Organic Farming...6 of 17 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 South Penquite is a 80 hectare working hill farm situated high on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. The farm has a flock of 300 ewes and a herd

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Organic Farming


Lea

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es What is organic farming?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming?


Organic crops are produced without chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers.

Organic livestock is reared free range, allowing animals to move around. They are fed only organic foods.

The use of antibiotics, hormones and other drugs is kept to a minimum.

Organic farming produces food in a particular way.

How is organic farming different?


Organic farmers follow some basic principles:

Organic farming


Organic farmers have found ways of farming without the use of chemicals.

To keep the soil fertile, organic farmers use:

To control pests, organic farmers use:

However, yields are still much lower than on non-organic farms.

Crop rotation – the type of crop grown is varied, so that the same nutrients do not get depleted every year.

Organic fertilizers, like manure.

Resistant varieties of plant.

Biological controls – they release a creature onto the farm that feeds on the pest.

Organic alternatives to modern farming


South Penquite is a 80 hectare working hill farm situated high on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

The farm has a flock of 300 ewes and a herd of 40 cows as well as many horses, ponies, goats, donkeys and chickens.

South Penquite Farm – a case study


The farm has achieved organic status under the guidance of the Soil Association.

The process of gaining organic status takes two years, during which time no pesticides or nitrogen fertilizers can be used on the land.

South Penquite started the conversion to becoming an organic farm in May 1999. Since June 2001 they have been able to offer organic beef and lamb.

South Penquite Farm

http://www.soilassociation.org/http://www.soilassociation.org/


Measures have been taken to preserve the habitat of the Golden Plover.

Some of South Penquite’s grazing land is managed to

protect endangered plants.

The river has been fenced-off to keep the farm animals off the banks. Riverbanks are an important wildlife habitat.

The farm also has facilities for field studies, providing opportunities for educational groups to learn about the local environment.

The farm also works to encourage wild plants and animals.

South Penquite Farm


Organic quiz!


Lea

rnin

g o

bje

ctiv

es What is organic farming?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming?


Many people feel that conventional farming is bad for the environment.

Making fertilizers uses up fossil fuels.

Fertilizer and pesticides are washed into lakes and rivers.

Intensively farming the same crop each year reduces soil fertility.

Pesticides kill off wild plants and insects, and poison birds and animals higher up the food chain.

Environmental concerns


HealthWhen pesticides are used, traces of these chemicals may end up in the food we eat. Many people worry that these traces could be harmful to humans.

Animal welfareSome people feel that conventional livestock farming is inhumane, causing distress and pain to the animals.

Organic livestock farming involves giving greater thought to animal welfare. Organic meat is raised free-range.

For example, battery chickens are kept in extremely cramped conditions.

Ethical and health concerns


Organic farming is less efficient.

Compared to a conventional farm of the same size, an organic farm will usually produce less food.

Organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides are less effective.

Free-range animals take up more space, so fewer can be kept.

Organic farming is also more labour intensive, so more workers are needed.

Disadvantages of organic farming


Because organic farming is less efficient, organic food is more expensive.

Many people on low incomes cannot afford to buy organic food.

Some people argue that if all UK farms were to become organic, more land would have to be turned over to agriculture to make the same amount of food.

This could hurt, rather than help wild plants and animals, by destroying their habitats.



Organic farmers make sure that their farms are GM-free.

Some people are turning to organic produce as a guarantee that their food does not contain any GM.

Genetically modified (GM) crops have had their genetic material altered by scientists to make them better than traditional crop varieties.

There are concerns that GM crops are bad for the environment. They are resistant to pesticides, so farmers are able to use stronger chemicals on them. This may threaten wild plant species.

People are also concerned that GM crops may harm human health.

Organic and GM


Is organic better?

Organic Farming...6 of 17 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 South Penquite is a 80 hectare working hill farm situated high on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. The farm has a flock of 300 ewes and a herd

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