A Crop Consultant’s Guide to Organic Transition
2011
- University of Wisconsin Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- University of Wisconsin Extension Nutrient and Pest Management
Project Media
Organic farming, when done correctly, is more than just producing crops and livestock without synthetic chemicals, fertilizers and pharmaceuticals. Most definitions of organic farming emphasize production practices that conserve, protect and enhance natural resources, encourage biological diversity, foster cycling of nutrients, build soil organic matter and minimize use of offfarm inputs. I like to think of organic crop production as an integrated system of cultural, biological, ecological and mechanical practices, much like the traditional definition of integrated pest management, without most, or usually any, of the chemical practices. With very limited chemical tools at their disposal, organic farmers have to develop and continually hone their skills and practices in these other management areas.