15 Organic Farming Facts. Is It Healthier For Our Life?

Organic farming presents fresh food production and some benefits by doing organic farming methods. This method is well-known as no use for synthetic pesticides, no artificial fertilizers, and all chemical products. But, there are some hidden facts about organic farming that you should know, especially if you are regularly consuming organic foods or other organic products in your life.

Keep on reading to see the organic farming facts here. Is it really healthier for our life?

Table of Contents

1. It Reduces Soil Erosions
2. Organic Farming Decreases Nitrate Leaching
3. The Founder of Organic Farming Movement
4. You Still Can Use Pesticides For Organic Farming
5. It Needs Certain Certification To Get A License Of Organic Farm
6. Before Mid-Twentieth Century, All Of Veggies Considered Organic
7. Products From Organic Farm Often Expensive
8. Young People Is More Interested About Organic Farming
9. Organic Farming Products Is Not Limited For Food Only
10. Food From Organic Farming Tastes Better
11. The Organic Food Has Same Nutrients As Conventional Farming Food
12. Organic Farmers Are Mostly Women
13. Natural And Organic Are Different
14. Animals Are Treated Better In Organic Farms
15. 2.3 Million Certified Organic Farmers In 172 Countries

1. It Reduces Soil Erosions

As an organic farmer, you create a big impact to reduce soil erosion. It is possible to prevent soil erosion in organic farming because the farmers do not use herbicides during farming. It can be seen clearly in the mountain area.

The absence of agricultural chemicals creates a good influence, not only for your health, but also for the environment. For the environment, this is the most significant organic farming facts that can be seen easily.

2. Organic Farming Decreases Nitrate Leaching

Based on the study in the Seine Basin, the organic farm shows lower leaching rates (14–50 kg NO3-N ha−1) than conventional farms (32–77 kg NO3-N ha−1). Moreover, the researchers also see that using an organic farming system shows a lower impact than conventional farming on N leaching.

However the progress of leaching rate in both systems can still grow. In commercial organic farming, the nitrate leaching decreases as well, but still, we have to study it deeper about it.

3. The Founder of Organic Farming Movement

If you learn about organic farming, you must wonder who is the person behind this best movement in the agricultural system. Let us introduce you, J.I Rodale, founder of the Rodale Research Institute and Organic Farming and Gardening magazine.

In 1940, Rodale published the first magazine about organic farming methods. The magazine is well-known too as the first text about organic farming. Since then, especially in the 1960s people have been more interested in organic crops.

4. You Still Can Use Pesticides For Organic Farming

Yes, you are right. There is no mistake when reading it because when you do an organic farming system, the USDA still allows you to use pesticides. But, there are some policies that you should know about the pesticides which are safe to be used for your organic farm.

Also, you cannot use pesticides before you try all of the options to get rid of the pest and weeds. Using pesticides is allowed when it is in an emergency condition. The pesticides that are allowed to use are copper, sulfur, dairy cultures, and vitamin B.

5. It Needs Certain Certification To Get A License Of Organic Farm

This is organic farming facts that related to the legal. When you think that producing organic items can only be done by planting and growing the vegetables or animals by using natural products is enough, then you are wrong. Because to legally confirm that your items are produced organically, there are specific organic standards for the veggies or fruits, animals, and wild-crafted products.

It is not about the natural ingredients to grow the products until harvesting time, but also the process itself. For instance, you don’t genetically modify organisms to produce plants or products. In Europe, there is the European Union (EU) and in the U.S, there is the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

6. Before Mid-Twentieth Century, All Of Veggies Considered Organic

The reason J.I Rodale launched the magazine about organic farming methods is due to the high interest of using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for all of the crops.

The people really depend on the chemical pesticides and fertilizers that day since they know the growth hormones can increase significantly and they don’t have to get rid of the past in a difficult and sometimes complicated way too. Before 1920, people didn’t know about synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, therefore, during that day all of the crops and animals were considered as organic products.

7. Products From Organic Farm Often Expensive

We often find in the supermarket that organic veggies or fruits are more expensive than the conventional ones. When you think that doing organic farm methods can cut your budget for pesticides and fertilizers, yes you are right, but doing organic methods takes a longer time and extra effort to repel the pest that will come.

Also, the certification of your organic farming products is not that cheap. That’s the reason organic products are more expensive than conventional farming products.

8. Young People Is More Interested About Organic Farming

Based on the survey, adults under 40 valued their healthy body by consuming premium and fresh food, such as organic produce and meat. Gen Z, Millennials and younger members of Generation X tend to buy organic products.

We can conclude that the more people taste the difference between organic and conventional farming products, the more they are sure that organic farming methods are good for their health and earth.

9. Organic Farming Products Is Not Limited For Food Only

Yes, one of organic farming facts you can see now is the products of organic farming are not limited to food only. Like organic textiles, organic cosmetics, and even organic alcohol.

For organic food, the policy is that there is no synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, or genetic engineering. Yet for the textile and organic cosmetic, you can see it from the process to produce the items and the chosen ingredients inside the products.

10. Food From Organic Farming Tastes Better

Although there is no specific research about this one, still many food experts and chefs believe that organic foods taste better than the conventional one. The strong nourishment of the soil creates well-nourished plants as well, so that it gives an impact for the food with optimal flavor.

The National Restaurant Association conducted a survey and their findings support the idea that organic foods taste better. Because it tells that 50% of restaurants with a per-person dinner check of $25 or more offer organic items on their menus.

11. The Organic Food Has Same Nutrients As Conventional Farming Food

Most people think that organic food tends to have higher nutrients than conventional farming food. Is it true? Based on Harvard, organic food is no more nutritious than conventionally grown food.

“This is a controversy that’s been going on for a long time,” says Dr. Michelle Hauser, a certified chef, nutrition educator, and clinical fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School. The study finds that organics have some safety advantages over conventional foods, but for the nutrients, it is a little exaggerated to think that the nutrients are higher than the conventional.

12. Organic Farmers Are Mostly Women

Women often get highlighted in organic farmers because based on the studies there is various documentation of young women farmers who put on high concern for environmentally friendly farming practices, compared to the young male farmers.

Although for the workers such as managers, full-time farm workers and many more, the male farmers are still getting involved in organic farming methods. Perhaps, it is because women tend to have a healthy life and concern about their family as well, so that they put high focus on organic farming.

13. Natural And Organic Are Different

Yes, people may find it difficult to distinguish both of them. Using natural ingredients doesn’t always mean organic, but organic will always be natural. As we mentioned before, organic is not only to avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals that may harm the environment, but also the process of growing or producing the products should be considered as well.

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14. Animals Are Treated Better In Organic Farms

Since there is no genetic engineering and the animals just live freely without having to consume some synthetic vitamins and medicines, in organic farms, animals are treated better. Therefore, the animals are rarely stressed out. Healthy animals lead to a healthy body. For instance cows, if the cows are healthy, then when you consume its meat, it tastes fresh, better, and you can get a good impact for your body as well.

15. 2.3 Million Certified Organic Farmers In 172 Countries

Organic farming nowadays keeps on rising. Because you can see many brands offer organic food, organic textile, and organic beauty products for our life. There are 2.3 million certified organic farmers in 172 countries in 2020. It shows that the concern about organic production keeps increasing year by year. It is a good one since more people tend to be concerned about how to choose to be healthier, and it starts from consuming clean and healthy food.