www.ofa.org.au

IN THIS ISSUE

• OFA Board Member Presents at Sustainable Agriculture Conference in China
• Second National Organic Conference Announced
• Presenting Your Product at Biofach Germany
• Organic Agriculture Fights Back
• Hugh Lovel to Visit Australia
•	Certifier Report - by Certifier Representative Keith Morris
•	Education Report - by Education/Extension Representative Cheryl Kemp
• EcoDownUnder - Organic Manchester Shop to Open in Sydney
• Organic Wine Shines at the Cowra Region Wine Awards
• 10 Day Travelling Biodynamic Workshop Through NSW
• The Gundaroo Broad Fork - by Organic Consultant Tim Marshall
•	Discussion Forum, Events Calendar, Weather Links, Australian Organic Directory, Organic Tradeline, Organic Newsline

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In September OFA board member, Andre Leu, presented a keynote presentation at The Second International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food, Energy and Industry in Beijing, China. The focus of his speech was to show that organic agriculture is the most sustainable of our current agricultural systems. About 400 scientists and researchers from around the world attended the conference. The main organisers were the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), The International Council for Sustainable Agriculture(ICSA) and the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS).
Following is an extract of his presentation. The full presentation can be found here.

Introduction
According to a study from the University of California, agriculture will be a major driver of global environmental change over the next 50 years, rivalling the effect of greenhouse gases in its impact. "The global impact of agriculture will be at least as great as climate change," writes lead author David Tilman, a visiting researcher at the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California at Santa Barbara

The study authors believe that the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides as well as habitat destruction have caused a major extinction event and predict that this trend will continue to lower the world's biodiversity and change its ecology.

"Neither society nor most scientists understand the importance of agriculture," said David Tilman. "It's grossly misunderstood, barely on the radar screen, yet it is likely as important as climate change." He stated "We have to find wiser ways to farm." Tilman (2001)

A long term study conducted by the Washington State University, published in the science journal Nature, showed that the total environmental impact of conventional farming systems was 6.2 times higher than organic systems. In other words conversion to organic agriculture would see a greater than 500% improvement to the environment. That is a spectacular result and for this reason alone, governments around the world should be actively encouraging all farmers to convert to organic agriculture. Reganold (2001)

The full presentation can be found here.

ORGANIC FUTURES FOR AUSTRALIA

The Second National Organic Conference will be held at the University of Adelaide on 2 & 3 October 2003, followed by farm visits and workshops on Saturday 4 October. Make a note in your diary!

The theme is ORGANIC FUTURES FOR AUSTRALIA, with sub-themes focusing on sustainability. The Conference will focus on a number of current issues, including:
· best ways of using limited water resources on farms
· managing difficult soils
· the science of organic agriculture
· working the supply chains to the best advantage of grower, processor and consumer

The plenary and specialist sessions will focus on the future needs of organic farmers, processors, traders and consumers.

The Conference is being organised by OFA, with support from the offices of both NASAA and BFA. NASAA has facilitated the secondment of one of their staff, Cat Mills to OFA to manage the Conference Secretariat. RIRDC is providing a grant to facilitate the planning of the Conference, and this will be a good opportunity to promote organic produce, both in South Australia and nationwide.

The University of Adelaide is located adjacent to the Botanical Gardens, Museum and Art Gallery on North Terrace. There will be lots of opportunities for partners to have an enjoyable visit to Adelaide if they do not wish to attend the Conference. There is a wide range of accommodation options within a few minutes of the University, from backpackers to five star. There is also parking available between the University and the Torrens River. So we are very pleased with the choice of venue.

The First National Conference in Sydney in 2001 was most successful, and we are looking to build on that event. The Sydney Conference was held in conjunction with the Fine Food Fair at the same time. At Adelaide there will be opportunities to sample organic food at lunch, at the morning and afternoon tea breaks and at other events.

So as well as the informative sessions and discussions, there will be the added enjoyment of the fine food and wine for which South Australia is renowned.

