How to Farm Organically

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony."If you want to farm organically on your own time, the process is time intensive and requires a lot of research and dedication. However, if you love the idea of making your own environmentally stable farm, the effort will be worth the reward.

Assembling Your Garden

1. 

        Test your soil. 

Your soil may need to be adjusted if it is not healthy enough to support crops. You should not simply place plants in the soil and hope for the best. Always get   your soil tested before starting your own organic farm. Chemicals from other places may have seeped into your soil, and it may not have the right balance of nutrients to support plant life.

·         A home testing kit will only give you a list of numbers related to your soil. Instead, you should send your soil to a local agricultural extension office. The office will both test your soil and send you back a breakdown of the state of your soil, and what the numbers on your sheet mean in terms of planting crops.

·         The agricultural extension office will also offer suggestions on how to treat your soil. When sending in your soil, make sure to specify that you're going organic. This way, the suggestions you get will omit chemical treatments that go against the organic lifestyle.

·         For best results, get your soil tested in the fall. While you can use a home testing kit, this is not recommended unless you have extensive experience farming.

2 

Make any corrections needed to your soil.

 Once you know the state of your soil, you may have your work cut out for you. If you're lucky, your soil will only need a minimal amount of work before you begin farming. However, you may have to put in a lot of time and money to create quality soil before you start your organic farm.

·         Poor soil drainage may be the most difficult and costly problem to correct. You will have to use a system call subsurface drainage to get the soil where it needs to be, which can cost between $1,250 to $2,500 per year. You will also have to pay for labor, unless you know how to install a subsurface system yourself.

·         In some cases, you can begin farming and the soil will adjust with time. It can take, however, about 10 years to get the soil where it needs to be. Methods like crop rotation, fertilization with manure, and on-farm composting can all restore nutrients to your soil. While this method takes awhile, it is the cheapest. It will only cost you one to two cents a year.

·         Read over the paperwork you got from your agricultural extension office closely for suggestions. You can decide whether to do a major overhaul of your soil, or to take mild methods to improve its quality, based on the current state of your soil type.

3

Take climate into consideration. 

You will not be able to grow any type of plant you want on your farm. The climate in your area affects which plants can be grown organically. You will have to choose plants that fare well in your area's climate. Plants that require a different climate may only grow with the use of chemicals and pesticides.

·         If you live in a cooler area, it may be difficult to grow certain plants. Tomatoes and tender fruit, for example, are best grown in a warmer area. Spring grains and crucify crops may do better in a cold area.

·         You should also take winter into consideration. The survival of perennial fruit plants, as well as winter cereal and forage crops, depends on the severity of your area's winters.

·         You should always read up on any crops you choose and know which temperatures are too warm or too cold for them to thrive. Select plants that could reasonably survive given your area's climate.

4

Visit a local farmer's market. 

Most farmers here will practice Organic techniques to grow their crops. Therefore, crops sold here are likely to thrive naturally in your area. This will give you a sense of which crops to plant, and also introduce you to local farmers. You can make connections you can use later when you need assistance and advice.

·         You can look online to find local farmer's markets in your area, or ask at a local food co-op. See which days the markets are operating, and make a point of visiting the farmer's markets on these days.

·         See what kind of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other plants are being sold. Ask farmers if they grow organically. Ask them about the type of soil they have on their farms.

·         Try to network with some local farmers. Ask for phone numbers and email addresses. If you need advice along the way, you can reach out to a local farmer with experience growing organic produce. Later, when you're ready to sell your crops for profit, you will have a working relationship with the local market.

5

Plant your crops. 

For organic farms, crops should be grown in wide beds. This extra space between rows helps naturally repel fungal attacks as it increases air circulation. You want to make sure you do not walk on your crops so, if possible, have raised beds on your farm.

·         Group your plants by type. All the tomatoes should be grown in one place, for example, and all the snow peas should be grown in another.

·         Raised beds are portions of soil raised slightly off the ground. If you are able to raise soil in your area, do so, as this will reduce some traffic on your plants. Plant your seeds with ample space in between, as this will allow crops to thrive. For specific instructions on how much space, you will have to look at a Farmer's Almanac or similar publication for instructions on the precise seeds you're planting.

