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Organic Industry Update, May 2003

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Chairman's Report
• 'Organic Futures for Australia' - National Organic Conference Update
• OFA Website
• AQIS 'Signs Off' On National Regulatory Mark
• RIRDC Report: Levies Not Returned To Organics
• Organic Community Triumphs - Bush Repeals Organic Feed Rule
• Organic To Feature At Natural Healthcare Expo 2003
• OPAQ Conference Update
• RIRDC: Call For Expressions Of Interest To Conduct Research Studies
• Applications for RIRDC Organic Produce R&D Advisory Committee Members
• The GMO Issue
	• Insects Thrive On GM 'Pest-Killing' Crops
	• Survey Shows 70% Of Victorian Farmers Concerned About GM Canola
• Feature Articles
	• Best Practice Organic Agriculture Education Tour - by Andre Leu
	• An Experience With Organic And Biodynamic Winemaking - By Philip Down
• Two Organic Newsletters Launched
• Mellow Co. Distributes Range of Columbian Products
• Pure Harvest Rice Milk - by Dom O'Brien
• Lancefield Markets
• Let's Look At What's On This Month
• Discussion Forum, Organic Marketplace, Australian Organic Directory, Organic Tradeline, Organic Newsline

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Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
At the invitation of the Chairman of the RIRDC Organic Produce R&D Advisory Committee, Don Fraser, and the Organic Produce Programme Manager, Denise Millar, I attended a meeting of that Committee in Adelaide on Friday 4 April last.

In particular, I was requested to provide a progress report on the Second National Organic Conference, towards which RIRDC made a grant. Cat Mills of the Conference Secretariat and I presented this report.

I also took the opportunity to table a report on the activities which have been undertaken by OFA since the last AGM in September 2002.

At this meeting OFA also submitted preliminary applications for grants for:
a) an industry information stand at the Sydney Fine Food Fair in Sydney in September 2003, and
b) a repeat of the National Organic Industry Awards for Excellence, the first being awarded in conjunction with the National Conference in Sydney in 2001.

To date the results of these applications are not known.

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
This is the new name for the former National Registration Authority.

The Authority has a Community Consultative Committee, with members representing various community interests. The role of the committee is to provide comment and advice on the regulation of the use of agvet chemicals.

In the past Scott Kinnear was a member of this committee for a period whilst he was Chairman of OFA.

Periodically the membership of the committee is reviewed to provide for a wide range of community organisations to seek membership.

In April 2003 a new committee was announced. Among the new members is myself, representing the Organic Federation of Australia, the Australian Independent Organic Inspectors Association, plus Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union).

This committee is proposing to meet in May or June of this year.

OPEC, OFA and the Certifiers
The annual meeting of the Organic Produce Export Committee, part of the AQIS system of regulating the industry, is scheduled for May in Canberra.

OFA has invited the Certifiers to meet on the day before to discuss the OPEC agenda, and a number of other issues regarding the future management of the industry in Australia. It is hoped that all the certifiers will attend this preliminary meeting.

Royal Agricultural Show Melbourne
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria has had preliminary discussions with OFA regarding an organic produce display and information stand at this year's Melbourne Show.

This is an excellent way to promote organic produce to consumers. The Melbourne Show, as are other similar events in capital cities around Australia, is attended by a wide range of city and country people.

It would seem to be a worthwhile feature of all the major city shows in Australia. Hopefully this initiative can be taken up at sites other than Melbourne.

Sid Cowling
OFA Chairman
27/4/03

You can visit the national organic conference website at http://conference.ofa.org.au

Response to OFA 2003 continues to be extremely positive and we are pleased at the interest being shown for the conference from overseas.

Our Committees are now hard at work finalising the conference programmes. Again we invite comments and submissions with regard to the conference.

Abstracts for presentations are coming in and we remind you the deadline for abstracts of presentations is 31 May 2003. Visit the OFA Conference web site for further details about conference themes and our call for presentations.

Sponsorship details will be available online soon. Space will be dedicated to displays from all sectors of the industry and the conference committee is seeking expressions of interest from parties interested in supporting this event.

There are a number of other significant developments in progress which are not ready to be announced yet - stay tuned to these pages.!

For further information about the conference and/or sponsorship details, please complete the registration of interest form and return to Cat Mills of the OFA 2003 Secretariat.

NB: We regret that because of time constraints placed upon the Department of Primary Industries, the planned organic dairy event in South Australia will no longer be held in October and is now being planned for June this year. As a result this event is now no longer an associated event of the OFA 2003 conference.

