Over the past several decades the word organic has developed a new meaning through a concept known as ‘organic gardening’. In order to understand this concept we need to take a step back in time. The birth of agriculture is estimated at some 6,000 to 9,000 years ago. Yet only in the past fifty years or so have synthetic inputs dominated this field, often with costly effects on the earth and her inhabitants. In a sense, organic gardening is taking a step back in time, yet ironically a step forward depending on your viewpoint. Although the term ‘organic gardening’ is relatively new, the actual concept is not. It has been around for thousands of years with an author none other than Mother Nature herself. It is really a very simple concept. By mimicking Mother Nature and taking cues from her natural cycle, organic gardeners are guided and directed by this most wondrous teacher. Using materials that she provides and through such practices as composting, crop rotation, natural pest control, diverse planting and the use of disease resistant plants, etc; organic gardeners achieve their goal while leaving the soil enriched and without disturbing the quality of our air and water supply. So by revering the circle of life, replenishing the needs of the earth and working with the forces of nature rather than against them, organic gardeners have returned to the time when the natural world dominated the field of agriculture, thereby eliminating the need for synthetics. While most people think of organics as gardening without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, you can see that it is this, but so much more. It is a philosophy as well as a practice; a method of gardening using practices, principles and materials that enhance the balance of nature. Even more recently, the world of ‘organics’ has become integrated into the world of raising livestock, resulting in less inhumane treatment of animals. This type of organic farming eschews the use of hormones and growth stimulants and the regular use of antibiotics. It also includes stipulations on the living conditions of these animals. As time goes on and technology changes, more and more things become added to the definition of organic. Currently irradiated foods and genetically modified foods are hot topics and advocates of organics have worked diligently to keep these type foods from being sold under the label of organic. But although the definition of organic can become quite arduous and is ever changing, simply stated: Organics is gardening and farming in cooperation with nature. It takes from nature what is needed but is always giving back to nature in return. It is recycling in it’s most basic sense. It is working in partnership with our precious earth. |
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