·         While wide, raised beds generally work for organic crops, the precise means of planting your crops does depend on the type you chose. Always research your crops prior to planting, and reach out to other organic farmers for advice.

Maintaining Your Farm

1

Start a compost heap. 

This will provide natural fertilizer to your plants, lessening your need for chemical varieties. You can have a compost heap outside, or maintain a compost heap in a container somewhere in your kitchen.

·         You can either gather compost in a small pile, or keep it contained in a bin or pen. You will need nitrogen or carbon rich organic waste, which can come from your own kitchen, as well as water, soil, and air.

·         Add layers of carbon, which is composed of brown material (such as garden trimmings and leaves) with nitrogen (which is waste that is green in color, such as old leafy greens from the kitchen). After adding a few layers, top off your pile with a 4 to 6 inch layer of soil. In about 2 months, your compost should be ready to use as fertilizer.

2

Water your plants regularly. 

How much you water your plants does depend on the type of plant. As with other practices, consult a Farmer's Almanac or similar publication. However, there are a few general guidelines you can follow when it comes to watering your plants.

·         It's best to water in the morning. It tends to be cooler and less windy in the morning, giving the water the best chance to reach your plants.

·         Water your plants at the roots. Watering at the greenery can cause damage.

·         Younger plants may need to be watered a few times a week. Once plants are established, they may only need weekly watering. However, make sure to look into your plant's type before making a decision regarding watering.

3

Weed your garden. 

As you will not be relying on chemicals to reduce weeds in your garden, it will take a lot of work on your part to keep weeds at bay. You will have to manually weed your garden regularly to make sure your organic crops thrive.

·         To weed, you will have to go into your garden yourself and pull up any weeds at the roots. You may have to use tools, like a spade, and you should also wear gloves. If you can't bend over yourself, think about hiring neighborhood kids to assist you with the gardening.

·         Mulch, straw, and wood chips can be scattered around the base of plants to reduce the growth of weeds. Straw is the cheapest option, but does not last long. Wood chips are expensive, but may need replacing less frequently than other options. Avoid using lawn clippings on plants that do not require a lot of nutrients, as they're high in nitrogen. Lettuce and squash would benefit from lawn clippings.

4

Keep your garden diverse. 

This is a good way to naturally keep away pests. Growing a variety of plants keeps pests away as it limits the amount of one type of plant offered to pests. If you're able to, grow a great variety of plants in your garden. This will also provide you with greater options for customers when you begin to sell your produce and plants.

·         Remember to choose plants that will thrive given your climate and soil type.

·         If you need inspiration about what plants to use, visit a local farmer's market again. You can ask local farmers for recommendations on crops you should add to your garden.

5

Use natural means of discouraging pests.

 Chemical pesticides are generally not used, or at least not used heavily, on organic farms. Explore natural options to deflect pests as you maintain your organic garden.

·         Leave a small source of water in your garden as this will attract natural predators for pests. A garden that contains frogs, birds, toads, and lizards can help ward off pests.

·         Consider placing nets and row covers over your plants to keep pests out.

·         Look into naturally occurring bacteria, horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, and sprays made from garlic and hot peppers.

·         Check to make sure your plants are getting enough light, nutrients, and moisture. Healthy plants are more able to fight off pests.

Considering Training and

Certification

1

Try enrolling in a training program prior to starting your farm. 

Colleges and universities may offer courses on organic farming. If you plan to farm for a profit, formal training can be a major asset. You also may find a local organic farm that offers training to farmers who are just getting started. As organic farming has a certain science behind it, training is a good idea if you're serious about starting your own organic farm.

·         You want to make sure you're able to grow a large amount of crops so you can sell them for profit. Training will teach you how to best assure your crops grow, and also tips about harvesting and packaging your crops for sale.

·         Training is also an excelling networking opportunity. You will meet other aspiring farmers who can help you find a market for your crops. Many of your teachers may already farm professionally, and may have connections for you down the road.

2

Look into the benefits of certification. 

Certification programs will evaluate your farm and provide you with paperwork certifying your farm meets the standards of organic farming. Certification programs can be beneficial to your farm for a variety of reasons.

