Organic Beans
Encyclopedia
There are three major types of organic beans: dry beans, snap beans (also known as greenbeans), and soybeans. The mature seed of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) serve as a protein source in a variety of foods worldwide. Dry beans and snap beans are the same species, although dry beans are distinguished from snap beans (greenbeans) which are consumed as immature pods. Dry and snap beans also differ from soybeans (Glycine max) in which the seeds are consumed in a variety of processed forms such as tofu
, soybean meal
, oil
, and fermented forms such as miso
. Dry beans are divided into classes with a range of seed sizes, colors, and shapes. Examples include black beans, pintos, navy beans, small red beans, and kidney beans. Soybeans are usually divided into two groups feed-grade and food-grade, with the food-grade including soybeans for processing, "tofu-beans", and edamame
. The latter of which is eaten as immature beans.
Organic Beans are produced and processed without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2008, over 2600000 acres (10,521.8 km²) of cropland were certified organic in the United States. Dry beans, snap beans, and soybeans were grown on 16000 acres (64.7 km²), 5200 acres (21 km²), and 98000 acres (396.6 km²), respectively.
To sell beans as organic in the United States, producers must meet the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program
(NOP) under the Organic Food Production Act of 1990. A third party certifying agency, not part of the USDA, verifies that the producer has meet the minimum requirements and may themselves have additional requirements. Prior to marketing crops as "certified organic", fields must be managed during a 3-year transition phase using organic practices (that is, no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers). Detailed record keeping is essential for organic producers and these details are checked annually by the certifying agency who may perform a site inspection.
Certification information for other nations can be found on the Organic Certification
wikipedia page.
is currently the top organic dry bean producing state in the U.S., accounting for 37% of the area and 47% of the sales. The majority of the area is located in the "Thumb" region of Michigan, with black beans being the most common class produced organically. Colorado
and North Dakota
are the second and third top producers, respectively, of organic dry beans in the United States.
Washington is the top producer of organic snap beans, followed by Michigan and California
. In 2008, the total sales of organic snap beans totaled over 1.4 million dollars.
The value of organic soybeans in 2008 totaled more than $50 million dollars in the U.S., with Minnesota
, Iowa
, and Michigan accounting for 46% of the total production.
Organic dry beans from the United States are marketed both nationally and abroad. In 2010, one of the markets for Michigan and Washington produced dry beans was the restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill
. Another market is Eden Foods Inc. Organic snap beans are marketed to a variety of companies, such as Gerber
and Earth's Best, makers of organic baby food.
Organic soybeans have perhaps the most market potential of the three beans as they can be used as feed for organic animal production and processed into many different products. Eden Foods Inc. is one example of a market for organically produced soybeans.
Summer annuals are weeds that germinate in the spring and/or summer, produce seed in the late-summer to fall, and then die. Their lifecycle is complete in one year.
Perennial weeds can live for multiple growing seasons, usually due to hardy root stocks.
Example of weed management: Several types of tractor-pulled implements such as a rotary hoe and/or one of various types of cultivator/cultivators
can be used to mechanically remove weeds from organic fields.
Example of insect management: Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) is a bacterium that when ingested by susceptible insects is lethal. This product is referred to as a microbial insecticide of which there are four subspecies and over 100 commercial products available for use in organic systems.
Example of disease management: The onset of certain diseases, such as white mold
, can be reduced by planting in rows wide enough to allow adequate air movement which can reduce humidity and decrease drying time after precipitation events. If plant material is allowed to dry quickly it will not have the 9 to 48 hours of continuous moisture on the leaf surface required for the white mold infection to occur.
Beans are just one group of organically produced agricultural products. View the section below for other organic agriculture related Wikipedia entries.
Tofu
is a food made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks. It is part of East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and others. There are many different varieties of tofu, including fresh tofu and tofu...
, soybean meal
Soybean meal
Soybean meal also known as Soyabean Oil Cake is a flour made by grinding the solid residue of soybean oil production. It is widely used as a filler and source of protein in animal diets, including pig, chicken, cattle, horse, sheep, and fish feed....
