We all know organic food as the separately packaged more expensive produce in the supermarket. However, what are you really paying for when you buy that green ‘organic’ label? Here you will learn about organic and its whole systems approach towards holistic handling of food, minimising the amount of synthetic chemicals, innovating farming methods, and creating fair price for farmers.

Our Soil, Our World

The primary way organic food distinguishes itself from commercial, mass, regular agriculture, is the whole system of growing and handling food. The goal of farmers and consumers of organic food, is to counteract the effects of the green revolution that saw research technology transform agricultural production in the 1960s. While new technologies including mechanisation of production, increased synthetic pesticides, genetically modified produce all helped feed the world, it also endangered natural processes. Organic food focuses on biologically integrated farming systems linked from soil, plants, animals, produce, transport, environment, to the people.

Synthetic Free Fertilisers

Certified organic products are grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers, chemicals, or GMO’s. This does not mean that organic food is chemical free, but the pesticides are significantly lower than traditionally farmed food. Organic food production still depends on fertilisers, however in the spirit of biodynamic farming processes, these fertilisers have long term positive effects on the soil and earth.

The fertilisers organic food production depend on slowly adding nutrients into the soil to promote healthy plant growth, through green manures, organic animal manures, all to improve the physical and biological composition of the soil. In comparison to synthetic fertilisers, organic fertilisers tend to act more slowly and over a longer period. It takes time and dedication to nurture the soil and protect it for the future. It is farming for the future and future generations.

Your food, your health

Organic food has also been shown in countless studies to be better for your health, due to the lesser amounts of synthetic pesticides applied on the soil and topically. The food typically has fewer fungicides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Organic food is fresher and therefore contains greater amounts of nutrients. A comprehensive study has shown that there are extensive health benefits associated with organic food production in comparison to conventional agriculture. One of the results showed that consuming higher amounts of organic food have been associated with a reduction in the risk of overall cancer.

Farming for the Future

While organic tends to look towards nature, to be inspired by the natural interconnected processes that have been flourishing for millennia in forests and animal habitats. What is organic farming? Organic farming is leading the way in changing the way we produce food in a climate shifting world. This is just one of the benefits of organic foods.

There are companies who are working on how mushrooms can save the world. The benefits of perennial systems and regenerative agroforestry.

Better for Farmers

The price of food has plummeted, and now most people expect to pay close to nothing to their food which has been mass produced and is lacking in many vital nutrients. Organic food gives some of the power back to the farmers and consumers, to allow them to produce high quality foods and to get fair pay for their work. People like you who purchase organic support farmers that are striving towards ecologically sustainable practises. Especially if you are purchasing from local farmers operating under the Australian Certified Organic Label.

Create the type of world you want to live in, by voting with your wallet.

Conclusion

Organic farming and organic produce are all about integrated farming systems which are focusing on protecting our environment, food quality, and people.