Organic Agriculture in the U.S.Nova Publishers, 2007 - 259 pages Book & CD. Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. In preference to the use of off-farm inputs, organic farming emphasises management practices, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. Utilising both traditional and scientific knowledge, organic agricultural systems rely on agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods (these may require external inputs of non-renewable resources, like tractor fuel), as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system. Organic farming is also associated with support for principles beyond cultural practices, such as fair trade and environmental stewardship. This book dives into cutting edge research within relation to this field. This includes frequently asked questions, price premiums, economic labelling, market expansions, Government-facilitated programs, growth patterns and publications from the United States Department of Agriculture. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Organic Produce Price Premiums and EcoLabeling in US Farmers Markets | 55 |
Price Premiums Hold on as US Organic Produce Market Expands | 71 |
MarketLed versus Government Facilitated Growth Development of the US and EU Organic Agricultural Sectors | 97 |
Recent Growth Patterns in the US Organic Foods Market | 129 |
What Does Certified Organic Mean? | 191 |
Organic Farming and Marketing Publications from the United States Department of Agriculture 19772005 | 223 |
Index | 249 |
Common terms and phrases
accordance accredited acreage acres agricultural products Agricultural Research allowed Alternative animal applicable approved Available Board certified organic certifying agent consumers contain conventional Cooperative countries crop customers dairy demand Department of Agriculture determined Economic Research Service Education established example farmers Farming Systems Federal followed Foreign fresh fruits and vegetables Full text online governing grain Greene growing grown growth handlers handling implementation increased industry ingredients International issue Italy labeled land markets meet methods milk million NAL Call Number National List National Organic Program National Organic Standards natural October operation organic agriculture organic certification organic farming organic food organic growers organic products percent period policies practices price premiums processed prohibited purchased recent regulations requirements retail Secretary sector sold Source substances survey Sustainable synthetic term Trade U.S. Department U.S. organic United USDA USDA's wholesale
Popular passages
Page 111 - co-generation" is used. ECU European Currency Unit EU The European Union, whose members are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Page 27 - variety" means a subdivision of a kind which is characterized by growth, plant, fruit, seed, or other characters by which it can be differentiated from other sorts of the same kind, for example, Marquis wheat, Flat Dutch cabbage, Manchu soybeans, Oxheart carrot, and so forth. (13) The term "type...
Page 27 - kind" means one or more related species or subspecies which singly or collectively is known by one common name, for example, wheat, oat, vetch, sweetclover, cabbage, cauliflower, and so forth. (12) The term "variety...
Page 198 - ... official. The chief executive official of a State or, in the case of a State that provides for the statewide election of an official to be responsible solely for the administration of the agricultural operations of the State, such official who administers a State organic certification program. Synthetic. A substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources,...
Page 16 - Any person, including a retail food establishment, who knowingly sells or labels a product as organic, except in accordance with the OFPA and the national organic standards, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 per violation. Products that have entered the channels of commerce before the certified operation's suspension or revocation will not result in a product recall, unless the noncompliance involves a food safety issue. Q: If my farm becomes certified as organic and I...
Page 211 - ... section. The limitations on funds available for obligation in this subsection shall not apply to unobligated funds during the final quarter of any fiscal year. (e) PERIOD OF AGREEMENT WITH STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITY. — Any agreement with a State or local authority for the provision of protective services under this section shall be for a period of not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year, but such agreements may be renewed after review by the Secretary. (f) REQUIREMENT FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
Page 73 - The national organic standards address the methods, practices, and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock, and processed agricultural products. Although specific practices and materials used by organic operations may vary, the standards require every aspect of organic production and handling to comply with the provisions of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
Page 215 - Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.