, oil
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean . It is one of the most widely consumed cooking oils. As a drying oil, processed soybean oil is also used as a base for printing inks and oil paints...
, and fermented forms such as miso
Miso
is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley and/or soybeans, with salt and the fungus , the most typical miso being made with soy. The result is a thick paste used for sauces and spreads, pickling vegetables or meats, and mixing with dashi soup stock to serve as miso...
. Dry beans are divided into classes with a range of seed sizes, colors, and shapes. Examples include black beans, pintos, navy beans, small red beans, and kidney beans. Soybeans are usually divided into two groups feed-grade and food-grade, with the food-grade including soybeans for processing, "tofu-beans", and edamame
Edamame
or Edamame bean is a preparation of immature soybeans in the pod commonly found in Japan, China, and Hawaii. The pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole....
. The latter of which is eaten as immature beans.
Organic Beans are produced and processed without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2008, over 2600000 acres (10,521.8 km²) of cropland were certified organic in the United States. Dry beans, snap beans, and soybeans were grown on 16000 acres (64.7 km²), 5200 acres (21 km²), and 98000 acres (396.6 km²), respectively.
Organic certification
National Organic Program
In the United States, the National Organic Program is the federal regulatory framework governing organic food. It is also the name of the organization in the Department of Agriculture responsible for administering and enforcing the regulatory framework. The Organic Food Production Act of 1990 In...
(NOP) under the Organic Food Production Act of 1990. A third party certifying agency, not part of the USDA, verifies that the producer has meet the minimum requirements and may themselves have additional requirements. Prior to marketing crops as "certified organic", fields must be managed during a 3-year transition phase using organic practices (that is, no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers). Detailed record keeping is essential for organic producers and these details are checked annually by the certifying agency who may perform a site inspection.
Certification information for other nations can be found on the Organic Certification
Organic certification
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, [food] processors, retailers and restaurants.Requirements vary...
wikipedia page.
Organic bean producing regions in the United States
MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
is currently the top organic dry bean producing state in the U.S., accounting for 37% of the area and 47% of the sales. The majority of the area is located in the "Thumb" region of Michigan, with black beans being the most common class produced organically. Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
are the second and third top producers, respectively, of organic dry beans in the United States.
Washington is the top producer of organic snap beans, followed by Michigan and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 2008, the total sales of organic snap beans totaled over 1.4 million dollars.
The value of organic soybeans in 2008 totaled more than $50 million dollars in the U.S., with Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and Michigan accounting for 46% of the total production.
Organic bean markets
Organically grown beans typically demand a price premium and as a consequence the marketing details differ from the conventional market. Organic bean producers often set up contracts with buyers prior to planting the crop . Buyers may also have special needs to consider when it comes to cleaning and processing beans in certified facilities, thereby making proximity to these certified facilities important.Organic dry beans from the United States are marketed both nationally and abroad. In 2010, one of the markets for Michigan and Washington produced dry beans was the restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a chain of restaurants in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada specializing in burritos and tacos, founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and based in Denver, Colorado...
. Another market is Eden Foods Inc. Organic snap beans are marketed to a variety of companies, such as Gerber
Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. A former American-owned company, Gerber is now a subsidiary of Nestlé, and is currently located in Fremont, Michigan, USA.-History:...
and Earth's Best, makers of organic baby food.
Organic soybeans have perhaps the most market potential of the three beans as they can be used as feed for organic animal production and processed into many different products. Eden Foods Inc. is one example of a market for organically produced soybeans.
Pest management
Pest management in organic dry beans must be done without the use of synthetic herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other pesticides. For this reason, cultural, mechanical, and biological methods are the primary means of keeping pests under control.Major weed pests
Controlling weeds is the primary cost to agricultural production systems, including organic beans. Weeds can reduce the emergence, growth, and yield of beans as they compete for light, water, and nutrient resources. Weeds are grouped in many ways, such as by life cycle. In organic beans the most problematic weeds are those with summer annual and perennial life cycles.Summer annuals
Summer annuals are weeds that germinate in the spring and/or summer, produce seed in the late-summer to fall, and then die. Their lifecycle is complete in one year.