If anyone experiences any technical problems subscribing or receiving this monthly update, please contact the editor at webmaster@ofa.org.au

Update Your Directory Listing
The OFA directory is an important resource for the Australian community, and world traders. A number of listings are displaying outdated or incomplete information about the products or company. We recommend all readers whose business is listed in the online directory or the printed directory to please check your business listing and take steps to update the information. Please check even if you think your business is not listed, it may well be. There are currently around 2,000 entries.

Step 1: search for your listing by clicking here
Step 2: send an email to webmaster@ofa.org.au with the updated information

Online Conference Discussion
As part of our development towards the second national organic conference, Organic Futures for Australia, the themes of the conference have been listed as topics for discussion at The Organic Forums. The intention of this forum is to develop a central discussion resource for the Australian organic industry. Discussabout the conference themes, and all other organic related subject matter.

Seeking Contributions
Do you have something to contribute to this monthly update ? This is an industry bulletin and we would like to encourage industry contribution to it. Product reviews, company news, industry news, event reviews, information about upcoming events, and feature articles are all welcome. Please contact me at webmaster@ofa.org.au

As always, feedback about the OFA website and Organic Industry Update is encouraged.

Dom O'Brien
Website Manager

In a major development for the Australian Organic Industry, AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service), which audits the certifiers, has 'signed off' on a regulatory mark for Australian certified organic products. The number of logos and symbols displayed on Australian certifed products has long been a major source of confusion for consumers. The new mark should go a significant way toward simplifying the process of identifying Australian certified products.

The mark features a logo resembling a sun, and the words 'Australian Certified Organic' or 'Australian Certified Bio-Dynamic' or 'Australian Certified In Conversion' according to the product. There is also the option of using the logo with the words 'AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service' in the middle of the sun.

The initial proposal for the regulatory mark received some criticism from a significant cross section of the industry, largely for the use of the term 'Australian Government Certified'. In response to this AQIS arranged for minor corrections, and the mark in its current form was signed off in March 2003.

It is important to note that use of the mark is voluntary, and there is no charge for its use. Naturally, only products certified organic, bio-dynamic, or in conversion can use the mark and it is only available for products deemed to be "Product of Australia" or "Made in Australia".

AQIS will be able to prosecute for improper use of the mark, and this is important. In the absence of a domestic regulation it at least gives the industry some recourse to prosecute illegal operators in certain situations.

AQIS will be advising major Australian retailers of the regulatory mark and its conditions for use.

by Dr Els Wynen
March 2003

Executive Summary
It is often claimed that the organic industry in Australia receives insufficient funding for research and development. Behind this claim lies the assumption that funding provided is less than the amount paid by organic farmers in obligatory research and development levies. But is this the case? How much do organic farmers contribute? And how much do they receive in return? The aim of this report is to quantify these issues.

The first issue - levies paid by organic farmers - was scrutinised and analysed with the help of the organic certification offices. These offices hold data pertaining to organic farms. The majority of farms, including those under organic management, pay levies for research and development (R&D), marketing, the National Residue Survey and animal health. This is either a certain percentage of the farm gate value of the product (for example, grains), or a set amount per unit of production (for example, per animal or per tonne of apples). Calculations of the total R&D levies paid for organic produce, sold both as organic and in the conventional market, amounted to $392,100 in 2000-2001.

Matching Commonwealth government funding effectively raised the organic R&D contribution to $656,200. Organic farmers paid an additional $240,000 in marketing levies, and $104,300 for the National Residue Survey and animal health levy.

The second issue – how much of the research levies is returned into research beneficial to organic farmers – was examined in less detail. However, some estimates were obtained. Direct expenditure on R&D on organic agriculture was around $450,000, the bulk of which came via contributions from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), with a substantial contribution from the GRDC. Some funding was provided by Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL). More indirect payments were generously calculated to amount to another $50,000, from funding from HAL and the Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC), with possibly more contributions in the grain, meat and wool industries.

The conclusion is therefore that the total amount spent on R&D into organic agriculture in Australia falls well short of the $656,200, the amount collected from organic farmers and matched with Commonwealth contributions.

