ORGANIC
or gan ic
The organic crop production standards require that:
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Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop.
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Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials.
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Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used.
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Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available.
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The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.
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- As defined by the USDA
SUSTAINABLE
sus tain a ble
2. of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
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- As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary
GRANSTROM FARMS SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
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Increase the organic matter in our soil by .5 % each year.
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Every engine on our farm shall be at least tier 4 compatible by 2025.
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When manufacturing fertilizer pellets made with chicken manure, create a water curtain to catch ammonium nitrogen before it is released into the air by 2022.
FUN FARMING FACTS
There are more soil microorganisms in one teaspoon of healthy soil​ than there are people on Earth!
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Average percent of organic matter found in midwest US fields today is 2.5%. Granstrom Farms continues to increase our organic matter after years of detoxifying the land, and restoring the soil.
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Learn 9 More Facts from the USDA about Healthy soils.
EPA Tier 4 Emission Standards
Over the lifetime of the MY 2017-2025 standards, this program is projected to save approximately 4 billion barrels of oil and 2 billion metric tons of GHG emissions, with net benefits up to $451 billion.
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- EPA.gov
Rodale Institue Farming System Trail
- Organic yields match conventional yields.
- Organic outperforms conventional in years of drought.
- Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system.
- Organic farming uses 45% less energy and is more efficient.
- Conventional systems produce 40% more greenhouse gasses.
- Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional.
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Read the full 30 year report here