Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
17 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
organic farming
|
minimal use of off - farm inputs of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
|
|
|
What is organic farming's philosophy? (3)
|
1. work with natural processes to conserve resources
2. maintain biodiversity 3. minimize waste & environmental impact |
|
|
USA National Organic Program
|
-annual inspections by certification agencies registered with the government
-animals must have an organic diet -sick animals must be treated surgery must minimize stress&pain -document all soil inputs -farmers must develop soil fertility and pest control plans -buffer zone between them & conventional farms |
|
|
organic farming has no...
|
-antibiotics (w/o illness) or growth hormones
-GMOs, irradiation, synthetic pesticides -petroleum-based or sewage sludge - based fertilizers -animal feed that has manure or parts of other animals, plastic, pellets, urea -animal confinement |
|
|
organic practices
|
*maintaining soil fertility
-green "manure," fish slurry, blood meal, bone meal, cover crops, crop rotation |
|
|
controlling pests (3)
|
1. physical controls
2. biological controls 3. microbial pesticides |
|
|
What does physical controls entail for controlling pests?
|
crop rotation
hand picking drip irrigation cleanliness caulking/barriers sulfur and copper compounds |
|
|
What do biological controls affect with controlling pests?
|
lady bugs
birds bats spiders |
|
|
What do microbial pesticides entail with controlling pests?
|
-contain a microorganism (Bt bacteria) as an active ingredient
-Bt produces a protein that's toxic to some insect species |
|
|
Why does organic food cost more? (4)
|
-not a mass - market item
-picked ripe -> shorter shelf - life -environmentally - friendly practices are more labor intensive -methods used aren't subsidized by taxpayers =consumers pay full cost of growing food |
|
|
safety of organics?
|
-most organic pesticides are not toxic to mammals, but are to slugs, snails, catterpillars, mites, aphids
-risk of bio - accumulation is less, as the biopesticides degrade quickly -organic diet reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides |
|
|
organics better? : nutrients
|
May contain higher levels of micronutrients bc of the maintenance of soil fertility
-vita c, iron, magnesium |
|
|
what's the crop yield for organic food?
|
inconclusive
some equal, some less, some more |
|
|
organic is better for the environment!
|
-fewer greenhouse gas emissions
-less fossil fuel use -decreased soil erosion -maintains native insects, birds -reduces contamination of groundwater |
|
|
how to reduce pesticide exposure?
|
-trim fat from meat
-scrub produce and discard outer leaves -avoid waxed fruits -support farmer's markets bottom line: keep eating produce! |
|
|
What are the key elements for success? (2)
|
-absence of subsidies and incentives for non-sustainable agricultural practices
-policies supporting sustainable practices |
|
|
what are the roles of the USDA?
|
-oversees certified organic, but mandates to promote conventional agricultural
-constantly trying to weaken organic standards -if farmers grow organic, less purchase of inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics) -if people buy organic, less purchase of conventional and less support subsidies |
