This is a book about the profession of Organic Farmer, created by a group of students from "High School for students with special needs", located in Heraclion, Crete, Greece

Organic Farmer

Types of Organic Farmers

<ul><li>Small-Scale Organic Farmers: Small-scale organic farmers typically operate on less than 10 acres of land and grow a variety of crops for local super markets.</li></ul> <ul><li>Market Farmers: they grow a variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs and sell their products directly to consumers. These markets are located in public spaces and offer people a chance to buy local fresh food directly from the producers.</li></ul> <ul><li>Organic Dairy Farmers: they raise cows on pasture and feed them organic feed.</li></ul> <ul><li>Organic Livestock Farmers: they raise animals, such as pigs, chickens and sheep, using organic feed and natural methods of disease prevention and treatment.</li></ul>

Certification The Ministry of Rural Development and Food cooperates with approved agencies for control and certification of organic products. All food producers or traders who wish to market their food as organic, need to be registered with a control agency. The control agency is responsible for verifying that the farmer acts in compliance with organic rules.

Visiting the Farm

What is an Organic Farmer? An organic farmer follows the principles of organic farming, which includes cultivation techniques and methods aimed at protecting the environment, the people and the animals, through sustainable agriculture. He cultivates crops or raises livestock using methods that prioritize natural processes over synthetic chemicals and technologies. Organic farming is typically characterized by focusing on soil health, biodiversity and ecological balance.

3.Presentation of iGEM uniCRETE's student group of University of Crete (Biology Department) at our school

The Univercity students informed us about their work concerning the construction of a Biosensor that detects a pesticide in olive and grape crops. They also spoke to us about the profession of the Organic Farmer and how important the contribution of such sensors is to organic farming. We discussed the ways of increasing the production of crops and improving the quality of human life and emphasized the important contribution of green professions especially the profession of the organic farmer.

Organic farmers use a variety of techniques to maintain and improve soil fertility, control pests and weeds and promote plant and animal health, such as crop rotation, composting and the use of beneficial insects and natural predators.

High School for students with special needs Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece https://eidikogym.blogspot.com mail@gym-eid-irakl.ira.sch.gr

Computer Science Teachers: Eleni Tzivara &amp; Kalliopi Seliniotaki

2.Planting lettuce in the school garden

Organic Farmer

Organic agriculture can play a key role in long-term food supply, because it helps improve soil quality, climate resilience and boosts agricultural production.

Organic farmers keep harmful chemicals away from our food by not using synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Since no synthetic pesticides are used by Organic Farmers in organic farming, water pollution is reduced. Also, because organic farming contains more organic matter in the soil, it provides greater water holding capacity.

The global community is actively working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Governments around the world are taking significant initiatives to make progress in various aspects of these goals.&nbsp; Organic Farmers, via organic farming, are offering a promising pathway to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals thanks to the use of environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.&nbsp; If all of us make small changes in our daily life, we can make progress in reaching these important goals.

We participated in actions to learn through experience

As organic agriculture prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, there is little to no risk of synthetic pesticide pollution for life and biodiversity below water.

Biodiversity loss causes changes to ecosystems and to the natural food chain. Due to the non-existing use of harmful chemicals, organic fields tend to enhance biodiversity compared to conventionally managed fields.

1.Visiting the Farm of the Hellenic Mediterranean Univercity (Department of Agriculture) We visited the Farm of the Hellenic Mediterranean University, where we toured its facilities. We talked about the profession of the Organic Farmer and participated in activities how to grow crops ourselves.

Organic Farmers follow a set of standards and regulations that govern the use of the term "organic" in labeling and marketing products. These standards vary by country and region, but generally require that farmers use only approved practices, such as certified organic seeds and fertilizers and that they avoid the use of synthetic pesticides.

Duties and Responsibilities

<ul><li>Proper crop selection and planting techniques: Organic farmers must choose crops that are best suited to the local environment and soil conditions. </li><li>Organic farmers use natural methods to fertilize and protect their crops.</li><li>Soil health: Organic farmers must manage soil health by maintaining soil fertility, minimizing soil erosion and controlling weeds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Animal welfare: Those who raise livestock must provide animals with access to pasture and ensure that they are treated with respect. Organic farmers mustn't use growth hormones or antibiotics and they must provide animals with organic feed.</li><li>Record-keeping: They must keep accurate records of their farming practices, crop yields and animal health. This is important for maintaining organic certification and for evaluating the success of the farming operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Certification: They must follow all relevant regulations and guidelines for organic farming certification. This includes maintaining records, undergoing regular inspections and following specific production standards.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Education: Organic farming is an ever-evolving field and organic farmers must continuously educate themselves about new practices and technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their farming operation.</li></ul>

Transform Learning:&nbsp; PBL, Coding, and AI&nbsp; for Sustainability &amp; Inclusion

High School for students with special needs Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece

Learning Scenario: Making jobs sustainable for the future - sustainable innovators

Organic Farmer

How to become an Organic Farmer Farming organically means respecting the principles, rules and requirements of organic farming. Anyone wishing to become an organic farmer should make sure that they are familiar with the necessary legislation so that they are fully aware of their responsibilities. Before starting any activity in the organic sector, farmers should contact the agricultural authority in their country for information.

By banning the use of chemical pesticides, Organic Farmers can contribute positively to this Goal. They promote economic development with small-scale agricultural enterprises and reduce economic inequalities.

By choosing organic products, consumers contribute to the demand for food produced with fewer harmful chemicals and more environmentally friendly practices, encouraging a shift toward responsible consumption.&nbsp;

Organic farming reduces greenhouse gas emissions because it avoids pesticides. In addition, organic methods enhance soil health because they effectively store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the ground.

What is the workplace of an Organic Farmer like?

The workplace of an organic farmer is highly dependent on the type of farm they operate. Some organic farmers work on small-scale farms that are only a few acres, while others may manage large organic farms with hundreds of acres of crops or pastureland. Regardless of the size of the operation, organic farming is typically done outdoors and requires physical labor and manual tasks. In general, organic farmers spend a lot of time outside, working with plants and animals. They may need to work long hours, especially during planting and harvesting seasons and their work may be affected by weather conditions such as extreme heat or heavy rain. Depending on the type of farm, organic farmers may work alone or as part of a team and they may need to supervise and train workers.

Planting lettuce in the school garden

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