Organic farming

Abstract

1. Definitions Professor R. Lindsay Robb, consultant of the Soil Association of England, defines organic farming as a "form of land use designed to produce optimum yields from crops and livestock of the highest nutri- tional values free from anything detrimental to health and without impairing future productivity." The U.S. Department of Agriculture has adopted this definition which was based on case study interviews, a Rodale Press survey, and on organic farming literature: "Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent feasible, organic farming systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off- farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral-bearing rocks, and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients, and to control insects, weeds and other pests.