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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.
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Zoe G. Cardon is an American ecosystems ecologist focused on observing and understanding ecosystem interactions in the rhizosphere. She has also played an integral role in developing systems to better study the rhizosphere without digging it up and interfering with the ecosystems using stable isotopes and mathematical modeling. Cardon is currently a senior scientist at the Marine Biology Laboratory at the Ecosystems Center and an adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Brown University. She is credited with helping to establish the National Microbiome Initiative at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington, D.C.
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References
- ↑ Damrosch, Barbara (October 3, 2013). "'Symphony of the Soil,' soundtrack of life". Washington Post. p. T05.
- 1 2 Godwin, Sandra (February 29, 2012). "Organics worth the legwork". The Weekly Times (Australia). p. 70.
A key component is compost, which Mr Cafra began making himself after attending a course run by Dr Elaine Ingham, an American soil biology researcher and founder of Soil Foodweb Inc, who is recognised around the world as a leader in soil microbiology.
- 1 2 "Rodale Institute Names Dr. Elaine Ingham as Chief Scientist". Business Wire (Press release). New York. January 24, 2011.
- ↑ "Dr Ingham's background and CV". soilfoodweb.com.
- ↑ "People in the News". The Philadelphia Inquirer . July 18, 2011. p. A13.
- ↑ "Elaine Ingham, Charlotte Kahn Join Soil4Climate Advisory Board" (press release). Soil4Climate. March 7, 2018.
- ↑ Barlow, Genevieve (March 15, 2006). "Get the dirt on microbes". The Weekly Times (Australia). p. 31.
