What comes to mind when you hear the term "Organic agriculture"?
Secondary Questions:
Do you know any organic farmers? If so, please share a few impressions.
Have you ever been to an organic farm? If so, please share a few impressions.
How frequently (if ever) do you consume organic food?
Have you ever considered organic farming?
37 comments:
Male
43
4 year degree
Farmer
When I think of organic farming I think of clean farming that doesn’t involve chemicals, pesticides etc. Also I think of the amount of labor that is put into the land in order to produce the crop.
I have only met one organic farmer. I admire the amount of time and effort that he puts into the farm. He could just as easily say that he wants to turn back to conventional farming.
I have never been to an organic farm. During the summer I consume more organic foods because I eat the food produced in my families garden.
I myself have never considered organic farming although I would be interested in trying it just because it would be something new and exciting.
Male
45
Junior College
Fertilizer Plant
I think it is a good thing but I dont think it really works to well and some people go to extremes.
I know of a family that runs a large garden but uses some organic farming practices.
No
No
No
Male
58
Farmer
College Graduate
Starvation comes to mind because if everyone in this country goes to organic farming we're going to starve to death because we wont have enough food.
No, I don't know any organic farmers
Never been to an organic farm
Never consume organic food, unless bought from the grocery store and didn't know it was organic
No, have never considered organic farming
Male
50
Farmer
WIU Grad with honors
Weeds and insect pests come to mind when I hear organic agriculture.
No, personaly I do not know any organic farmers.
No, I have not been to an organic farm.
Knowingly I have never had organic food.
No, I have never given it any serious thought.
Male
20
College student
When i hear organic agriculture i think of smaller plots of ground that specialize in growing crops for a niche market.
I don't happen to know any orgainic farmers.
I have been to the allison farm on a tour and have witnessed some of the ways that are implemented to help with weed control in an organic system.
I occasionally eat organic food from farmers markets.
No i haven't thought about being an organic farmer
Male
45
Farmer
high School education
Organic Farming is not very common around my area. When I do think about organic farming is doing more work than you have too. It usually consist of smaller fields.
No
No
Never
Never
Female
53
Western Employee
High School Education
She did not know any organic farmers, but often bought organic food. The organic food she purchases is mainly meat. She likes knowing that the animals were raised on grasslands. She has never visited an organic farm herself, but has done a little online research about them. She consumes organic food on a regular basis. Basically, whenever she is cooking at home it is with organic meat. She has never considered organic farming and never has the desire to.
Male
74
High School Degree
Retired
What came to mind was the use of land without using pesticides or insecticides. Also, these products that they sell are at a higher price then what they sell at the grocery store.
I have never been on a organic farm and will probably never be on a organic farm in my life time.
If I do consume organic products I am not aware if they organic or non-organic products.
I have never considered organic farming, but keeping a garden is some what of being organic but I have never grown a garden before so I would have no idea.
Female
24
Graduate school
Student
"Well I guess when I hear the term Organic agriculture I think of producing products that have not seen any form of herbicide or pesticide, and should be grown the way that they were originally meant to be grown."
"I do know an organic farmer, but have never actually been to an organic farm. I like what these farmers are doing and think it is a good thing."
"Oh im not sure exactly how frequently I eat oragnics, I usually try to buy organic fuits and vegetables on a regular basis though. I personally have never considered organic farming but enjoy the people who are."
Male
51
Some College
Retired Farmer
Hearing the term "Organic Agriculture" instantly mades me think Farming with out any assistants from pesticides, herbicides, or any synthetic materials. The organic farmers have to rely mainly on proper crop management and have more hands on time with the crops. Some may also think cleaner and more healthy food.
No, I do not know any organic farmers.
Yes, I have been to an organic farm. It was not like moest conventional farms. The farmer was growing organic sweet corn. Instead of using synthetic fertelizers he was using bat guano and chicken droppings. The combination of the two was a horrible smell.
I do not really consume organic food, nor do I go out of the way to get organic food.
I have never considered organic farming
Male
56
H.S. Diploma
Farmer
Organic farming makes me think of doing it the old fashion way. Using more labor and less chemicals.
Does not know any organic farmers.
Never been to an organic farm.
I do not consume organic food.
I have thought of organic farming as a possibility but the way I've always done things has worked out pretty well so just going to stick to that
male
23
recent wiu grad
Construction/farmer
When I think about Organic farming I think about a higher food quality and safety. I also think of the word controversy.
At this time I do not know any organic farmers.
I have also never been to an organic farm.
I consume organic food on a daily basis.
