**Methods of Animal-Free Agriculture:**
– Animal-free farming can utilize organic or non-organic methods.
– In the EU, farmers are incentivized to use manure over animal-free fertilizers.
– Industrial agriculture with synthetic fertilizers is considered animal-free.
– Only 5% of cropland in the US was manured in 2006.
**Vegan Organic Farming Practices:**
– Excludes animal products or by-products in farming methods.
– Maintains soil fertility using green manures, compost, and minerals.
– Techniques include mulch, compost, and crop rotation for sustainability.
– Biocyclic vegan farms employ preventative insect management methods.
– There were 63 self-declared vegan organic farms in the US in 2019.
**Advantages and Current Use of Animal-Free Agriculture:**
– Animal-free agriculture can prevent the spread of illnesses like influenza.
– Interactive maps list vegan organic projects in Europe and North America.
– Biocyclic Vegan Standard certifies vegan organic farms.
– German Environment Agency funds the promotion of the standard.
– Stockfree Organic label requirements are determined by the Vegan Organic Network.
**Benefits, Challenges, and Comparison of Veganic Farming:**
– Benefits include reduced environmental impact, support for biodiversity, and enhanced soil health.
– Challenges include limited access to inputs, higher labor requirements, and initial transition costs.
– Comparison with conventional agriculture shows lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced water pollution, among other benefits.
**Impact and Future Trends in Veganic Farming:**
– Veganic farming contributes to food security through diversification of sources and increased local production.
– Future trends include adopting agroecological practices, integrating technology, expanding networks, and policy support for sustainable agriculture.
– Education and awareness initiatives are crucial for consumer understanding and support.
Animal-free agriculture, also known as veganic agriculture, stockfree farming or veganic farming, consists of farming methods that do not use animals or animal products.
Animal-free growers do not keep domesticated animals and do not use animal products such as farmed animal manures or animal parts (bone meal, blood meal, fish meal) to fertilize their crops. Emphasis is placed on using green manures and plant-based compost instead.