Source: Allaby, M., and F. Allen. 1974. Getting to know organic farmers. p. 151-159. In M. Allaby and F. Allen. Robots behind the plow: modern farming and the need for an organic alternative. Rodale Press, Emmanus, PA.

This chapter offers a brief introduction to several organic growers, highlighting the motives and methods of each. On the whole, the farmers grow organically because they believe it works better than conventional methods. The first farmer discussed was Gosta Olsson, a Swedish biodynamic farmer. He grows a variety of crops and has 60 head of livestock. Since 1950 when Mr. Olsson switched from chemical farming to biodynamic methods, he has had virtually no problems with pests or diseases. Furthermore, he believes his produce is more nutritious and tastier than before he switched methods. He attributes his success to the health of the soil on his farm. Another biodynamic farmer mentioned, Arthur Bower, was not convinced of the power of biodynamic farming's distinctive method of composting manure until he performed an inadvertent test. He dressed part of his beds of peonies with composted manure and the other half with uncomposted manure. The differences in production were staggering. The peonies in beds dressed with composted manure bloomed earlier and more profusely than those that were dressed with ordinary manure. A farmer in Florida, Lee McComb, started out with the goal of producing and selling composted manure. However, his endeavor proved unsuccessful. Therefore, he started his own citrus orchard, where he applies his compost just before it matures. This reduces labor and proves beneficial to trees even though the composted manure would be too strong for other crops. His fruit is picked and packaged each day as needed to satisfy the mail-order and roadside customers who buy his fruit because of its nutritional appeal. Bob Bonner, a vegetable farmer near Oxford, England, uses the desire for healthy produce as a marketing tool. He does not advertise that his vegetables are organically produced because he does not need to. His customers trust that the food sold in his store is healthy, and that is why they shop there. The authors concluded that all farmers are united by the common desire to grow healthy produce from a healthy ecosystem.

Abstract author: Cassie A. Callaway, 27 November 1998.

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