Organic farms

 Organic farming (the terms "organic" or "organic" agriculture are also used) is a way of managing in accordance with natural cycles. This means that it is necessary to return to the ground what is taken from them. It is a special form of farming that is gaining importance. However, this is not just a form of farming, but a philosophy, a way of life and thinking. It represents one of the solutions to the ecological problems of the modern world, as it focuses on working together with nature and not against it. In both agriculture and animal husbandry, it emphasizes the prevention of problems instead of their treatment. They use natural fertilizers and sprays to control diseases, weeds, and pests, while the use of artificial fertilizers and chemical-synthetic sprays is prohibited. The use of genetically modified organisms and ionizing radiation is also prohibited. Production and processing take place without the addition of chemical ingredients that destroy most vitamins and minerals. Thus, with organic food, we consume everything that the food contains in its entirety and that our body needs. In animal husbandry, feeding with bone and blood meal, the use of hormones, and the preventive use of antibiotics to treat animals are also prohibited.

Organic farms also emphasize the well-being of animals, which need to be released from the barn every day, as well as free movement on pastures for at least half a year, and they also have minimum standards regarding stable areas. Intensive agriculture, which still dominates the world, causes many ecological problems. It uses large amounts of fertilizers and various other chemicals that pollute the environment, rivers, and waters, and thus all living things. As a result, the disturbed balance of pests is increasing and the food produced in this way is biologically poor, as it contains fewer vitamins and minerals than humans need. In animals, they want to achieve the greatest possible increase in meat in the shortest possible time, so in intensive animal husbandry, they use hormonal and chemical additives, which then pass into the human body. In contrast, organic farming maintains the natural circulation of matter and energy, thus establishing a natural balance that brings many benefits and opposition to intensive agriculture.

How is it in Slovenia?

Since 1998, we have also had the first controlled organic farms in Slovenia, and in 1999 the Association of Organic Farmers of Slovenia (ZZEKS) was established. Farms entered in the register of organic farms have a certificate that ensures the integrity of products that can be purchased under the label "organic food" directly on organic farms, organic markets, or in larger retail chains. Their prices are higher than conventional ones mainly because the yields in crop production are mostly lower, and the production in livestock farming is also lower.

Since then, their number has been growing rapidly every year. Such a farm provides a healthy and less burdened environment, contributes to the healthy life of all who live there, enables greater biodiversity, lower energy and material consumption, preserves the natural fertility of the soil, and also provides the possibility of additional income in the form of tourism.

This way of farming is suitable for both larger farmers and smaller gardeners. Even if we have a small garden or field and we will not sell our crops, we can stick to the principles and try to achieve the goals of organic farming. Despite the fact that this will reduce the amount of crop, we will take care of the environment and ourselves. With organic farming and all its benefits, we will help preserve the environment and biodiversity, while ensuring high-quality food that, in addition to valuable nutrients and antioxidants, also boasts a full, different taste.