Organic agriculture, which can be understood as a method of farming and gardening that relies on natural systems and products and is free of virtually all synthetic and toxic chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides and a holistic, sustainable production management system that promotes and enhances biological cycles and soil biological activity, has a long and interesting … Continue reading the historical development of organic farming
question: what does organic really mean?
The word organic is popping up everywhere. Organic milk, strawberries, and tomatoes. Organic cotton and organic pet food. These items are undoubtedly more expensive than their conventional counterparts and they are often stigmatized as being yuppie products or just another marketing scheme. Organic products have also been recognized as being healthier and more environmentally-friendly. But … Continue reading question: what does organic really mean?
all about urbanization
Urbanization can be defined as the process of small, rural settlements growing and expanding to become urban centers. Such an evolution is typically the result of some sort of economic incentive in that the prosperity of a given community attracts the attention of people interested in sharing in or profiting from the success of the … Continue reading all about urbanization
5 reasons not to buy hybrid seeds
Hybrid plants are a crossing between two selected parent plants achieved via controlled pollination (see how are plants propagated). The seeds produced by this process are called F1 or F1 Hybrids. These hybrids will exhibit very specific qualities. Hybrids have quickly come to dominate the seed market. However, in spite of their increased market presence … Continue reading 5 reasons not to buy hybrid seeds
question: how do allopathic and complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) differ?
Allopathic medicine is defined as a system of medicine that aims to combat disease by using remedies which produce effects that are different from or incompatible with those of the disease being treated. The medical community practicing this form of medicine includes medical doctors and others types of health professionals, e.g. nurses, pharmacists, and therapists. … Continue reading question: how do allopathic and complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) differ?
biofuels explained
A biofuel is a form of fuel that is produced from renewable organic materials, such as sugar crops, oil seed crops, and animal fats. They are considered to be potential substitutes for carbon-based fuels, i.e. extremely old, biofuels. There are two varieties: plant-based and animal-based. The plant-based products are fermented sugars which create the fuels like … Continue reading biofuels explained
question: what is horticulture?
Defined by the American Society for Horticultural Science as, "the art and science of producing, improving, marking, and using fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants," horticulture is an important component of society that positively impacts citizen's quality of life. Such improvements can take the form of, for example, increased nutrition, more attractive living environments, or … Continue reading question: what is horticulture?
the circular economy explained
Much of the economy in the industrialized world is dependent on cheap and easily-available resources as well as fossil energy. Such a dependency is largely grounded in the belief that continuous economic growth is not only possible but also necessary. Accordingly, consumption is intended to perpetually expand. The products generated by such a system lack … Continue reading the circular economy explained
an introduction to community supported agriculture (csa)
First introduced in Japan and Switzerland in the 1970s, community supported agriculture (CSA) is a form of partnership between farmer and consumer. They enter into a contract which provides consumers with a certain number of 'shares' in the farm. Each share provides the consumer a box (or bag or bucket or ...) of vegetables or other products … Continue reading an introduction to community supported agriculture (csa)
7 tips for the successful implementation of direct marketing strategies by small farmers
Direct marketing is a form of marketing that is drastically different than commodity selling. Where commodity selling is based on a market-determined price and generally focused on standardized, large-scale sales that are impersonal in nature, direct marketing involves 1:1 selling between an individual/group and the seller. In doing so, trust is established and alternative forms of value … Continue reading 7 tips for the successful implementation of direct marketing strategies by small farmers