RIRDC Publication No 03/002    RIRDC Project No: WYN-3A
"Organic Agriculture in Australia - Levies and Expenditure"
You can download the full report here. You can purchase the printed report here

Media Release: Organic Trade Association

GREENFIELD, Mass. (April 16, 2003)- "President Bush's repeal today of Section 771 is a triumph for the organic community and verifies the strength of the consumer mandate to protect the organic standards," said Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, the business organization for the $11 billion organic industry in North America.

"The organic community united immediately in a nationwide grassroots effort to defend the integrity of the organic standards. Every elected official was contacted. Every medium was tapped," said DiMatteo. "Just as we rallied successfully to defend 'organic' in 1998, we rallied successfully again in 2003. It's time legislators realize that the organic community will not allow the organic standards to be undermined."

The bill signed into law today by President Bush includes an amendment repealing the offending language that, in effect, allowed organic livestock producers to feed their animals less than 100 percent organic feed and still market the resulting meat, dairy and poultry products as organic.

Organic community efforts to repeal the rider, Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, included nationwide e-mail and phone campaigns to elected officials in Congress, letters to the editors of local newspapers, a national ad in The New York Times, visits with legislative leaders in Washington, D.C., newspaper, magazine, TV and radio articles, and web and store-based consumer education.

DiMatteo praised Congress for its rapid response to requests to repeal the rider. "We especially appreciate Senators Patrick Leahy and Olympia Snowe and Representatives Sam Farr and Ron Kind in the House for sponsoring the repeal bills. Seventy-one Senators and 105 Representatives signed on as co-sponsors of bills to repeal Section 771. Getting this response took a monumental effort by our members, affiliated associations and groups, and consumers who barraged their legislators and contacted the media with the message that Section 771 was a major mistake that had to be corrected immediately," said DiMatteo.

It is a standard operating procedure in the United States to provide 100% organic feed for organic livestock, and organic feed is readily available. The organic rule already includes emergency feed provisions should there be a feed shortage, and that is clearly not the case at this time.

Contact: Holly Givens, 413-774-7511, ext. 18
(After hours number: 413-834-2758)

To be held at the Sydney Convention Centre June 13-15

The Natural Healthcare Expo is owned and organised by the Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) of Australia.
Its goal is to provide leadership by promoting natural healthcare products as the primary source of sustainable health and enhanced wellness for all Australians. For the first time the expo is inviting the public to attend the event (June14,15).

The event will coincide with the Australian Fitness Expo. These shows have a synergy which is sure to provide the health concious Australian public with a reason to visit both shows. The expo will again feature specific zones for supplements, health and functional foods, beauty products, raw materials and a dedicated Organic Zone. The organic industry has a special opportunity to showcase products to the industry and public like never before. The OFA is collaborating with the CHC to support the success of the event.

For more information about how to increase your company profile, raise awareness for your products and expo participation contact:
Vee Johnson
Event Manager at NHE@chc.org.au or telephone 03 9364-5003 mobile 0422 399 818
Website www.chc.org.au

Fifty speakers for First ever Queensland Organics Conference
The Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference will be held in Cairns 31 July - 1 August and has been designed to provide the industry with an opportunity to cohesively consolidate its interests within state and global contexts.

This will be the first time the Queensland Organics Industry will meet on such a large scale to discuss the entire value chain and the conference is designed to incorporate a "one stop shop" approach for those new to or looking to venture into the industry.

The overarching theme of the conference "Organically Speaking - Soil and Society" brings an awareness of the relationship humans have to the natural environment - the environment that sustains human life.

International Keynote speaker Soil Scientist, Dr Elaine Ingham and National Keynote speaker Environmental Scientist, Dr Pam Pittaway will accompany a group of some 50 highly regarded speakers from their respective fields.

This exceptional conference program includes progressive speakers in the fields of soil, plant and animal nutrition, pest, disease and weed management, holistic management systems, harvest and post-harvest systems, agri-politics, marketing and trade, industry regulation, bio dynamics, commodity sectors, processing, retail, health, social and science research, ethics, sustainability and technology. There will be an extensive Trade display.

Diane Cilento, actor and theatre entrepreneur has made herself available as Conference ambassador and the Minister for Primary Industries the Honourable Henry Palaszczuk will officially open the conference. The gala dinner, with Special Guest, industry elder states-person, Don MacFarlane will focus on the theme "Celebrating the Story of the Queensland Organics Industry".

To be held in Cairns, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Areas in beautiful late winter conditions, coupled with Organic catering and two outstanding post conference Organic Farm tours to Daintree and Atherton Tablelands, this is set to be an event to remember.