- Common lambsquartersChenopodium albumChenopodium album is a fast-growing weedy annual plant in the genus Chenopodium.Though cultivated in some regions, the plant is elsewhere considered a weed...
- broadleaf weed that emerges over an extended period of time, grows rapidly, produces large quantities of seed that can remain dormant in the soil for decades - Common ragweedRagweedRagweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Common names include bitterweeds and bloodweeds....
- broadleaf weed that emerges over an extended period of time, grows rapidly, and is tolerant to control by heat treatments (like a propane flamer) - Pigweed (Amaranthus)- broadleaf weed that grows rapidly and is a prolific producer of seed
- Foxtail (Setaria) species- grass weed that grows in clumps and emerges after common lambsquarters and common ragweed
- Crabgrass (DigitariaDigitariaDigitaria is a genus of about 300 species of grass native to tropical and warm temperate regions. Common names include crabgrass, finger-grass, and fonio. They are slender monocotyledonous annual and perennial lawn, pasture, and forage plants; some are often considered lawn pests...
) species- grass weed with a prostrate growth habit
Perennials
Perennial weeds can live for multiple growing seasons, usually due to hardy root stocks.
- Canada thistle- broadleaf weed with roots that can grow to a depth 15 feet (4.6 m) in the soil profile. Tillage often promotes the spread of Canada thistle by dispersing segments of the root.
- Perennial sowthistle- broadleaf weed with yellow flowers similar to dandelion that can reproduce by seed or rhizome
- Quackgrass- grass weed that reproduces primarily via rhizome. Seeds are short lived in the soil (2–4 years)
Example of weed management: Several types of tractor-pulled implements such as a rotary hoe and/or one of various types of cultivator/cultivators
Cultivator
A cultivator is any of several types of farm implement used for secondary tillage. One sense of the name refers to frames with teeth that pierce the soil as they are dragged through it linearly. Another sense refers to machines that use rotary motion of disks or teeth to accomplish a similar result...
can be used to mechanically remove weeds from organic fields.
Major insect pests
Insects are another contributor to yield loss in organic beans. There are several examples of insects that affect organic bean systems including:- Bean and potato leafhoppersLeafhopperLeafhopper is a common name applied to any species from the family Cicadellidae. Leafhoppers, colloquially known as hoppers, are minute plant-feeding insects in the superfamily Membracoidea in the order Hemiptera...
- sucking insect that causes bean leaves to yellow at the tips and on the edges and can cause stunting - Western bean cutwormStriacostaThe Western Bean Cutworm is a species of moth of the Noctuidae family and the only member of the Striacosta genus. It is endemic to the Western parts of the United States, but since 2000, the species has spread east through Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and...
- larvae of this insect feed on the pods of beans reducing yield and quality - Soybean aphidSoybean aphidThe soybean aphid is an insect pest of soybean that is exotic to North America. The soybean aphid is native to Asia. It has been described as a common pest of soybeans in China and as an occasional pest of soybeans in Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand...
- sap sucking insect that can form large colonies on soybean. Soybean aphids can also transmit viruses from plant to plant while feeding. - Seedcorn maggot- feed on dry and snap bean seed and seedlings. The risk of feeding is increased when temperatures are cool and the soil is wet.
Example of insect management: Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide; alternatively, the Cry toxin may be extracted and used as a pesticide. B...
(Bt) is a bacterium that when ingested by susceptible insects is lethal. This product is referred to as a microbial insecticide of which there are four subspecies and over 100 commercial products available for use in organic systems.
Major pathogens
Pathogens can take the form of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Each can act as a disruptor to plant growth and development and can have negative effects on organic bean yields. Examples of bean pathogens include:- White moldSclerotinia sclerotiorumSclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus and can cause a disease called white mold if conditions are correct. S. sclerotiorum can also be known as cottony rot, watery soft rot, stem rot, drop, crown rot and blossom blight...
