Angelic Organics

Last updated
Angelic Organics
Formation1990 (1990)
FounderFarmer John Peterson
Founded at Caledonia, Illinois, USA
Coordinates Coordinates: 42°27′14″N88°54′39″W / 42.4538889°N 88.9108333°W / 42.4538889; -88.9108333
ProductsVegetables and Herbs
Services Community supported agriculture
Methods Organic and Biodynamic Farming
Membership (2016)
2,000 families
Website www.angelicorganics.com

Angelic Organics, located in Caledonia, Illinois, is one of the oldest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the United States. Angelic Organics has grown produce in accordance with organic and biodynamic principles since 1990. Participating subscribers, known as shareholders, receive a weekly 3/4 bushel box of fresh vegetables and herbs delivered to over 40 Chicago area sites. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Angelic Organics's founder, John Peterson, was the focus of the award winning documentary film The Real Dirt on Farmer John . [6]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compost</span> Mixture used to improve soil fertility

Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as plant fertilizer and improve soil physical, chemical and biological properties. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant, food waste, recycling organic materials and manure. The resulting mixture is rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms, such as bacteria, protozoa, nematodes and fungi. Compost improves soil fertility in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, urban agriculture, and organic farming, reducing dependency on commercial chemical fertilizers. The benefits of compost include providing nutrients to crops as fertilizer, acting as a soil conditioner, increasing the humus or humic acid contents of the soil, and introducing beneficial microbes of that help to suppress pathogens in the soil and reduce soil-borne diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dust Bowl</span> 1930s period of severe dust storms in North America

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organic farming</span> Method of agriculture meant to be environmentally friendly

Organic farming also known as ecological farming or biological farming, is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. It originated early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. Certified organic agriculture accounts for 70 million hectares globally, with over half of that total in Australia. Organic farming continues to be developed by various organizations today. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged. Organic standards are designed to allow the use of naturally-occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances. For instance, naturally-occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin are permitted, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are generally prohibited. Synthetic substances that are allowed include, for example, copper sulfate, elemental sulfur and Ivermectin. Genetically modified organisms, nanomaterials, human sewage sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are prohibited. Organic farming advocates claim advantages in sustainability, openness, self-sufficiency, autonomy and independence, health, food security, and food safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable agriculture</span> Farming system that considers long-term as well as short-term economics

Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an understanding of ecosystem services. There are many methods to increase the sustainability of agriculture. When developing agriculture within sustainable food systems, it is important to develop flexible business process and farming practices. Agriculture has an enormous environmental footprint, playing a significant role in causing climate change, water scarcity, water pollution, land degradation, deforestation and other processes; it is simultaneously causing environmental changes and being impacted by these changes. Sustainable agriculture consists of environment friendly methods of farming that allow the production of crops or livestock without damage to human or natural systems. It involves preventing adverse effects to soil, water, biodiversity, surrounding or downstream resources—as well as to those working or living on the farm or in neighboring areas. Elements of sustainable agriculture can include permaculture, agroforestry, mixed farming, multiple cropping, and crop rotation.

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<i>The Real Dirt on Farmer John</i> American film

The Real Dirt on Farmer John is a 2005 documentary film directed by Taggart Siegel about the life of Midwestern farmer John Peterson, operator of Angelic Organics. It tells the history of the eccentric farmer's family farm in rural Caledonia, Illinois.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natural farming</span>

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References

  1. Franseschini, Amy; Tuckey, Daniel (17 September 2013). Farm Together Now. Chronicle Books. p. 60. ISBN   978-1-4521-3402-4 . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. Hayes, Joanne; Stein, Lori (12 March 2009). Recipes from America's Small Farms: Fresh Ideas for the Season's Bounty: A Cookbook. Random House Publishing Group. p. 126. ISBN   978-0-307-54384-4 . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. MacLachlan, Janine (30 May 2012). "Caledonia,+Illinois" Farmers' Markets of the Heartland. University of Illinois Press. p. 138. ISBN   978-0-252-09419-4 . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. Reid, Debra A. (23 January 2017). "Caledonia,+Illinois" Interpreting Agriculture at Museums and Historic Sites (in Arabic). Rowman & Littlefield. p. xiv. ISBN   978-1-4422-3012-5 . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. Schut, Michael (May 2010). Food & Faith: Justice, Joy, and Daily Bread. Church Publishing, Inc. p. 104. ISBN   978-0-8192-2411-8 . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". Angelic Organics.