Early Registration is $165 and is due 30 June.

For further information or registration brochure including program please contact:
Rosemary Burgess
Tel: (07) 4067 6492 (1 - 4pm weekdays)
E-mail: rburgess@austarnet.com.au
Website: www.geocities.com/opaq2001

Trade Display inquiries:
Maurice Franklin
Tel: (07) 4068 7340
E-mail: maurice.franklin@bigpond.co

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is calling for expressions of interest from interested people to conduct two desk top studies:
· Equivalence of imported organic products
· Organic vegetable production.

These studies are being commissioned by the Organic Produce R&D Advisory Committee.

Equivalence of Imported Organic Products
The objective of this study is to assess the equivalence of imported products to the Australian National Standard for Organic & Biodynamic Produce. The project will need to develop a series of criteria which would form the basis of equivalence. The assessment of equivalence is likely to involve a literature review of international standards. The application of these criteria in a detailed appraisal for each label would then need to be completed. The establishment of criteria and their application will include effective consultation with the organic industry.
Project value: Up to $20,000.

Organic Vegetable Production
The objective of this study is to provide the necessary technical and regulatory information to vegetable seedling producers to permit the production of organic certified seedlings. It is anticipated that this project will firstly include a scoping paper which outlines the current situation and future requirements of the certified organic industry. The paper will also set out opportunities that may encourage and assist conventional seedling producers to enter this market. Successful completion of this paper will be the basis for the facilitation of a process which will lead to the uptake of certified organic seedlings across Australia's horticulture sector.
Project value: Up to $15,000.

Expressions of interest to conduct either of these studies, outlining your skills and relevant experience, and the project design and methodology, should be forwarded by 30th May 2003 to:

Organic Produce Program
Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
PO Box 4776
KINGSTON ACT 2604

For more detailed information about either of these studies and the Organic Produce Program, please visit the RIRDC Organic Produce Program web site (www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/org.html) or phone the Organic Produce Program Manager on (03) 9882 5910.

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is calling for applications from interested people to apply for positions on the Organic Produce Research and Development Advisory Committee.

The committee consists of persons with a range of skills and experience in the research, production, processing and marketing sectors of industry together with a representative of the Corporation. The committee provides recommendations on the selection of projects and the allocation of research and development funds (allotted to the Organic Produce Program from RIRDC core funds) to the RIRDC Board.

The advisory committee is expected to consult with industry bodies and participants to evaluate the requirements for research and development, to prepare a research and development strategic plan for the industry which is reviewed annually and to monitor and evaluate the impact of research and development projects.

Applicants should note that RIRDC program committee guidelines generally preclude members of the executive of a national industry association from being a member of a RIRDC advisory committee. A joint industry/RIRDC selection process has been established to choose the committee members.

Written applications, outlining your skills and relevant experience, should be forwarded by 30th May 2003 to:

Organic Produce Program
Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
PO Box 4776
KINGSTON ACT 2604

If you require further information about these positions or the Organic Produce Program, please visit the RIRDC Organic Produce Program web site (www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/org.html) or phone the Organic Produce Program Manager on (03) 9882 5910.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=392044

By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor
30 March 2003

Genetically modified crops specially engineered to kill pests in fact nourish them, startling new research has revealed.

The research - which has taken even the most ardent opponents of GM crops by surprise - radically undermines one of the key benefits claimed for them. And it suggests that they may be an even greater threat to organic farming than has been envisaged.

It strikes at the heart of one of the main lines of current genetic engineering in agriculture: breeding crops that come equipped with their own pesticide.

Biotech companies have added genes from a naturally occurring poison, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is widely used as a pesticide by organic farmers. The engineered crops have spread fast. The amount of land planted with them worldwide grew more than 25-fold - from four million acres in 1996 to well over 100 million acres (44.2m hectares) in 2000 - and the global market is expected to be worth $25bn (£16bn)
by 2010.

Drawbacks have already emerged, with pests becoming resistant to the toxin. Environmentalists say that resistance develops all the faster because the insects are constantly exposed to it in the plants, rather than being subject to occasional spraying.

But the new research - by scientists at Imperial College London and the Universidad Simon Rodrigues in Caracas, Venezuela - adds an alarming new twist, suggesting that pests can actually use the poison as a food and that the crops, rather than automatically controlling them, can actually help them to thrive.

They fed resistant larvae of the diamondback moth - an increasingly troublesome pest in the southern US and in the tropics - on normal cabbage leaves and ones that had been treated with a Bt toxin. The larvae eating the treated leaves grew much faster and bigger - with a 56 per cent higher growth rate.

They found that the larvae "are able to digest and utilise" the toxin and may be using it as a "supplementary food", adding that the presence of the poison "could have modified the nutritional balance in plants" for them.

And they conclude: "Bt transgenic crops could therefore have unanticipated nutritionally favourable effects, increasing the fitness of resistant populations."

Pete Riley, food campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said last night: "This is just another example of the unexpected harmful effects of GM crops.

"If Friends of the Earth had come up with the suggestion that crops engineered to kill pests could make them bigger and healthier instead, we would have been laughed out of court.

"It destroys the industry's entire case that insect-resistant GM crops can have anything to do with sustainable farming."

Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association, said it showed that GM crops posed an even "worse threat to organic farming than had previously been imagined". Breeding resistance to the Bt insecticide sometimes used by organic farmers was bad enough, but problems would become even greater if pests treated it as "a high-protein diet".

Melbourne, 9th April 2003:

The first comprehensive survey of Victorian farmer attitudes has shown that farmers are overwhelmingly concerned about the proposed introduction of GM canola.

"The survey, commissioned by Doug Shears from ICM Agribusiness and in consultation with the Network of Concerned Farmers, provides overwhelming justification for a statewide moratorium on the release of GM canola", said Geoff Carracher, canola grower from West Wimmera, VFF member and spokesperson for the Network of Concerned Farmers.

Key findings of the survey are:
· 71% of farmers surveyed have concerns regarding the commercial release of GM canola;
· 67% of farmers have significant concerns about the ability to market GM canola;
· 80% of farmers have significant concerns about the ability for GM and non-GM canola to co-exist.

"If the Victorian Government wants evidence to support a moratorium on the release of GM canola, here it is", said Carracher. Scott Kinnear, VFF member and spokesperson for the Biological Farmers of Australia, said, "The Victorian Farmers Federation have been unwilling to ask farmers what they think about GM canola so
it has been up to the rest of the farming community to do their work for them."

"It's of little surprise that only a slight majority of Victorian farmers consider the VFF to be a trustworthy source of information on GM crops."

The survey produced by the Paterson Group involved phone interviews with a random and representative sample of 200 grain growers in Victoria. The qualitative survey found that the overwhelming majority of farmers have a wide range of concerns:

· Only 52% of farmers surveyed consider that they have enough information to make a sound decision about the introduction of GM canola;
· 80% of farmers have significant concerns about on-farm contamination issues;
· 72% of farmers have significant concerns about the liability issues due to contamination;
· 71% of farmers have significant concerns about patent rights depriving farmers of the right to save seeds;
· Only 20% of farmers are confident that existing quality assurance systems are sufficient to ensure non-GM and GM canola can coexist.

"This is not an anti GM response", Kinnear added, "even though most farmers don't trust the biotech companies."

"A large majority of farmers supports GM research. Their opposition to GM canola is specific - they don't want GM canola released commercially based on the current technology, current markets and the inability of current quality assurance systems to stop GE contamination of conventional crops."

"The message from Victoria's farmers is clear. We understand the implications of GM canola and we don't want it. Steve Bracks needs to join all of the other canola growing states, rein in his Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron, and demand a moratorium on the release of GM canola in Victoria," Mr Kinnear concluded.

For interviews or more information:
Scott Kinnear 0419 881 729
Geoff Carracher (03) 5386 6261
Or visit: www.non-gm-farmers.com

By Andre Leu

One of the arguments used by the opponents of organic agriculture is that it produces low yields of poor quality produce. The proponents of pesticides, artificial fertilisers and GMO's argue that world would starve if we relied on organic agriculture.

There are many examples where organic systems can get comparable and higher yields than the current conventional agricultural systems.

Some of the best examples of these farming systems are in the USA, where proponents like Gary Zimmer, Dick Thompson and Joel Salatin are achieving good increases in yield and income over the neighbouring conventional farms.

Don MacFarlane, one of Australia's pioneering organic farmers, has been organising regular educational tours to USA to see these farmers. Don has been running these visits at cost to give Australians the opportunity to meet and learn from our counterparts in the USA. He subsidised the last two educational visits out his own pocket.

Three years ago I had the opportunity to go across the USA with Don and visit scientists and farmers who are achieving high yields using a range of innovative organic and biological farming techniques.

