What Counts as Organic?
What does organic really mean when it comes to farming?
Food that is grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO's
Do organic farms usually need more, less or the same amount of land as a regular farm?
Organic farms usually need more land than a conventional farm.
Why is organic farming better for pollinators like bees?
Because it has fewer harmful pesticides.
Are organic foods grown without GMO's?
Yes
What chemical products are not allowed in organic farming?
Synthetic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
Why do organic farmers rotate crops more often?
To keep soil healthy and naturally reduce the amount of pests.
Why is organic farming helpful for water systems? (think about the fewer synthetic fertilizers)
It helps stop chemicals from getting into lakes and rivers.
How do pesticide levels compare in organic vs non organic foods?
Organic foods usually have much lower pesticides.
Do organic foods need a certification label?
Yes, most organic foods require a certification label.
What is a common way organic farms improve their soil?
By composting, using manure or using cover crops
Organic farming reduces green house gases from fertilizers by roughly what percent?
About 40-50%
Why do people pick organic foods for health?
To avoid synthetic pesticides and chemicals
How many years must soil stay free of banned chemicals before a farm can be certified as organic?
At least 3 years.
On average how much less food does organic farming produce compared to regular farming?
It usually produces about 20% less.
How does organic farming help affect biodiversity compared to regular farming?
It creates a higher biodiversity (more plants, animals & better soil life)
How much more antioxidants can organic food have?
About 20-30% more
What farming method is usually used along with farming to help keep the soil healthy?
Crop rotation.
What is a big problem organic farms face when it comes to land?
They need more land to grow the same amount of food and it can create more stress on the environment.
What is an environmental tradeoff (improving one thing may harm another) of organic farming when it comes to land use?
It is better for soil and ecosystem but it needs more land which can reduce habitats for some of the wildlife.
Is the nutrition difference big?
No