An organic farmer does not use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides in the production of vegetables, fruit, cereal crops, or livestock. Synthetic hormones and food additives are generally prohibited in livestock, and certified organic feed must be used. An organic farmer must optimize the biological productivity of the land, as well as carefully monitor site selection, soil conditions, and livestock health, in addition to planting, tending, and harvesting crops. Organic farmers must maintain certification and market their products strategically in order to be financially successful.
The soil is where organic farming begins and ends. Organic farmers see the soil as a living partner in agriculture, and they work to protect and preserve the land’s viability. Composting, companion planting, mulching, and careful monitoring of earthworm populations are all examples of this. To prevent water and wind erosion, the organic farmer feeds the soil with manure, compost, and other organic matter, and maintains ground cover and moisture levels.
Every aspect of an organic farm must adhere to strict guidelines. When selecting crop seeds, for example, an organic farmer must ensure that the seeds come from certified organic stock. This could mean repurposing seeds from a previous year or purchasing from a reputable source. Furthermore, an organic farmer must consider not only profit margins and productivity, but also disease and pest resistance, as well as reproductive health, when deciding which crops to plant or which breed of livestock to raise.
Organic farmers must maintain certification with the local governing body in order to legally label their produce as organic. Because each country has its own soil and climate considerations, organic standards are not universally applicable. As a result, organic farmers raising produce for export must meet the standards of the destination country in addition to their own regulations. Equivalency agreements are in place in some countries, such as the United States and Canada, to make trade easier.
Organic farmers must devise careful marketing strategies in addition to producing high-quality crops and livestock. Organic farming is estimated to be 25-30% more labor-intensive than conventional farming, and organic farmers must market their products appropriately to target consumers to achieve a financial return on their time investment. Large discount stores are less likely to be vendors than cooperative markets, health food stores, and specialty supermarkets. Organic farming becomes more economically viable as demand grows, so organic farmers must also be strong advocates for the organic movement.