% more magnesium, and 21.1% more iron. Furthermore, organic foods have 15.1 per cent less nitrates than conventional foods. What is more is that it only needs five servings of organic vegetables to achieve the recommended daily intake of vitamin C which cannot be done by its conventional counterparts.

One last example of important organic farming facts is that organic farms are more resilient to extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and droughts than conventional farms. For instance, a research has proven that organic farms can produce 70-90% more than traditional farms during droughts. Though organic farms in general have less yields, they have more output during droughts which makes up for its weakness in the long run.

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The Basics of Organic Farming Certification

Organic Farming Certification 
Organic farming certification is an essential procedure in the selling of organic products. Back when organic farming was still new, there organic farming certification is still not needed since organic products can just be purchased from a local grower. However, as the organic market became more popular, the supply chain became more complex hence some products were fraudulently marketed as organic when they are actually not. Organic farming certification is made to assure to consumers the validity of the organic products that are being sold.

Organic farming certification is usually done by an organization that serves as a third-party agent. The task of that certification body is to assess handlers, processors, and producers if they conform to the set of operating guidelines for organic standards. Once the organic certification body has validated that the organic farm followed the organic standards, they are then allowed to utilize the organization’s logo, product statement, and certificate when selling their products, in order to assure customers that they are really organic. And as the logo of the certification body is utilized by the farmer, the certification body also assures the organic validity of these products.

Farmers can obtain organic farming certification from two forms of certification agencies: government-run agriculture department certifiers and private-run certifiers. Farmers who plan on being certified by private-run certifiers must make certain that the agency they are intending to apply in must be qualified by their national government, and in the case of United States, by the National Organic Program. The producer then submits an application to the certification agency which includes a detailed information about his or her farm. After the application has been approved, the producer’s farm will then be subjected to an on-site inspection. An inspector will visit the farm and evaluate it if it complies with the organic standards.

It is advisable for producers who want to obtain an organic farming certification to look at the various certification agencies as not all of them are the same. In addition, there is a fee for certification so they have to make sure that the organization is indeed the suitable certified for their products.

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A Guide On Organic Farming Courses

Organic Farming Courses 
Making that move from traditional farming to organic farming is never easy and that is why there are organic farming courses to help out farmers who intend to understand this kind of alternative agriculture. Organic farming is a very complex discipline and hence it is something that is cannot be comprehended by just reading a self-help book. In addition, organic farming has a strict set of rules on which farming procedures are allowed thus it is something that you really have to learn from a professional. Here are several of the scope of organic farming courses.

One of the most basic things that you can learn from organic farming courses is integrated farm management systems. This facet concentrates on how the organic farmer should organize and systematize his or her farm. It deals with relevant topics like biodynamics, polyculture, permaculture, waste management, cash crops, and rotation design.

One more thing that you can learn from organic farming courses is organic management issues. This part deals with the issue of the farmer being not only as a food producer but also as a businessman who participates in a sustainable form of agriculture. This part talks about topics like public relations, certification, marketing, and environmental concerns. This is very significant as you cannot just follow organic farming methods and then immediately advertise your products as organic that easily. This section will teach you the right steps on how to do that.

Perhaps one of the most important things that you can learn from organic farming courses is organic soil management and crop nutrition. This aspect is what makes organic farming unique from other mainstream farming practices. Topics like composting, mulching, green manuring, cover crops, and organic fertilizers are covered here. One more relevant aspect is disease, weed, and pest management. This aspect of organic farming courses talks about the specifics of organic farming and its exact methods. Livestock management may also be added in this aspect since raising livestock is inherently tied to organic farming. Organic farmers employ animals as method of weed managements, and also as a source of material for organic fertilizers.

Browse Organic Farming
Organic Farming Tips

Most Popular Organic Farming Tips
The Basics of Organic Farming Certification
Important Organic Farming Facts
Understanding Organic Farming Practices
The Basics of Organic Farming Methods
A Guide on Organic Farming Pesticides