Data show startling differences in pesticide residue levels
Consumers wishing to avoid pesticide residues in food, water and on farms have a simple choice: choose organic products
Source: Organic Trade Association

Australia: Aldi to Expand Organic Private Label Range
Organic manufacturers in Australia interviewed about private label products indicated they are generally happy to provide leading retail chains such as Aldi with some packaged grocery lines for private label organics. This may be one way of winning price conscious shoppers over to organics. Aldi carries about 18 lines in over 15 categories in its everyday range of exclusive brand food grocery items.
Source: Organic Monitor

Organic Foods Can Extend Life Expectancy
They may carry a higher price tag, but organic fruit and vegetables can  help beat cancer, diabetes and heart disease, according to experts at a North East university.
This research also follows a Newcastle University study from earlier in the year, which revealed organic milk is better for us. The university carried out research which revealed organic supermarket milk showed higher levels of nutritionally beneficial fatty acids compared with "ordinary" milk regardless of the time of year or weather conditions.
Source: Organic Monitor

Organic no-till
The U.S. based Rodale Institute has developed a crimping roller that facilitates cover crop management without the use of cultivation or herbicides prior to sowing. Their website: www.rodaleinstitute.org/no-till_revolution describes various experiments and experiences (good & bad) with the technique and also provides plans for manufacturing the roller.

Above: Rodale Institute’s no-till roller (Photo: www.rodaleinstitute.org/introducing_a_cover_crop_roller
Source: Organic News, NSW Dept Primary Industries

Organic Companies Taking Lead in Climate Change

New concerns about effects of Roundup
The world's best-selling herbicide produced by U.S. company Monsanto, causes birth defects, according to a new report released Tuesday.
Source TM Organics

Diversified Organic Systems Cut Energy Use by Up to One-half
Canadian scientists conducted a complex study comparing energy use on high-input conventional farms compared to reduced input conservation farming systems and organic systems. Detailed records of energy use were recorded for these three systems across three crop rotations.
Total energy use was highest on the farms using high levels of inputs, averaging about 3,780 MJ per hectare per year, while energy use was 50% lower under organic management. According to the team, most of the energy savings came from the non-use of conventional fertilizers on the organic farms.
Energy use efficiency was measured as yield of grain plus forage produced per unit of energy input, and this key performance metric was also highest in the organic systems. Under organic management, there were 8.8 units of food energy harvested for each unit of energy needed to produce the crop. On the conventional, high-input farms, each unit of energy embodied in production inputs yielded 7.1 units of food energy.
Sources: The Organic Center European J of Agronomy, Vol. 34, pages 113-123(2011)
Source OFA

Steven McCoy
Development Officer, Organic Food and Farming
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
steven.mccoy@agric.wa.gov.au
Ph 08 9368 3960
Mb 0424 147 408
Fax 08 9368 3355

Kind regards
May-Ring and Margaret
ogafreo@yahoo.com.au

The main roof pitch is 30° which is ideal for the 3-panel solar hot water system and a 3.3+ kW  Grid Connect solar system with a 55 photovoltaic panel array. The Lyons have taken sustainability further with an organic vegetable garden, utilising permaculture and biodynamic principles. Margaret said “Karralika”  is very much a work in progress  with many sustainable initiatives still unfolding. They have had great enjoyment being part of the process and hope they can inspire others.

Les will also have a display of many sustainable and garden products from his “Weatherworks”  business  www.weatherworks.com.au Visitors will also be able to purchase sustainable household, gardening and weather instruments, as well as horticultural  products including raised beds wheelie-bin worm farms, soil instruments, etc.

If you would like to attend this field day on July 24th 2-4pm, please email Lisa porter4@aapt.net.au by July 15th  and I will forward details to you the week before.
Cheers,
Lisa

Enquiries to Lisa 9399 2312  or porter4@aapt.net.au

In my limited involvement with Crossroads Community Garden they have done a fantastic job, and the 70 or so beds they now have available are filling quickly and I look forward to our local organic and permaculture group members taking their skills and experience and sharing it with this new gardening community. It will be a huge asset to the area.

Grand opening of stage 2 just occurred and that is the picture shown, the huge turnout should certainly indicate to everyone how worthwhile these projects are and how community mood and understanding is changing.

