Organic farms

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/organic-farms

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core principles?Ecological balance, resource conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and avoidance of synthetic inputs
2. What is the environmental impact?Reduces water pollution, enhances soil carbon sequestration, and supports greater biodiversity
3. What is an organic farm and how does it grow food differently?An organic farm grows food using natural methods instead of chemicals. It relies on compost, animal manure, crop rotation, and cover crops to keep the soil healthy and to control pests. This helps the farm stay balanced and friendly to the environment.
4. Why do organic farms avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides?Organic farms avoid chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs because they can harm soil life, water, and animals. By not using these chemicals, the farms protect wildlife, keep water clean, and reduce greenhouse gases. They use natural materials to keep the soil fertile.

Agroecology: The application of ecological principles to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.
Carbon Sequestration: The process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured and stored in soil or biomass.
Holistic Approach: Considering the whole system and the interconnections between its parts, rather than isolated elements.