Plants that are grown in organic means are known to be healthier to eat than those that have been subjected to commercial grown enhancers. Also, the soil is maintained well with an organic system allowing natural microorganisms to work and help the plant grow. This process is usually hindered by chemical fertilizers, improvers, and pesticides that are known to kill even the healthy bacteria found in the soil.

Natural and all organic soil is characterized by the lives that to which it becomes a home, bacteria, fungi, and worms. All these organisms and microorganisms work hand in hand to make the plant grow. When chemicals are used on the soil, all these are destroyed and prevented even if they could be beneficial to the growth of the plant. Farmers are aware of the fact that there are microorganisms present in the soil and plants that help produce healthy and nutrient filled fruits and produces.

With the many new techniques in improving the soil, gardeners and farmers always try to ensure the fertility and natural structure of the soil to take good care of the plants. As part of the soil improvement in farms, the crop rotation is needed to ensure that the soil will be able to develop the needed nutrients these crops need.. The right way to choose crops for planting depends on the season and the condition of the land in the farm.

The use of fertilizers is still needed even in organic farming procedures. However, organic compost is usually preferred because it provides the most natural elements for the soil. An organic compost can be readily done by collecting kitchen wastes, garden pruning, and animal wastes. There are many ways to make an organic compost with the biodegradable wastes that may be collected from the home or the farms itself. Today, there are a lot of ways that farms can utilize the natural composting means in order to improve the condition of the soil of an agricultural land.

Even pesticides may also have an organic replacement in the form of green pesticides. Using compost tea, spinosad, or neem may be non toxic ways of killing unwanted pests from the garden or field. These kinds of green pesticides will help in removing the pests from the soil and plants but still maintain the health of the soil.

Clearing the land of diseased plants and materials is also important because these may take up space on the soil. With these left on the soil, the nutrients that other thriving plants need cannot travel at a faster rate. This would also help avoid possible diseases that may spread to other plants that are healthier and more productive.

farmcommunities.com

There are different means employed by farmers worldwide to ensure that their agricultural facilities are environmentally friendly. These can be observed with the number of organic farms that are now growing as the years pass. In addition to going organic, there are also farms that utilize solar panels to make use of the natural energy from the sun to power their equipment rather than electricity or gasoline. Man made energy is known to contribute to the pollution in the environment because of the burning of fossil fuels. By using solar energy, farmers are able to generate renewable energy and save a lot of money.

Many homes have already utilized the technology of harnessing the sun’s power for electricity. Solar panels are used in many farms today because it can effectively provide the power that is needed in the pumps and mills of the farms. Compared to gasoline, there are no pollutants in the air since the energy being used is all natural.

A lot of farmers have started to enjoy the facility because of the many yet affordable choices of solar panels in the market today. Earlier, farmers in areas that experience mostly sunny skies are the only ones who get to enjoy solar powered systems. However, the new solar panels in the market can now provide farms with a maximum energy output even during cloudy and rainy seasons. Overall, with a solar panel for the agricultural facility, a farmer can cut down the energy cost to more than fifty percent making the farming procedures less dependent on non renewable energy sources. This would also mean that other than the monetary savings of these solar powered farms, there are also a lot of efforts made to save the environment from pollution and the preservation of its non renewable resources.

There are farms that are unable to completely rely on solar energy for its functions and production. But the good thing about this is that they are able to vary the sources of energy utilized in the farm. The facilities that farms are utilizing and its efficiency to produce energy for farm use vary depending on the budget and solar panel system employed in the farm. In a matter of years, there will be more and more farms that can get to enjoy the solar powered system as many environmental groups and the government have been trying to find means in order to make this facility available to as many areas as possible. In the future, there would be lesser needs for energy produced by non renewable sources, saving the environment and all its resources.

farmcommunities.com

All agricultural lands would have animals that live within the area. An organic farm land would best benefit from animal farms in the area because of the availability of resources for making green fertilizers for the cultivation of crops. Organic farmers would make use of the livestock manure in replacement of the commercial fertilizers to help free the land from chemically made solutions and compounds to improve crop growth.

There are many reasons why organic farms utilize livestock manure composting and all these are beneficial in a lot of ways. Organic compost would reduce the incidences of runoff which is usually caused by contamination of the water and soil in the farm because of the chemicals that are found in the commercially prepared enhancers. This would best benefit the entire farming land because the water and soil is maintained which animals would also thrive healthier on. Because these green fertilizers and composts are all made with natural and biodegradable materials, there are no negative effects that are caused by its overuse unlike commercial fertilizers.