Some of the highlights for me were spending a morning with Gary Zimmer on his organic dairy farm and seeing a remineralised lurcerne field that produced a yield 5 times greater than the average for the district. He had increased the nutrient value of pasture by 300% and currently calves 150 cows every year without one health problem.

Another highlight was visiting Dick Thompson a founding member of the Progressive Farmers of Iowa. Dick engages in organic farm research in conjunction with the University of Iowa, the Rodale Institute and the Wallace Institute. He obtains some of the highest yields in his district using composts, ridge tilling and crop rotations.

In Michigan we visited a farm where Phil Wheeler increased strawberry production by 400% in 4 years by applying soil amendments that enhanced soil life.

One of days I enjoyed the most was with Joel and Therese Salatin and seeing their innovative system of rotationally grazing several species of animals. They use 100 acres of dry land pasture to cell graze cattle, sheep, pigs, meat chickens, laying hens, turkeys, pheasants and rabbits to produce net sales of $300, 000 a year.

The system has been based on native pastures, without cultivation or new 'improved' pasture species. The only input has been the feed for the poultry. This multi-species rotational grazing system builds one inch of soil a year and returns the family 15 times the income per acre than is received by neighbouring farms using set stocking of cattle

The remaining 450 acres of the Salatin farm has been allowed to go back to forest to ensure clean air, clean water and beneficial biodiversity.

Another great inspiration was visiting the Organic Valley marketing coop, in Wisconsin. In an era when large corporations seem to be subsuming all facets of agriculture, it is great to see a highly successful organisation based on family farms. This cooperative was started by a group of organic dairy farmers when their local dairy was closed down. They bought it and started to produce organic milk and a range of dairy products. Other organic producers asked to join them and over time they purchased various closed down dairies, abattoirs and other factories in small towns in several states to produce a substantial variety of dairy products, small goods, fruit juices, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Like all coops, it is owned by the members. Because it represents several types organic produce, it is a multi commodity marketing organisation, rather than single commodity. Each commodity group, dairy, meat, small goods, fruit and vegetables etc is organised into it's own section where the farmers decide on packaging, quality control, value adding etc.

Whereas around the world the trend has been for dairy corporations and other wholesale/production houses to reduce the price the farmer receives for their produce, Organic Valley always pays an excellent premium. With milk it pays US$ 20.02 per hundredweight compared to the conventional average of $11.

In 2002 it achieved more than US$125 million in sales. Organic Valley added 15,000 acres into their system for a total of 75,000 acres of organic production. 94 new family farms joined to make a total of 515 farms in the coop.

Organic valley is now one of the largest organic marketing organisations in the world and all the profits go back to the family farms that are the members of the cooperative. Their headquarters are still in the little country town where they started and now they are the biggest employer in their district. They have revitalised several small towns in the Midwest and turned them into thriving communities

This style of democratic, community wealth sharing organisation fits very well in the philosophies of organic agriculture and is a wonderful example of a successful alternative to monopoly corporate agribusiness.

The conventional farming industry in the USA is facing the same crisis as we have in Australia. They have a level of subsidy to prop it up, however these schemes favour corporate agribusiness over the family farm. Like rural Australia, large expanses of the main primary production areas are in continual decline with small towns disappearing off the map. States like Nebraska have fewer people now than they did 100 years ago.

Organic agriculture is one of the major success stories in the USA. These organic farming systems are proving to be a robust and successful way of ensuring the survival of family farms, country towns and rural communities. They show a way forward that ensures fair returns for farmers and the rural communities that they support.

I believe that many of these methods and concepts can be applied to or modified for Australian conditions. The combination of high yielding, low cost organic agriculture and grower owned and run marketing organisations is a model we need to widely adopt to revitalise our declining rural and remote areas

Don is organising another educational visit this year leaving on August the 8th and returning to Oz on Sept 3rd. It is an opportunity to see and learn from some of the most innovative organic farmers and for us to meet our counterparts in the USA.

If you would like a detailed copy of the itinerary please contact Don on:
Ph 07 5467 1411, Fax 07 5467 1127, email: biofarmtours@optusnet.com.au

By Philip Down
B.App Science (Wine Making). B.Teaching (Vocational)

Having been involved with the production of biodynamic wine for some time now I can spend a moment and reflect on the results whilst tasting the wine in the glass. Without a shadow of a doubt the proof of the pudding is in the drinking. My notes on this wine depict a beverage that is rich deep in colour and plum fruit and marzipan flavour that has a complex coffee, chocolate indeed a cherry ripe character that continues to intensify as it gets older. But how is this achieved?

