NATURE'S GOT THIS!
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Mother Nature is a powerful source of amazing abilities.
Mother Nature is a powerful source of amazing abilities.
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Unlike modern farming, organic farming methods come from thousands of years worth of experience in crop cultivation.
It is easy to forget just how long farming has been used for, with our ancestors being brought up to live off the land. Because of this, we feel that working with nature's natural flow is more than good enough when it comes to producing great, healthy crops. |
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It is only in the past century that the chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides have been used by farmers. In non-organic farms, they use artificial pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers on the crops. In 2015, tests by the British Government found that 42% of British crops had residue of pesticides in.
However, their choice is not without reason. Firstly, the consumer demand in our modern society is for high-quality, great-looking fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat to be readily available at any time of the day. Any business must move with the times to keep up with the consumer, but these expectations are not only testing the limits of what the farmers can achieve, but also putting a strain on nature's very own capabilities.
To put it simply, neither nature, animals nor farmers can realistically achieve these expectations that are created by the consumer and spearheaded by the food retail giants. Farmers are forced to use methods that manipulate nature itself, in order to meet these expectations. However, farmers can choose a more traditional method of organic farming, which relies on the amazing powers of nature to achieve a realistic amount of healthy and great produce.
However, their choice is not without reason. Firstly, the consumer demand in our modern society is for high-quality, great-looking fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat to be readily available at any time of the day. Any business must move with the times to keep up with the consumer, but these expectations are not only testing the limits of what the farmers can achieve, but also putting a strain on nature's very own capabilities.
To put it simply, neither nature, animals nor farmers can realistically achieve these expectations that are created by the consumer and spearheaded by the food retail giants. Farmers are forced to use methods that manipulate nature itself, in order to meet these expectations. However, farmers can choose a more traditional method of organic farming, which relies on the amazing powers of nature to achieve a realistic amount of healthy and great produce.
ORGANIC FARMING METHODS
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THE NATURAL FOOD CHAIN
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Many non-organic farmers use chemical pesticides to protect their crops against pests that quite literally, eat up their profit. The thought of pests feasting on your future lunch may not be the most appealing of thoughts, but these pests are an important part of the food chain and left to nature, living creatures will take care of the problem for you. |
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CROP ROTATION
Crop rotation is a method in which farmers will plant the seeds of various crops in the same area.
With pests tending to attack the same family of plants or crops, spreading out the planting of the crops, prevents them from multiplying in numbers and can prevent crops from diseases. |
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HEALTHY SOIL
Soil can rapidly lose minerals and nutrients, once the crops have been cultivated by farmers.
Organic farmers use a method known as 'green manure' to help promote healthy soil. Farmers will use remove dying plants and place them in the soil, so the growing crops can use their remaining nutrients. |
Farmers also use natural compost, or animal waste to promote healthy soil. The waste is usually high in nutrients and similarly to using the 'green manure' method, growing crops and plants can extract all the nutrients.
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MANAGING WEEDS
Whether you're a farmer or a novice gardener, weeds are never your favourite addition to the landscape.
Farmers will use a mixture of both chemicals and natural methods to manage them, as opposed to eliminating them completely. |
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Certain crops can suppress weeds by producing phytotoxic affects, seriously stunting their growth and other crops can tolerate weeds.