Crop diversity is a distinctive characteristic of organic farming. Organic farming method means combination of scientific knowledge and modern technology with traditional farming practices based on thousands of years of agriculture. Here the main motto is an avoidance of synthetic inputs, such as manufactured fertilizers and pesticides, and for this reason, organic methods are easiest to illustrate by distinct them with conventional, agrichemical-based methods. In general, organic methods rely on naturally happening biological processes, which often take place over extensive periods of time, and a holistic approach, while chemical-based farming focuses on immediate, isolated effects and reductions strategies. In predictable systems, technology hybrid seed, synthetic chemicals, high volume irrigation, mechanization is used to regulate local conditions.
Beyond the strictly technical aspects, the philosophy, day-to-day activities and required skill sets are quite different. Conversational farming focuses on mass production of one crop in one location, a practice called monoculture. This makes apparent economic sense: the larger the growing area, the lower the unit cost of fertilizer, pesticides and specialized machinery for a single plant species. Then the science of agro ecology has revealed the benefits of polyculture (multiple crops in the same space), which is often employed in organic farming. Planting a diversity of vegetable crops supports a wider range of beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and other factors that add up to overall farm health, but managing the balance requires expertise and close attention. Farming at this scale is usually labor intensive, involving more manual labor and less mechanization. The type of crop also determines size organic grain farms often involve much larger area. Larger organic farms tend to use methods and equipment similar to conventional farms, centered on the tractor.