Help me understand, please

[mamab]

Organic foods are those that have been grown without use of pesticides, right? Does that mean that they don't use things like Miracle-Gro, too? Or would that be considered non-organic if they used something like that?

[happy2bg33k]

I could be totally off here but I think that organic foods mean that the food itself hasn't been chemically enhanced or treated, not the soil.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Good question! Organic foods are foods that haven't had any chemicals used on the soil for any reason, whether it is for bugs or fertilizer. They have only had natural ingredients used for killing bugs or for fertilizer.

I remember reading something a while back that farmers plant certain plants near their crops to keep bugs away. I know that there are other ways of feeding plants and keeping away pests that they use, but I'm not sure what they are as I have a black thumb. lol My DH knows though. lol

[cat lover]

Here is some facts from Wikipedia:
In most jurisdictions, organic food must meet specified production standards, which specify growing and processing conditions different from normal agricultural and food safety requirements.Organic food is produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. Also, at all levels, organic food is produced without the use of genetically modified organims. It is also becoming more legally regulated to have the "organic" name attached to it.

[mamab]

So, I guess the only fertilizer you could use is good old compost, huh? Well, that's not so bad. Composting isn't that HARD, just time consuming waiting for all that goodness to be broken down.

[cat lover]

If you have a good spot and have the time to tend to your compost it really doesn't take all that long. I turn mine alot and water it throughout the season and have compost by fall. Of course with chickens I don't have nearly as much things going into it as I used to so that takes longer now!

[ewriggs]

While the concept of "organic" foods is appealing, the actual definitions of "organic" and "natural" aren't congruent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. So-called "organic" foods often have a much lower output with smaller and often less nutritious fruits/vegetables. I often look in the organic foods sections of my grocery store, have bought some and am totally unimpressed by the flavor and texture of most of the fruits and veggies.

The meats that are grown without hormones and antibiotics certainly taste good, but are not economical in any sense of the word. In fact, because of the poor practices of meat packers (particularly in the chicken and turkey industries), the lack of antibiotics can actually lead to more food-borne illnesses.

I'm NOT advocating using all the artificial fertilizers and antibiotics and stuff, but just pointing out that their use has benefits as well as disadvantages.

Cheerio!
Elizabeth


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