What is Organic Farming

The Canadian National Organic Standard summarizes the essential elements of organic agriculture with the following definition: 

Organic agriculture is a holistic system of production designed to optimize the productivity, and fitness of diverse communities within the agroecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people. The principle goal of organic agriculture is to develop productive enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.

Management-intensive practices are carefully selected with the intent to restore and then sustain ecological stability within the enterprise and the surrounding environment. The fertility of soil is maintained and enhanced by a system that promotes optimal biological activity within the soil and conservation of soil resources. Weed, pest and disease management is attained by an integration of biological, cultural and mechanical control methods that include minimized tillage and cultivation, crop selection and rotation, recycling of plant and animal residues, water management, augmentation of beneficial insects to encourage a balanced predator-prey relationship, and the promotion of biological diversity.

Under a system of organic production, livestock are provided with living conditions and stocking rates appropriate to their behavioural requirements, a high quality diet of organically-produced feed, and ethical animal husbandry that facilitates low stress, promotes good health, and prevents disease.

Organic Agriculture, Canadian General Standards Board, Ottawa, 1999, CAN/CGSB-32.310/99.

Copyright © 2003 by Homestead Organics Ltd

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