Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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The goal of organic farmers is to develop productive farms that are sustainable and harmonious
with the environment. They recognize that there's a relationship between the health and vitality
of their animals and the way the animals are kept. They are keenly aware of the links between
the health of the land and crops and that of the animals. There's also a “humane” element based
on a fundamental respect for the animals, including their behavioral and psychological needs.
Organic poultry production systems can be sophisticated, technically advanced commercial
operations or simple, small-farm add-ons integrated into a more complex agroecosystem. No
matter the size or scale, the basic tenets of traditional organic agriculture apply.
Recognizing and respecting the birds' physical, social, nutritional, and psychological needs is a
radical departure from convention in this country. Over the years poultry raising has been
forced into more and more intensive and unnatural systems geared toward satisfying only the
birds' most basic physical and nutritional requirements on behalf of low price and high profit
margin. Organic agriculture seeks to return poultry farming to a land-based, humane method
that fosters a healthy bird producing a nutritious food. Small- and large-scale organic poultry
growers throughout the Northeast and the rest of the United States are choosing to move above
and beyond the conventional production model and consciously consider all aspects of poultry
husbandry and land care.