May your community grow, bloom and become resilient.
Cheers
Charles Otway

NEXT MEETING
Contact Charles for the details. charles@permaculturewest.org.au or 0466633275

In another corner of the property we admired Andy's second tomato crop which is a tropical. Andy has had mixed success with his sweet corn and believes the big ears grew from the more heavily manured garden beds. Alan stressed the importance of feeding corn loads of nitrogen. For low nitrogen plants like tomatoes, use horse manure. For gross feeders like corn, use dynamic lifter and blood and bone; 'you can't feed them too much' were some words that lodged in my overloaded mind.
What to do with a big zucchini crop well, my favourite is zucchini smash. I first got wind of this from a Jamie Oliver cookbook so as you can imagine, it's absolutely wicked. Here's what to do: chop three or four big zucchinis into chunks and throw them into a saucepan with four cloves of garlic that you have mushed up with two teaspoons of salt. Fry until they just start to brown, then turn the heat down and put the lid on for 15 minutes. This is where you smash your zucchinis which is actually are more exciting way of saying mash. Chuck in some mint to taste and lemon juice. Serve on pasta with Parmesan cheese. It tastes even better than it sounds so give it a try.
Finally Sue took us over to meet the horses, duck and chooks. From here we slowly chatted our way back towards the lawn from where we first began. This is where I learnt that Tan seasols her mango trees now as they are in flower. I passed on that NT department of Ag recommend starting to water your mango tree when it is 60% in flower. And when my mangoes are a bit bigger than pea size it is time to fertilise with some nitrogen to help the tree along. I also learnt that phosphate of potash will help my tomatoes even though they are already fruiting happily. It helps the plant access more nutrients and gets the most fruit. 
Until next time, happy gardening.
Ben.

Next meeting is another garden visit this time Surburban Farming at Alan Grays, contact Tan 91928552 for details, 3.30pm Saturday 16th of July for more information contact Tan
fusionherbs@westnet.com.au
Venue: 12 Mile Cafe
Address: Lot 20 Yamashita Rd, 12 Mile, Broome

Fresh Produce Report:

Well we've reached that time of year when Summer and Autumn produce has well and truly finished, but the Winter crops haven’t really started either. There's still plenty to fill the plates with though. Local Cauliflower and Broccoli are plentiful, cheap and really tasty now. Zucchini is going to be scarce for most of winter, but there’s still lots of lovely Capsicum coming through, local Celery and plenty of greens.

Mandarins are in and the local ones are really good eating. The Apples are still really crisp and juicy. Navel Oranges and White Grapefruit are also in reasonable supply. We are also just starting to get a few tropical fruits in with some lovely Custard Apples and any day now we'll be getting Black Sapote.

Enjoy!

Lyndon McMath

Shop 7, 299 Charles Street
North Perth WA 6006
p: (08) 9227 7755  f: (08) 9227 7711
www.organiconcharles.com.au

Growing Citrus
Originating from the tropics of South East Asia, citrus were introduced into the Middle East by at least 500BC and spread further into Europe with the expansion of the Roman Empire.  Records show that oranges, lemons and limes arrived in Australia with the first fleet in 1788. 
Citrus plants are always a popular choice in home gardens.   Most home gardens have room for one or two citrus trees.  Dwarf cultivars are available that can even be grown in large pots.  (Ideally, nothing smaller than 100L and up to 200L is advisable.)
Originating from warmer climates, various citrus are remarkably adapted to a range of climatic conditions.  Citrus trees can tolerate high temperatures well into the 40’s, and some can survive down to a few degrees below zero.  It is important to provide frost protection for young trees, and to consider the microclimate in your back yard to optimise the growth and fruit yield.  Generally a warm position in full sun is ideal.  The optimal temperature for growing citrus is between 25 and 30oc, with growth stopping completely at 38oc and 13oc.*

Yellowing of foliage in winter and into early spring is a common problem.  This “Winter Chlorosis” signals a nutritional deficiency, however it is usually a result of cold temperatures and a reduction in active soil biology that cause the problem.  The required nutrients may well be available in the soil, but the plant is not able to take them up efficiently.  (It is almost like their metabolism slows down and poor circulation is a result!!)  Usually as the weather warms up, this problem naturally goes away.

