History Organic farming

agriculture practiced thousands of years without use of artificial chemicals. artificial fertilizers first created during mid-19th century. these fertilizers cheap, powerful, , easy transport in bulk. similar advances occurred in chemical pesticides in 1940s, leading decade being referred pesticide era . these new agricultural techniques, while beneficial in short term, had serious longer term side effects such soil compaction, erosion, , declines in overall soil fertility, along health concerns toxic chemicals entering food supply. in late 1800s , 1900s, soil biology scientists began seek ways remedy these side effects while still maintaining higher production.

biodynamic agriculture first modern system of agriculture focus exclusively on organic methods. development began in 1924 series of 8 lectures on agriculture given rudolf steiner. these lectures, first known presentation of later came known organic agriculture, held in response request farmers noticed degraded soil conditions , deterioration in health , quality of crops , livestock resulting use of chemical fertilizers. 1 hundred eleven attendees, less half of whom farmers, came 6 countries, germany , poland. lectures published in november 1924; first english translation appeared in 1928 agriculture course.

in 1921, albert howard , wife gabrielle howard, accomplished botanists, founded institute of plant industry improve traditional farming methods in india. among other things, brought improved implements , improved animal husbandry methods scientific training; incorporating aspects of local traditional methods, developed protocols rotation of crops, erosion prevention techniques, , systematic use of composts , manures. stimulated these experiences of traditional farming, when albert howard returned britain in 1930s began promulgate system of natural agriculture.

in july 1939, ehrenfried pfeiffer, author of standard work on biodynamic agriculture (bio-dynamic farming , gardening), came uk @ invitation of walter james, 4th baron northbourne presenter @ betteshanger summer school , conference on biodynamic farming @ northbourne s farm in kent. 1 of chief purposes of conference bring proponents of various approaches organic agriculture in order might cooperate within larger movement. howard attended conference, met pfeiffer. in following year, northbourne published manifesto of organic farming, land, in coined term organic farming. betteshanger conference has been described missing link between biodynamic agriculture , other forms of organic farming.

in 1940 howard published agricultural testament. in book adopted northbourne s terminology of organic farming. howard s work spread widely, , became known father of organic farming work in applying scientific knowledge , principles various traditional , natural methods. in united states j.i. rodale, keenly interested both in howard s ideas , in biodynamics, founded in 1940s both working organic farm trials , experimentation, rodale institute, , rodale press teach , advocate organic methods wider public. these became important influences on spread of organic agriculture. further work done lady eve balfour in united kingdom, , many others across world.

increasing environmental awareness in general population in modern times has transformed supply-driven organic movement demand-driven one. premium prices , government subsidies attracted farmers. in developing world, many producers farm according traditional methods comparable organic farming, not certified, , may not include latest scientific advancements in organic agriculture. in other cases, farmers in developing world have converted modern organic methods economic reasons.

terminology

biodynamic agriculturists, based work on steiner s spiritually-oriented anthroposophy, used term organic indicate farm should viewed living organism, in sense of following quotation:

organic farm, speaking, not 1 uses methods , substances , avoids others; farm structure formed in imitation of structure of natural system has integrity, independence , benign dependence of organism

the use of organic popularized howard , rodale, on other hand, refers more narrowly use of organic matter derived plant compost , animal manures improve humus content of soils, grounded in work of soil scientists developed called humus farming. since 1940s 2 camps have tended merge.