2 answers
Isabella
Student
Arizona City, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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how is organic farming better for the environment than conventional farming? What’s the difference in the fertilizer and nutrient solution?
Hi, my name is Isabella, I am a middle school student, and I’m interested into being an Agricultural Manager, my 2 questions on Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Careers is, how is organic farming better for the environment than conventional farming? What’s the difference in the fertilizer and nutrient solution?
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2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3766
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Isabella,
Organic farming is generally seen as more eco-friendly than traditional farming, thanks to a few important reasons. These include using natural fertilizers, lessening the use of chemicals, improving the health of the soil, and boosting biodiversity. Plus, organic farming encourages sustainable farming and lessens harm to ecosystems and water resources.
One of the key differences between organic and traditional farming is the type of fertilizers and nutrients used. Organic farming mainly uses natural fertilizers like compost, manure, and crop leftovers. These are full of organic matter and release nutrients slowly, ensuring plants get a steady supply for growth. Organic farmers also grow cover crops, which are planted specifically to improve soil fertility by adding nitrogen from the air and organic matter when they're mixed into the soil.
On the other hand, traditional farming leans heavily on synthetic fertilizers, usually made from non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. These fertilizers are often made to provide specific nutrients quickly for immediate plant use. While synthetic fertilizers can boost crop yields quickly, they can also lead to nutrient imbalances and contribute to water pollution through runoff.
Using natural fertilizers in organic farming has several benefits for the environment. Firstly, they help improve soil structure and fertility by increasing organic matter content. This improves the soil's ability to hold water, lessens erosion, and encourages helpful microbial activity. Healthy soils in organic systems also capture more carbon dioxide from the air, helping to lessen climate change.
Moreover, organic farming aims to lessen the use of chemical inputs like pesticides and herbicides. Instead, organic farmers use various techniques like crop rotation, biological pest control, and mechanical weed management to naturally control pests and weeds. This approach lessens the risk of chemical residues in food products and helps maintain a healthier ecosystem by preserving helpful insects and wildlife.
Organic farming also encourages biodiversity conservation. By avoiding synthetic chemicals that can harm non-target organisms, organic farms provide a more favorable habitat for helpful insects, birds, and other wildlife. The presence of diverse plant species and habitats on organic farms supports pollinators and natural predators, contributing to the overall ecological balance.
In short, organic farming is more eco-friendly than traditional farming due to its use of natural fertilizers, lessened chemical inputs, improved soil health, and boosted biodiversity. By prioritizing sustainable practices, organic farming helps protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - www.fao.org
2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - www.usda.gov
3. Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) - www.ofrf.org
Stay Strong in Faith,
James.
Organic farming is generally seen as more eco-friendly than traditional farming, thanks to a few important reasons. These include using natural fertilizers, lessening the use of chemicals, improving the health of the soil, and boosting biodiversity. Plus, organic farming encourages sustainable farming and lessens harm to ecosystems and water resources.
One of the key differences between organic and traditional farming is the type of fertilizers and nutrients used. Organic farming mainly uses natural fertilizers like compost, manure, and crop leftovers. These are full of organic matter and release nutrients slowly, ensuring plants get a steady supply for growth. Organic farmers also grow cover crops, which are planted specifically to improve soil fertility by adding nitrogen from the air and organic matter when they're mixed into the soil.
On the other hand, traditional farming leans heavily on synthetic fertilizers, usually made from non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. These fertilizers are often made to provide specific nutrients quickly for immediate plant use. While synthetic fertilizers can boost crop yields quickly, they can also lead to nutrient imbalances and contribute to water pollution through runoff.
Using natural fertilizers in organic farming has several benefits for the environment. Firstly, they help improve soil structure and fertility by increasing organic matter content. This improves the soil's ability to hold water, lessens erosion, and encourages helpful microbial activity. Healthy soils in organic systems also capture more carbon dioxide from the air, helping to lessen climate change.
Moreover, organic farming aims to lessen the use of chemical inputs like pesticides and herbicides. Instead, organic farmers use various techniques like crop rotation, biological pest control, and mechanical weed management to naturally control pests and weeds. This approach lessens the risk of chemical residues in food products and helps maintain a healthier ecosystem by preserving helpful insects and wildlife.
Organic farming also encourages biodiversity conservation. By avoiding synthetic chemicals that can harm non-target organisms, organic farms provide a more favorable habitat for helpful insects, birds, and other wildlife. The presence of diverse plant species and habitats on organic farms supports pollinators and natural predators, contributing to the overall ecological balance.
In short, organic farming is more eco-friendly than traditional farming due to its use of natural fertilizers, lessened chemical inputs, improved soil health, and boosted biodiversity. By prioritizing sustainable practices, organic farming helps protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - www.fao.org
2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - www.usda.gov
3. Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) - www.ofrf.org
Stay Strong in Faith,
James.
Kate Field
Retired instructor and greenhouse manager
11
Answers
Venice, Florida
Updated
Kate’s Answer
The term 'organic gardening' is used to describe a system of gardening or growing plants that minimizes the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (created in a lab by chemists) that can contain chemicals harmful to animals including humans. Organic gardening uses plant and animal based products like manures and compost. There are many versions of organic gardenibg with differing idras ofchow to make it work
Research permaculture
Research buodynamic gardening
Kate recommends the following next steps: