This document discusses the origins and principles of organic agriculture. It began in the early 20th century in Europe in response to problems with conventional agriculture like soil depletion. Organic farming focuses on regenerating soil through humus farming techniques like composting and crop rotation. The document also discusses the global presence of organic farmland and findings that most conventionally grown produce contains pesticide residues. It outlines the benefits of an organic lifestyle, including higher nutrition, supporting local economies and farmers, and environmental benefits. Finally, it proposes a 12-month plan to transition to a more organic home through changing cleaning products, food, clothing and other items.

1. Organic Lifestyle
Student 1
SCI-218
Southern New Hampshire University

2. Organic Origins
Organic agriculture started in the early
twentieth century mostly in Europe
Motivated to reverse the reoccurring problems in agriculture
• Soil erosion
• Soil depletion
• Declining of crops
• Low quality food
• Poverty
• and more
(Kennedy, 2015, pg 2)

3. Organic Origins
Humus Farming
farming which conserves and regenerates soil
• Managing crop residues
• Applying animal manures
• Composting
• Green manuring
• Planting perennial forages in
rotation with other crops
• Adding lime and other natural rock
dusts to manage pH
(Kuepper, 2010, pg 2)

4. • Conscious, logical
approach to farming
and soil management.
• Represented a pledge to
sustainability through soil
regeneration
• Sought to avoid wasteful
mistreatment of natural
resources
Organic Origins
Humus Farming
(Kuepper, 2010, pg 3)

5. • Australia has most
organic farmland with 30
million acres
(actual percentage unknown)
• North America
– only 4%
• Asia – 13%
• Latin America – 20%
Around the World
Who has the largest organic presence?
(“Around the World,” n.d.)

6. (“Summary|EWG’s2015Shopper’sGuidetoPesticidesinProduce™,”2015)
Nearly 2/3 of a
3,015 produce
sample test
contained pesticide
residues

7. The Icky Truth
“Dirty Dozen Plus”
produce containing the highest levels of pesticides
(“Foods You Should Always Buy
Organic – Dr. Andrew Weil,” 2014)
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Sweet bell peppers
• Nectarines (imported)
• Grapes
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Snap peas (imported)
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Cucumbers
• Potatoes
What’s the “Plus”?
Hot peppers and Blueberries
contain organophosphate insecticides
These insecticides have been labeled highly toxic by the EWG!

8. The Icky Truth
Clothes Too!
A massive 8,000 different chemicals can go into the making of one t-shirt!
The main raw material in most garments in cotton
Cotton only grows on less than 3% of all agricultural land
(Williams, n.d.)

9. The Icky Truth
Genetically Engineered Food (GE) and
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
(Loux, 2011, Sect. 4)
• Polluting our food supply
at a disturbing frequency
• Consequences beyond
complete understanding

10. The Icky Truth
Hormone Supplementation
Biggest concern with beef, dairy and (farmed) fish
• As of 2011 US undecided on hormone
supplementation
• Europe’s scientific community concurs “there
is no acceptable safe level for daily intake of
any of the hormones currently used in the
United States and has subsequently banned
all growth hormones”
(Loux, 2011, Sect. 5)

11. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 1 and 2
• Eliminate harsh chemicals
from home
• Replace cleaning products
with all natural

12. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 3 and 4
• Eliminate “The Dirty Dozen”
from home
• Replace one non-organic
produce item with organic
variety per week

13. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 5 and 6
• Eliminate non-organic
meat from home
• Replace meat with
organic variety
• Introduce one new
vegetarian meal to
family per week

14. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 7 and 8
• Eliminate non-organic
undergarments from
home for family
• Replace family
undergarments with organic
variety

15. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 9 and 10 (and beyond)
• Work towards eliminating
non-organic clothing
from home
• Replace 4 clothing items
a month with organic/
eco-friendly alternatives
• Donate used clothing to
homeless shelter

16. The Action Plan
Implementing an Organic Lifestyle
A one-year plan to a lifestyle overhaul
Month 11 and 12
• Continue to find
new ways to make
home more organic
and eco-friendly

17. • Family’s Health
• Organic products have a lower nitrate content and contain less pesticide residue
• Studies show organic products have higher vitamin levels
(Huber, Rembiałkowska, Średnicka, Bügel, & Van de Vijver, 2009)
• Supports Local Farmers
• Potential for creating jobs
• Developing small-business
• Keeping economy strong within the community
("Local Organic Food & Farming Can Help Revitalize the Economy," 2009)
Why Go Organic?
Benefits to an Organic Lifestyle

18. • Environmental Benefit
• Sustainability over the long term
• Organic farming aims to establish an ecological balance
• preventing soil fertility and pest problems
• Water
• pollution of groundwater with synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides are
no longer a problem
• Air and Climate Change
• reduces non-renewable energy use by
decreasing agrochemical needs
• contributes to alleviating the greenhouse
effect and global warming through its
capability to isolate carbon in the soil
Why Go Organic?
Benefits to an Organic Lifestyle
("Organic Agriculture: What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture?," n.d.)

19. • Environmental Benefit (cont.)
• Biodiversity
• Gene Level
• Seeds have greater resistance to disease and more resilient to climatic stress
• Species Level
• Varied combinations of plants and animals enhance nutrient and energy cycling for
production
• Ecosystem Level
• Maintenance of natural areas and absence of chemicals create suitable habitats for
wildlife
• Frequent use of under-utilized species (rotation of crops to build soil fertility)
reduces erosion
• Lack of pesticide attracts new or re-colonizing species to the area
• Including vegetation, animals organisms beneficial to the organic system (e.g.
pollinators and pest predators)
Why Go Organic?
Benefits to an Organic Lifestyle
("Organic Agriculture: What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture?," n.d.)

21. References
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