     Organic Farming 101  All farmers face similar challenges: providing adequate nourishment for their crops, controlling weeds, and protecting their plants from diseases and pests. Organic farmers not only use different tools to address the challenges of raising our crops, we have a different philosophy. We use environmentally friendly alternatives to the synthetic herbicides, fumigants, fertilizers, and highly toxic insecticides used in conventional agriculture. Understanding How Nature Works Instead of Relying on Chemicals A common misconception about organic farming is that it lacks sophistication or science. Some people think that organic farmers just put seeds in the ground and let nature take its course. Nothing could be further from the truth. Organic farmers need a thorough mastery of ecology and soil science. Modern organic farming techniques use environmentally friendly alternatives to the synthetic chemicals used in conventional agriculture. We balance soil enrichment, cover crops, beneficial habitat, and crop rotation to ensure soil fertility and control weeds and pests. At Earthbound Farm, we know our farming practices — the way we protect our fields from pests, the way we nourish the soil — affect the health of our planet and the health of those who enjoy our harvest. Although organic farming methods tend to be more labor-intensive and costly in the short run, they avoid serious — and ultimately more costly — long-term issues like groundwater pollution, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and human health problems caused by exposure to chemical residues. Organic food may cost a bit more in the grocery store, but we believe that when the long-term costs associated with these problems are factored in, the organic choice is the healthiest and ultimately, the most cost-effective option. Organic farming has 5 basic functions:
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