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I'm an organic gardener under construction. I still use some chemicals when I feel they are a more practical choice. I am not switching from chemical usage because I fear them and what some feel they may do, but because I understand them. I feel that application is the biggest problem with some chemicals, not the chemicals themselves. I suspect that I ultimately will find a niche in the middle where I can integrate parts of both types of agriculture and arrive at an optimum result for my situation.

I have an engineering background and a farm/ranch up-bringing. I incorporate organic methods in my gardening because I understand the actual science behind the method, not because of some psuedo-religious belief in its benefits. All of the successful organic techniques can and should be proven by the scientific method of testing.

There are other motives for adopting organic growing methods, at least on a gardening scale. Organic growing methods can also be less expensive as it is possible to reuse a nutrient many times before it must be supplemented.

I am not convinced, however, that large scale farming can be sustainable with purely organic methods. I am in favor of finding better alternatives to man-made chemical pesticides and herbicides whenever possible, but I also feel that man-made fertilizers are here to stay in large scale farming. It may be possible, however, to use both organic and man-made fertilizers in tandem, and find an optimum combination. Again, I believe the critical factor is application, not composition.

The largest problem with fully converting to organic growing techniques for all food production is that there simply isn't enough suitable land located in suitable climates to feed the world's population as it is now or will be in the future. It is essential that the land in areas where suitable conditions exist produce at the highest rate possible to provide food for those living in areas that are not suitable for growing their own food.

The alternative is to have all people revert to self-sufficiency farming and live in only those areas suitable for farming. It is unlikely that the resources of those areas could support the entire earth's population. The negative effects of the increased population density in those areas, like pollution and housing requirements, would likely off-set any benefits of the organic agriculture.

I live in: United States

My zone is: Zone 3 ND

My Birthday is March 24 .

My favorite forum 1 is Soil.

My favorite forum 2 is Sustaining Our Environment.

First registered on November 14,2004.