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GLOSSARY: 

Anhydrous: Chemically without water, such as anhydrous borax, or anhydrous ammonia, a common dry fertilizer. 

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT): A soil-dwelling bacteria which naturally creates endotoxic crystals. These "Cry toxins" act as a biological insecticide against a broad number of insects including Lepidoptera (moths), Diptera (mosquitoes & flies) and Coleoptera (beetles) when ingested.

Bio-diversity: A broad variation of life within a given eco-system. Bio-diverse farming is the antithesis of mono-culture farming.

Bio-dynamic farming: A system of organic farming that seeks a symbiotic balance between soil life, plant life and animal life in a closed-loop cycle. Initially, it may take several years to establish the balance. Ecological and sustainable, bio-dynamics originate with the Austrian philosopher, architect and alchemist Rudolph Steiner who professed the use of fermented herbs, crushed rock minerals and astronomical planting.

Crop rotation: Used by farmers for years, crop rotation is now an integral part of organic produce farming. Because soil-borne pathogens often over winter and emerge in the spring, removing host plant "families" is a simple means of suppressing (or eliminating) many diseases, fungi and insects in the soil. Additionally, by changing the location of plant families the risk of soil nutrient depletion is not only minimized, but often reversed, as varied plants not only require different nutrients, but some actually put into the soil another's requirements. Plant fiber, lignans, carbon, humus, organic matter, and nitrogen (see legumes) are often added by one family to feed the next crop family. A typical 4-year crop rotation plan would have solanaceae followed by brassicas followed by legumes followed by cucurbits. Most onions, roots (except potatoes), and non-brassica greens may be companion planted or succession planted throughout a single growing season. (Also beneficial to the crop rotation circuit is the addition of new compost and cover crops, or "green manure").

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): serves well against crawling insects such as earwigs, snails and slugs. It is the pulverized fossil shells of ancient micro-organism called diatoms, harvested from ocean beds. microscopic sharp edges slowly destroy the cellular structure of many bugs. Some prefer to avoid because much of the commercially available bags contain silica dust.

Gai Lohn:  Chinese broccoli, Chinese kale, or Kailan. Brassica family cross-over most closely resembling broccoli but with smaller florets, longer stems and broader leaves. Prepare similarly to rapini, kale or broccoli. Rich in vitamins A, C, K, potassium, calcium and iron. 

Genetically-modified organism (GMO): Presently there are four foods that are genetically modified; canola, corn, cotton, and soybeans. Over 50% of the US production/consumption of these foods are genetically modified, meaning generally their seeds have been altered in a lab to make them resistant to the most powerful pesticides and herbicides in the world, which they are liberally treated with, absorb, and are delivered to your dinner plate with. It would not be unwise to avoid these four foods entirely as the USDA has absolutely no labeling requirements whatsoever for GMO.

Gypsum (sheetrock, drywall):  Chemically, calcium sulfate, along with paper backing and enough hide glue to bond it. One may want to avoid adding green board, blue board or other "water resistant" drywall which generally has added asphalt to the garden or field. Gypsum's benefit is specifically for heavy clay soils and sodic soils. It may be slightly detrimental to sandy or  humus soils in that some studies suggest there is a mild leaching of fertility. For heavy clay soils fertility and soil structure is improved by adding scraps of sheetrock. Likewise, saline soils can be improved as the sodium is replaced by calcium.

HFCS: High-fructose corn syrup. HFCS is cited by some nutritionists as a leading cause of obesity and is linked to diabetes - a claim highly contested by industry and lobbyists.

Mono-culture: A type of large-scale farming ("factory farming") which specializes in producing a single crop using conventional twentieth century American techniques such as the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and other potentially carcinogenic chemicals and as well as intensive reliance on high-cost  capital equipment.

Neem, neem oil: (from the genus Azadirachta) is pressed from the seeds of the neem tree, an evergreen indigenous to eastern India and Burma. Another "antifeedant" or substance that repels rather than kills pests. Diluted with water, neem makes a foliar spray that discourages insects from eating the foliage. Non-toxic to birds and many predatory beneficial insects such as wasps, ladybugs and honey bees.

Natural flavor: There's really nothing natural about this. According to Eric Schlosser, ("Fast Food Nation") natural flavor is a man-made additive which  makes processed food and fast food taste outstanding and keeps you coming back to buy more. Natural flavor is created by scientists (“flavorists”) employed by the American flavor industry, which has an annual revenue of approximately 1.4 billion dollars. The Code of Federal Regulation defines: "the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional” (21CFR101.22). You probably don't want to know what "artificial flavor" is.

