We define “organic farming” as agriculture that uses organic farming methos. “Certified organic” refers to agriculture that is assessed subject to organic inspection, certification and labeling carried out by individual organisations.
Organic farmers rely on methods of raising vegetables, fruits, grains and other food and fiber crops in ecologically mindful ways that focus on soil health and biodiversity instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This means treating the farm like an ecosystem; caring for and regenerating soil, air and water and treating animals humanely.
Organic farming nurtures the soil – a healthy soil means healthy plants.
Conventional/industrialised farming sees the soil just as something that keeps the plants from falling – if possible plants are grown without soil but in steelwool or other substrats (ie greenhouses). Plants are given nutrition directly with mineral fertilizers. Organic fertilizers need to be broken down by microorganisms present in healthy soil before being available for the plants.
Organic is not simply the avoidance of conventional chemical inputs, nor is it the substitution of natural inputs for synthetic ones. Organic farmers apply techniques first used thousands of years ago, such as crop rotations and the use of composted animal manures and green manure crops combined with modern technics in ways that are economically sustainable.
Conventional/industrialised animal farming allows the use of antibiotics and hormones, which end up being consumed by humans- it also allows factory farming and practices that compromise animal welfare. Organic farmers make sure that the animals are well kept – this keeps them healthy and they dont need antibiotics and hormones.