More information will appear on the OFA website over the next few months, and notices will be mailed out. To ensure you are on the mailing list, please advise Cat Mills of the Conference Secretariat at P.O. Box 768, Stirling, SA (08) 8370 8455. Email: cat.mills@nasaa.com.au

We look forward to seeing you in Adelaide in October. More news in the next Newsletter.

Sid Cowling
Chairman, OFA

BioFach, the world's largest organic trade fair, takes place in Japan on December 5-7 and Germany on February 13-16 next year.

Catriona Macmillan, of Heaven and Earth Systems, has tabled a detailed report outlining expected costs of being involved, from displays to transport and accommodation. The report will be available before Christmas. You will be able to download it for free from www.rirdc.gov.au or a hard copy can be purchased from the RIRDC publications department for a small fee (call 02 6272 4819).

The BFA is co-ordinating stands at BioFach Japan in December and at BioFach Germany in February to help their certified organic clients (also those with other AQIS accredited Australian certifiers) promote their products for export. Contact Suzi Moore media@bfa.com.au

You should also visit the Biofach website at http://www.biofach.de

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OrganicAgriculture.php

Critics of organic agriculture claim that it is based more on ideology than on environmental or economic merit. Lim Li Ching reviews the evidence and turns the table on the critics.
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Organic farming largely excludes synthetic inputs - pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers - and focuses instead on biological processes such as composting and other measures to maintain soil fertility, natural pest control and diversifying crops and livestock. Organic agriculture gives priority to long-term ecological health, such as biodiversity and soil quality, contrasting with
conventional farming, which concentrates on short-term productivity gains.

Organic farming has been denigrated for being less efficient in land use and having lower yields than conventional farming, and even accused of posing potential health risks. According to a commentary in Nature by Anthony Trewavas, Fellow of the United Kingdom Royal Society, "Although its supporters assert that organic agriculture is superior to other farming methods, the lack of scientific studies means that this claim cannot be substantiated".

But he is wrong, there are scientific studies, peer- reviewed and published, documenting organic agriculture's positive outcomes. Furthermore, certified organic production is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of land managed organically but not certified as such. De facto organic farming is prevalent in resource-poor and/or agriculturally marginal regions where local populations have limited engagement with the cash economy (see "Ethiopia to feed herself", this issue). Farmers rely on
locally available natural resources to maintain soil fertility and to combat pests and diseases. They are showing the way towards sustainable agriculture through sophisticated systems of crop rotation, soil management, and pest and disease control, based on traditional knowledge.

Similar or Higher Yields
The charge that organic farming is lower-yielding is misleading. Studies simply evaluating the reduction or elimination of inputs in conventional systems may not accurately represent conditions in alternative systems. Furthermore, abstract comparisons made when farms have just turned organic do not tell the whole story, as it takes a few years for yield to increase. Thus, it is necessary to make long-term comparisons.

A study on conventional and alternative farming systems for tomatoes over four years indicate that organic and low-input agriculture produce yields comparable to conventional systems. Nitrogen (N) availability was the most important factor limiting yield in organic systems, and can be satisfied by biological inputs.

Another experiment examined organic and conventional potatoes and sweet corn over three years. Results showed that yield and vitamin C content of potatoes were not affected by the two different regimes. While one variety of conventional corn out-produced the organic, there was no difference between the two in yield of another variety or the vitamin C or E contents. Results indicate that long-term application of composts is producing higher soil fertility and comparable plant growth.

A review of replicated research results in seven different US Universities and from Rodale Research Center, Pennsylvania and the Michael Fields Center, Wisconsin over the past 10 years showed that organic farming systems resulted in yields comparable to industrial, high input agriculture.

Corn: With 69 total cropping seasons, organic yields were 94% of conventionally produced corn.
Soybeans: Data from five states over 55 growing seasons showed organic yields were 94% of conventional yields.
Wheat: Two institutions with 16 cropping year experiments showed that organic wheat produced 97% of the conventional
yields.
Tomatoes: 14 years of comparative research on tomatoes showed no yield differences.

