Year-Round Gardening Workshop Series - When to Plant Seedlings for Fall Harvest

By Caroline Anderson June 24, 2023 14 mins read 2029 Views

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Year-Round Gardening Workshop Series - When to Plant Seedlings for Fall Harvest

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an organic food processor?

Organic food producers grow organic products without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. These foods include fruits as well vegetables, grains and dairy products.

When crops are naturally nurtured, organic food production can be achieved. This includes soil preparation, crop rotation, and pest management.

To be organic, an agricultural product must meet the strict criteria of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

These guidelines will ensure that consumers have safe, healthy, and nutritious food.

Organic food has many benefits, including lower pesticide residues and higher levels of heavy metal contamination as well as better nutrition and flavor.

Products certified organic by the USDA must bear the label "USDA Certified Organic" seal.

This certification signifies that the product meets all standards set by the National Organic Program.

Organic food can help us eat better and protect our environment.

Organic farming methods preserve natural resources, such as water or land. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which are responsible for climate change.

Organic agriculture uses fewer chemicals and reduces pollution runoff.

This improves the air quality by reducing the likelihood of harmful gases like ammonia, nitrates and other pollutants building up in your atmosphere.

There are many types and varieties of organic farming.

Conventional farming is the use of synthetic inputs like pesticides or fertilizers.

Regenerative farming includes compost, cover crops, as well as green manures that improve soil health. It encourages biodiversity.

Agroecology promotes healthy relationships between humans and plants.

Permaculture promotes self-sufficiency through the design of systems that mimic nature.

What is the difference in organic and non-organic foods?

Organic food is produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic modification. Organic farming practices contribute to soil health, water purity, and animal welfare.

Inorganic food is grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Radiation can be used to destroy food, while genetically modified organisms are created by biological engineering.

Sometimes, the term "natural", is used interchangeably with "organic." But, "natural" does not necessarily refer to organic. There are also products labelled "natural" which may contain synthetic ingredients.

Organic produce is typically more nutritious than conventional produce because the soil contains fewer harmful chemicals and pesticides. Organic farmers don't use any artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics.

Organic foods are better for us.

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. They found that organic apples contained eight times fewer pesticides than non-organic apples, while organic strawberries were four times cleaner than their conventional counterparts.

Other studies suggest that eating organic food reduces exposure to toxic metals like lead and mercury. For example, one study showed that children who ate organic meat had 33 percent lower blood lead levels than those who didn't consume organic meats. Another study concluded conventional fish consumption should be stopped by pregnant women because it contains high levels of mercury.

Organic food is generally safer than non-organic. Experts recommend fresh vegetables and fruits whenever possible in order to reduce the risk of getting cancer.

Why should you buy organic?

The health risks of conventional agriculture include asthma, allergies and diabetes. When buying food, you must make wise choices.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers the following tips on how to pick "cleaner" food:

Always buy organic fruits & vegetables.

USDA organic labels for meat, poultry eggs, milk and cheese as well butter and honey are recommended.

Avoid processed foods marked "natural" or with "no additives."

Make sure you read through all the ingredients. If an ingredient isn’t listed, it might be added during processing.

Frozen and canned meats should be preferred to fresh. Foods that are frozen or canned often have less nutritionally-rich ingredients, such as high fructosecorn syrup.

What is organic food?

Organic food is produced without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals can cause health problems in organic foods.

Organic food is free from harmful substances like pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals may cause damage to animals as well as humans.

Inorganic food is meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, including butter, yogurts honey, yogurts, butter, cream, cheese, butter, yogurts, honey and grains.

The way that an agricultural product is grown organically is what the term means. Organic farming uses natural methods to grow crops. Conventional farming uses pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines must be followed when organic food is labeled. The National Organic Program Standards require that all organic foods are free of prohibited substances such as antibiotics and growth hormones, genetically modified organisms or industrial solvents. Organic food must not be produced with toxic chemicals, petroleum or sewage sludges or ionizing radioactive substances.

Are there health benefits to eating organic food?

Although organic foods are not for everyone, they can be very healthy. They can be beneficial for your health if you eat them often.

Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides herbicides fungicides hormones antibiotics or genetic engineering. Organic produce is not grown with harmful chemicals that could pose a risk to human health.

Organic products also have fewer additives. Organic products are healthier than those that use additives during processing.

Studies have shown organic foods have more nutrients and antioxidants that conventionally grown fruits, vegetables.

Organic farming methods are more expensive than conventional methods but they can often produce better results. Organic farming increases soil fertility and biodiversity.

This helps preserve water resources and prevents erosion. Organic farms don't use toxic chemicals and require less fuel and energy.

People are worried that organic foods may be more expensive then conventional. However, prices vary depending on where you live. For example, organic apples can be more costly than conventional apples.

However, organic fruit is more affordable if you compare the price of a basket of both types.

Do you want to go organic?

It all depends on who you are. Organic food is not for you if you don’t like it.

You can still buy organic food if your preference is for good tasting food. Organic food is safer because organic produce is not grown by commercial growers who use pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Organic agriculture helps to protect the environment by conserving natural resources, and promoting biodiversity.

Statistics

Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (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)
When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids were up to 50 percent higher in organic meats and milk than in conventionally raised products.[3] (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

Organic food: Are they healthier and better for you?

Organic foods can be grown without the use synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. They are grown under natural conditions, without artificial inputs like pesticides, herbicides hormones, antibiotics, genetic engineering, and fungicides. Organic farming methods include crop rotation, cover, composting animal manure and recycling wastewater.

In 2002, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), was established to regulate the sale, purchase, labelling, production, and distribution of organic products in the United States. The NOP regulations ensure that organic agricultural products are produced according to federal standards outlined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, the NOP rules require organic products to be free of banned substances such as pesticides residues and growth hormones.

There are two types available in the U.S. for producers who want their products to be labeled "organic". One for farmers and ranchers, and one for manufacturers. Each program requires an annual audit of operations to ensure compliance with strict standards. Many certifying agents offer this service, including CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers (QA International), American Grassfed Association, and Quality Assurance International. These organizations offer third-party verification that farms adhere to strict guidelines about environmental stewardship and labour practices.

The USDA's Economic Research Service estimates that organic agriculture was responsible for $4.7 billion of 2013 sales. That year, retail spending on certified organic products totalled nearly $1.5 billion, representing a 23 percent increase since 2009. Sales at grocery stores were up 12 percent during this period. Direct purchases of organic produce saw a 29 percent increase in spending, while seafood, meat, poultry and eggs experienced a 1 percent growth.

While organic food may be more expensive, consumers think its superior quality justifies the higher price. Consumer Reports' 2015 survey found that 88% of respondents would spend more on organic food if it had higher nutritional values. Health Affairs also published a study showing that organic foods are less likely for people to get heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or obesity.

Even though there is no evidence organic foods cause or treat diseases, some studies show that they can improve overall health by reducing pesticide and other contaminants exposure. A review of 31 studies that were published in 2010 found that organically raised beef has significantly lower levels than conventionally raised beef. A separate analysis of 11 studies published in 2012 reached similar conclusions.

A 2014 report from the Environmental Working Group looked at data from the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Resource Center and found that the incidence of foodborne illness caused by E. coli, salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, campylobacter, and verotoxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 decreased when comparing organic to non-organic chicken, pork, beef, lamb, milk, and cheese. The report also pointed out that E.coli 157 caused human illness declined in both children and adults following 2006 when USDA established stricter organic standards.