What are the principles of organic farming?
Organic farming aims to balance our soils nutritionally and biologically - which organic farmers believe is the key to soil health. Organic farming believes that soil needs to be alive to produce healthy crops. Healthy soil has increased humus levels (organic matter), which leads to increased microbial activity, which in turn breaks down and releases nutrients to assist plant growth.

Organic farming uses the same approach that we should with our health. We are what we eat. If we eat healthily then we will be healthier.

Why is organic farming different from conventional farming?
Conventional farming uses artificial fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides to grow crops and pastures. This approach is thought to feed the plant and not the soil. Organic farmers believe that this type of farming creates a harmful environment for soil micro-organisms, by increasing soil acidity and mining the soil of all the nutrients, which in turn allows weeds and diseases to flourish. Conventional farming creates an artificial environment, which reduces the soil's organic matter and soil microflora, and mines its mineral levels. This is considered by organic farmers to create an unsustainable farming system.

1. In Conversion
   This is where no synthetic fertilisers and pesticides have been used in the last 12 months, and the producer has applied to join an organic certifying agency. The qualifying period lasts for 3 years - similar to an apprenticeship or training period.
   
   
2. Certified Organic
   Farmers have been registered for a minimum of 3 years, passing annual audits and farm record checks. Farmers can legally state that their produce is Australian Certified Organic, and must reapply every year for continued certification.

There are 2 bodies for Certification in Australia , The Biological Farmers Association of Australia (BFA) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA).

Why do Vitasoy use organic soy beans?
Following a growing worldwide trend, Australian consumers are demanding more organic food.

Vitasoy has a commitment to organic farming, with a significant investment in soy bean plant breeding programs, to ensure we grow the best beans that produce the best tasting soymilk. Vitasoy only buys Australian grown certified organic soy beans that are completely free from genetic modification, for use in Creamy Original, Light Original, Calci-Plus, Calci-Plus High Fibre and Vitality Plus soymilks. All of our farmers are certified by the Biological Farmers Association of Australia (BFA) and must comply with their strict guidelines on farming practices.

Why soy beans?
Soy beans are good for the environment. They help re-fertilise the soils and help to reduce carbon dioxide. The soy bean plant is a legume with an association with a bacterium called rhizobia. This bacterium lives on the roots of the soy bean plant, and exchanges food in the form of carbohydrates (sugar) to the rhizobium, which feeds atmospheric nitrogen to the soy bean plant. The rhizobium bacteria convert the nitrogen that is in the atmosphere (78% of the air we breathe is nitrogen gas) into a form that the plant can use. When the plant dies, soil microbes decompose the plant residues, which are then released for uptake by the next year's crops.

The other important benefit of soy bean plants is that they convert sunlight with carbon dioxide into their own food source. Therefore, the humble soy bean plant helps to reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.