The most remarkable results of organic farming, however, have come from small farmers in developing countries. Case studies of organic practices show dramatic increases in yields as well as benefits to soil quality, reduction in pests and diseases and general improvement in taste and nutritional content. For example, in Brazil the use of green manures and cover crops increased maize yields by between 20% and 250%; in Tigray, Ethiopia, yields of crops from composted plots were 3-5 times higher than those treated only with chemicals; yield increases of 175% have been reported from farms in Nepal adopting agro-ecological
practices; and in Peru the restoration of traditional Incan terracing has led to increases of 150% for a range of upland crops.

Projects in Senegal involving 2000 farmers promoted stall-fed livestock, composting systems, use of green manures, water harvesting systems and rock phosphate. Yields of millet and peanuts increased dramatically, by 75-195% and 75-165% respectively. Because the soils have greater water retaining capacity, fluctuations in yields are less pronounced between high and low rainfall years. A project in Honduras, which emphasized soil conservation practices and organic fertilisers, saw a tripling or quadrupling of yields.

In Santa Catarina, Brazil, focus has been placed on soil and water conservation, using contour grass barriers, contour ploughing and green manures. Some 60 different crop species, leguminous and non-leguminous, have been inter-cropped or planted during fallow periods. These have had major impacts on yields, soil quality, levels of biological activity and water-retaining capacity. Yields of maize and soybeans have increased by 66%.

Efficient Production
The world's longest running experiment comparing organic and conventional farming pronounced the former a success. The 21-year study found that soils nourished with manure were more fertile and produced more crops for a given input of nitrogen or other fertiliser. Nutrient input in the organic systems was 34 to 51% lower than in the conventional systems, whereas mean crop yield was only 20% lower over 21 years, indicating efficient production and use of resources. The ecological and efficiency gains more than made up for lower yields. In the long term, the organic approach was commercially viable, producing more
food with less energy and fewer resources.

The biggest bonus was improved quality of the soil under organic cultivation. Organic soils had up to 3.2 times as much biomass and abundance of earthworms, twice as many arthropods (important predators and indicators of soil fertility) and 40% more mycorrhizal fungi colonising plant roots. Mycorrhizal fungi are important in helping roots obtain more nutrients and water from the soil.

The enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity is believed to render the organic plots less dependent on external inputs and provide long-term environmental benefits.

Better Soils
Indeed, organic agriculture is helping to conserve and improve farmers' most precious resource - the topsoil. To counter the problems of hardening, nutrient loss and erosion, organic farmers in the South are using trees, shrubs and leguminous plants to stabilise and feed soil, dung and compost to provide nutrients, and terracing or check dams to prevent erosion and conserve groundwater.

Field experiments conducted at three organic and three conventional vegetable farms in 1996-1997 examined the effects of synthetic fertilisers and alternative soil amendments, including compost. Propagule densities of Trichoderma species (beneficial soil fungi that are biological control agents of plant-pathogenic fungi) and thermophilic microorganisms (a major constituent of which was Actinomycetes, which suppresses Phytophthora) were greater in organic soils. In contrast, densities of Phytophthora and Pythium (both plant pathogens) were lower in organic soils.

While the study recorded increased enteric bacteria in organic soils, the researchers stressed that this was not a problem, as survival rates in soil are minimal. Critics of organic farming have disingenuously pointed to the possible human health effects of using manure. But untreated manure is not allowed in certified organic culture, and treated manure (known widely as compost) is safe - this is what is used in organic farming. Unlike conventional regimes (where manure might be used), mandatory organic certification bodies inspect farms to ensure standards are met.

Little yield difference was observed in the first year. In the second year, tomato yields were higher on farms with a history of organic production, regardless of soil amendment type, probably due to the benefits of long-term organic amendments. Mineral concentrations were higher in organic soils whilst soil quality on conventional farms was significantly improved by the addition of organic fertiliser.

Another means to restore soil fertility in organic systems is through legumes. A 15-year study compared three maize/soybean agro-ecosystems. One was a conventional system using mineral N fertiliser and pesticides. The other two systems were managed organically. One was manure-based, where grasses and legumes, grown as part of a crop rotation, were fed to cattle. The manure provided N for maize production. The other did not have livestock; N fixed by legumes was incorporated into soil.

