They do so out of concern not only for their own health, but also for the wellbeing of the environment. Finland has rapidly moved into the vanguard of European organic food producers. On average, around five per cent of the total arable area in the country is now cultivated organically, although there are some regions where the percentage is substantially higher. One such is Mikkeli's neighbouring municipality of Juva, where as much as ten per cent of the total arable area is cultivated using organic methods. Organic farming excludes the use of easily-soluble artificial fertilisers and chemical crop protection agents.
Renewable energy is used as efficiently as possible and plant nutrients are recycled.
In breeding domestic animals, organic producers take the needs and behaviour patterns of various species carefully into consideration. The ecological production research station in Juva works to a programme designed in consultation with scientists, advisors and farmers. Projects yielding new information that can be used to deal with current problems have been given priority. The old folk wisdom that it's the farmer's personal touch that makes all the difference is still perfectly valid. The farmer must know his land and be able to think long-term.