Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Farming in the Pacific

Modern day farming has transformed from the farming process of last century. Instead of farmers producing for their families, farmers are now similar to input/output managers supplying massive manufacturers that feed the country.

As you can see during the course of the last of the last century farming in America has been transformed due to the technological revolution. From a simple but hard life to a more complex yet not as labor intensive life; from relying on animals to relying on motorized machinery; from growing several different crops to specializing

Over the last few years, awareness of organic food has risen. Due to this, the demand for organic food is a factor which is influencing the farmers to switch to use this technique, and it is being sold in specialty stores and conventional supermarkets. Organic products contain numerous marketing claims that it is healthier, it offers more value, and the farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional foods, so, how does one determine if organic is the way to go? Some argue that there is evidence that supports and demonstrates why organic foods and farming are better overall, while others insist that conventional foods and agriculture can offer the same benefits as going organic. There is no right or wrong answer. Within this

The article, “The Animals Place: Practicing Complexity”, by Michael Pollan discusses the benefits of natural farming and contrasts in industrial farming. According to Pollan, natural farming is the best way of agriculture. Pollan cites that not only does it provide organic supplies, but the taste of the products are more rich and tasty. Moreover, the article goes more in depth on his experience in an ecological farm called Polyface. I agree with author on the beliefs of farming and cultivating with an environmental method.

Part 1 Pros – Organic foods can be costly but you also get what you pay for. Understandable not

A major criticism of organic foods is the obvious price increase included with purchasing organic products. While there are numerous reasons for the price premium associated with organic foods, the most obvious reasons are the cost of organic supplies such as feed and fertilizer to make a profit. George Siemon, CEO of the Organic Valley co-op, states that “A ton of organic cattle feed can cost from $350 to $400 a ton versus $220 or less for a ton of conventional feed,” illustrating a major price difference for simply fertilizing a crop (Simon). With access to more resources than organic farmers, conventional farmers will often spend less in the overall farming of a crop than organic farmers, increasing their profits. Conventional farmers often use materials such as “sewage sludge, which is cheap to buy, and chemical fertilizers, which are both cheap to buy and cheap to transport” (Simon). Using these potentially hazardous chemicals for crop production runs the major risk of chemical runoff and contamination of local water supplies or reservoirs, which will directly affect

Organic farming does not only include crops. There is also organic eggs and meat produced by livestock

our Farming season are short because of the soil in many places was rocky, Most of our farmers practiced subsistence farming, that is, they produced just enough food for themselves and sometimes a little extra to trade in town.

Farming for our food causes many issues. Growing our food is causing a major decrease in finite resources, like fertile soil and water (Clemmitt 555). Fertile soil and water are being wasted on crops that are not successfully growing. The decrease in finite resources is caused by old, non-efficient techniques, like the throw-and-grow (Clemmitt

Organic food is more expensive than regular food items. The farm machinery needed to harvest organic food is more specialized, and therefore the food is more expensive. They use the best tools and fertilization supplies. The farmers create natural environments. Organic food is grown without pesticides. Nowadays, people are using organic food broadly. The author gives lot information about organic food, and how it works. Regular food is made with lot of pesticides, and it is effect on humans. Nowadays people have cancer, more pesticides effect on IQ. 73% people used organic food, and that is good.

Organic farming methods avoid the use of these chemicals and rely on natural method to control crops (“Farming, Organics”). Examples of these methods are crop rotation, which consists of planting different crops every year and disrupts the life cycle of pests and provides a natural fertilizer (“Farming, Organics”). Organic farmers also use natural fertilizers such as sulfur and interplanting methods that alternate crops in the field, which discourages pests to live there (“Farming, Organics”).

Growing and harvesting crops requires many tasks. Before the crop is planted, preparing the soil with disking, tilling (vertical or horizontal), and fertilizing is sometimes required depending on the conservation method used. Shorty after, it is time for the planting or drilling of the crop. During the middle of the growing season, irrigating is in full swing to make the crops grow. Also, floaters and airplanes are fighting the battle with weeds and pests. This time of the year is also slower for farmers then planting or harvesting time. As fall arrives, irrigating comes to a halt and the busy harvesting season begins. Combines, tractors and grain carts, and semi trucks fill the countryside as the race to get the crops out of the field begins. If the weather permits harvest can last as short as a couple of weeks for the smaller farms and longer then a month or two for the larger farms. During late fall and into the winter selling grain and buying seed, equipment, and fertilizer is the task at large. As you can see farmers does not get very much free time. Most of the time this occupation requires long hours, from sun up to sun set. This limits time for trips and extra curricular activities.

Thesis: Choosing to purchase and consume organic food is a smart and healthy choice for you and your family.

Organic farming is becoming an increasingly popular market throughout the world. (Adam, 2004, p. 666). The aims of organic farming are, to decrease pollution, maintain soil fertility and biodiversity, be more sustainable, and have increased nutritional benefits than conventionally grown foods (Yaping et. al., 2003, p. 298). While the aim of conventional farming is to provide safe, proficient supplies of food, in abundance and at low prices (Trewavas, 2001, p.409). Since 1996, the amount of land in the UK dedicated to organic farming has risen tenfold (Adam, 2004, p. 666). As well, from 1992 to 1997, the amount of certified organic cropland in the US more than doubled (Tafel et al, 2007, p.182 ). The main difference between organic and

The National Organic Standards Boards defines organic agriculture is ìan ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic