organic farming
Pesticide-free crop production
Organic farming is agriculture that avoids synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms, relying instead on natural processes and inputs like compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control.
The term implies environmental sustainability and often commands premium prices: organic farming has grown into a major industry.
Certified organic operations must meet government standards.
Ecological approach to farming
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- slow foodTraditionally prepared cuisine
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
traditional knowledge · indigenous practices · ecological balance · natural cycles · resilience
Alternating field plantings yearly
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- cover cropsPlants shielding fallow fields
- green manurePlants tilled into soil
- mulchingCovering soil protectively
no-till · polyculture · companion planting · vermicomposting · seed saving · rainwater harvesting · conservation tillage · intercropping
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
biofertilizers · microbiome · humus · biochar · carbon sequestration · soil structure · beneficial bacteria · decomposition
Multi-species crop system
- beneficial insectsArthropods aiding agriculture
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
- heirloom varietiesTraditional, non-hybrid plant strains
- heritage seedsTraditional, open-pollinated plant varieties
habitat preservation · ladybugs · biocontrol · agroforestry · hedgerows · wildlife corridors · native plants · predatory insects
Environmental compliance marker
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- traceabilityVerifiable origin and path
- non-GMOWithout genetic modification
- transition periodTime between two states
agroecology
Ecological approach to farming
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- slow foodTraditionally prepared cuisine
stewardship · traditional knowledge · indigenous practices · ecological balance · natural cycles · resilience
crop rotation
Alternating field plantings yearly
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- cover cropsPlants shielding fallow fields
- green manurePlants tilled into soil
mulching · no-till · polyculture · companion planting · vermicomposting · seed saving · rainwater harvesting · conservation tillage · intercropping · fallowing
compost
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia
microorganisms · biofertilizers · microbiome · humus · biochar · carbon sequestration · soil structure · beneficial bacteria · decomposition · mineralization
polyculture
Multi-species crop system
- beneficial insectsArthropods aiding agriculture
- pollinatorsOrganisms transferring reproductive dust
- heirloom varietiesTraditional, non-hybrid plant strains
heritage seeds · habitat preservation · ladybugs · biocontrol · agroforestry · hedgerows · wildlife corridors · native plants · predatory insects · bird habitat
eco-label
Environmental compliance marker
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- traceabilityVerifiable origin and path
- non-GMOWithout genetic modification
transition period · documentation · audit trail · compliance
- agriculturefarms, crops, crop yields, livestock feed, dairy
- European farmingdairy farms, olive groves, wheat fields, vineyards, wine regions
- farming typeslivestock raising, crop rotation, aquaculture, smallholding, market gardening
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- eco-sustainabilityreforestation, habitat restoration, sustainable fishing, renewable energy, solar power
- farm guidespermaculture, gardening books, seed catalogs, cover crops, weed control
organic farmingindustrial agriculture
Large-scale mechanized farming
factory farming · agribusiness · corporate farming · intensive farming · intensive agriculture
farm, farming, farmer, organ, organic, agriculture, rancher, farmland, farmed