What is Organic?

Chemicals & Pesticides Animals Wildlife Environment Health

“Organic farming is planet friendly and has the highest family welfare standards and ensures the food you eat is nutrient rich”
(Source Soil Association).

We believe that organic farming recognises the direct connection between our health and the food we eat alongside supporting the environment. Here are the reasons why -

Chemicals & Pesticides

During the 20th century to avoid food shortages chemical fertilisers and pesticides were introduced to help avoid food shortages. In organic food production this is greatly restricted. Instead the organic farmer develops nutrient rich soil to grow strong healthy crops and encourages wildlife to help control pests and disease.

Animals

Livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones and a truly free range life for farm animals is guaranteed. Additionally the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers is disallowed - instead the farmer will use preventative methods, like moving animals to fresh pasture and keeping smaller herd size. The production and use of GM in animal feed is banned.

Wildlife

Organic farms support Biodiversity (encouraging and supporting wildlife). This means more hedges, wilder field margins, herb and clover rich grass land and a mixed range of crops, these are all essential as they encourage wildlife. In the past 30 years we have lost ½ million door mice, 1.5 million tree sparrows and 6 million sky larks.

Environment

Organic farming works with nature and not against it and therefore uses 30% less energy than conventional farming.

Health

Organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C trace minerals and anti oxidants than non organic food. Additionally men who eat organic food have a higher sperm count!