Amazingly, the 10-year-average maize yields differed by less than 1% among the three systems. Soil organic matter and N content increased markedly in the manure system and, to a lesser degree, in the legume system, but were unchanged or declined in the conventional system. The latter had greater environmental impacts - 60% more nitrate leached into groundwater over a 5-year period than in the organic systems.

In Honduras, the mucuna bean has improved crop yields on steep, easily eroded hillsides with depleted soils. Farmers first plant mucuna, which produces masses of vigorous growth that suppresses weeds. When the beans are cut down, maize is planted in the resulting mulch. Subsequently, beans and maize are grown together. Very quickly, as the soil improves, yields of grain are doubled, even tripled. Mucuna produces 100 tonnes of organic material per hectare, creating rich, friable soils in just 2-3 years. Mucuna also produces its own fertiliser, fixing atmospheric N and storing it in the ground where it can be utilised by other plants.

No Increased Pests
Because organic farms don't use synthetic pesticides, critics claim that losses due to pests would rise. However, research on Californian tomato production found that the withdrawal of synthetic insecticides does not lead to increased crop losses as a result of pest damage. There was no significant difference in pest damage levels on 18 commercial farms, half of which were certified organic systems and half, conventional operations.

Arthropod biodiversity was on average one-third greater on organic farms than on conventional farms. There was no significant difference between the two for abundance of pests, but densities of natural enemies were more abundant on organic farms, with greater species richness of all functional groups (herbivores, predators, parasitoids). Thus, any particular pest species in organic farms would be associated with a greater variety of herbivores (i.e. diluted) and subject to a wider variety and greater abundance of potential parasitoids and predators.

At the same time, research has shown that pest control is achievable without pesticides, reversing crop losses. For example, in East Africa, maize and sorghum face two major pests - stemborer and Striga, a parasitic plant. Field margins are planted with 'trap crops' that attract stemborer, such as Napier grass. Pests are lured away from the crop into a trap - the grass produces a sticky substance that kills stemborer larvae. The crops are inter-planted with molasses grass (Desmodium uncinatum) and two
legumes: silverleaf and greenleaf. The legumes bind N, enriching the soil. But that's not all. Desmodium also repels stemborers and Striga.

Korean researchers recently reported that avoiding pesticides in paddy fields encourages the muddy loach fish, which effectively control mosquitoes that spread malaria and Japanese encephalitis. The larvae numbers of the mosquito vectors were significantly lower in organic sites.

Higher Biodiversity
Maintaining agricultural biodiversity is vital to ensuring long-term food security. Organic farms often exhibit greater biodiversity than conventional farms, with more trees, a wider diversity of crops and many different natural predators, which control pests and help prevent disease.

Proving with stunning results that planting a diversity of crops is beneficial (compared with monocultures), thousands of Chinese rice farmers have doubled yields and nearly eliminated its most devastating disease, without using chemicals or spending more. Under the direction of scientists, farmers in Yunnan implemented a simple change that radically restricted the incidence of rice blast. Instead of planting large stands of a single type of rice, as they typically have done, they planted a mixture of two different kinds of rice: a standard rice that does not usually succumb to rice blast disease and a much more valuable sticky rice known to be very susceptible.

Resistant plants not only blocked the airborne spores, but as more farmers participated, positive effects began to multiply. Not only were spores not blowing in from the next row, they were no longer coming from the next farmer's field either, rapidly halting the disease's spread. The sticky rice plants, which rise above the shorter, standard rice plants, enjoyed sunnier, warmer and drier conditions that also discouraged the growth of ice blast.

Furthermore, empirical evidence from a study conducted since 1994 shows that biodiverse ecosystems are 2-3 times more productive than monocultures. In experimental plots, both aboveground and total biomass increased significantly with species number. The high diversity plots were fairly immune to the invasion and growth of weeds, but this was not so for monocultures and low diversity plots. Thus, biodiverse systems are also less prone to weeds!

