Once all farmers worked their land organically – before such synthetic inputs as pesticides and antibiotics existed.
Nowadays, it's a term that's met with fierce debate on both sides. Even King Charles III, a high-profile supporter of organic farming, faced skepticism when he began farming organically on his Highgrove estate in the early 1980s.
So what exactly is organic farming, is it regulated in the UK and is it the same as agroecology?
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What is organic farming?
The organic movement arose in the 20th century as a reaction to the growing industrialisation of ‘conventional’ farming, with its dependency on monocultures, chemicals, medicinal drugs for livestock and frequently poor animal welfare. Organic farming’s aim is to produce high-quality food as fairly and sustainably as possible for people and animals while benefiting the planet.
Is organic farming the same as agroecology?
Organic farming is also known as agroecology – farming with nature rather than against it. Often it’s a simple as choosing the right crop or livestock for the right land or climatic conditions.
Who regulates organic farming?
Today in the EU there are strict guidelines for organic growers to adhere to and these are maintained in the UK by the Soil Association, a charity founded in 1946. Organic farmers need to go through a certification process and are closely monitored thereafter. This is one of the key differences between organic farming and other agroecological systems, such as regenerative farming.
The aim of certification is to offer growers and consumers a clear set of guidelines and standards that can be trusted. Among its many obligations, the Soil Association offers advice to its members, provides forums for sharing information and invests in research and development to improve yields, sustainable practices and many other elements of farming life.
How do farmers practise organic farming?
Perhaps the fundamental building block of all organic farming is soil. By protecting and enhancing the soil’s structure, fertility and microbial and fungal communities, the farmer gives crops and livestock the best possible chance.
One of the most efficient methods to achieve this is through crop and livestock rotations. For instance, after harvesting a crop such as barley, the farmer might then plant clover and legumes that capture nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. If these are then grazed by cows, sheep or pigs, the roots rot into the soil, boosting its nitrogen. The animals’ dung will also add to the field’s fertility.
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Organic farmers tend to plough less, if at all, to avoid destroying the networks of mycorrhizal fungi that help plants absorb nutrients and repel diseases. Organic farmers avoid using pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, which are detrimental to wildlife. Studies show these chemicals may also negatively impact human health. Instead, the farmers rely on natural processes to keep crops and livestock healthy.
Thriving hedgerows, ponds and flower-filled field margins offer habitats for birds, insects and other creatures that prey on pests. To tackle weeds, increasingly sophisticated mechanical weeding machines are being developed to manage crops without harm. By not using expensive chemical inputs, the farmer also saves money.
Animal welfare is also key. The aim is not to just show the absence of harm but to demonstrate that the animals enjoy natural behaviour, such as play, foraging and socialising. As well as being good for the livestock, studies show that happy, unstressed animals put on weight quicker and are ready for market sooner.
Organic farming is increasingly embracing agroforestry whereby trees are incorporated into all aspects of a system, whether it be horticulture, livestock or arable. Studies show the enormous benefits to animal welfare, soil fertility and the farm’s overall economic viability through boosting hedgerows, woodlands and individual field trees within the farm estate.
What is agroecology?
The Soil Association defines agroecology, also known as ecological agriculture, as a ‘sustainable farming method that uses ecological principles to manage crops, livestock, forests and fisheries’.
What are the downsides of organic farming?
Organic farming receives its fair share of criticism. While many commentators recognise the potential positives, they claim it only works on relatively modest levels and cannot be scaled up to produce the sheer volume of food the world needs.
The certification process can also be arduous and costly. Others voice concerns that organic food is expensive. It’s undeniable that organic produce generally costs more than conventionally grown equivalents due to the extra time and labour involved.
Lastly, without using synthetic treatments such as preservatives and waxes, some organic fruit and vegetables can go off more quickly than non-organic. Organic farmers are also sometimes accused of wanting to take the industry back 100 years, however they are often at the forefront of scientific research and the use of AI. Robots are being used to monitor organic matter and moisture in soil, while all manner of sensors, satellite mapping and other data provide the farmer with an armoury of tools from their laptop.
The future of organic farming
In 2010, the forum for UK farmers held every January, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), saw a rival emerge as organic and other agroecological growers, feeling that their voices were not being heard, created the Oxford Real Farming Conference. However, visitors to 2025’s ‘conventional’ OFC heard many speakers talking about the need to work more sustainably with nature. Could agroecological farming become the mainstream once again?
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Main image: King Charles III and Prince William at the organic Home Farm, Tetbury, in 2005/Getty