Natural insecticide, pesticide - organic: BT (see above). NEEM OIL (see below). GARLIC repels a number if isects such as aphids and prevents the spread of diseases. Plant garlic in the garden between produce rows or dilute garlic powder with water and use as a floiliar spray.  ANISE plants repel aphids, fleas & cabbage pests such as squash beetles, Colorado potato beetles, weevils. CATNIP / CATMINT repels cabbage pests and aids as a deterrent to ants. HOT PEPPER juice or oil diluted with water makes a good foliar spray. PYRETHRUM (from the genus Chrsanthemum) is an ancient natural insecticide. The dried flower heads of this "Painted  Daisy" were once know as 'Persian Insect Powder' & 'Persian Pellitory,' and are a natural lice remedy. BENEFICIAL INSECTS will eventually establish a base in an organic, chemical-free garden, laying their eggs in areas of infestation. If you can't wait that long, many farm supplies, hardware stores and online merchants sell ladybugs, nematodes and other predatory insects by the thousands. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (D.E.) serves well against crawling insects such as earwigs, snails and slugs. It is the pulverized fossil shells of ancient micro-organism called diatoms, harvested from ocean beds. microscopic sharp edges slowly destroy the cellular structure of many bugs. Some prefer to avoid because much of the commercially available bags contain silica dust.

Organic: Several contradicting definitions apply to this term in the United States, which makes this word one of the most difficult to define. First, on the surface and in general conversation, organic refers to a holistic means of producing food without reliance on conventional farming techniques and, in particular, synthetic chemicals. Second, in 2002 the U.S. Congress passed a law banning any farm making over $5000 per year from using the word "organic" in any manner when describing their product, components, system of farming or in any other means to promote their business except and unless they are 'USDA Certified Organic"' - a process bridled with paperwork and fees - to the penalty of up to $10,000 per violation, per day. Third, scientific reference to a type of soil with stabilized carbon ( i.e. an organic soil contains biological decomposition which will not degenerate noticeably any further and which as a media will support the growth of new vegetation). Fourth, an organic substance is one that is or was biologically alive. Fifth, inanimates such as concepts or movements which evolve are said to be "organic" as they tend to 'grow' metaphorically.

Permaculture: Australian, 1970's concept of "permanent agriculture" system of botanical development, mimicking relationships found in natural ecology. The intent was to develop self-sufficient human settlements that reduce society's reliance on industrial systems of food production, which were believed to be fundamentally and systematically destroying Earth's ecosystems.

Phylloxera: [fi-LO-ksera] Phylloxera vastatrix is a vine louse or aphid that infests the roots of European (Old World) wine grapes. It is indigenous to eastern North America where the sweeter North American Vitis labrusca vines are resistant to it. In the late 18th century, it was inadvertently brought to Europe, where is devastated vineyards (75% of those in France). In the Finger Lake wine region of upstate New York experimentation discovered that grafting Old World Vitis vinifera vines onto American rootstock alleviated this global devastation. The practice continues today across the globe.

Pyrethrum/pyrethrins: (from the genus Chrsanthemum) is an ancient natural insecticide. The dried flower heads of this "Painted  Daisy" were once know as 'Persian Insect Powder' & 'Persian Pellitory,' and are a natural lice remedy. Today pyrethrum is the most widely used natural insecticide in the United States. The active ingredient, pyrethrin, is the extract from the plant (Dendranthemum cinerariaefolium). Pyrethrums are most effective as a contact poison, affecting the central nervous system of insects. Non-toxic to mammals, except for allergies.

Rotneone: is derived from the root of a South American plant. Since it is slow at killing pests, its often combined with pyrethrum for a faster "knockdown." Plant protection is brief (about 2 days). Rotenone must be used with caution and is toxic to fish and swine. Rotenone is a restricted material, and should be used as a last option.

Three sisters: A type of companion planting dating back to pre-colonial native Americans, where 3 mutually beneficial crops are inter-planted: corn, pole beans, and squash. The corn supports the trellising beans whose roots in turn provide nitrogen to the corn, which also provides shade to the squash which in turn acts as a "living mulch" for weed suppression between the corn rows.

Vitis labrusca: Specie of grape vine indigenous to eastern North America. including Concord and Catawba. Although many wines (particularly white, sparkling) are made from these American vines, the wine tends to be a sweeter, less developed vintage. Best eaten fresh or as juice and jelly.

Vitis vinifera: Old World wine grapes (particularly red). Cabernet, Babera, Syrah are examples. Vitis vinifera are susceptible to phylloxera - a parasite that nests in the root, unless the soil is very sandy. In order to develop mature vineyards these days, most European varieties are grafted onto American rootstock, from France to Chile to California to Australia to South Africa.

linked, genetically-linked, herbicide-linked:

Nematodes:

nitrogen-fixing:

companion planting:

vertical growing:

hydroponics:

free-range:

beneficial insects: