Overview

Organic Food and Farming: A Reference Handbook is a valuable resource for students and general readers curious about the history, evolution, and growth of the organic food movement. This book begins with a deep dive into the origins of organic farming, offering a clear discussion of what constitutes organic production and how that has changed over time. Next, the volume provides a comprehensive overview of growth of organics as both an industry and a social movement and the inherent challenges that occur from trying to be both. The book additionally covers controversial issues and challenges, along with good news about what is working and what is possible. Included are essays by scholars, farmers, and experts working with NGOs as well as profiles of key people and organizations in the organic food movement. Additional chapters include data and documents, a comprehensive resource list, and a detailed chronology of the key events in the history of the organic sector. Distinguishing it from others that laud or dismiss organic food and farming practices is this book's objective nature, which allows it to be used as a definitive resource on the topic.

Full Product Details

Author:   Shauna M. McIntyre
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN:  

9798765166994

Pages:   360
Publication Date:   26 June 2025
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Primary & secondary/elementary & high school ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Educational: Primary & Secondary
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  

Table of Contents

Preface 1. Background and History Introduction A Short History of Agriculture Early Development The Introduction of Scientific Concepts The Rise of Large-Scale Farming What Is ""Organic Agriculture""? Defining Organic Organic Practices The Origins of the Organic Movement Farmer Organizations Creating a National Organic Program Passage of the Organic Foods Production Act Federal Support of Organic since Passage of OFPA The Growth of an Organic Sector Selling in the Local Food Market Scaling Up and Building Organic Supply Chains Challenges Come with Growth References 2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions Introduction Questioning the Efficacy of Organic Food Organic Food and Farming in the Media: Science or Lobby Tactics? Is Organic Food Production Viable? Is Organic Food Healthier and Safer to Consume? Is Organic Farming Better for the Environment? Can Organic Farming Help Solve the Climate Crisis? Does the Organic Industry Have a Role to Play in Social Justice Issues? Barriers to Growth Is the NOP a Failure or Success? Fraud and Lack of Enforcement Does Hydroponic Production Have a Place in the NOP? Animal Welfare in Organic Poultry and Egg Production Battle for a National Organic Checkoff Program Growth of Alternative Certifications Crisis in the Organic Dairy Sector A History of Dairy Crises Organic Dairy Standards and Practices Growing an Organic Dairy Sector Regulatory Changes Address Issues of Scale in Organic Dairy Current Organic Dairy Crisis Access to Organic Seeds Concentration in the Seed Sector Contamination from GMOs Contamination from Pesticides Possible Solutions Overcoming Supply Shortages in the Organic Grain Sector Recruiting Organic Grain and Pulse Farmers Lack of Information and Support Possible Solutions Investing in the Future Generation of Organic Farmers References 3. Perspectives Introduction Are the Highest Organic Standards the Best Organic Standards?, Grace Gershuny a.What Makes Organic Standards Different? b. The Myth of Higher Standards c. What Would Truly ""Organic"" Standards Look Like? Different Production Practices for Different Scales of Poultry Operations, Mark Keating The Politics and Policy of GMO Labeling: A U.S. Perspective, Samantha L. Mosier Plant and Animal Breeding: A Keystone for Success in Organic Agriculture, Travis Parker Early Organic Systems Research, Gigi Berardi How Do I Build Climate Resilience for Our Farm?, Thorsten Arnold By Far, the Most Difficult Real Estate to Transition Lies between the Ears of the Farmer, Dave Bishop a.Characteristics of Successful Organic Farms b.Increasing the Chances for Success Implementation of Organic Enterprises on a Mid-Scale Farm, Chris Bardenhagen a.Implementation of Organic for Tart Cherries b.Restart into Organic c.Moving Forward Future Small Organic Farmers Can Be Successful, but We Need Better Policy Support – We Can't Make a Living, Adrian White 4. Profiles Introduction People Lady Eve Balfour (1898–1990) Eliot Coleman (1938–) The Howards: Albert, Gabrielle, and Louise Paul Keene (1910–2005) Kathleen Merrigan (1959–) Lord Northbourne (1896–1982) Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer (1899–1961) Nora Pouillon (1943–) The Rodales: Jerome Irving, Robert, and Maria Vandana Shiva (1952–) Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) Organizations California Certified Organic Farmers International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Northeast Organic Farming Association National Organic Coalition/Rural Advancement Foundation Oregon Tilth The Organic Center Organic Consumers Association Organic Farming Research Foundation Organic Materials Review Institute Organic Seed Alliance Organic Trade Association Rodale Institute 5. Data and Documents Introduction Data Figure 5.1. Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector, 2018 Figure 5.2. Share of Organic and Nonorganic Farms Using Conservation Practice, 2012–2014 Figure 5.3. Adoption of Genetically Engineered Corn in the United States by Trait: 2000–2019 Figure 5.4. Adoption of Genetically Engineered Soybeans in the United States: 1996–2019 Figure 5.5. Total Inflation-Adjusted Mandatory Spending on Organic Agriculture: 2002–2018 Farm Acts Table 5.1. Certified Organic Sales by Major Sector and Top Commodities, 2016 Table 5.2. Top 10 States Ranked by Total Certified Organic Product Sales, 2016 Table 5.3. Value of U.S. Organic Exports, 2016 ($1,000) Table 5.4. U.S. Organic Imports, 2016 ($1,000) Documents Excerpt from the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 Excerpt from the National Organic Law at 20: Sowing Seeds for a Bright Future (2010) Excerpt from Harvey v. Veneman and the National Organic Program: A Legal Analysis (2006) Excerpts from Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule; Withdrawal (2018) Excerpt from NOSB Materials/GMO Subcommittee Proposal Report on Progress to Prevent GMO Incursion into Organic (2016) 6. Resources Introduction Books Articles Reports Internet Sources Films 7. Chronology Glossary Index

Reviews

Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates. General readers. * Choice *

Author Information

Shauna M. McIntyre, PhD, is a freelance writer and editor. She contributed to the Encyclopedia of Organic, Sustainable, and Local Food (Greenwood, 2009) and America Goes Green: An Encyclopedia of Eco-Friendly Culture in the United States (ABC-CLIO, 2012).

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