What is Organic Farming?
Item
Conventional Farming"Natural" FarmingOrganic Farming
Conventional Farming"Natural" FarmingOrganic FarmingWeed Control Use chemical herbicides Use machine cultivation Crop rotation and flaming
Insect Control Use chemical insecticides Use crop rotation, use beneficial insects to control harmful ones
Use chemical insecticides Use crop rotation, use beneficial insects to control harmful onesFertilizers Use non-sustainable petroleum-based chemical fertilizer Use manure, cover crops, crop rotation, and approved natural occurring elements
Use non-sustainable petroleum-based chemical fertilizer Use manure, cover crops, crop rotation, and approved natural occurring elementsRaising Animals
Water No testing required Tests for nitrates & colloform required
No testing required Tests for nitrates & colloform requiredAccess to pastures Not required Required
Not required RequiredHumane treatment Not required Required
Not required RequiredFeed No restrictionsNot uniform No hormone implants, anit-biotics,
No restrictionsNot uniform No hormone implants, anit-biotics, or animal byproducts in feed allowed
GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms)No prohibitions Prohibitted as crop and feed barriers required for neighboring fields
No prohibitions Prohibitted as crop and feed barriers required for neighboring fieldsThird party verification and audit trail None required Required. Farmers pay for and are requred to have operation audited annually
None required Required. Farmers pay for and are requred to have operation audited annuallySlaughter Facility approval Only state or federally inspected Must be organically approved and inspected. Exceptional testing required
Only state or federally inspected Must be organically approved and inspected. Exceptional testing requiredWhich is best for the environment?Guess who?
Guess who?Which is best for you, the consumer?This is your decision
This is your decisionWhat is Organic Farming?
