QA Farming

There is not a single person on this planet that is disassociated with farming. It is how people live and eat. Even vegans or vegetarians have to rely on this food source. There is so much that goes on in the farming community. From the actually production of food to the final stage where the food is consumed, growing plants and animals on a farm is the cornerstone to civilization. It has been around since mankind first began to till the land or domesticate animals. In this article we will cover the basics of how the farm works and how you finally end up with the products that you eat. It is a fascinating process from beginning to end and it will make you aware of the obstacles that farmers face each day.

Are there different types of farming?

There are many different types of farming. You have farms that raise animals. You have farms that raise plants. The agricultural community spans a wide number of different types of products. Even illegal drugs are considered part of the agricultural community as they are grown on farms. You probably have not given much thought to exactly the different types of products that are produced through agriculture. It may be exotic flowers being cultivated and sold. It could be exotic wildlife. The different types of farms that are found throughout the world are vast. Agriculture even helps produce the biofuels that help run cars and machinery. Even the pet industry is a part of agriculture.

What impact does farming have on the environment?

It would be great to say that farming has a positive impact on the environment but unfortunately it is not true. Many environmentalists are concerned that modern agricultural techniques are contributing to the decline in the environment’s health. Pesticides and chemicals used by large scale farms are polluting water sources. There is concern over the impact that genetically modified plants have on the soil conditions. You also have to keep in mind that in order to farm effectively, you need huge expanses of land. This means cutting down forests so that plants and animals can be raised. There are groups that are taking a stand against modern farming practices and returning to environmentally safe methods. Organic farms have risen in popularity as more and more consumers want all natural products that do not contain pesticides, chemicals or hormones.

What is organic farming?

Organic farming is a method in which farmers raise crops and livestock using no artificial pesticides or hormones. They utilize crop rotation in order to keep the soil healthy. Going organic is not new. During the 50′s and 60′s there was a movement to start eating more natural food sources and ensuring that people were not consuming harmful pesticides that were being heavily used at the time. This return to the organic movement has helped small farmers immensely. In a typical market they were being ousted by large scale farm operations. But by raising organically grown vegetable, fibers and animals, they can cash in on the organic niche. They do not have to worry about owning large expanses of land and they can charge more for their produce since it is “healthier.”

I have a small farming operation. Where can I sell my product?

If you have a small farming operation and have excess products, you can always sell your excesses at a farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are a great way to develop a customer base that turns to you for their needs. If you combine this approach with that of organic agriculture, you will be selling your products in no time at all since the number of farmer’s markets have doubled since 1994. That means more money in your pocket.