Firstly, the grape variety chosen is a hybrid, developed in France. Bred for its' disease resistance this grape, vine leaf and stem has a naturally thick cellular-wall outer layer that is very resistant to the onset of moulds and bacterial infection. Chambourcin is the variety, it is naturally higher in acid and has a lower tannin content when compared to many other traditional wine grape varieties.

The secret to the success of this wine lies in the biodynamic regime under which it is managed and grown. Firstly, we have found that by building up the vine plants health through creating an environment in, under and around the plant that allows for the easy take up of nutrients and water, fortifies it against the onset of fungal disease and other grape blights, however the added bonus seems to be the wonderful flavour that the wine develops. Quite simply the objective was to maintain the fruit health through to maturity and the complex rich flavour of the wine is a synergistic result of selecting the right variety for this form of farming.

We do not use any inorganic fungicides, herbicides or additives such as diammonium phosphate during the growing and production of the wine. Instead we have to rely on the naturally occurring microflora that flourishes in, on and around the fruit to supply the much needed nitrogen during fermentation. We encourage the right kind of microflora to flourish in the soil by fermenting the soil itself. This has the effect of promoting the development of rhizomes on the roots that act in many ways to provide all the vine requirements without having to interfere, as conventional farming tends to do.

It is not easy but with dedication, continual scouting and monitoring for pests and diseases, and using techniques such as employing wasps to control light brown apple moth, rather than fairly toxic sprays we can solve the problem without damaging the environment in and around the plant.

In the winery the juice is processed into wine without any material input from a wine making point of view. The wine takes longer to make, however the result makes it all worthwhile. When we take a very close look at the fermentation rates for this wine compared to those made with conventional techniques, they are slower, steadier and require less checking and monitoring than their sometimes fickle conventional brothers.

The wine is bottled with less than ten parts per million free sulphur dioxide and still has the ability to age seven to twelve years. When I think on it, this sensible approach to commercial wine production not only makes a lot of environmental sense it makes commercial sense to.

If anybody has any queries or questions regarding organic and biodynamic commercial grape production, I offer courses, workshops and seminars in this form of viticulture and winemaking and can be contacted on the number below.

In Vino Veritas

Philip Down
Philip Down Wine Training
PO Box 347
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
0265 832085
0422 301300

Rosnay Wines launch 'Live Well'
Rosnay Wines have launched the inaugural Rosnay Wines newsletter, available on their website.
"Live Well" includes information on upcoming concerts, organic research, Rosnay olives and Florence Statham's great recipes Read it at www.organicfarms.com.au/wines/april03.htm or email Ros_wine@tpg.com.au to subscribe.

WA Olive Network Newsletter
A new email newsletter that includes information on certified processing and networking with other organic practitioners. Especially relevant to organic olive growers in WA.
Contact: Harry Goff – colyton@iinet.net.au

Mellow Co is a new entrant in the organic market in Australia, acting as representatives for the Daabon Organic Group in Australiasia. Daabon Group is a direct grower and exporter of bananas, coffee and palm oil, and is located in northern Colombia between rivers that flow from the glaciers of the Santa Marta mountain peaks. Daabon process Palm Oil and Margarine, and outsource the production of Freeze Dried Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Molasses (Syrups) and Snack Bars. All of Daabon's products are Certified Organic by JAS, Ecocert, Oregon Tilth and Kosher, and they have an international presence in North America, Europe and Asia.

Organic Mountain Freeze Dried Coffee
Organic Mountain Instant Coffee is produced using 100% JAS / Ecocert organic coffee beans from the Santa Marta region.
· ISO 9002-Quality Assurance System- Since January 1998
· ISO14001- Environmental Manager System - Since October 1999
· Good Manufacturing Practice System (GMP) and Critical Control Point Analysis (HACCP)
· Business Anti-smuggling Coalition USA (BASC)

Organic Mountain Green Coffee Beans
The Santa Marta Mountain is the world's highest single standing mountain by the seashore. Here, one of the mildest and most aromatic varieties Organic Colombian Coffee Beans is grown. The larger variety of coffee bean charactertistic to this region is one of the mildest and most aromatic available.