·         If you end up selling your products, you can use the USDA organic seal if your farm is certified as organic. This will give legitimacy to your products and make health conscious consumers feel safe buying from you. This seal is usually required if you're selling food labeled as organic.

·         If you only give your consumers your word, they may be nervous about purchasing your crops. Certification shows you put the work in to make sure your crops are grown according to proper guidelines.

3

Learn the process of becoming certified. 

The process varies based on which program you're working with. You can get certified using a private, foreign, or state entity. Usually, you have to prove your farm meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards for organic farming practices.

·         There is usually an application process in which you will have to provide a detailed account of how you grow your crops. An agent will review your application and accept it if he feels your farm meets the correct standards. Usually, there is also an on site inspection.

·         There are often fees associated with getting certified, which can be costly. Fees vary greatly between organizations, so choose an organization within your price range to get certified.

4

Look into alternative labels. 

Many consumers and farmers disagree with the USDA standards for organic. Some farmers also do not have the time and money for certification. A program called Certified Naturally Grown provides easier certification for small scale farms. If it's difficult and costly for you to meet USDA requirements, consider certification via a grassroots program like this.

·         If you live in a smaller area, you can also try to be simply be upfront with consumers about your practices. A tiny farmer's market may operate more on word of mouth than official certification.

How You Can Create A Tiny Organic Farm On Your Terrace

A few decades ago, almost all houses  had a garden since plenty of space was available. However, since the IT boom, this space has been shrinking and today, it is almost non-existent. In spite of scarcity of accommodation, many people have come up with novel ways to grow plants even in the little available space. Terrace gardening is one of them.

Man struck upon the idea of starting his garden around three years ago. He was very enthusiastic about gardening but did not have any space outside his house. This was when he decided to start growing plants on his terrace. “I haven’t kept any care taker or ‘maali.’ My wife and I take care of our garden ourselves and it gives us peace and satisfaction,” 

Why terrace gardening?

A terrace garden does not need much maintenance and it is hardly time consuming. Just devoting 10-15 minutes daily to the garden is sufficient for its upkeep. One can indulge in gardening generally in the morning hours before going to work. Most terrace gardeners prefer having their morning tea and newspaper on the terrace too.

Not just small flowering plants, one can also grow vegetables on the garden. Organic and home grown vegetables are a healthy alternative to the pesticide-ridden vegetables available in the market. However, big plants and tress cannot be grown on residential terraces because of their weight. One should water these plants with care so that the soil does not spread out. If the water falls with too much force, it can result in dirt and soil erosion. Any small area on your terrace or balcony which has access to the sun light for at least 4 to 5 hours a day can be converted into a vegetable garden.

One can harvest at least 400 grams of vegetables per week depending on the crops one chooses to plant. There are many valid reasons behind growing plants and vegetables on your terrace, some of them include getting fresh, faster cooking, nutritious & wholesome produce; it is cost effective and one also gets food safety & guarantee; you get a choice of vegetables, in fact, you can get Any Time Veggies (ATV); it is therapeutic, relaxing, educational and eco-friendly; it reduces our dependency and wastage and on the whole, is time well spent.

How do you do it?

Waterproofing your terrace is a must to make a proper terrace garden to ensure that it does not result in seepage or other damage to the building structure. If the terrace is big, it can be divided into two parts – one for garden and the other for seating arrangements or for some household chores. Artificial waterfalls and colorful lights can also be installed, which can enhance the beauty of these gardens at night.

The concept of this mini farming becomes more interesting and also provides you with a sense of satisfaction when you can use your old furniture as planter boxes. The old drawer, old chair, old cupboards and shelves, plastic bottles, tin containers, broken dressing tables and old shoes can be painted with bright and eye-catching colors and made ready to grow many small plants which will enhance the beauty of your terrace space.

The daily leftover food in the home kitchen like fruit and vegetable peels, rotten food items and other wet waste are a rich source of minerals for the plants and can be composted and used as manure, helping us create a 100% waste-free environment.

Man said that regular cleaning is required as dry leaves and flowers also fall with the changing seasons. Regular cleaning and maintenance is a must for a beautiful garden.

How to spread the culture of terrace gardening?

