Conservation Station: Go Green, Eat Clean
By Stacy Martin on May 12, 2012 from Conservation Station
Conventional
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Organic
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Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.
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Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
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Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease.
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Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
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Use herbicides to manage weeds.
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Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
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Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.
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Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.
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- Shop LOCAL! Buying fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and meat from local companies and/or the Bridgeport Farmers Market not only supports the local economy, but provides you with better products using better farming practices than those products produced on massive farms.
- Select a variety of foods! By varying the kinds of fruits, vegetables, and meats you eat, you are limiting your exposure to any one specific chemical/pesticide/herbicide.
- Choose organic when buying any of the “Dirty Dozen” or opt for the “Clean 15”! The Environmental Working Group puts together lists called the “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean 15”, which refer to the twelve fruits and vegetables containing the highest level of pesticides and the 15 with the least amount of pesticides. Go to http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/for the lists, or better yet download their free app for your mobile phone.
- Buy fruits and vegetables in season! When not in season there is a good chance preserving techniques have been utilized in storing and shipping.
- Always wash and scrub fruits and vegetables! Use running water and consider peeling those listed on the “Dirty Dozen” list.
- Grow your own! Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs is a great way to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals. Even if you don’t have a yard, or the time to start and maintain a garden, or you can’t keep the animals out – potted or vertical gardening is the way to go. I grow my herbs in my kitchen window (the picture is of my Basil and Parsley just starting to sprout) and I generally plant tomatoes, peppers, and squash in pots on my deck. This year I bought a tater tower to try growing fingerling potatoes vertically. To keep the pests at bay, there are several homemade recipes on the internet to use instead of chemicals.
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