Environmental concerns associated with annual row crop grain production – including soil erosion, soil carbon loss, intensive use of chemicals and petroleum, limited arable land, among others – could be addressed by converting conventional livestock production to an organic pasture based system. The inclusion of tree crops would further enhance the opportunity for feeding pasture- raised livestock by providing shelter and alternative feed sources. Biodiversity is an essential aspect of an organic farm plan.

Healthy and safe organic food plays a crucial role in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Organic agriculture is an approach to cultivating healthy and safe food and other agricultural products that rely on natural methods and processes, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other synthetic substances.

Fungal diseases are a yield-limiting factor for wheat. Their management in organic production systems is one of the prevailing challenges because it must be based mainly on indirect measures through agricultural practices. Variety mixtures are one of these practices, a concept that has been demonstrated to improve several factors affecting yield. Recently, it has become a practice that enables sustainability in agriculture.

To make the best use of the limited funding for biodiversity conservation, resources should be used cost-effectively. Support to organic farming is a widely implemented strategy to enhance farmland biodiversity, yet its cost-effectiveness for biodiversity conservation remains largely unexplored.

Pest control in organic fruit orchards should not rely on external inputs with adverse effects but on other strategies and methods that support biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions.

Measures contributing to the enhancement of beneficial insects, pollinators and general biodiversity in the orchard can be integrated in the orchard or at the borders.