Mr. Kaushik from The Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF), a non-profit research organisation, feels that conducting workshops for kitchen gardening is an excellent idea for the people to bring awareness about organic food consumption in our country.

He says, “Our motto is to teach people to ‘grow your own organic food’. For this, we conduct workshops on kitchen gardening so that people can apply the same if they have open space like a roof top, a balcony, an open ground space, etc.”

Preparation and use of Natural fertilizer for organic crop production

      Organic farming is found to be more favorable for farmer. Production of crops without use of the chemical fertilizer and pesticide is called organic farming. In this method of cropping anything which is naturally available can be utilized other then chemical fertilizer and toxins e.g. (farm yard manure, green manure, natural salt without any chemical reaction). We can achieve our production goal if we use organic farming on scientific basis. It is also a wrong perception that organic farming decreases the yield. The worth of crop grown by organic method is more than that of chemical fertilizer and cost of production is also lesser. Positive effect is shown on the crops cultivated organically for a long period of time. Organic farming improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Our soil health has been declined due to the prolonged usage of chemical fertilizers. Use of chemical pesticides resulted in killing of many beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms; on the other hand they have harmful effect on human beings and environment as well. Keeping all these factors under consideration organic farming is beneficial. Whereas, this idea is totally wrong that it can be done in developed and rich countries only.

    Generally people have a misconception that organic farming only means application of Farm Yard Manure to the soil. Though in reality it is just a part of organic farming and constitutes only 10% of the organic farming while the rest 90% comes from other sources. For example decomposition of FYM is absolutely necessary because carbon and nitrogen content in fresh manure are not in dissolved form and therefore cannot be utilized. Manure contains 60-90% carbon and 0.5-5% of nitrogen. In addition there is phosphorus along with other macro- and micro nutrients.

Compost;

 A mixture of organic matter, as from leaves and manure, that has decayed or has been digested by organisms, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients. Apart from manure, sugar cane straw and crop residues can also be used to prepare compost. Nothing can replace the uniqueness of compost, 25% of the applied chemical fertilizer would be taken up by plants and rest would be lost to either air through volatilization or to the soil through leaching and the remaining will be denitrified anaerobically by soil microbes. This means there is no reservoir of chemical fertilizer in the soil. In contrast, plants utilize 30-40% of compost in the form of humus and rest would be stored in the soil for the next cropping season this will eventually increase the soil fertility and productivity.

Method for preparation of compost

In order to prepare compost mix 25% of domestic manure, 25% poultry manure add bagasse or   press mud and make it to 50%. We can also use kitchen organic waste, fallen leaves from trees, residues of vegetable and fruit. Next prepare a solution of yeast by dissolving 400 grams of yeast in 500L of water and shake it thoroughly. Spray it on 10 ton mixture of FYM/ poultry manure and press mud then mix it and cover it with plastic sheet .This 10 ton fertilizer will ready within three weeks Effective Microbial Mixture can also be used instead of yeast.

To make this compost more effective we can add 15 kg dry blood, 150 kg rock phosphate, 150 kg gypsum and mix them with yeast/EM solution and cover it with plastic sheet. After 3 weeks pack this grounded organic fertilizer into 50 kg bags. 250 kg /acre is the recommended dose of organic fertilizer which contains 15 kg N, 20 kg P, and 10 kg K, and 30 kg micronutrient.

Effect of organic fertilizer on crops

Crop produced from organic forming is tastes better and is rich in nutrients. Bacteria and other microorganism present in the organic fertilizer are the cause of increase in organic content and nutrient availability to the crop. Sometimes organic production is not up to mark but it is not exposed to toxic chemicals.

Advantages of organic fertilizer application

• Improve soil health

Organic matter is essential for having healthy soil. Organic fertilizer is composed of only natural material, which makes it an excellent additive for soil that are nutrient deficient. The organic matter in the fertilizer also helps the soil to retain moisture and increase its workability. Farmer depends on a soil that is plough able but the soil that is too hard or soft will not support plants effectively. Another great benefit of organic fertilizer is that it increases air flow through the soil which allow plant root to breathe. In some cases chemical fertilizer change the pH of soil due to excess nutrients which are not effectively absorbed by plants. Organic fertilizer do not have this problem because they slowly break down and release nutrients at a rate, which allows plants to absorb them naturally and completely with no waste and excess.