  However, if you are particularly concerned, a tonic of fish hydrolysate, or fish emulsion and seaweed fertilisers will help stimulate the soil biology.  Also worm juice and weed or manure teas can be used.  These liquid feeds can be applied both to the foliage and to the soil on a fortnightly basis or until improvement is seen.
Citrus have few other pest and disease issues.  Scale, aphids, leafminer. Mealy bugs and crusader beetles can be other problems, but all these are easily treated with white oil, neem oil or soap sprays – all organic options.  Healthy trees grown in full sun seem much less susceptible.
Fruit fly can be another problem for many growers – it does require management but if you persevere you can gain the upper hand.
Citrus trees are relatively hungry feeders, and benefit from applications of manure and compost, and a light application of rock dust twice a year.  Usually they are fed in the main growing seasons of spring and autumn.  If using manures and other organic fertilisers (which tend to be slow release) apply in late winter to enable the nutrients to break down and be available when needed.
Citrus do best in sandy or loamy soils – they do require reasonable drainage.  If you have heavy clay soils, either plant them in mounds or consider the above ground, container option.  Soils should be neutral to slightly acidic.  Alkaline soils can be problematic and result in stunted, yellowed growth.  Citrus are relatively slow growing, and will take at least 3 – 4 years before bearing fruit.  It is usually a good idea to remove fruit from very young trees so energy is concentrated on growth
A deep watering twice a week over summer is all that’s needed, and a woody mulch to conserve water and keep competing weeds at bay is also recommended.

• Ref:  “The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia” by Louis Glowinski.  Lothian Press.

Cheers,
Linda Mitchener
The Green Life Soil Co

What is in the Personal Care Products You Use?

Currently, there is a plethora of personal care products available on shop shelves for consumers to purchase. Most  have very slick marketing claims, campaigns and packaging to lull the consumer into a false sense of security about their purchase. An example of this is "greenwashing" of a product (see below). The majority of these claims are unsubstantiated, unreliable and the products are, in fact, a combination of toxic synthetic chemicals. More and more people are becoming aware that what one puts on skin, goes in! The public are now starting to question (and have experienced) the health effects these chemicals can cause to the human body and to our environment.

Cosmetic and personal care products are particularly important in relation to health because they are in intimate contact with our bodies. Toxins in personal care, in isolation, have been identified (by the manufacturers) as known irritants, potential carcinogens, mutagens (damaging DNA), teratagens (causing birth defects), to name a few. Companies may assure us that the chemicals known to be toxic are in amounts too small to cause harm, however, no one knows their long term and cumulative effect (Dingle and Brown, 1999). 89 % of synthetic chemicals have NOT been evaluated for safety at all. Neither do we know how toxic these chemicals are when combined together or with other ingredients in the product (Dingle and Brown, 1999). We can avoid many of these chemicals.

The ONLY way to avoid toxic chemicals is to purchase products that are Certified Organic by an independent third party, such as: Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and Biological Farmer's Association (BFA). This can only be distinguished by the logo of certification. Be aware of false organic logos - they are out there on products! This certification also prohibits the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, irradiation, genetic modification, synthetic fertilisers, growth hormones or antibiotics at any stage during production. This is much better for the consumer and our environment.

The power to make healthier and safer choices is in our hands. Claiming our power as consumers means we need to challenge assumptions we have about off-the-shelf conventional personal care products (Dingle and Brown, 1999). Be an informed consumer today!

7 Sins of Greenwashing
 
1: Sin of the Hidden Trade-off
A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues. Paper, for example, is not necessarily environmentally-preferable just because it comes from a sustainably-harvested forest. Other important environmental issues in the paper-making process, such as greenhouse gas emissions, or chlorine use in bleaching may be equally important.
2: Sin of No Proof
An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party
certification. Common examples are facial tissues or toilet tissue products that claim various percentages of post-consumer
recycled content without providing evidence.
3: Sin of Vagueness
A claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. ‘All-natural’ is an example.
Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. 'All natural' isn't necessarily ‘green’.
4: Sin of Worshiping False Labels
A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third-party endorsement where no such endorsement
exists; fake labels, in other words.
5: Sin of Irrelevance
An environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable
products. ‘CFC-free’ is a common example, since it is a frequent claim despite the fact that CFCs are banned by law.
6: Lesser of Two Evils
A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts
of the category as a whole. Organic cigarettes could be an example of this sin, as might the fuel-efficient sport-utility vehicle.
7: Sin of Fibbing
Environmental claims that are simply false. The most common examples were products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified
or registered (ONEgroup 2009)

References:
Dingle, P. and Brown, T. (1999). Dangerous Beauty. Cosmetic and Personal Care.
Organic and Natural Enterprise Group (May 2009). Seven Sins of Greenwashing. ONEgroup News May 2009.


