According to The National Organic Standards Board, organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic products can be any food or fiber that can be made from agriculture or animal products.
‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. It is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, man-made pesticides or fertilizers. Additionally, these products cannot contain preservatives or artificial colors, flavors or ingredients are minimally processed, and no irradiation can occur.
GMOs or genetically modified organisms are also prohibitied. A GMO is an organism that has been modified by inserting DNA which usually has been engineered to suit a particular purpose. The altering of the molecular or cell biology uses techniques not possible under natural conditions. Organic farmers emphasize the use of renewable resources and maintain their processes to conserve water and soil.
While organic standards are strict, organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues. Sometimes crops are inadvertently exposed to chemicals present in rain and ground water that have been overused in the past 50 years. Other residues come from pollutants that blow in from the surrounding areas. Genetically engineered pollen is one such pollutant.
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