- a fungus with a wide host range. A symptom of later stages of infection is white cottony hyphal growth on bean stems, leaves, and pods. - AnthracnoseCankerCanker and anthracnose are general terms for a large number of different plant diseases, characterised by broadly similar symptoms including the appearance of small areas of dead tissue, which grow slowly, often over a period of years. Some are of only minor consequence, but others are ultimately...
- refers to disease caused by many different fungi. Anthracnose spores can be seedborne or overwinter on leaf litter. - Soybean cyst nematodeSoybean cyst nematodeThe soybean cyst nematode , Heterodera glycines, is a plant-parasitic nematode and a devastating pest of the soybean worldwide. The nematode infects the roots of soybean, and the female nematode eventually becomes a cyst...
(soybean specific)- can cause up to 50% yield loss in soybeans due to root feeding. - Bean common and soybean mosaic virusSoybean mosaic virusSoybean mosaic virus is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Potyviridae.Symptoms:Soybean mosaic causes stunting of plants and crinkled and mottling of leaves.Infected plants range from no symptoms to severely mottled and deformed....
es- virus that occurs on bean seed and can have negative impacts on yield and bean quality. Both viruses can be trasmitted from plant to plant by aphids.
Example of disease management: The onset of certain diseases, such as white mold
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus and can cause a disease called white mold if conditions are correct. S. sclerotiorum can also be known as cottony rot, watery soft rot, stem rot, drop, crown rot and blossom blight...
, can be reduced by planting in rows wide enough to allow adequate air movement which can reduce humidity and decrease drying time after precipitation events. If plant material is allowed to dry quickly it will not have the 9 to 48 hours of continuous moisture on the leaf surface required for the white mold infection to occur.
Organically approved pesticides
Some naturally derived chemical products are permitted for use under organic production. All materials have to be reviewed and approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Examples of organically allowable pesticides that can be used to produce organic beans include:- Neem oilNeem oilNeem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem , an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics...
- Used as an insecticide - Acetic acid- Used as a herbicide
- Pyrethrum- Broad spectrum insecticide derived from Chrysanthemum
- Bacillus subtilisBacillus subtilisBacillus subtilis, known also as the hay bacillus or grass bacillus, is a Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacterium commonly found in soil. A member of the genus Bacillus, B. subtilis is rod-shaped, and has the ability to form a tough, protective endospore, allowing the organism to tolerate...
- Used as a fungicide - Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide; alternatively, the Cry toxin may be extracted and used as a pesticide. B...
- Used as an insecticide
Fertility
Because synthetic fertilizers are not permitted in organic production systems, fertility must come from sources such as:- Green manureGreen manureIn agriculture, a green manure is a type of cover crop grown primarily to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Typically, a green manure crop is grown for a specific period of time , and then plowed under and incorporated into the soil while green or shortly after flowering...
s (cover crops) - CompostCompostCompost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. At its most essential, the process of composting requires simply piling up waste outdoors and waiting for the materials to break down from anywhere...
s and compost teas - Livestock manuresManureManure is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Manures contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil...
- Rock minerals- such as limestoneLimestoneLimestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, gypsumGypsumGypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found in alabaster, a decorative stone used in Ancient Egypt. It is the second softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale...
, and rock phosphate
Beans are just one group of organically produced agricultural products. View the section below for other organic agriculture related Wikipedia entries.
See also
- Organic farmingOrganic farmingOrganic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
- Organic farming methodsOrganic farming methodsOrganic farming methods combine scientific knowledge of ecology and modern technology with traditional farming practices based on naturally occurring biological processes. Organic farming methods are studied in the field of agroecology...
- Integrated pest managementIntegrated Pest ManagementIntegrated pest management is an ecological approach to agricultural pest control that integrates pesticides/herbicides into a management system incorporating a range of practices for economic control of a pest...
- Organic foodOrganic foodOrganic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.For the...
- Organic cottonOrganic cottonOrganic cotton is generally understood as cotton and is grown in subtropical countries such as America and India, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides. Its production also promotes and...
- Organic milkOrganic milkOrganic milk is defined by the USDA as milk from cows that have been exclusively fed organic feed, have not been treated with synthetic hormones, are not given certain medications to treat sickness. [Citation Needed]- Comparison with regular milk :...