When people think of organic farming, they often envision fields free from any synthetic chemicals, where crops thrive solely through natural means. Most consumers believe mistakenly that organic fruits and vegetables are not ever treated with pesticides and herbicides, which isn’t true. While organic farming does prioritize natural processes and sustainability, the reality is that managing pests and diseases still requires intervention. However, in organic farming, the tools and methods used are carefully regulated and must adhere to strict standards. This is where the role of approved pesticides for organic production comes into play.

Organic pesticides are substances that are derived from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, and microorganisms. Unlike synthetic pesticides used in conventional farming, organic pesticides are designed to have minimal environmental impact and are generally considered safer for human health and beneficial insects like bees.

These pesticides must be approved by regulatory bodies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP), before they can be used on organic farms. The approval process ensures that these substances meet the rigorous standards required for organic certification, including their impact on soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.

Organic pesticides cost more than conventional ones. They are also less effective. These factors explain why organic fruits and vegetables cost more to buy.

There are various types of organic pesticides that farmers use to protect their crops. These include:

Botanical Pesticides: Derived from plants, these pesticides are often used to target specific pests. For example, neem oil, extracted from the neem tree, is effective against a wide range of insects, including aphids and mites. Pyrethrin, another popular botanical pesticide, is derived from chrysanthemum flowers and is used to control insects like mosquitoes and flies. You can buy this at Home Depot or online for your own garden.
Microbial Pesticides: These are based on microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses that target specific pests. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a well-known microbial pesticide that produces proteins toxic to certain insects, particularly caterpillars, while being harmless to humans, animals, and other non-target organisms.
Mineral-Based Pesticides: These include substances like sulfur and copper, which have long been used to control fungal diseases. Sulfur is particularly effective against powdery mildew, while copper is used to prevent fungal infections like blight and downy mildew.

Organic farmers often employ a holistic approach to pest management known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM emphasizes the use of cultural, mechanical, and biological controls before resorting to organic pesticides. This might include crop rotation, planting pest-resistant varieties, encouraging beneficial insects, or using physical barriers like row covers. I know a farmer in Colorado that grows organic corn, but he rotates in organic pinto beans to his fields each year to improve the soil. He calls beans his ‘soil fixer’ as beans use less inputs that corn and add beneficial microbes and nutrients back into the soil.

The use of organic pesticides is seen as a last resort within the IPM framework. When an organic farmer does apply pesticides, it is typically done in a targeted manner to minimize the impact on non-target species and the environment. For instance, spraying might occur during specific times of the day when beneficial insects are less active.

One of the key challenges in organic farming is maintaining the balance between effective pest control and adhering to the principles of organic agriculture. Organic farmers must be vigilant and proactive, monitoring their crops regularly to catch pest problems early. The goal is to produce healthy, marketable crops without compromising the integrity of the organic system. My organic farm friends use drones to effectively see their crops on a regular basis.

When I attend grower meetings in the wintertime, I speak with growers and ask them about converting over to organic. One general answer I get is that, as long as consumers are willing to pay for the increased costs of growing organically, they will consider or continue doing it. But with food inflation so rampant these past few years, consumers are broke. And they will shop price when pressed for dollars. Some organic growers fear the cost of growing organically are getting out of hand and the process is long and expensive to convert to organic.

If you buy organic, how much more are you willing to pay for organically grown food?

Growing Organic Crops Using Approved Pesticides

Join for free* to continue reading.