Animal manure coming from the livestock of the farm makes great green fertilizers because it provides the nutrients that the soil needs without having to spend any money. Farmers are able to save money by utilizing animal farm wastes as composts and fertilizers since there is no need or fewer requirements to purchase commercial products such as fertilizers and soil enhancers. In addition to saving money which is usually allocated for fertilizers, the waste accumulation is also lessened. Disposal of some farming wastes and garbage usually costs money because of the machines and vehicle needed to clear the farm area.

In making green fertilizers for the farm, it would be best to have a designated area for composting in the farm. Bigger and wider farms can easily arrange the farm to create a space for green fertilizer production. A higher level land would be most suitable for this purpose with three levels of decomposition areas. The first section is for the fresh manure which is then transferred to the area for decomposition. Finally, the last area would be the one with a collection of compost ready for use. Animal manure will usually take two to three weeks to decompose and after this time period, the soil may already be utilized to provide nutritious soil for crops to thrive in.

farmcommunities.com

Becoming a vegetarian is one of the most usual actions that people take to become healthy. Whether it would be for losing weight, changing eating habits, or just simply wanting to live healthily, there are numerous reasons why people opt to become vegetarians. There are also individuals who would want to show their concern for animals by avoiding eating their meat or their products because they believe that these are harmful and abusive to animals. But overall, ensuring the health and safety of a person should always be a main aspect of changing the way that a person eats.

In becoming a vegetarian eater, there are no certain rules that need to be followed or a plan to be devised. The only thing that is common among all vegetarians is the fact that they do not consume red meat. The kinds of vegetarian eating differ from one person to another, but there are certain types that consume food similarly as the others.

Vegan: Vegan eaters are those that do only eat fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts. They strictly consume food that comes from the soil and none of those that come from animals. There are vegans that rigorously practice their lifestyle by avoiding even very small portions of animal by products such as pastries and gelatin. A subgroup of vegan eaters is the raw vegans that only eat unprocessed or uncooked vegan food items.

Lacto vegetarian: This type of vegetarians eats the same kinds as that of vegans but could also consume dairy products. Lacto vegetarians avoid eating any kind of meat, poultry, and poultry products.

Ovo-Lactovegetarian: Vegetarians who consume animal products in their diet except for its meat is pertained to as an ovo-lactovegetarian. They can consume processed, cooked, and baked foods that contain dairy and poultry products, such as milk, cheeses, and eggs.

Semi-vegetarians: There are some people who simply avoid red meat and eat all others. Semi-vegetarians are the most flexible types of vegetarians because they eat all kinds of food.

Fruitarians: These are extreme types of dieters who avoid eating all kinds of food except for fruits that are fresh and uncooked.

Pesci-vegetarians: Individuals who avoid all forms of meat except for fish are under this category. People who are experiencing health problems and complications choose this type of eating pattern because of the many advantages provided by fish.

Pollo-Vegetarians: Vegetarians that consume meat that only comes from poultry like chicken, duck, and turkey, as well as its products and the usual vegan diet. Other kinds of meat are avoided by pollo-vegetarians.

Regardless of the type of vegetarian eating a person chooses, it is a decision that should be made by considering the health of a person. Much research and consultation may also be sought in order to find the best eating pattern to have. There are many health benefits can be resulted from by becoming a vegetarian and all these have been studied and proven by professionals and people who have changed their eating patterns.

farmcommunities.com

Organic farming is a form of agriculture that is based on ecological management which excludes the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and antibiotics applied on plants and animals. It promotes and focuses on agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity while minimizing the risk to human and animal health and natural resources. It has been proven as an effective approach with the United Nations (UN) in their report on world hunger and poverty.

People during the World War II had experienced food shortages. After the war, the farmers were encouraged to use chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides as everyone wanted affordable and plenty of food. Meat was affected as well when the animals were administered with growth hormones and antibiotics. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides had caused severe water and environmental pollution. Over the years, the consumers have become more concerned about its disadvantage and started to support organic farming.

How organic farming is done

In organic farming, farmers naturally nourish soil with the use of quality compost, cover crops. Plants that grow on healthy soil are much better and can actually protect themselves from pests and disease without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming also helps in protecting the global environment as they can significantly reduce the amount of factors that contribute to global warming such as carbon dioxide.

Animals are organically raised are fed with certified organic feeds, hormone-free and GMO-free. Organic farmers prevent disease on livestock by ensuring that they have are healthy, fed right, and have given comfortable shelters. One of the outcomes is some certified organic milk cows have a life expectancy 3 or 4 times the life expectancy of their conventional counterparts.

Organic foods

It is however that many in the industry are not convinced that organic foods are more nutritious than the conventionally grown food as there are no conclusive evidences shown.  Even though USDA certifies organic food, it does not claim that these are safer and more nutritious.

