Differences in Ways of Farming

Monoculture and Polyculture

• Early farming likely involved polyculture, or planting seeds from different species in the same plot of land. A polyculture farm mimics the growth of plants in nature, where multiple species coexist in the same habitat. Different plant species require different balances of nutrients and resources, which may complement each other and prevent environmental depletion. Properly employed, polyculture allows for greater overall plant productivity. Much of modern agriculture in the West, however, is monoculture farming, in which one particular species, or even clones of a single genotype, are grown in large plots of land. This allows for industrial harvesting and uniformity of product. However, monoculture farming leaves plants more susceptible to crippling diseases that spread quickly between genetically similar organisms.

Chemical and Organic Farming

• Modern industrial farming methods often employ chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and medications. These chemical improvements minimize plant loss and maximize productivity, but they may work at the expense of the surrounding environment. Intensive industrial farming can cause water pollution with nitrogen fertilizers, depletion of soil nutrients, erosion or pest resistance to chemicals. Organic farming strives to grow food without the intervention of pesticides or other chemicals. Instead, organic farmers may use natural fertilizers or non-conventional farming methods to minimize disease and maintain plant health. Some organic farmers use methods such as polyculture or sustainable farming, while others simply avoid artificial chemical additives.

Crop Rotation and Sustainable Agriculture

• A common response to the phenomenon of resource depletion is crop rotation, in which different species that complement each others' resource needs are planted sequentially in the same field. For instance, farmers alternate legumes, such as soybeans, with other crops to increase soil nitrogen. Some farmers seek to create a sustainable farm ecosystem, integrating both crops and livestock rotation in a manner that mimics natural environments. Nutrients depleted by crops are restored by the manure of grazing animals, while insectivores such as chickens reduce pests. Sustainable, mixed agricultural methods require intense management, but can boost farm productivity while reducing susceptibility to disease.

Farming on Different Scales

• At different scales, different methods of farming become more or less feasible. Organic methods that are reasonable for the homeowner with a victory garden may be unreasonable for the industrial supplier producing thousands of tons of corn. Commercial methods which employ planting and harvesting machines are common in large monoculture fields, where non-chemical farming methods might lead to widespread disease. The extensive management and flexibility required for sustainable farming methods becomes more difficult as farms expand in size.