Agricultural run-off sp 09

--Kerstin 08:48, 3 April 2009 (EDT)

Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture is the production of food without using genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.(Pimental et al. 2005)

A History of Organic Farming

Until World War II, artificial fertilizers and large-scale agriculture were non-existent. Small, family owned farms used crop rotation, cover crops, and natural fertilizers such as manure to keep their crops healthy and productive.

The chemicals used in Vietnam were eventually adopted for agricultural use, resulting in some of our current conventional farming methods.

In 1962, Rachel Carson released Silent Spring, which led Americans to begin to question the artificial products used in agriculture. Since then, and especially in recent years, buying organic produce has become more and more popular.(Rodale Insitute)

The USDA National Organic Program

While some farmers choose to produce food organically but not to become USDA certified because of the extra costs, most do opt for the certification. This enables their consumers to be sure that certain standards are met.

According to the USDA, "The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards."

Current Laws and Regulation

The Organic Food Production Act of 1990 mandates a National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances that contains which synthetic inputs can be used, as well as which natural inputs cannot be used.

Notes

Rodale Institute website "A Brief History"

Inputs for Amish Agriculture

Current Regulation in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has many organizations, both national and local, that strive to restore and protect Pennsylvania's watershed.