Organic farming is a method of farming that implements techniques that are not harmful to the environment or to those working on the farm. It is the preferred greener approach to farming because it reduces our impact on nature and promotes natural growing methods.

​Organic farming monitors the production of fruits and vegetables closely and has a number of guidelines that must be followed.

The use of chemicals, such as in fertilizers and pesticides, is monitored and restricted to a certain amounts, while natural fertilizers and resources are meant to be used instead.

​Organic farming prohibits using GMO. It also encourages livestock to be kept in humane conditions that allow exposure to the outdoors and giving them healthy feed. Animals and plants that are used in organic farming should be selected by their ability to adapt to the local environment and their natural ability to combat diseases.

In order to maintain and promote healthy soil, organic farming uses methods such as crop rotation, mulching, compost and recycling of various wastes such as crops and manure from animals. Instead of using heavy chemicals as pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming aims to keep weeds and pests at bay by using strong crops that are naturally resistant, selecting the best crops, rotating crops, cultivating in the best manner and using pesticides from a natural source instead.

A common misconception with organic farming is that farmers allow their crops to grow freely without much moderation.

However, organic farming is actually a very complex procedure that requires a lot of skill and technique. It is a combination of traditional techniques and modern understanding in order to yield the best results. Organic farmers know that not every predator in their farm is detrimental, not every weed must be removed and that chemicals are the last resort to dealing with a problem. 

Farming does not have to be completely weed and pest free, because that simply shows that they do not want to live in that environment either. Therefore, why should we think it is okay to consume? Organic farming encourages farmers to be aware of the types of weeds and pests, moderate them and use them in beneficial ways when applicable. 

​Categories:
Organic Living and Sustainable Living

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#organicfarming #organicliving #sustainability #sustainablelifestyle #greenliving #sustainablefoodsource

Are GMO Foods very detrimental to our health and wellness? - something to think about as we approach holiday times and a new year. 

Holidays are mostly spent with friends and family, sharing food and gifts and getting ourselves ready for a new year. It is important not just for our own wellbeing, but also for that of our planet, that we take some time out this holiday season to reflect on our food choices and their impact on our bodies (our physical health) and the wellbeing of our planet (sustainable life on earth).

Genetically modified (GMO) foods can be found in practically all supermarkets these days. Over 85% of the United States corn and soy crops are said to be GMO foods, while up to 70% of processed items available in U.S supermarkets contain ingredients that are genetically modified. 

What GMO foods mean are basically altered genetic DNA that is not naturally occurring in nature. These foods come from various organisms and are combined in various methods such as introducing a new gene to an organism.

​​We call it GMO when the genetic make up of an organism is altered in anyway. Some of the most common GMO foods aside from corn and soy include cotton and maize.

​These ingredients come in many snacks, breakfast options, baby foods and others.

​There are two different opinions when it comes to GMO foods. The U.S government states that GMO foods tend to be safer and can be helpful to those who are starving, whereas the EU prefers to keep their food natural and organic. The EU believes that GMO foods are detrimental to local farming and the risks are too great to ignore. 

The various risks associated with GMO foods include resistance to antibiotics, contamination, toxins in foods, altering nutritional content and possible affects on the environment.

​Since GMO foods are still in the early stages it is hard to tell what the consequences of these foods will have on our health. These foods have the possibility of creating entirely new types of bacteria that can severely affect our body. 

​It is known that diverse genes are more healthy and strong, therefore those that are altered can have less capability of handling drought, handling fungus and bacteria as a natural option would. If we modify and reduce the diversity of genes then it could affect areas that rely on crops that are GMO. 

When we put GMO foods out into the world, they will affect seeds and create traits that were not there in the first place. Even though the GMO was designed in a lab, the way that it interacts with nature will have its own effect, such as killing out essential foods or resources. 

One of the pitches of the US government that advocates that use of GMO foods states that it is better for the future of global food supply.

However, since the introduction of GMO there has been no particular leap in yield boost or reduction of the use of pesticides. GMOs need a large amount of chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, which will affect our water and food supply. - something to think about and research further into...

#GMOfoods #nonGMO #greenliving #sustainablelifestyle #earthfriendlyliving #saveourearth #cleanfood #sustainability