Lesson 1.2 Introduction to Organic Agriculture
Content Notes
The Movement
In the early 1900's F.H. King and Sir Albert Howard looked to Asia to answer the question of how those civilizations could maintain productive agriculture for thousands of years while in the U.S. soils were degrading after only a few generations of farming. They found that truly viable agricultural systems rely on understanding natural ecosystems.
In the 1950s and 60s, the "Organic Agricultural Movement" spread throughout the country.
In 1990, the Organic Foods Production Act was passed.
The Industry
In 2000, the National Organic Program was established, converting a movement into a marketplace.
The Label
Definitions of "Organic"
"Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods... and verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic."
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
"Organic Agriculture [is] a production system that... respond[s] to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biological diversity."
- 7 CFR 205.2 "Organic production"
"Organic agriculture is: (1) a set of production practices and principles rooted in natural systems, (2) defined, regulated, and protected by the USDA. Organic provides a verification method of US consumers and a market premium for farmers."
- OATS definition
Organic production is the only agricultural production system verified by law.
Other Production Claims (non-organic)
Non-GMO
- Market can be useful for organic transition
- Long-standing "clean label" standard
- Private company
- no federal backing
- standards can change at any time with no review
- Organic standards are, by definition, "non-GMO"
Regenerative
- Shares many motives and principles aligned with organic
- Great potential environmental and social benefits
- Many different definitions
- No standard, verification, or review
- No premium or financial incentive
Animal Welfare Labels
- Many different labels out there - all do some degree of good
- Confusing or inconsistent standards
- Lack of, or unclear, enforcement
- Organic has some of the strictest animal welfare standards
- Organic has verification and enforcement mechanisms
5 Ways Certified Organic Stands Out
- Voluntary participation
- Passed by an act of Congress and controlled by Congress
- Managed by the USDA's National Organic Program
- Federally enforced - daily fines for willfully violating the regulations
- Public/private partnership - mandates stakeholder input and requires an act of Congress to change the law