Environmental, energetic, and economic comparisons of organic and conventional farming systems
TR Number
Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Since 1981, the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial (FST) has compared organic and conventional grain-based farming systems. The results presented here represent a 22-year study of these farming systems, based on environmental impacts, economic feasibility, energetic efficiency, soil quality, and other performance criteria. The information from this trial can be a tool for developing agricultural policies more in tune with the environment while increasing energy efficiency and economic returns.
Description
Metadata only record
Keywords
Carbon sequestration, Green manure crops, Soil erosion, Soil fertility, Nutrient recycling, Soil organic matter, Organic farming, Water quality, Conventional agriculture, Economic comparison, Energetic comparison, Ecosystem Farm/Enterprise Scale
Citation
Bioscience 55(7): 573-582