Some people prefer to choose organic food to avoid their exposure to the pesticide residues from conventional farming. But since organic foods tend to have more farming practices, they are more expensive than conventional foods.

Organic farming is very much debated topic and its environmental benefits will continue to be studied which in turn will find a better understanding on how it will cure or help in reducing the effects of environmental hazards brought by the modern agricultural practices.

farmcommunities.com

Fiber is a substance that is usually found in the outer layers of plants. When included in the diet, it provides bulk and suppresses appetite which makes you feel full. High fiber food absorbs water that causes it to swell. This is especially good for people who want to loose or maintain their body weight.

Fiber is broken down in the colon through fermentation and the simple organic acids produced by the breakdown helps to nourish the lining of the colon.

There are two types of fiber classified according to its solubility. One is soluble fiber which dissolves in water and forms into a gel-like substance. It primarily helps in lowering the levels of blood cholesterol and glucose. The other type of fiber is insoluble fiber which cannot be dissolved in water. It primarily improves the movement of material through digestive system and increases the weight and bulk of the stool.

Having fiber-rich diet improves the quality of diet. Several benefits of eating fiber are the following:

•    Reduces total intestinal transit time while keeping the contents of the intestines moving

•    Helps avoid constipation and provides relief to its symptoms by softening the stool and increases its weight

•    Improves bowel function

•    When combined with fruits, vegetables, milk and fish, it can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. It also prevents certain diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones, and kidney stones.

•    Lowers blood pressure especially in hypertensive and obese individuals

•    Helps in weight loss by reducing the absorption of fats and prevents weight gain that can cause hypertension

•    Controls the levels of blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance. It also reduces hunger pangs, headaches, and fatigue due to rapid drops in blood sugar.

•    Improves metabolic syndrome

•    Lowers triglyceride levels

Fiber can only be produced by plants. It cannot be found in animal foods as they do not contain fiber no matter how chewy or tough they may be. Excellent sources of dietary fiber are the following:
Fruits and vegetables. They have always been an important part of a daily diet. Not only they help in controlling weight, but also they provide more energy, and lower the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. People who include fruits and vegetables in their diet are less likely associated with high blood pressure and diabetes.

Whole grains. Whole grains provide vitamins, minerals, and even high levels of antioxidants and other healthy plant-based nutrients. These grains may lower triglycerides, controls insulin, and helps in weight management.

Too much fiber in the diet can cause some problems especially when first initiated. When increased too fast, it can cause mild adverse effects including gas increase and indigestion. There is also a rare abdominal event called, sigmoid volvulus, which is a result from twisting of large intestine due to increase of volatile gas. So when you incorporate more fiber in your diet, it is best to take fiber gradually.

Healthy eating with fiber is the most recommended in controlling weight. It is best consumed in its natural form rather than adding bran over your food. So when you feel hungry, try to choose foods high in fiber. They can satisfy your hunger without providing too much calories.

farmcommunities.com

The US-based Monsanto started in 1901 with the production of the artificial sweetener saccharine. By the 1940s, it had expanded its business to Europe and had become one of the leading chemical manufacturing companies in the United States.  Among its herbicide products, the dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) became particularly infamous for its disastrous health risks and environmental damage, and was banned in 1972 in the US, owing to the efforts by environmentalists.

In early 1980s, Monsanto started genetic experimenting on plant cells. This was a big leap for the company, away from chemical production to biotechnical engineering, and by the end of the century Monsanto had become the biotech giant of the world, specializing in genetically modified seeds. Genetically modified (GM) foods, mostly crops, have the advantages of high tolerance of herbicides, resistance to pests, diseases, drought, and low temperature, and added nutrition. At the same time, such crops have been subject to strong criticism. A number of human health risks, including different types of allergic reactions, have been known as caused by GM foods. And equally, or even more, serious are the concerns of genetic invasions caused by GM species.

Studies show that GM plants are capable of interbreeding with non-GM plants of the same species, which are planted near them. Thus, the biotechnologically altered genes travel through crops and multiply in numbers as well as complexity, posing unforeseen threats to public health. Furthermore, the altered genes can be incorporated into the genetic makeup of the weeds growing around them, causing the weeds to become herbicide resistant. This would mean a threat to environment and crops, as well as additional cost to economy due to the need for researching new, stronger varieties of herbicides.

