Welcome to Wilshire Organic

At Wilshire, we support small family farms
and organic growers wherever possible.

• Definition of Organic |
• 10 Reasons to Go Organic |
• Organic Farming Principles |
• Organic Staff Training |
• Organic Beef Production |
• Organic & Other Premiere Wines |
• Organic Thoughts |

Organic Farming Principles

Organic foods set the standard for top quality freshness, texture, flavor, and variety. These foods are produced without the standard array of modern toxic and persistent chemicals commonly used on conventional food products since the 1950s. Yet organic farming isn't primitive, it's actually farming with our future at heart.

Basic Conventional Farming
To help understand the differences, here is a quick look at conventional farming practices. Conventional growers use an assortment of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically engineered organisms and growth enhancers to stimulate their soil and crops. Their focus is on short term yield increases rather than long term soil health. When the soil is found lacking in various nutrients, they are added through the use of synthetic fertilizers. Crops may be grown from genetically engineered seeds. Pesticides or fungicides may be used to control insects in crop storage and transportation. Conventional farmers can use manure without restrictions and are not required to keep records of their production practices.

Basic Organic Farming
Organic farmers manage their crops using proactive practices to prevent problems. They strive to:

• Replenish and maintain soil fertility.
• Eliminate the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
• Restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.
• Build and support biologically diverse agriculture.

To be certified as organic, all organic farmers must keep records verifying their practices and products used.

Organic Farming Practices
Organic farmers select the most environmentally friendly solutions to the pests and disease problems which affect their crops.

These strategies include:

Crop rotation: This means alternating the crops grown in each field, rather than growing the same crop year after year (mono-cropping). Different plants contribute varying nutrients to the soil.
By rotating crops, the soil is naturally replenished. This time-honored practice can eliminate the need for insecticides in many crops since the insect's life cycle and habitat are interrupted and destroyed.

Cover crops: Cover crops can protect the soil, add nutrients, prevent weed growth, aerate the soil with deep root systems, and fertilize the soil by building organic matter when plowed under. Sometimes referred to as "green manure crops," cover crops also conserve soil moisture and feed the soil's microflora and fauna, such as earthworms. By encouraging the lifecycles of beneficial soil organisms, problematic bacteria, fungi, nematodes, diseases and insects are prevented from proliferating.

Release beneficial insects: Organic farmers utilize natural predators to control pests that destroy their crops, which eliminates the need for chemical insecticides that remains in the soil for years.

Add compost and plant wastes: Use of manure in organic production (including raw animal manure) is highly regulated, unlike the animal manures and fertilizers used in conventional farming. The continuous cycling of naturally occurring materials helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients. Correctly made compost kills pathogens and weed seeds, producing a fertilizer that encourages soil life and healthy crops.

Organic Livestock Practices
A healthy environment for their animals is foremost for organic livestock producers. Fresh air, clean water, outdoor access, proper housing and 100% organic feed all help reduce stress and keep the animals healthy. This decreases the need for antibiotics, which are not allowed in animals raised for their organic meat (some vaccines are allowed). If an animal needs antibiotic treatment, then the animal is not allowed to be sold as "organic." Other livestock practices include:

• No growth hormones or genetically engineered products.
• No animal by-products in feed.
• Cows and other ruminants must have access to pasture.
• Slaughtering practices must be humane.
• Manure must be managed to prevent contamination of crops, soil or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals or residues of prohibited substances.

1. Effect on human health.
2. Effect on the farm eco-system.
3. Toxicity and mode of action.
4. Availability of gentler alternatives.
5. Probability of environmental contamination during manufacture, use and disposal.
6. Potential for interactions with other materials used.
7. Overall compatibility with a system of sustainable agriculture.

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