CERTIFIED ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT: MEETING THE NEEDS OF A DIVERSIFIED INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE

The "Certified Organic System" is a production and marketing system that requires thought and planning. Planned diversification and good management principles can steer production away from monoculture agriculture and a dependence on chemicals pot1mtially hazardous to the environment. To practice this system the farmer must concentrate on improved management and gearing this management to production of a quality product for a known market utilizing techniques to maximize production and minimize destructive impact on the environment