With an expanding business going hand in hand with the genetic contamination of crops, Monsanto also continued to have an increasing experience of litigation against the farming community. Crop farmers in US and Canada have been sued by Monsanto for reproducing GM seeds/crops without paying the due royalty to the company. By 2005, at least 90 lawsuits had been by Monsanto against American farmers alone. A famous case highlighted by the Greenpeace International was that of a Canadian farmer Percy Shmeiser who lost his case in 2004 to Monsanto for failing to pay the company while accidentally discovering herbicide-resistant canola on his farm and reproducing it without the prior permission of Monsanto. Greenpeace called the GM invasion of common crops ‘genetic pollution’. Does a company have the right to genetically contaminate common crops of farms and then claim patent rights when the uninvited GM seeds on one’s own farm are reproduced?

This question, with added environmental concern, has already entered the law court and the verdict of the court will certainly be the determinant of the future of farming and feeding in and outside America. What is unambiguously clear so far is the fact that if you try to transcend nature, it will cost more than it pays; though for companies like Monsanto, the profit may surpass both the investment and the cost of litigation.

farmcommunities.com

The incredible edible egg is a protein packed gift of nature. Whether starting off our day, binding our baked goods or enjoying a late night omelet that hits the spot, eggs are a very important part of our daily lives. They are considered the source for an all-in-one edible thing.

Organic eggs are eggs produced by the hens which are fed with all natural diets. There are no pesticides and the synthetic hormones in their diet. This means that these hens are not fed on the man made diet. The human body will not have to process hormones and pesticides which the hen has metabolized. The all natural diet ensures no harmful effects and perfect balance of the proteins, vitamins and the other essential minerals.

Cage free eggs are the most humane option as their living conditions have been kept as nature intended free roaming and not stuffed in cages with many others. These hens are given exposure to the nature. They are exposed to the sun light and the outdoors is in their reach thus producing better eggs for human consumption.

Cage free certified organic eggs may cost you a little more but they are definitely much better than the artificially enhanced eggs. These eggs are produced by the hens which are brought up in the ‘close to nature’ surroundings. These hens are provided natural food and they are not treated with any enhancers and growth catalysts at all. You can find the organic cage free eggs at your local store. You will find many different brands selling different varieties of the eggs. Just make sure that you pick organic and cage free eggs to make sure that you are getting the best and the all natural product.

farmcommunities.com

Soil is obviously important because we wouldn’t have anything to stand on without soil.  Without soil, we wouldn’t be able to plant trees, food crops hence, we wouldn’t be able to eat or have shelter to rest from the sun.  In short, our soil is just as important as any other element in our planet. We are all connected in this planet and our soil is one of the most basic elements in our lives.

Aside from providing for a place for seeds, plants and trees to grow our soil is a very important data gathering element in our planet.  Soil quality is measured to help scientist predict impending drought by measuring the soil’s capability to hold water during the dry season.  It can also tell if the area can withstand flooding.  The same is true when scientists are measuring the amount of chemicals and pH in the soil to tell if the area can still sustain healthy plant life.  In other words, our soil is like a measuring device that tells scientists the over all health of an area or a part of land.

Our soil is also a very big link in the chain of life and death in our planet.  Living things like animals, leaves, seeds and other organic matter decompose on the soil providing organic matter that fatten up the soil.  These in turn make plants grow healthier which in turn are eaten by animals that are eaten by humans.  The cycle resumes when the animal dies or something decomposes with a very big help from our soil.

So the next time you feel lower than dirt, think of how important our soil is and how big a contribution it gives to our environment by being just something we step on everyday!

farmcommunities.com

We have all seen pumps that are powered with the wind to supply farms with water for irrigation.  Relying on these sorts of energy is nothing new for farmers.  However, with the sun, farmers get a more consistent energy source compared to the wind.  Skylights that use the sun to dry hay and other products have been around for a long time too, but it is only now that  practical applications such as this is being used again.  Solar dryers are also now being used to dry crops and grain.  A typical dryer is composed of an enclosed shed with screened drying trays or rack.  A solar collector helps collect sun power while a fan helps induce the natural convection to move hot air through the crops to dry them.

As technology improves, so do solar panels.  Solar powered irrigation systems, heat barns and water.  Solar panels are also used to heat greenhouses which can store and collect solar energy.  These buildings are reinforced with insulation to preserve heat even during at night.  To further preserve solar energy, greenhouses usually face the south while the northern side is insulated for heat preservation.

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are also cheaper compared to running power lines across large properties.  They can also be controlled remotely and are used to power electrified fences, lights and water pumps.  Farmers like to use them for remote livestock water supply, pond aeration, and small irrigation systems.

Although converting to solar energy can mean a substantial investment to most farmers, technology will continue to improve and access to cheaper means of converting will be made available in the foreseeable future.  It won’t be long before we can see a fully solar operated farm!

farmcommunities.com