The Last Word - Sustainability
Research published in Nature investigated the sustainability of organic, conventional and integrated (combining organic and conventional methods) apple production systems in Washington from 1994-1999. All three gave comparable yields, with no observable differences in physiological disorders or pest and disease damage.

The organic system ranked first in environmental and economic sustainability, the integrated system second and the conventional system last. A sustainable farm must produce adequate high-quality yields, be profitable, protect the environment, conserve resources and be socially responsible in the long term. Specific indicators used were soil quality, horticultural performance, orchard profitability, environmental quality and energy efficiency.

Soil quality ratings in 1998 and 1999 for the organic and integrated systems were significantly higher than for the conventional system, due to the addition of compost and mulch. There were satisfactory levels of nutrients among all three systems. A consumer taste test found organic apples less tart at harvest and sweeter than conventional apples after six months of storage.

Organic apples were the most profitable due to price premiums and quicker investment return. Despite initial lower receipts in the first three years, due to the time taken to convert to certified organic farming, the price premium to the grower of organic fruit in the next three years averaged 50% above conventional prices. In the long term, the organic system recovered initial costs faster. The study projected that the organic system would break even after 9 years, but that the conventional system would do so only after 15 years, and the integrated system, after 17 years.

The environmental impact of the three systems was assessed by a rating index related to the potential adverse impacts of pesticides and fruit thinners: the higher the rating, the greater the negative impact. The conventional system index was 6.2 times that of the organic system. Despite higher labour needs, the organic system expended less energy on fertiliser, weed control and biological control of pests, making it the most energy efficient.

Hugh lovel assembling a field broadcaster

The use of innovative technology along with age-old wisdom of biological, organic and biodynamic farming offers new hope for farmers in these ever challenging environmental conditions.

Hugh Lovel, International author of a Biodynamic Farm, and quantum agriculture pioneer will visit Australia in February 2003 to help farmers understand what creates rain and the causes of drought and flood.

Cutting edge discoveries show it is possible to reliably make rain. Not only that, the methods: - Radionic Treatments using homeopathic reagents in combinations and potencies determined by dowsing - are cheap and within the ability of most farmers to accomplish with simple equipment and a little know-how, said Mr Lovel.

An innovator in the field of quantum agriculture Mr Lovel uses the wisdom of organic and biodynamic principles in conjunction with his highly successful agricultural field broadcasters to help remedy many of the problems associated with the overuse of chemical pollutants in the soil and atmosphere.

Field Broadcaster at David & Betsy Turner's property at Goondiwindi.

According to Mr Lovel, "once we understand that the atmosphere is as important as the soil and rain is an atmospheric phenomenon dependent on a certain pattern of activities, we can start to look at where the pattern has been disrupted by pollution, toxins and the like and see what conditions need to be re-established to continue the natural pattern towards rain."

Several Australian Farmers have already started using these devices with noticeable results and effects. Two property owners, the Turner's of Goondiwindi and Neil Nass from Mt Tyson, Oakey both reported that earlier this year when a severe hail storm hit the district their farms were virtually unscathed whilst adjoining paddocks and neighbouring fields were flattened.

Local organiser Cheryl Kemp of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia said "the timing of this visit could not be more fortunate, given the extreme drought much of Australia is experiencing. Mr Lovel's tour is the result of many requests from farmers aware of his success and wanting to work with constructive solutions in the current drought conditions."

Hugh Lovel will present a series of three day workshops across Australia together with Brian Keats, leading Australian researcher and author of "Betwixt - Heaven & Earth" and the Antipodean Astro Planting Calendar.

Topics to be covered over the three days include - understanding weather patterns and nature; the causes of drought and floods and the patterns associated with rain; pattern energy medicine using homeopathy, radionics, biodynamic remedies and colour therapy; the latest techniques and devices for energy harnessing and restoring vitality and healing the atmosphere.

FarmBi$ supported workshops will be held in:

Toowoomba Feb 7, 8 & 9
Coffs Harbour Feb 12, 13 & 14,
Albury Feb 16, 17 & 18
Perth Feb 21, 22 & 23.

