The Eco Friendly Farmer

In today's society of environmental awareness, farming has been all about doing it without hurting the environment. One of the biggest problems facing farmers who want to be sensitive to the environment is pesticides. Pesticides are used to kill insects and weeds. Although today's pesticides are developed to require the use of much less they are still a danger to wildlife and the environment. More and more farmers are using fewer pesticides and instead are using more organic alternatives. Pesticides effect our environment because when sprayed they get into the air and contribute to our air pollution. So in the air they can spread just about anywhere. Natural pesticides contain derivatives from plants, which break down more effectively and don't have all the side effects.

Not only are there organic pesticides available to buy at any home and garden center, you can even make them in your own kitchen. No matter what you use, try to use it sparingly because a lot of the time the good insects like spiders get killed as well. Here's how to make them on your own

1) Rhubarb Insecticide: Rhubarb leaves can be very harmful if ingested so be very careful when you are making this. In one liter of water boil the rhubarb leaves then strain them after they have boiled for a few minutes. Then you can add some dish detergent, any format will do.

2) Garlic Insecticide: In your blender mix a few cayenne peppers, an onion and a little water. Once they are all blended add them to a gallon of water. The insecticide has to sit for about 24 hours before it can be strained. Then you can spray it on your flowers or your vegetables.

3) Weed Killer: This you have to use while it is still hot. Boil a liter of water then add 5 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of salt. Mix together then pour right away.

There are also plants that the farmer can use to help with his crop naturally. Mint helps improve the health of cabbage and tomatoes. Garlic enables stronger growth in roses and raspberries. Basil improves the flavor of tomatoes.

Some farmers practice monoculture farming because they can yield such large crops. It is the cultivation of a single crop on a farm or in a region or country. Monocultures because of various pathogens can be more susceptible to disease so there is complete dependence on chemical pesticides. Monoculture does not allow for the variance of agriculture and the ecosystem. The soil becomes very susceptible to soil erosion which affects the crops and requires the use of more pesticides. It is much better to plant different crops because the soil become rich and can help the root grow.

With soil erosion the water runs and the pesticides can spread. If there are animals the pesticides and chemicals can run into what they eat and in turn what we eat. Pesticides in our food can cause a lot of different ailments; from nausea to asthma attacks and long-term effects as cancer and neurological and developmental problems. Using Pesticides is no longer socially accepted. People who use them either personally or industrially are becoming more and more the minority.

Resources

Organic Farming Jobs

• Organic Farming
• Our Role as Eco-Friendly Gardeners
• Learning About Organic Farms as an Intern
• Join the Growing Green Industry of Farming and Horticulture
• Beginning as a Sustainable Agriculture Apprentice
• Pursue Green Jobs in Agriculture
• Green Jobs: Farmers of Organic Fruits and Vegetables
• Green Farming: Next Generation of Young Farmers
• Somatic Embryogenesis and Our Plants
• Sex and Our Agriculture
• Nursery Managers Make Great Salaries Working With Plants All Day
• Horticulture Requires Less Education But Does Require A Love for Growing Things
• The Eco Friendly Farmer
• Organic Farmer - Producing Foods Without Additives Is the Wave of the Future
• Landscaping - A Green & Sustainable Career
• Fabulous Fowl: The Profession of Organic Poultry Farming
• Home on the Range: The Profession of Range Ecology
• The Organic Farmer: The Ultimate Green Collar Worker
• Making it in Xeriscaping
• How to Begin a Greenhouse?
• What Does a Horticulturist Need to Study?
• Arborist
• Organic Food Production Worker
• Horticulture/Horticulturalist
• Permaculture/Permaculturalist
• Greenhouse - Co Op Business

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