Organic farmers do not use chemicals to alter their food in any way. Farmers ensure their food is grown without the use of conventional pesticide, artificial fertilizers, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For animals organic means these animals are raised in a humane way without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetic modification.

Organic farmers utilize traditional farming techniques with modern technology to balance our Earth’s natural ecosystem. Some techniques include:

Crop Diversity: Conventional farming relies on monoculture. Monoculture is the practice of growing one single crop over a wide area. Organic farming emphasizes Polyculture, planting multiple crops over a wide area. Planting a variety of crops through

Crop Sequencing has a wide range of soil benefits including – beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and increases in local biodiversity. A diversity of crops avoids the susceptibility of pathogens and pests that monoculture growing is vulnerable too.

Crop Rotation improves soil structure and fertility while providing a balance through various crops to avoid depletion of important soil nutrients. Crop Rotation techniques include alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants to encourage soil nutrients and promote healthy soil conditions.

Green Manure: A type of cover crop grown to add nutrients and organic matter to soil. This promotes soil improvement and soil protection.

“The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.”-International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM)

Through these techniques we can create a vibrant future for all living creatures.