ANFS102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Sewage Sludge, Hydroponics, Soil Health
16 May 2018
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Basics of Organic Agriculture Feb 14th
• Organic food is pricier but shoppers continue to crave it
• The organic market
o The organic market we know today began evolving in the 19605 and 70s when
rising environment awareness led to a backlash against pesticides and increased
dead for gree produts
o The organic market flourished and gained stature with the US department of Ag
▪ Need for hages to add defiitios to lai of atural or sustaiale
• How
o Use of cover crops, green manures, animal manures and crop rotations to
fertilize the soil, maximize biological activity and maintain long term soil health
o Use of biological control, crop rotations and other techniques to manage weeds,
insects and disease
o An emphasis on biodiversity of the agricultural system and surrounding
environment
o Using rotational grazing and mixed forage pastures for livestock operations and
alternative health care for animal wellbeing
o Elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and other materials, such as
hormones and antibiotics
• Not allowed
o Organic food is produced without using conventions pesticides, unapproved
synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge, bioengineering, cloned animals, or ionizing
radiation
• Organic standards:
o Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that
promotes and enhances
▪ Biodiversity
▪ Biological cycles
▪ Soil biological activity
• It is based on minimal use of off farm inputs and on practice that
restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony
o Must accommodate the health and natural behavior of their animals year round
▪ Antibiotics are not given to organic animals, treated animals are no
longer certified organic
▪ You have to treat the animals, have to be humane
o Access to the outdoors, accommodate natural behaviors
• Current controversy: hydroponics
o Can hydroponic farming be organic
o Grow in liquid
o Won 8:7 vote in organic board
o Opinions
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