Organic Mountain Palm Oil
Palm tree planting is carried out in lands free of chemical pollutants in the Magdalena river valley in northern Colombia. The crude oil is extracted through a mechanical operation, which yields two types of oil: one from the fruit and the other from the kernel. The palm fruit oil - for frying and baking, and palm kernel oil - for ice cream, coatings, chocolate bars, cosmetics, soap, and in animal feed.

Organic Mountain Margarine
From Spring 2003 we offer 100% organic certified margarines. Our Organic Mountain margarines are:
· Non-GMO
· Cholesterol Free
· No Trans Fatty Acids
· Non-Hydrogenated
(The organic industry in the United States and Europe has banned the use of hydrogenated oils from their certified processed foods.)

Organic Mountain Molasses
High Test Molasses (H.T.M.), with a brix level oscillating between 80-84% -.useful in the production of dark sauces such as ketchup, tonkatsu sauce or teriyaki sauce

Organic Citrus
Organic Citrus starting in May 2003 will provide our customers with QAI / JAS certified lemons, oranges and grapefruits grown in the state of California year round.

We welcome you to find out more about our company, products and sales network.
Contact Sergio Correa at australia@mellowco.com or +61-4-1497-9233

Rice milk is still largely the unknown cousin of soymilk. Although widely consumed in the organic and health food industries, and increasingly available through supermarkets, I still draw blank responses from aquaintances at its mention.

"Huh ?" is about the usual response.

"Rice milk - like soy milk but made from rice" I patiently explain, the conversation then progressing to "never heard of it", or "another one of your weird healthy foods is it ?".
(sigh) ... Yes, yes, another one of those.

It isn't really weird. It's actually a great tasting alternative to dairy and soy milk. Being made from rice, and being 'thinner' than soy and dairy, it is easier on the digestive system than either of those products. And possesing a wonderful gentle natural sweetness, it is a popular choice for those who don't like or can't drink soy or dairy.

As with soy milk the flavour varies enourmously between brands, and you can try a range of them to find one that you like. A popular Australian produced brand is Pureharvest's 'Aussie Dream'. In my experience it is a good one for first time users of rice milk, with a taste that is not too strong, but has a palatable sweetness. The simplicity of the product is intriguing, with only 4 simple ingredients used - organic whole brown rice, sunflower oil, sea salt, and filtered water. I have always been amazed at the sweetness of this drink considering no sugar or other sweetener is added. Different manufactureres use different types of oil, but I like Pureharvest's use of sunflower oil rather than canola oil as some manufacturers use.

A benefit of Pureharvet Aussie Dream is that because it is made locally is is somewhat less expensive than imported brands. It is BFA certified and is available in health food stores and selected supermarket chains. It is cholesterol and lactose free and lower in fat than full cream milk. In my area it retails from around $2.60 to $3.50 for a litre container.

For more information visit the website at: http://www.pureharvest.com.au

Lancefield Farmers Market opened in March at the small village of Lancefield, Victoria, in between Woodend and Kilmore. This is the first of a monthly event, and takes place on the 4th Sat of every month for the rest of the year (except December when it will be held on the 20th so as not to coincide with Christmas)

Products available include home grown organic vegies, citrus, free-range eggs, organic olive products, olive oil, live chickens, ducks, fudge, organic apples, potatoes, wine, mead, revegetation plants, herbs, cheese, lavender products, emu products and more.

The market was set up last month after four months of organisation. It is a community project, not-for-profit, run in conjunction with our local Neighbourhood House. It currently is being funded by registration fees only, and the cost of registration is $20 for the first market you participate in, then $10 a site for the rest of the year.

So come along and be a part of this exciting new attraction for this lovely town.
Stalls $20, stallholders need to supply all tables umbrellas signs etc.
Enquiries to Meggs Hannes-Paterson
Tel (03) 54 292 115
Rochford Winery
146 Otts Road, Rochford, Victoria, 3442
or
Vivien 54 291 214 or 0409 386 875
Email: gingermeggs20@hotmail.com

Click here for details of these and other events.

• Discussion Forum
• International Organic Marketplace - Online Centre for Organic Trade
• Australian Organic Directory
• Organic Tradeline - International Organic Trade Bulletin
• Organic Newsline - Weekly International Organic News Bulletin

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The OFA is the peak industry body for the Australian organic and biodynamic industry. Visit our webpage at www.ofa.org.au, or for organic industry and product enquiries click here . For information or help with this newsletter contact the OFA webmaster at webmaster@ofa.org.au. Feedback is always welcome !

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OFA.