No, I haven't considered it at this time, that's not to say I won't in the future.
Male
67 years old
High school
Retired
When I think of organic farming I think of clean crops, no chemicals. I also think of more workers. I think you would need more labor to achieve a full organic crop.
I do not know any.
I have never been to an organic farm.
I consume it very seldom. But there are a few.
I myself have never considered it. But I know some good friends who talk about switching. But they feel it is a big transition and probably never will.
When I Hear the statement"organic agriculture", I think of simpler time in farming. Where the was no gmo crops, and pesticides. There wan't any fertilizers or chemicals to promote further growth of the crops. It was just the crops and the land, the way nature intended it to be.
No I do not know any organic farmers.
I haven't ever been to an organic farm either.
I try and incorporate organice food into my diet, but it is more expensive, so it is hard to consistently purchase it. I would say once or twice a week at most.
No I have never considered organic farming, because I don't farm.
Male
40
High School Diploma
Organic Farm Owner
Healthy means of living. I think organic agriculture is only in the beginning of what it will be in 10 years.
Yes, I know quite a few organic farmers. They are the type of people who have strict guidelines on how they produce and are very proud of the way they do things. But, there are also those who are only interested in organics for the money.
Yes, I've been to WIU's Allison farm which was interesting because it deals with a different type of organic farming. I was impressed on their achievement of cover crop farming. I've also been to the Burrus organic farm which is designed for beef production and I was impressed with his desire to create the best possible pasture for the livestock. I've also been to Mike Butchers organic farm which is greenhouse produced lettuce and microgreens. All of these farms are within 20 miles from my own organic farm.
I consume organic food on a daily basis.
I am currently fortunate enough to do organic farming and am very proud to be in this growing movement toward a healthier lifestyle.
Male
36
College Grad
Agronomist
When I hear Organic Farming I think of a way of farming that requires more hands-on work and the absence of pesticides.
I have not been to an organic farm.
I am not aware of consuming any organic food unless I unknowingly purchased it.
I have never considered organic farming.
Male
51
4 year degree
Farmer
When I think about organic Farming weed and pest control comes to mind. Seems very difficult
No I do not personally know any organic Farmers
No I have not been to an organic farm
Not that i know of have I eatin organic foods
No i have not considered Organic Farming
Male
60
Some College
Factory Maintence/Farmer
A farming operation with no pesticides and for fertilizers
Yes he does know some organic farmers. Their yields are pretty low. The ones he knows are behind in organic farming not trying to modernize their operations
He doesn't knowingly look for it or consume it.
No he hasn't. He is afraid that the yields would be so low he couldn't make money. He farms to make money not just for the experience.
Interviewer 1
Gender-male
Age-22
Education- Western Illinois University undergraduate
Profession- N/A
Interviewer 2
Gender-male
Age- 42
Education- High School
Profession- Construction
1.) I think of fresh, all natural, and non genetically modified food from livestock, crops, and vegetables when I think of organic agriculture. On the other hand, organic crops are not as productive as genetically modified crops.
2.) I do not know an organic farmer.
3.) I have never been to an organic farm.
4.) Mostly consume organic food during the summer such as yogurt and certain fruits like tomatoes.
5.) No, I have never considered organic farming because I dont live on a farm but If I did own a farm I might consider it because its more resourceful, and it produces good wholesome food.
Male
26
college student
When I hear the words organic farming, i think of a pure piece of ground and way of farming, no pesticides, and no tillage of the ground.
I do not know of any organic farmers, and have never been to an orgainc farm.
No i do not eat organic foods on a regular basis and don't believe i have recently.
No i have not thought about farming organically, it just seems like to much work input with not enough result coming from my work.
Male
50
high school
Construction
Organic farming that raises no GMO crops
He doesn't know any organic farmers
He has never been to an organic farm
It doesn't really cross his mind to pay attention to whether the food is organic or not but the stores seem to really promote organic food.
It might be a good niche market to invest in since the sales of organic products are usually priced higher
Male
65
Retired
"The first thing that comes to mind is whether or not organic farming is feasable in todays society. Is there a market for the product and such questions like that. Another thought is how much more work will have to be put into organic farming compared to conventional farming practices. He noted that for the farm that his son is now running(close to 9000 acres) organic farming just doesnt seem practical, but maybe for a smaller farm it would work out great.
I dont really know of any organic farmers in my area.
I attended a plot tour of an organic farm near Bloomington, Il over the summer and I came away with some good information. The only thing that I still question is whether or not organic farming would work on the large scale or better suited for plot tours.
