Organic farming is a system of agriculture that uses environmentally

sound  techniques for raising crops and livestock that are free from most

synthetic pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics. Organic farmers

typically rely on pesticides and fertilizers derived from plants, animal

wastes, and minerals. They incorporats biological methods, such as the

use of one organism to suppress another, to help control pests. The

methods used in organic farmong increase soil fertility, balance insect

populations, and reduce air, soil, and water pollution





Organic farming is a small but rapidly growing sector of agriculture in the

United States. sales of organic foods increased from $5 billion in 2004 to

$9.5 billion in 2007. Organic food sales now make up 7 to 9 percent of retail

food sales but are projected to increase to 20 percent by the year 2008.

Exports of organic products to Japn and some European countries are

also growing, where organic farming typically is more widespread. ln

Austria, for example, 11 percent of land is farmed using organic methods.