Laura Krouse
Abbe Hills Farm
Mt. Vernon
www.abbehills.com
laura@abbehills.com
Organic agriculture
Management that takes advantage of
biological processes
make nutrients available
reduce pest pressure
conserve biodiversity
Organic agriculture mimics
the natural ecosystem
Improve and maintain soil health
Increase biological diversity
(especially in soil food web)
Organic is not the same as
“Natural”
“Ecofriendly”
“Green”
“Sustainably Produced”
“Free Range”
Fertility from
Rocks
Manure and compost
Legumes (green manure)
Manage for animal health
and efficient growth
No antibiotics
No hormones, steroids, or
growth promoters
Animals have access to outside
No CAFOs
Depend on traditional breeding
No genetic engineering
Manage pest populations
Encourage natural enemies
Remove pests mechanically
Organic sources for pesticides
Use crop rotation
C-OM-M-G
vs
C-SB
Minimize soil erosion, improve
water quality, decrease
stormwater runoff
Cultural practices
Physical practices
What are the benefits
of organic agriculture?
Equivalent overall yields on well
managed organic farms
Use 1/3 less fuel
Less carbon dioxide produced
No pesticides to run off or drift
Nitrogen is locked up in organic
matter in the soil
Less likely to leach away
Soil organic matter traps
carbon and keeps it out of
the atmosphere
Soil organic matter holds water
Decrease drought risk
Decrease runoff
Decrease flooding
More biodiversity
in soil food web and
at the surface
No pesticide residues on or
in our food
More nutritious food
(maybe)
So why doesn’t everybody farm
organically?
It’s hard
Takes time
Risk is great at the beginning
Knowledge is almost lost
Neighbors will talk about you
Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial
Summary of 30 years of research
comparing organic and conventional
cropping systems
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst30years
See you on Thursday
Laura Krouse
Abbe Hills Farm
Mt. Vernon
www.abbehills.com
laura@abbehills.com