Strategies to Grow an ENTIRE YEAR’S Worth of Food on a Small Homestead

By Jessica Rogers May 29, 2023 13 mins read 46618 Views

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Strategies to Grow an ENTIRE YEAR’S Worth of Food on a Small Homestead

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I go organic?

The health risks of conventional agriculture include asthma, allergies and diabetes. It is important to make informed choices about food purchases.

The Environmental Working Group offers these tips:

Always purchase organic fruits, vegetables and other products whenever possible.

USDA organic labels can be found on meat, poultry (eggs, eggs), milk, cheese and yogurt as well.

Avoid processed foods labeled as "natural" or "no additives."

Carefully review ingredient lists. If an ingredient isn’t listed, it might be added during processing.

Fresh meats are better than canned or frozen. Many frozen and canned foods contain less nutrients, like high fructose Corn Syrup.

How can you tell if your produce is organic?

These labels will help you ensure that organic produce is purchased.

USDA Organic Certified- This product has been certified organic by the USDA.

Certified Naturally Grown is produce that has met strict organic requirements but not yet been certified by the USDA.

Pastured/Free Range - Produce from animals who live outdoors and graze freely on grass and herbs.

These labels indicate that the product meets certain criteria.

No pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
No genetically modified organisms
Animals are never given antibiotics
No hormones are ever given to the animal
No growth-promoting drugs
No feed additives
No artificial ingredients
No irradiation
No sewage effluent
GMOs are not allowed
No antibiotics ever given
No hormones ever given
No growth-promoting drugs
No feed-additives
No artificial ingredients
No sewage sludge, if it's not a GMO
No irradiation

I hope you found this article helpful.

Organic meat is better

This question is probably answered if you've been paying close attention. This is the crux of it: organic food has been growing in popularity while conventional food has fallen out of favor.

The reason why organic foods continue to rise in popularity is that they are healthier for us. Organic foods are safer for our bodies and help to reduce pollution.

There are many sides to this coin. Organic produce takes longer and requires more resources. Organic food can be more expensive than its nonorganic counterpart.

Organic meats tend to be more expensive than those raised conventionally. However, there are ways to reduce these costs without sacrificing quality.

Buy locally to save money. Locally grown fruit and vegetables help lower the price of produce, as farmers are often given incentives to grow better crops.

Another way to cut costs is to look for deals. Many organic products can be purchased at a discount.

A third way to save money on meat consumption is to eat less. The feed required to raise cattle can make meat production expensive.

Organic food is healthier for the planet and our bodies than conventional food, but it's important to not overlook its cost.

Are organic foods healthier?

The Environmental Working Group's most recent report on pesticide residues found in food shows that organic fruits and veggies had almost half the pesticide content of non-organic. The Environmental Working Group found that organic apples contained eight-times less pesticides than other non-organic fruits, and organic strawberries had fourfold more than their conventional counterparts.

Another study suggests that organic food can reduce exposure to toxic metals such as lead and mercury. One study revealed that children who ate organic meat had 33 per cent lower blood lead levels than their counterparts who didn't eat organic meats. Another study concluded that pregnant mothers should avoid eating conventional fish because of the high levels mercury.

Organic food is generally safer than non-organic. However, to reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases, experts recommend choosing fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible.

What are organic fruit?

Organic foods are free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They contain more nutrients such vitamins A, C. E, and, in some cases, omega-3 oils. Organic food is healthier for the environment and our bodies.

Organic foods are produced with sustainable farming practices that promote soil quality and biological diversity. They are free of harmful chemicals and sewage sludge.

Most people associate organics with fruits, but organic products also include dairy, meat and poultry, as well as baked goods, personal care items, pet food and household cleaning supplies.

The USDA defines organic as crops that are grown according to federal standards. Non-organic methods cannot be used by farmers to grow these foods. However, they can use approved organic pest control methods like crop rotation and covering cropping or animal feed made with organic materials.

Further, the farmer must be careful about the amount of pesticide and fertilizer he uses in the growing season. GMOs, synthetic insecicides, artificial growth hormones or synthetic fertilizers can't be used by farmers.

All the above requirements are met by vegetables and fruits that are labeled "100% Organic". But some farms do not label their products as 100% organic because it would confuse consumers. Instead, they will label the product as "made from organic ingredients". "

Is organic food healthier?

There are two types of foods; those we grow ourselves and those we buy from someone else. Of course, there are exceptions to both categories, but for the most part, the answer to your question is yes. Organic food is safer because it does not contain any harmful chemicals.

There are many supermarkets that sell organic food across North America and Europe. Organic food is now available in most grocery stores, making it easier to find organic foods.

Organic food has higher levels vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which makes it more delicious and nutritious. Organics are grown without using pesticides and fertilizers. They also don't pollute soil or water.

The USDA regulates organic farming practices. They require farmers to follow strict guidelines so that organic produce can be eaten safely. There are over 30,000,000 acres of US agricultural land that has been certified organic.

Organic food is often less expensive than conventional food. Organic food is often cheaper than conventional food because it contains the same amount calories, protein, as well as nutrients. Organic farms are able to charge lower prices for their crops because they don't have to purchase expensive chemical inputs like insecticides and fungicides.

According to Environmental Working Group, organic food can be 10 percent cheaper per pound when compared to conventionally produced food. Organic food is an option if you want to improve your health and the health of your family.

Organic food is becoming a popular option to the standard American diet. Although many may think that organic food is only available at specialty markets and gourmet restaurants, this isn't true. Organic food is easily available in all regular grocery stores in the United States.

Organic food sales have increased significantly in recent years. The US market value of organic foods was $43Billion in 2012, up from $21B in 2007.

Statistics

Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)

External Links

How To

What happens to your body if you switch to organic products

Organic products do not contain synthetic fertilizers or hormones. They come from clean water sources, and are raised on free-range animals. They are organic because they don't contain any additives or chemicals. This product was produced by nature and therefore contains no harmful substances.

The term "natural" refers how food is grown. This term is often used to refer to foods that are not processed into final forms (such as fruits). Natural foods are often fresher because they're not subject to heat radiation, chemical preservatives or any other treatment. Some people think natural does not necessarily mean healthy. Experts say that there aren't many differences between organic and conventional food. Both types are tested for safety as well as quality. Organic produce has less pesticide residues and pollutant than conventionally grown food.

Most grocery shops now carry organic options. For organic meats, poultry, eggs and seafood, you should check with your local supermarket. Some companies offer only organic products while others have separate sections. Look for USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Biodynamic Association Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, etc.

If you are pregnant, or nursing, these products should not be eaten. Unborn babies and infants can be exposed to pesticides.