5 ms·

Sure, I agree the organic standard is far from perfect and has many loopholes, but it's a starting point. If there were a standard out there that instead embra

Sure, I agree the organic standard is far from perfect and has many loopholes, but it's a starting point. If there were a standard out there that instead embraced a systems-thinking view on safe practices - both chemical use and general land management, emphasizing safety for the long term health of the ecosystem, the farm economy, and the humans consuming the product - I would embrace that standard instead. Even if it were (as it might be) initially quite expensive.

chicob 7y ago
Your second paragraph pretty much resumes what Integrated Farming is. That is exactly what I do. And everything you do in Organic Farming can be done in Integrated Farming - you only resort to chemical solutions if there are no other options left. And even then, only if you've gone beyond a certain point beyond which the damage will out-cost the benefits of the spraying.
- bluGill 7y ago
  Not that the other is not the case. Organic farming is not allowed to use chemical solutions even they are better for the environment. edit: as others have pointed out, some chemicals are allowed. However the points remains, environmentally friendly means to control weeds is often not allowed in organic.
  - xipho 7y ago
    This is a common falacy. Organic forming can only use organic chemical solutions, some of which are far more toxic than their synthetic alternatives. Explore this idea by checking out strawberry production.
    - tracker1 7y ago
      Berries iirc are particularly sensitive to various pesticides, more so than a lot of other produce. It's one of the few products I will seek out Organic over not, when I have them.
  - chicob 7y ago
    One can use chemical solutions in Organic Farming, if these are organic, e.g. rotenone, insect-killing viruses, bacteria and fungi. In some rare cases, synthetic mineral solutions are allowed, like copper sulfate.

chicob 7y ago

Your second paragraph pretty much resumes what Integrated Farming is. That is exactly what I do. And everything you do in Organic Farming can be done in Integrated Farming - you only resort to chemical solutions if there are no other options left. And even then, only if you've gone beyond a certain point beyond which the damage will out-cost the benefits of the spraying.

bluGill 7y ago
Not that the other is not the case. Organic farming is not allowed to use chemical solutions even they are better for the environment. edit: as others have pointed out, some chemicals are allowed. However the points remains, environmentally friendly means to control weeds is often not allowed in organic.
- xipho 7y ago
  This is a common falacy. Organic forming can only use organic chemical solutions, some of which are far more toxic than their synthetic alternatives. Explore this idea by checking out strawberry production.
  - tracker1 7y ago
    Berries iirc are particularly sensitive to various pesticides, more so than a lot of other produce. It's one of the few products I will seek out Organic over not, when I have them.
- chicob 7y ago
  One can use chemical solutions in Organic Farming, if these are organic, e.g. rotenone, insect-killing viruses, bacteria and fungi. In some rare cases, synthetic mineral solutions are allowed, like copper sulfate.