About organic farming

Organic food is produced using methods that are friendlier to the environment. Very few chemicals are used. Instead organic farmers grow clover and add manure to the land to make the soil more fertile. Crop ‘rotation’ (changing the type of crops grown in a field each year) also improves soil fertility and helps to control weeds, pests and diseases. Wildlife is encouraged as birds, bats and beetles help to control crop pests.

Organic farmers aim for a healthy, living soil. Worms, mini beasts, bacteria and other organisms that live in the soil are very important because they help to provide important nutrients for plants to grow. In turn animals feed on the crops and humans feed on both crops and animals. Healthy soil - healthy food - healthy people.

Organic farmers make the soil more fertile by growing clover and spreading composted farm manure. Clover helps organic farmers by adding nitrogen (needed by plants to grow) to the soil. It does this through special nodules on its roots.

Crop and livestock rotations are very important in organic farming. Rotation means changing the types of crops and animals in a field each year. This helps make the soil fertile and controls the weeds, pests and diseases that can build up if you plant the same crop in the same field year after year.

Organic farmers try not to cause the pollution of soil, rivers and food chains. They do this by using as few chemicals (especially fertilisers and pesticides) as possible and not using any genetically modified (GM) crops or animal feed. Fewer chemicals often leads to more wildlife.

Scientific studies show that the number and variety of bird, butterfly and wild plant species tend to be greater on farms that have been organic for some time. Some of this wildlife (like birds, bats and beetles) help the farmer by feeding on pests that attack the crops.

Organic farms have high standards of animal welfare. Animals kept on organic farms can range freely outdoors and are given plenty of space to behave in a natural way. They are also fed a natural diet.

A farm must spend two years keeping to strict rules (called ‘standards’) before they can be called organic. These two years gives the land a clear break from chemicals and gives the farmer the chance to plant clover to help build up soil fertility.

All organic food is produced and handled according to strict rules called ‘organic standards’. These standards cover all aspects of food production from animal welfare and wildlife conservation to not allowing artificial food additives. All Soil Association organic farms are visited at least once a year by an inspector to check that the standards are being met. Only then will the farm be able to show the Soil Association organic symbol.