laura krouse abbe hills farm mt. vernon [email protected] [email protected]
Post on 19-Dec-2015
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Laura KrouseAbbe Hills Farm
Mt. Vernon
Organic agriculture
Management that takes advantage of biological processes
make nutrients available reduce pest pressureconserve biodiversity
Organic agriculture mimics the natural ecosystem
Improve and maintain soil health
Increase biological diversity (especially in soil food web)
Organic is not the same as
“Natural”“Ecofriendly”
“Green”“Sustainably Produced”
“Free Range”
Fertility from
RocksManure and compost
Legumes (green manure)
Manage for animal health and efficient growth
No antibioticsNo hormones, steroids, or
growth promoters
Animals have access to outside
No CAFOs
Depend on traditional breeding
No genetic engineering
Manage pest populations
Encourage natural enemiesRemove pests mechanically
Organic sources for pesticides
Use crop rotation
C-OM-M-G vs
C-SB
Minimize soil erosion, improve water quality, decrease
stormwater runoff
Cultural practicesPhysical practices
What are the benefitsof organic agriculture?
Equivalent overall yields on well managed organic farms
Use 1/3 less fuelLess carbon dioxide produced
No pesticides to run off or drift
Nitrogen is locked up in organic matter in the soil
Less likely to leach away
Soil organic matter traps carbon and keeps it out of
the atmosphere
Soil organic matter holds water
Decrease drought riskDecrease runoff
Decrease flooding
More biodiversityin soil food web and
at the surface
No pesticide residues on or in our food
More nutritious food(maybe)
So why doesn’t everybody farm organically?
It’s hardTakes time
Risk is great at the beginningKnowledge is almost lost
Neighbors will talk about you
Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial
Summary of 30 years of research comparing organic and conventional
cropping systems
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst30years
See you on Thursday
Laura KrouseAbbe Hills Farm
Mt. Vernon