I have never really been into the whole organic thing, but i have tried it a few times.
Like i mentioned before, I have thought about organic farming, but I still have too many questions that are unanswered to be able to really develop an opinion on the topic.
When i think of organic agriculture i think of overly priced food markets. They may be healthier for you but with todays economy cant afford their market prices.
NO
NO
Never
NO
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Occupation: Student
Education: Bachelor's
I don't know much about it but it seems to be everywhere today. It may be a trend or it may be the future.
no
no
never no
Male
49
Bachelor's Degree
Insurance Underwriter
When I think about organic agriculture i think of what I see in the store. These products usually cost more. I also think of it as farmers who are trying to be more progressive in their farming just in a differnt way than most.
No
No
Not often
No
Male
53
High School
Farmer
Organic is crops that are grown with out the use of gmo's, chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.
No
No
If I do I dont know about it.
Not worth my time, some can make it work if they only have a few acres, and good for them. Between the the farm ground and the cattle I would never have time to baby a little garden
Male
49
High School
State of Illinois employee
When I think of organic agriculture I think of farming without the use of pesticides or herbicides. I also think organic farming tries to have little impact on the land itself and not upset the potential for production in following years.
No
No
Do not often comsumer organics and if so its unknowingly.
No
46 male
Morristown, IN
When I think of organic food, I think of the way that our food used to be like along time ago before we had any pesticides, or herbicides.
We have 22 acres of organic hay that we feed to 10 cows that we sell as organic or natural fed beef. This process takes over 2 years from the tie that they are born till they are ready to be butchered, and there weight at tht time is only around 950 to 1050 pounds. The reason we do this is for a small market that we have found.
We recently had a smoked brisket from a grass fed cow that never consumed any type of minerl or grain from the time it was born till the day it was harvested and it was some of the best meat i have ever had.
48 Male
Liberty, IL
He looks at organic agriculture as agriculture that does not use modern cheimicals or anything that does not come natural to the plant or animal.
He had not visited an organic farm.
He does not know any organic farmers.
The only time he eats strickly organic foods is when he eats the vegetables out of his own garden.
He has never considered becoming an organic farmer
Male
51
Electrician
I think of people growing crops for human consumption. That are grown with no fertilizers or any other chemicals. And I'm pretty sure there is some rigorous testing before it is certified organic.
No
No
I don't consume organic foods.
No, I'm an electrician, not a farmer.
Male
47
Local Farmer
Organic agriculture brings to mind a very small crop with very intense management. This includes very limited use or no use of pesticides and fertilizers.
I know of one organic farmer and it seems like he is going backwards in terms of managment.
I have only visited the farm once and it just seems like it would be a difficult transition especically on a large amount of acres.
I dont consume organic food.
I have not considered switching to organic farming.
Male
47
High School Diploma
Farmer
Organic agriculture brings to mind a lot of time that I do not have. You are going to be doing a lot more work than just planting and spraying your fields. A lot of work, but I guess it pays.
I do not know any [organic farmers].
I have not [been to an organic farm].
I doubt I ever eat organic food to be quite honest.
With the workload I have already? No, I haven't ever even let it cross my mind.
Female
29
Associate degree
Eye technician
Healthy lifestyle in reguards to food . Health awareness.
No
No
Not much
No
Male
66
Masters degree
Retired teacher
“To me, organic agriculture just means a chemical-free way of farming. However, it also means reduced yields and a more expensive and labor-intensive production system. Some people think it’s healthier. I don’t really know I guess, to me it’s just more expensive.”
No
No
“Maybe about ten percent of the time. It’s not really a priority for me when purchasing food, but I end up eating organic at some functions and when my wife brings it home.”
Have you ever considered organic farming?
NO!
Male 58
Farmer
College Education
No everyone I know uses chemicals
and no it would be uneconomical to change over to organic.
48 male farmer
h.s
When i think of organic farming i think of not only as a system that dosnt use synthetic fert or chemicals i think of it as a way for a small acre farm to add value to its operation
I know an organic farmer very well. he is one of the hardest working farmers that i have ever met who can consitantly have very high organic as well as non gmo yields.
I have a small acerage and would consider farming organicaly if the technology is there to do it 100% no till
never eat orgainic
Male
42
highschool
farmer/nuclear operator
They don't use gmos, chemicals, or synthetic fertilizers.
I do know one family, they are really honest ethical people. They have been doing it a long time so it must be working.
No, I have never been on their farm, or any other organic farm.
Not usually, just what my neighbor grows in his garden.
No, I havent.
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