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Overview
Organic Food and Farming: A Reference Handbook begins with a deep dive into the origins of organic farming, offering a clear discussion of what constitutes organic production and how that has changed over time. Next, the volume provides a comprehensive overview of growth of organics as both an industry and a social movement and the inherent challenges that occur from trying to be both. The book additionally covers controversial issues and challenges, along with good news about what is working and what is possible.
Included are essays by scholars, farmers, and experts working with NGOs as well as profiles of key people and organizations in the organic sector. Additional chapters include data and documents, a comprehensive resource list, and a detailed chronology of the key events in the history of the organic sector. Distinguishing it from others that laud or dismiss organic food and farming practices is this book's objective nature, which allows it to be used as a definitive resource on the topic.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781440870033 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Publication date: | 03/17/2021 |
| Series: | Contemporary World Issues |
| Pages: | 360 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.30(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.25(d) |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Preface xv
1 Background and History 3
Introduction 3
A Short History of Agriculture 4
Early Development 4
The Introduction of Scientific Concepts 5
The Rise of Large-Scale Farming 8
What Is "Organic Agriculture"? 9
Defining Organic 9
Organic Practices 14
The Origins of the Organic Movement 17
Farmer Organizations 21
Creating a National Organic Program 23
Passage of the Organic Foods Production Act 25
Federal Support of Organic since Passage of OFPA 29
The Growth of an Organic Sector 32
Selling in the Local Food Market 35
Scaling Up and Building Organic Supply Chains 37
Challenges Come with Growth 41
References 42
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions 51
Introduction 51
Questioning the Efficacy of Organic Food 52
Organic Food and Farming in the Media: Science or Lobby Tactics? 53
Is Organic Food Production Viable? 55
Is Organic Food Healthier and Safer to Consume? 57
Is Organic Farming Better for the Environment? 59
Can Organic Farming Help Solve the Climate Crisis? 60
Does the Organic Industry Have a Role to Play in Social Justice Issues? 64
Barriers to Growth 69
Is the NOP a Failure or Success? 70
Fraud and Lack of Enforcement 71
Does Hydroponic Production Have a Place in the NOP? 74
Animal Welfare in Organic Poultry and Egg Production 77
Battle for a National Organic Checkoff Program 80
Growth of Alternative Certifications 81
Crisis in the Organic Dairy Sector 85
A History of Dairy Crises 86
Organic Dairy Standards and Practices 87
Growing an Organic Dairy Sector 90
Regulatory Changes Address Issues of Scale in Organic Dairy 92
Current Organic Dairy Crisis 94
Access to Organic Seeds 96
Concentration in the Seed Sector 99
Contamination from GMOs 100
Contamination from Pesticides 102
Possible Solutions 104
Overcoming Supply Shortages in the Organic Grain Sector 105
Recruiting Organic Grain and Pulse Farmers 107
Lack of Information and Support 109
Possible Solutions 110
Investing in the Future Generation of Organic Farmers 112
References 114
3 Perspectives 127
Introduction 127
Are the Highest Organic Standards the Best Organic Standards? Grace Gershuny 127
What Makes Organic Standards Different? 128
The Myth of Higher Standards 130
What "Would Truly "Organic" Standards Look Like? 131
Different Production Practices for Different Scales of Poultry Operations Mark Keating 132
The Politics and Policy of GMO Labeling: A U.S. Perspective Samantha L. Mosier 136
Plant and Animal Breeding: A Keystone for Success in Organic Agriculture Travis Parker 140
Early Organic Systems Research Gigi Berardi 145
How Do I Build Climate Resilience for Our Farm? Thorsten Arnold 150
By Far, the Most Difficult Real Estate to Transition Lies between the Ears of the Farmer Dave Bishop 153
Characteristics of Successful Organic Farms 154
Increasing the Chances for Success 156
Implementation of Organic Enterprises on a Mid-Scale Farm Chris Bardenhagen 157
Implementation of Organic for Tart Cherries 158
Restart into Organic 159
Moving Forward 160
Future Small Organic Farmers Can Be Successful, but "We Need Better Policy Support-We Can't Make a Living Adrian White 160
4 Profiles 167
Introduction 167
People 167
Lady Eve Balfour (1898-1990) 167
Eliot Coleman (1938-) 170
The Howards: Albert, Gabrielle, and Louise 172
Paul Keene (1910-2005) 176
Kathleen Merrigan (1959-) 178
Lord Northbourne (1896-1982) 181
Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer (1899-1961) 183
Nora Pouillon (1943-) 184
The Rodales: Jerome Irving, Robert, and Maria 187
Vandana Shiva (1952-) 189
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) 192
Organizations 193
California Certified Organic Farmers 193
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements 196
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association 200
Northeast Organic Farming Association 202
National Organic Coalition/Rural Advancement Foundation 206
Oregon Tilth 209
The Organic Center 211
Organic Consumers Association 214
Organic Farming Research Foundation 216
Organic Materials Review Institute 219
Organic Seed Alliance 222
Organic Trade Association 224
Rodale Institute 227
5 Data and Documents 233
Introduction 233
Data 233
Figure 5.1 Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector, 2018 234
Figure 5.2 Share of Organic and Nonorganic Farms Using Conservation Practice, 2012-2014 235
Figure 5.3 Adoption of Genetically Engineered Corn in the United States by Trait: 2000-2019 236
Figure 5.4 Adoption of Genetically Engineered Soybeans in the United States: 1996-2019 237
Figure 5.5 Total Inflation-Adjusted Mandatory Spending on Organic Agriculture: 2002-2018 Farm Acts 238
Table 5.1 Certified Organic Sales by Major Sector and Top Commodities, 2016 239
Table 5.2 Top 10 States Ranked by Total Certified Organic Product Sales, 2016 240
Table 5.3 Value of U.S. Organic Exports, 2016 ($1,000) 240
Table 5.4 U.S. Organic Imports, 2016 ($1,000) 242
Documents 242
Excerpt from the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 242
Excerpt from the National Organic Law at 20: Sowing Seeds for a Bright Future (2010) 249
Excerpt from Harvey v. Veneman and the National Organic Program: A Legal Analysis (2006) 255
Excerpts from Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule; Withdrawal (2018) 262
Excerpt from NOSB Materials/GMO Subcommittee Proposal Report on Progress to Prevent GMO Incursion into Organic (2016) 266
6 Resources 273
Introduction 273
Books 273
Articles 281
Reports 295
Internet Sources 301
Films 306
7 Chronology 309
Glossary 323
Index 327