What we have now is basically a string of small oases of organic farming dotting a landscape that's overwhelmingly conventional. Reflecting the traditionally limited role that organic farming has played in the United States, the new USDA statistics on acreage are not its own, but rather are collected from private and state-created organic certifiers. Agency economist Greene said that questions about organic farming are expected to be included in the 2002 agricultural census, greatly improving the department's understanding of organic trends. Conventional Agriculture Industrial farming relies upon synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers to boost crop yields and keep prices low. Soil used as substrate in which to grow crops.
Chemicals kill or retard the growth of soil organisms.
Treated sewage sludge and raw animal manures widely used as fertilizer. Dependence on synthetic chemicals may decrease as genetically engineered crops are developed that control insects. Livestock commonly raised in holding pens and feedlots. Animals fed growth hormones and low levels of antibiotics. Organic Farming Organic farming uses natural systems to enhance productivity.