GROWING VEGETABLES ORGANICALLY?

    The process of farming organically begins with the source of the seed.  The producer needs to use organically grown seeds, annual seedlings, and planting stock (State Department, Blue Book).  However, it is not necessary to use only genetically certified untreated seed to produce organic seed.  Any generation of “common,” untreated seed may also be used. A listing of organic seed sources may be found www.omri.org and www.attra.org. (Formal Rec, Blue Book)

            While farming, the producer should promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.  Biodiversity is a principle of sustainable agriculture and an important indicator of a healthy organic farm or ranch.  Organic farmers support biodiversity in their operations through a host of means:

·        Rotation of crops in annual cropping systems- Crop rotation refers to the sequence of crops over time in a field or planting bed.  Rotations can be chosen to break insect and disease cycles.  Legumes in rotation build nitrogen reserves for subsequent crops. 

·        Use of cover crops within crop rotations- cover crops or crop mixture grown between perennial trees/vines/bushes etc, which provide habitat for beneficial organisms. 

·          Minimizing soil disturbance to encourage earthworms and soil organisms diversity

·        Limiting the use of botanicals and other natural but broad spectrum pesticides

·        Introducing beneficial organisms in the form of soil or compost inoculants, as beneficial predators and parasites, or as pollinators

·        Intercropping and companion planting in vegetable and grain crops

·        Using mixed forages (grasses, legumes, forbs) in hay and pasture production

·        Agroforestry- the combining of long-term perennial tree crops with other enterprises such as pasture, small fruit production, etc.

·        Establishing habitats for beneficial insects and wildlife

·        Adjusting time and reducing the frequency of mowing on non crop lands to accommodate nesting birds and other wildlife

·        Diversification of farm enterprises

·        Introduction and integration of livestock enterprises- organic farms are not required to have livestock or to use livestock manures in order to be certified organic.  However, integration livestock with crops is a sound step towards making the whole farm operation more diversified and sustainable

Crop rotation is one tool of diversification that is specifically required in the National Standard.  The requirement for crop rotation applies to annual cropping systems.  Farmers are required to implement a crop rotation that maintains or builds soil organic matter, works to control pests, manages and conserves nutrients, and protects against erosion.  However, the following characteristics are generally typical of successful organic crop rotations:

·        A crop sequence that features soil improving crops (sod greens, green manures, etc.) to counterbalance soil depleting crops (row crops). Sod farming crops are forage crops dominated by perennial grasses and perennial legumes.  Sod crops in rotation build soil organic matter and reverse the decline that typically occurs when cultivated annual crops- especially like corn, soybeans, vegetables, or cotton- are grow.  For a sustainable system, it is ideal to have at least one year of sod crops for every year of row crops.

·        The inclusion of leguminous crops and cover crops( for example, alfalfa, clovers beans, peas, vetch, lespedeza) which fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

·        The sequence of crops to suppress insect pests and diseases- for example, in order to avoid black rot and black leg infection, the various species within the cabbage family should not follow each other in a cropping sequence.  In another example, corn is alternated with soybeans or forage crops to break the life cycles of Northern and Western corn rootworm beetles.  History has shown that the longer and more diverse crop rotations practiced by organic farmers are much more effective are suppressing insect and disease pests.

·        The sequencing of crops fro weed management

·        A mix of crops and cultural practices that minimizes the duration of time that soil is bare.

·        The scheduling of cover crops whenever possible to

                  Protect the soil from erosion

                  Prevent leaching of crop nutrients

                  Supplement nitrogen fixation

                                    Build organic matter

                                    Smother weeds

                                    Suppress soil pests and disease

Another important fundamental to organic farming is soil management.  Careful conservation and management of crop residues is part of organic soil management.  There is a reluctance to sell too much residue from the farm, since it plays a valuable role in improving and protecting the soil.  A section of the Organic Regulations also precludes the burning of crop residues expect as a means of suppressing diseases or stimulating seed germination.  Generally, organically managed farms have less erosion because of the way they manage it. 

            Organic growers have also learned the value of providing additional mineral nutrition- commonly in the from of lime and other rock powders- where nutrient deficiencies are not fully addressed by humus building practices. 

            Well designed organic systems become progressively more self reliant and require fewer off farm inputs as they mature.  Organic producers should avoid an “input substitution” mentality.  Farmers will be expected for their soil quality.  Soil testing is one of the most common means of monitoring and demonstrating that the soil is not being depleted.