Organic Farming - Introduction

Organic cultivation of mixed vegetables in Capay, California. Note the hedgerow in the background.

Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

In preference to the use of off-farm inputs, organic farming emphasizes management practices, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. Utilizing both traditional and scientific knowledge, organic agricultural systems rely on agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods (these may require external inputs of nonrenewable resources, like tractor fuel), as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system. Organic farming is also associated with support for principles beyond cultural practices, such as fair trade and environmental stewardship, although this does not apply to all organic farms and farmers.

Field-Grown Tomatoes

Field Grown Tomatoes
The two types of round field tomatoes are "mature green" and "vine ripen." The main type of tomatoes grown in Florida and California and are the backbone of the U.S. fresh field tomato industry is mature green tomato. Mexico only offers minimal production of mature green tomatoes.

Mature Green Tomatoes
Mature green tomatoes are harvested early; while still green however, still sufficiently mature to continue ripening after harvest when treated with the plant's natural ripening agent, ethylene gas. Mature green tomatoes have a long shelf-life, slice well, firm and generally cost less than other types of tomatoes. Mature green tomatoes dominates the food service industry, especially the fast food service industry.

Vine-Ripe Tomatoes
While mature green tomatoes are harvested before peak ripeness, vine-ripe tomatoes are picked when fully ripen -- eliminating the need for ethylene treatments. Mexico is the main supplier of vine-ripe tomatoes during winter seasons. Florida does offer vine-ripe tomatoes, however, they are only a minor supplier during winter. Southern California and Baja California are the main suppliers of vine-ripe tomatoes during summer months. Round tomatoes exported from Mexico are usually all vine-ripe. In general, vine-ripe tomatoes appeal to some high-end food service firms, however, most sales are generated through the retail market due to generally higher cost than mature greens.

During the fall of 2004, food service buyers were willing to try other types of tomatoes as substitute, while the mature greens were in short supplies - possibly leading to food service preference change over time.

Plum Tomatoes
Fresh Roma Tomatoes (Plum Tomatoes) grew fast in the 1990s because of retail demand from the expanding Mexican consumer segment. More recent demands for plum tomatoes are from the food service industry. The main supplier of plum tomatoes is Mexico. California and Florida are also playing the market as well.

Other Field-Grown Tomatoes
Other type of field-grown tomato includes specialty varieties such as cherry, grape, pear, organic heirloom tomatoes. Some of the tomatoes are grown in greenhouses, however, most are field-grown crops. Grape tomatoes are one of the newer variety of available field-grown tomatoes