History of organic farming

**Historical Development of Organic Farming:**
– Pre-World War II practices were considered organic.
– Sir Albert Howard and Rudolf Steiner pioneered modern organic agriculture.
– Post-World War II saw the introduction of inorganic methods and the Green Revolution.
– Sustainable agriculture gained scientific interest in the 1950s.
– Concerns about global food shortages influenced agricultural research.

**Key Figures and Influential Experiments in Organic Farming History:**
– Sir Albert Howard, Rudolf Steiner, Walter James, Lady Eve Balfour, and Masanobu Fukuoka were key figures.
– Experiments like the Farleigh and Haughley Experiments played significant roles.
– Publications by Walter James, Lady Eve Balfour, and Masanobu Fukuoka contributed to organic farming development.

**Impact of Industrial Revolution on Farming and Early Initiatives in Organic Farming:**
– The industrial revolution introduced inorganic methods and mechanization.
– Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides became widely used post-industrial revolution.
– Early organic farming initiatives were led by Rudolf Steiner, Lord Northbourne, and others.

**Organic Farming Movements, Associations, and Certification Standards:**
– Initiatives like the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and IFOAM were established.
– Rodale Press advocated for organic farming in the U.S.
– Government regulations and certification standards for organic production were developed.
– The USDA established national standards for organic products in 2000.

**Growth, Trends, and Impact of Organic Farming:**
– Retail market for organic farming has been growing rapidly since the early 1990s.
– Increasing consumer demand and concern for food quality drive organic farming trends.
– Legislation and certification standards for organic production have been enacted since the 1990s.
– The distinction between organic and conventional food is becoming clearer, promoting consumption of locally grown food.