This is a rare opportunity for farmers, land managers, gardeners, educators and health professionals wanting to learn from one of the world's leading pioneers in quantum agriculture and atmospheric regeneration. For information and bookings contact Cheryl Kemp on 02 6657 5322 or Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia on phone 02 6655 0566, fax 02 66550565 or email: bdoffice@biodynamics.net.au.

For interviews contact:
Michelle Bell-Turner on 07 40952194, michellebt@tpg.com.au or
Cheryl Kemp on ph/fx 02 6657 5322 cheryl@biodynamics.net.au

Editor's note:
The following article represents the views of the writer, not of OFA. OFA policies are determined by the OFA Board and communicated as such to members, on the website and in this newsletter - Sid Cowling, Chairman, OFA. This article is published in the interests of promoting debate on issues related to the organic industry in Australia.

During these exciting times, no one can dispute that the organic industry in Australia is outperforming most, if not all other industries, in growth.

Unfortunately, as with all fast growth industries, there are inherent problems. I will try to outline some of these problems, and hopefully open them to debate within the general organic industry. Firstly, let me make one basic statement:

The word "ORGANIC." This word was originally adopted by a certain breed of hardy farmers, to best describe their love of the environment.

Their choice of this word was excellent. I refer the Oxford Dictionary:
ORGANIC - Formed from compounds occurring naturally as constituent of organisms.

So if it was the farmers, who originally started the organic movement as we know it today, all other sectors are, or should be, subordinate to, or if you like, married to, the 'original'. This brings me to the problems I wish debated.

This farmer originated industry, is very quickly being overrun by all sorts of off shoots. To name but a few of the more obvious:

1.Wholesalers and retailers
2.The manufacturing sector including Processors and Inputs
3.Certification Organizations

Wholesalers and Retailers:
I wish to make it very clear at this point, I am not bagging Wholesalers and retailers. These are, and always will be, an essential part of our development. The problem as I see it is, these organisations are Certified Organic. And because they pay a certification fee, and in most cases, a levy on gross income, they have the same voting rights as certified growers, within
their respective organisations. The influence these have, by comparison in money terms, over the majority of organic farmers, is obvious. On numerous occasions this monetary relationship has, between wholesalers, agents, and more recently processors, been used as a trade barrier, against growers, simply because they choose to be in a different certification organisation. All AQIS Approved Certifiers are Equivalent.

FARMERS MUST BE GIVEN THEIR BASIC RIGHTS, OF FREEDOM OF CHOICE. This type of behaviour must stop. So how do we do it?

My proposal is firstly, to remove all ancillary type Units, out of mainstream organic certification organisations, and place them in one organisation by themselves, with their own code of conduct, rules and regulations, all under the national standards. This Unit should have no say whatsoever in the every day running of Certified Organic farmers. Their running costs should be much less than they are at present.

In my opinion these units are not much different to tools a farmer has to choose from to do a particular job for him or her. In this case it's the marketing of their produce.

Inputs
I am not advocating removing inputs from certifiers responsibility. These should always remain under strict control. If we don't, we will very quickly find products like G.M.O. finding their way into every day use. I am however, quite concerned over the blatant use of inputs as a mainstream tool for use by all organic farmers. A true 'organic' entity, should only use inputs as a tool to correct known deficiencies, not for every day use.

I am always open to correction, so if any one feels the urge to reply, don't be shy.

Keith Morris
OFA Certifier Representative
Email: KandRmorris@bigpond.com
Mobile: 0500 581 469

AFFA has recently asked Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia to put in a full proposal for funding of writing and running a pilot course for Biodynamic and Organic Trainers and Advisors. This has been done in accord with NSW TAFE and OFA, as the requirement for teachers and trainers of the TAFE Organic Modules is for teachers accredited by OFA and Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia. We hope to hear from AFFA by Christmas if this proposal is accepted.

Opening this Wednesday 4th December !

A new and exciting organic manchester store is due to open in Sydney in the next few weeks.

