What is Urban Organic Farming?
The USDA defines organic agriculture as "a production system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."
Huh?
While not everyone agrees on an accepted definition it can be roughly interpreted to mean Using nature as a model for the agricultural system - recycling nutrients, encouraging natural predators to manage pests, increasing plant densities to block weeds - organic farmers don't merely substitute non-toxic materials for pesticides and fertilizers, but rather consider the farm as an integrated entity, with all parts interconnected.
Organic farming is agriculture that makes healthy food, healthy soils, healthy plants, and healthy environments a priority, along with crop productivity.
For most people, the decision to start organic farming is triggered by economics. Other times you'll find that people are into a more natural state of living. Organic farming and self-sustaining ways are key to this way of life.
Some of the things that you would be doing if you decided to live off the grid would be using things such as wood burning stoves, solar power, low energy light bulbs, propane, wood burning cook stoves, wood burning furnaces, and more. It's not a decision to be taken lightly and it does take a determined person to live this lifestyle.
So What Is Urban or Suburban Farming?
Simply put, urban farming is growing or producing food in a city or heavily populated town or surburban municipality. For others food justice is the reason to develop urban farms in their communities, which means improving the access to fresh food for economically disadvantaged communities.
Urban Farming could be a great way to generate some additional income from home. some of the latest suburban farming devices are able to grow as much as 50 plants in a four square foot area using a vertical tower garden.
Urban and suburban Farming, itself relies on greenhouses as well as regular gardens. Those are just plants. When living off grid you should consider every avenue. This means that having indoor fish ponds, goats, cattle, and other animals are now a big part of your world. With this new life, you will gain a new respect for how we used to live.
You'll also have peace of mind knowing that your food and your water aren't filled with hormones, pesticides, and other unwanted chemicals and medications.
You should know that your organic farming is very important for your living style. You will be starting your plants in your greenhouse and planting them in the spring, but you'll also be keeping many plants and vegetables in your greenhouse through the winter.
It's work, but it's good, clean, and honest work. There will be no more electric bills, gas bills, and water bills. You'll be freer than you've ever been in your life. You will never fully know the restraints that you have on you until the begin to fall away.
If you're not looking to live completely off the grid, but instead want to start out with something smaller, you can still use solar panels to save on electric and take part in urban farming. Many people plant gardens all the time in their backyard's and on rooftops in major cities. Growing your own beans and canning them is still considered organic farming as long as you're not using pesticides and your soil is clean.
If you want more in-depth info you might try this free download.
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