• Improve plant growth

The basic purpose of organic fertilizer is to improve the soil quality amending it with nutrients it may lack. The international fertilizer industry association defines fertilizer as material containing 5% of more of the three essential plant nutrients; N, P and K. Nitrogen is vital for plant growth earth’s atmosphere contain about 78% nitrogen. However this atmospheric form is not feasible for plant.

Organic fertilizer provide nitrogen, in a utilizable form which will help improve plant growth while neither burning roots nor destroying beneficial microorganism in the soil

• Disease prevention

A healthy plant has the biological capacity to fend off some cases of disease. When plant is stressed due to lack of nutrients, its growth slows, its defense against disease –carrying bacteria and fungi weakens. Organic fertilizer help prevent diseases by meeting the plant nutritional needs. This action removes the serious source of stress.

• Parasite prevention

Fertilizer can help plants resist parasitic infestation by insects and other agents. Parasite may attack plants at site of injury. A healthy plant has the ability to rapidly recover from such injuries and restore homeostasis, setting up a barrier against parasites. In addition to healthy growth organic fertilizer play another role in parasite prevention. A vegetable planted with organic fertilizer attracts less insect pests.

Defining “Organic”

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.

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

The general principles of organic production, from the Canadian Organic Standards (2006), include the following:

• protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health
• maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil

Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops, and encourages balanced host/predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility. Preventative insect and disease control methods are practiced, including crop rotation, improved genetics and resistant varieties. Integrated pest and weed management, and soil conservation systems are valuable tools on an organic farm. Organically approved pesticides include “natural” or other pest management products included in the Permitted Substances List (PSL) of the organic standards. The Permitted Substances List identifies substances permitted for use as a pesticides in organic agriculture. All grains, forages and protein supplements fed to livestock must be organically grown.

• maintain biological diversity within the system
• recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise
• provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioral needs of livestock
• prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production
• rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems

The organic standards generally prohibit products of genetic engineering and animal cloning, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic drugs, synthetic food processing aids and ingredients, and ionizing radiation. Prohibited products and practices must not be used on certified organic farms for at least three years prior to harvest of the certified organic products. Livestock must be raised organically and fed 100 per cent organic feed ingredients.

Organic farming presents many challenges. Some crops are more challenging than others to grow organically; however, nearly every commodity can be produced organically.

Growth of Organic Agriculture

The world market for organic food has grown for over 15 years. Growth of retail sales in North America is predicted to be 10 per cent to 20 per cent per year during the next few years. The retail organic food market in Canada is estimated at over $1.5 billion in 2008 and $22.9 billion in the U.S.A. in 2008. It is estimated that imported products make up over 70 per cent of the organic food consumed in Canada. Canada also exports many organic products, particularly soybeans and grains.

The Canadian Organic Farmers reported 669 certified organic farms in Ontario in 2007 with over 100,000 certified organic acres of crops and pasture land. This is an annual increase of approximately 10 per cent per year in recent years. About 48 per cent of the organic cropland is seeded to grains, 40 per cent produces hay and pasture and about five per cent for certified organic fruits and vegetables. Livestock production (meat, dairy and eggs) has also been steadily increasing in recent years.

Why Farm Organically?

The main reasons farmers state for wanting to farm organically are their concerns for the environment and about working with agricultural chemicals in conventional farming systems. There is also an issue with the amount of energy used in agriculture, since many farm chemicals require energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels. Organic farmers find their method of farming to be profitable and personally rewarding.

Why Buy Organic?

Consumers purchase organic foods for many different reasons. Many want to buy food products that are free of chemical pesticides or grown without conventional fertilizers. Some simply like to try new and different products. Product taste, concerns for the environment and the desire to avoid foods from genetically engineered organisms are among the many other reasons some consumers prefer to buy organic food products. In 2007 it was estimated that over 60 per cent of consumers bought some organic products. Approximately five per cent of consumers are considered to be core organic consumers who buy up to 50 per cent of all organic food.