Nina 
Nina Stick
Environmental Scientist (BScEnvSc) and Independent ONEgroup Representative

National E-waste recycling scheme launched, set to lift recycling from 10% to 80%

The Federal and state governments have joined with the responsible members of the TV and computer manufacturing industries to develop legislation and guidelines for the establishment of this scheme.

What is it?
The new scheme, called the National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme, will begin in 2011 and will be rolled out nationally over five years. Basically it means that any company that makes and/or imports TVs and computers into Australia will be required to pay for the end-of-life recycling of these products.

How will it work?
Free collection points for used TVs and computers will be set up around the country (exactly where these will be is still under consideration). Once collected, the TVs and computers will be transported (if necessary) and responsibly recycled.

Consumers of TVs and computers will be responsible for ensuring that their end of life TVs and computers are left at a designated collection point to be recycled. There will be no charge to drop off an item.
Consumers may be charged a recycling fee when they purchase a new computer or TV to cover the future cost of collection and recycling.
All the arrangements for the collection and recycling of end of life TVs and computers will be managed by the TV and computer industries. The scheme will be supported by legislation that will ensure all manufacturers and importers of TVs and computers take responsibility for their products.
What will the scheme achieve?
The new recycling scheme will prevent millions of old TVs and computers from being sent to landfill. In 2007/08 an estimated 16.8 million TVs and computers reached the end of their useful life in Australia. In 2027/28, this figure is predicted to reach 44 million.
The goal of the new scheme is to lift the current recycling rate for TVs and computers from 10% to 80% in the first 10 years of operation.

Introduction to Swan Valley and Eastern Regions Slow Food Convivium

We would like to let you know about a newly formed group, the
Swan Valley and Eastern Regions Slow Food Convivium
This Convivium is part of the extensive world wide Slow Food organisation and international movement which is seeking to catalyse a broad cultural shift away from the destructive effect of an industrial food system and fast life; toward the regenerative cultural, ecological, social and economical benefits of a sustainable food system and regional food tradition; The pleasures of the table and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.
We believe that food systems should be based on principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability and social justice. In other words a food system that is good, clean and fair.  
 At local level we are group of like minded people who are passionate about our food and region, our culture and diversity, and share several direct aims which include:

• Support local producers and food biodiversity by supporting also ‘heirloom’ produce
• Encourage consumers to purchase locally
• Create a producer direct supplier chain with local food establishments and consumers (or as we prefer to call them  ‘co-producer’)
• Support the ‘Zero to low Km’ produce on food menus
• Capture the food histories and traditions of our region
• Work with children to bring back the traditions of shared, home, cooked meals
• Put on and assist in Slow Food focused educational, cooking and networking events
• Food conviviality

We would like you to be involved with our group and encourage you to become a member of the Slow Food Community and share in our passions and food philosophy.
You are welcome to gain further information by calling Vincenzo Velletri on 0417 943 211                 or from the Slow Food web site www.slowfood.com or www.slowfoodaustralia.com.au
Kind regards

Vincenzo Velletri Leader
Swan Valley & Eastern Region

No events listed in this issue.

No notices this issue

OGAWA Member Discount Scheme - Supporting businesses that promote organic food and farming
WA organic food and farming businesses offering discounts to members of OGAWA continues to grow. We thank these participating businesses for supporting the OGAWA and encourage all members to tell your friends about these great organic products and services available.
Click this link for the list of participating organic businesses.

The MDS is only available to current OGAWA members as shown by a valid membership card.
OGAWA Member Discount Scheme – Ask for your member discount from these participating businesses.  
Simply display your member discount card with some ID to verify your OGAWA membership.

Membership Renewals  Download Ordinary Membership Forms $30   
Download Commercial Membership Application $60

Welcome to the Organic Association of Western Australia's current edition of our paper– free electronic newsletter. We will be publishing a newsletter monthly and welcome articles, contributions and advertising from members and friends. (Please send to Leesa) Please ensure that we have your updated email address as our database has many invalid addresses where people have changed their details and not advised us. To subscribe or unsubscribe please contact Sue enews_editor@ogawa.org.au

Your email account must be set to receive emails in HTML format to read this newsletter alternatively there is a link to view the page on our website