Called EcoDownUnder, and located in Balmain in Sydney's inner west, they have recently produced a concise range including both organic cotton and naturally coloured cotton sheets and towels.

Their product range will include organic cotton bedlinen, towels, bassinet and cot sheet sets, MOP - Modern Organic Products, Bod Aromatherapy, Aroma Baby, EenieWeenie Enviro sound disposable nappy system, Mud Ceramics, Gaia OrganicCotton, Maud N Lil toys, organic t-shirts, natural bedding co beds, mattresses, protectors, organic wool bedding, pillows,quilts, and the list goes on.

They have released a beautiful bedlinen and towel range in chic natural tones. Quilt designs and sheet sets in top quality 100% cotton percale include "woodgrain" and natural green and brown checks and stripes. Coconut buttons are used for fastening. The bedlinen products are made here locally in Australia. The bedlinen packaging is even environmentally sound as although plastic, it is made from biodegradeable PVA, not the traditional PVC normally used to package Manchester products. The organic towels are incredibly soft and great quality and the natural brown coloured towels are a chemical free finish "thick and thirsty" 600g.

EcoDownUnder ensure that all organic products are legally certified and that with all their products no chlorine bleaches, synthetic dyes or chemical finishes are used - that means a lot less water pollution and a reduction in energy use which is better for both us and our environment.

The store is located in close proximity to several organic food outlets, including an organic cafe. So why not make the trip and have yourself an organic afternoon. Do some Christmas shopping or treat yourself to some luxurious organic bedding.

The EcoDownUnder Store is in 584 Darling Street Balmain and will be opening very soon.
Home delivery and direct mail service available. You can contact them on (02) 9986 2299 or Russell@ecodownunder.com

Over 100 wines were on show at last weeks Cowra Region Wine Awards, in which two new organic wines made an exciting debut. Rosnay Organic Wines, founded by the Statham and Gardner families of Rosnay Organic Farms, Canowindra, entered its first two organic wines in this, their first wine show. The result was astounding - Rosnay Organic won Best Red of the Show and silver and bronze medals for the 2001 Organic Shiraz and 2002 Organic Chardonnay respectively.

So how can organic farming, dismissed by the high input, chemical farming sector, do so well in an open class wine judging?

Rosnay founder, Richard Statham said, "Looking to move into a new industry, we found that organic and biodynamic grape growers were in fact producing some very good wine. For example, in 1997 Settlers Ridge (WA's Margaret River) won a silver medal at the prestigious Perth Royal Show with its very first Shiraz-Cabernet vintage. Cassegrain Wines at Port Macquarie, Botobolar Wines at Mudgee, Temple Bruer Wines at Langhorne Creek, Millton Estate in New Zealand, and M. Chapoutier in France all helped inspire us to try organic and biodynamic systems."

The Statham family planted their first vines at "Rosnay", Canowindra in 1997, using organic methods from the outset and attaining certification as conversion to organic within their first year. Five years later, the work is paying off, with the resulting wines well balanced and flavoursome.

"After site and variety selection, we see biological activity in the soil as the key to unlocking the unique flavours of a vineyard. Soil life is developed through correct mineral balance, and generous application of organic matter, such as composted manures and straw. Plant health is assisted with organic fish and seaweed sprays, and natural sulfur to prevent powdery mildew", Richard explained

Today the whole 140 hectare farm is certified by the Biological Farmers of Australia, with 36 hectares under vines and 10 hectares under olives. The remainder of the property is cropped on a rotation of spelt wheat, albus lupins, Yandilla mustard and clover and lucerne pasture. Over 5000 native trees have been planted in Community Title buffer zones between the 12 freehold farm blocks, being developed by other growers of vegetables, wine grapes and pistachios.

More information: Richard Statham 0429 443215 Sam Statham 0428 667 317 Website: www.organicfarms.com.au

How is the Drought affecting the Central NSW and Mid Coast NSW Certified Farmers? - A Picture from the recent Biodynamic Travelling Workshop.

Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia recently ran a Travelling Biodynamic Workshop, visiting 15 Biodynamic Farms in the Central west and Mid North coast to the Hunter in NSW, as well as an organic wholesaler and processor on the way. The workshop was run over 10 days, and was funded 75% by FarmBis, which enabled 14 of us to see and hear from a variety of practicing Biodynamic farmers.

Apart from the wide-ranging learning experiences, the most outstanding feature, apart from the drought that was massively affecting the State, was the fact that every Biodynamic Farmer said how well their cattle and crops were holding out - they kept their good condition. Even though in many cases there appeared so little to eat, what they did have was highly nutritious The deep rooting tussocks, plus copious seed on the soil surface from the native and varieties of pasture grasses was creating a continuous feed source for the present dilemma.. Whilst most had mineral licks out to support the animal health and roughage breakdown, none had started handfeeding, and they mainly put their coping with the drought down to not overstocking for many years previously, good planning, stock rotation, (most were using cell grazing systems), good soil condition with plenty of humus for water retention from Biodynamic preparation usage and a real understanding of how their land worked, especially in the drought conditions. What amazed me most was their confidence in their systems, and acceptance of this drought as part of being a farmer and dealing with the wide-ranging extremes.

However one dairy farmer was having problems, in an area that normally has plentiful rain. The major issue was being able to obtain sufficient hay from other certified sources, and he had to truck it from South Australia at great cost, in order to maintain his certified status. As drought on the NSW coastal region is new to this area, I guess this is what has made it hard for normal planning. So maybe we have to get all farmers to look at the old method of having 7 years hay stored for the variances in our weather patterns (and especially for certified farmers)

We also visited viticulture and broadacre grain farms, and were pleased to see Ray Unger at Peak Hill harvesting his crops of biodynamic wheat, oats, and spelt. This trip also became a wine tasting trip, as we tasted Biodynamic wines at Rosnay, Canowindra, Botobolar at Mudgee, and Cassegrains at Telegraph Point and Kiwi Fruit wine at Kiwi Down Under, near Coffs Harbour. How wonderful to have such a choice and to see how well each is doing and how they grow their vines.

The participants on this trip all appreciated and learned much from the farmers visited. They saw Biodynamics used in many ways, each farm an individuality as is each farmer. Many have now gone back to their farms to work with bringing biodynamics into use in their farming systems.

If you would like to join us on one of these amazing Biodynamic Travelling workshops, our next one is planned for May 16-25, 2003. Ring Cheryl Kemp for more information and for putting your name on the waiting list 02 6657 5322 or 02 66550566 or email cheryl@biodynamics.com.au or see our website: www.biodynamics.net.au

Cheryl Kemp - Education and Workshop Co-ordinator Biodynamic Agriculture Australia.

The Gundaroo broad fork is a modern version of a classic Dutch tool for non-inversion soil tillage. It is ergonomically sound and ideal for fast manual tillage, particularly useful in heavy clay soils.

The tool is used to open up the soil and permit entry of air, water and soil organisms. The effect of careful use of this tool is improvement of soil structure, fertility and biological activity, and eventually deepening of the soil profile.

It is a serious tool for market gardeners, and a sustainable alternative to mechanical cultivation. Home gardeners may also find it makes a useful replacement for conventional garden forks, which often have flimsy tines and short handles.

The tool is handcrafted in small batches in Gundaroo.

The photograph shows an eight tined prototype broad fork being used at 'Allsun Farm' (the market garden operated by Joyce Wilkie and Michael Plane, proprietors of Gundaroo Tiller).

The production model has 7 replaceable tines. If your soils are hard and compacted it may be easier, in the beginning, to work with less tines. Simply remove all the tines and rearrange them into either a 3 or 5 tined configuration.

The tool is inserted into the soil as far as possible with the aid of a strong foot plate and handles. Light-weight people may need to jump on the footplate several times to get the tines to penetrate. It is then simply pulled back and down to draw the tines up, leaving behind slots in the soil. These slots are adequate to get air and water penetration and it is not necessary to actually turn the sod over. Lay compost and mulch on top to complete bed preparation.

More information and orders from www.Allsun.com.au or 02 62368173.

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