From our signature policymaking event, Organic Week in Washington, D. Organic Week D. We work with the media to share news about the growing organic sector. We also act fast to correct misinformation in the media, and to proactively promote the inspiring work of Organic Trade Association members. Our members have access to our key media relationships, proactive outreach strategies and fast and effective crisis communications.
Visit theorganicreport. We educate influencers and consumers about the benefits organic practices and products. This includes having an expansive social media presence, as well as actively engaging with the press to share facts about organic methods, benefits, and milestones.
Check out our expansive collection of informative resources that explain what organic is, and why it is definitely worth it. As the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America, we are the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9, organic businesses across 50 states.
Our Board of Directors is democratically elected by our members. Read our Annual Report. Organic agriculture, which is governed by strict government standards, requires that products bearing the organic label are produced without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering or other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation.
Organic farmers understand that what you put into the soil has a profound impact on what you get out of it. That is why they rely on such practices as hand weeding, mechanical control, mulches, cover crops, crop rotation and dense planting, rather than toxic and persistent pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, to enrich the soil in which they grow their crops.
They recognize that doing so provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow. Plus, it enables the absorption of major and micro-nutrients like Vitamin C, resulting in a higher nutrient content and often a better tasting crop. It all starts with practices to help build healthy soils, which nurture the plants and help decrease the incidence of plant disease. In order to earn organic certification, land must be handled without prohibited materials for at least three years.
With certification, organic farmers must develop an organic operating farm plan, which is overseen by their certification agency with annual third-party inspections. Organic Standards Natural vs.
S ustainable Agriculture Organizations and Information Providers. Directory of degrees, curricula, research programs, school farms, and distance learning at U. Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships. Courses and Curricula.
Available from:. The Organic University OU. Sustainable Agriculture Research Funding Resources. Links updated This fact sheet lists U. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Updated November This publication offers an overview of the major federal conservation programs that provide resources for farmers and ranchers to enhance and maintain sustainable farming and ranching practices.
Reviewed March An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. Department of Agriculture Ask a Question June Reviewed October What is Organic Production? What is organic production? It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.
The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people. A production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.
Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. Popular products include fruit and vegetables, beef, non-alcoholic drinks, nuts and ready to eat foods. Most people buy organically-grown food products because they are concerned about pesticides, additives , antibiotics or other chemical residues and believe organic food is healthier.
Other reasons include — concerns with the impact of conventional farming on biodiversity and the environment, and the ethical treatment of livestock. Several studies have compared the nutritional content of organic and conventionally grown plants, and most have shown no significant differences in key vitamin and mineral content. Although the differences are small — research has shown that some organic food has:. Organic foods promote more humane treatment of animals, as well as providing meat that is free from hormones and antibiotics.
Also, some people worry about the long-term health, economic and environmental consequences of GM foods and choose organic foods in support of an industry that does not use GM techniques. Organic foods promote healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources.
Modern conventional farming methods include excessive use of chemicals and planting only one crop multiple times monocropping. This has led to a decline in soil fertility, and an increase in salinity and blue-green algae in waterways over many years.
Organic farmers try to minimise damage to the environment by diversifying their crops, using physical weed control, and animal and green manure. Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally produced food. This is because organic farming generally operates on a smaller scale, production is more labour intensive.
Also, without herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, yields are generally smaller. Organic farms are only certified after they have been operating according to organic principles for three years. Before , a standard guidelines and rules did not exist for domestic and imported organic foods.
Two key standards now govern the production, processing and labelling of organic food in Australia. These are:. These standards provide an agreed set of procedures to be followed in organic food production. The standards include requirements for production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic products in Australia. While it is mandatory for exported organic produce to be certified and meet the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce, the Australian standard for domestic and imported foods is not mandated, and certification is voluntary.
Its purpose is to assist the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC to ensure claims made about organic and biodynamic products are not false or misleading. Biodynamic farming is a type of organic farming pioneered by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner.
It uses traditional farming methods with prescribed preparations and places strong emphasis on ecological harmony and environmental sustainability.
Biodynamic food is grown with prescribed composts , preparations and natural activating substances. As well as purchasing organic food products, many people are adopting a sustainable lifestyle by growing their own produce, keeping backyard chickens or setting up a beehive to make their own honey.
If you choose to eat organic food, you may like to start an edible garden. Organic gardening can be enjoyed by everyone and its benefits include:.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The size of a standard drink can vary according to the type of alcohol.
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