For thousands of years, humans employed natural agriculture practices such as crop rotation, plow animals, and natural fertilizers such as manure. But in the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution changed farming forever.
More efficient farming machinery was developed, and as science unveiled more understanding of chemical processes, synthetic fertilizers eventually began to emerge from 1903. Yields began to soar to record highs as more and more chemically-enhanced tools entered use, forming the basis of today’s conventional farming.
But chemical fertilizers do have their downsides. They can make the soil more acidic, harm natural ecosystems and infiltrate our water supply. This can result in these chemicals entering the human body and potentially causing damage and disease.
With more people wanting to move away from some of the damaging aspects of farming, many are transitioning to the world of organic farming. This is a return to methods similar to those used by the earliest farmers, with practices like crop rotation and cover crops alongside the use of organic seeds and fertilizers.
Why switch to organic farming?
As we have become more aware of the impact our lifestyle is having on the environment, more and more people are switching organic foods. With a surge in demand, a growing number of farms are transitioning over to organic crop growing practices.
As demand for organic produce rises, the supply must also increase to meet demand. More and more restrictions are likely to be levied against non-organic farms as we attempt to control our environmental impact.
Organic food also brings people a measure of peace of mind. They feel like they have made a difference by choosing the more natural and wholesome product over the mass-produced version. In short, choosing organic is a great route to take.
Benefits of organic farming
For farmers who make the switch, there are several benefits of organic farming:
- Lower production costs: As efficient as chemical fertilizers and pesticides might be, they are also expensive. Couple that with their negative impact on the environment, and it’s hard to justify the cost. Some organic alternatives are already cheaper than their chemical counterparts.
- Reduced energy use: Practicing organic farming can also be a lot less energy-intensive than conventional methods. This results in cheaper running costs for the farm and also helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Better growing environment: Although conventional farming is still lucrative, it’s also limited. Chemical fertilizers erode soil quality, which impacts the ability to grow bountiful crops. Organic fertilizers help build up the quality of the soil, leading to better yields for longer.
Practices and tools for organic farming
It’s hard to know where to start when transitioning to organic farming, but there are some common practices and tools that can help you to make the switch.
Using techniques like cover crops or crop rotation helps to increase biodiversity. This allows nature to work with you, allowing animals such as birds to become a reliable in-house pest control team. Using cover crops can also help to reduce losses to pests.
Products such as organic fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds for sowing form the bedrock of organic farming. Finding an OMRI-listed supplier for these products ensures that your practices become fully organic.
Contact Crop Fertility Services Today
For more information on transitioning to an organic farm, along with products such as organic fertilizers and seeds, contact Crop Fertility Services today.
