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Laura Krouse Abbe Hills Farm Mt. Vernon abbehills laura@abbehills

Laura Krouse Abbe Hills Farm Mt. Vernon www.abbehills.com laura@abbehills.com. Organic agriculture. Management that takes advantage of biological processes make nutrients available reduce pest pressure conserve biodiversity. Organic agriculture mimics the natural ecosystem.

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Laura Krouse Abbe Hills Farm Mt. Vernon abbehills laura@abbehills

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  1. Laura KrouseAbbe Hills FarmMt. Vernonwww.abbehills.comlaura@abbehills.com

  2. Organic agriculture Management that takes advantage of biological processes make nutrients available reduce pest pressure conserve biodiversity

  3. Organic agriculture mimics the natural ecosystem

  4. Improve and maintain soil health Increase biological diversity (especially in soil food web)

  5. Organic is not the same as “Natural” “Ecofriendly” “Green” “Sustainably Produced” “Free Range”

  6. Fertility from Rocks Manure and compost Legumes (green manure)

  7. Manage for animal health and efficient growth No antibiotics No hormones, steroids, or growth promoters

  8. Animals have access to outside No CAFOs

  9. Depend on traditional breeding No genetic engineering

  10. Manage pest populations Encourage natural enemies Remove pests mechanically Organic sources for pesticides

  11. Use crop rotation C-OM-M-G vs C-SB

  12. Minimize soil erosion, improve water quality, decrease stormwater runoff Cultural practices Physical practices

  13. What are the benefits of organic agriculture?

  14. Equivalent overall yields on well managed organic farms Use 1/3 less fuel Less carbon dioxide produced

  15. No pesticides to run off or drift

  16. Nitrogen is locked up in organic matter in the soil Less likely to leach away

  17. Soil organic matter traps carbon and keeps it out of the atmosphere

  18. Soil organic matter holds water Decrease drought risk Decrease runoff Decrease flooding

  19. More biodiversity in soil food web and at the surface

  20. No pesticide residues on or in our food

  21. More nutritious food (maybe)

  22. So why doesn’t everybody farm organically? It’s hard Takes time Risk is great at the beginning Knowledge is almost lost Neighbors will talk about you

  23. Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial Summary of 30 years of research comparing organic and conventional cropping systems http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst30years

  24. See you on Thursday

  25. Laura KrouseAbbe Hills FarmMt. Vernonwww.abbehills.comlaura@abbehills.com

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