Organic Farming
Anthony Hernandez
Volunteer at Scobee Education Center and Educational Volunteer (NASA-STEM), Planetary Society-Member
What is organic farming? Organic Farming is a sustainable agricultural system that is ecologically based without the use of inorganic or chemical fertilizers. Modern organic farming was developed because commercial agriculture conventional agriculture uses GMO’s seeds and chemical pesticides that is harming the environment and no rotations of crops breaks down soil ingredients. Chemical fertilizers are made of synthetic chemicals.
Organic farming also uses vertical farming methods to grow more food in a limited space. For a farm to be considered a legal farm in Texas, the farm has to be ten acers, for the tax breaks and subsidize funds. In Europe if a person has one to three hectares, like in Spain, the government subsidizes small organic farmers.
The international measuring unit of hectares is the standard, but smaller than a acer. Spain is the leader in organic farming. Portugal and Italy have gotten involved in organic farming. The reason Europe organic farming is gaining in popularity, is there are no GMO’s, food is being grown without the use of synthetic chemicals to fertilize plants.
In the U.S. a person buys a land, the owner cannot grow food on that land for three years, so the chemical fertilizer can be evaporated. Then the person has to get certified organic to be able to use the stamp or seal. The European Union has similar standards for certification.
The concept of organic farming was developed by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, and Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900s. This was not a new concept to Native Americans, for when the people grew crops, they use internal parts of a fish and manure to produce compost as a natural fertilizer for growing crops.
The key to organic farming is natural compost, covering crops. Crop rotation and biologically based pest controls to better grow safe foods. Native Americans have known these farming skills for many years, since the first arrival of colonist in the Americas.
Many communities offer gardening classes, colleges and universities also offer courses and degrees in sustainable framing. One course I took online and is reasonably priced at $149.00, from International Association of Professionals Career College, IAP Career College also offers a course in landscaping and winery owner and production.
Organic farming is not only healthy and eating fresh foods, but it will also be the only way to save our environment. If people start to use organic farming skills with permaculture designs, in building a property that is sustainable, but possibly reach zero pollution levels and a healthier living and healthier environment.
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