National Food Plan – Organic Submission
The OFA submission to the NFP was to ensure that organic food and production systems were not ignored by outlining the published science on the compelling arguments for organic agriculture. This submission is a very useful resource document that is available on our website.
http://www.ofa.org.au/paper/OFA-Submission-to-the-National-Food-Plan.pdf
Source: OFA

Organic Farming is Superior to Conventional Agriculture According to 30-Year Comparative Study
Rodale Institute announces the latest results of the Farming Systems Trial, America's longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming practices. The Farming Systems Trial shows that organic farming is the healthiest and safest way to feed the world, provide much-needed jobs, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect precious natural resources.
Key findings show:

• Organic yields match or surpass conventional yields.
• Organic yields outperform conventional yields in years of drought.
• Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system.
• Organic farming uses 45 percent less energy and is more efficient.
• Conventional agricultural systems produce 40 percent more greenhouse gases.
• Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional farming systems.

For more information on the results, including detailed findings and graphs, please visit www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst . Source: Rodale Institute

Organic tomato juice more 'nutritious' than conventional juice?
Juice from organically grown tomatoes contains higher levels of bioactive polyphenols than juice made from conventionally grown tomatoes, says a new study... Read   Source: Food navigator

Pushing the boundaries for organic beef.
There was a time not that long back when the notion of featuring a piece of Certified Organic beef on the menu in a top-class restaurant was considered counter-intuitive….but times are changing…
http://beefcentral.com.au/p/news/article/582           Source: Beef Central

Costco's Warehouse Shopping Comes to Sydney: Organic Produce Opportunities
United States-based Costco Wholesale Corporation introduced its warehouse-style, membership club shopping to Sydney and Canberra when its second and third stores in Australia opened at Parramatta Road, Lidcombe, Sydney on July 21 and Majura Park, Canberra on July 22. This follows the successful opening of the Docklands, Melbourne store in August 2009, which turned over $165 million in its first year. Read More      Source: BFA

Fruit and vegetable pesticide faces Australian ban
Australia’s chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), is considering banning dimethoate. The APVMA is concerned that the insecticide, widely used to control fruit fly in fruit and vegetables, may pose a health risk for consumers. After completing a Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment, the APVMA said this week that the use of [...]    Source: Australian Food News

Working on weeds
Ask any organic farmer what his or her biggest challenge is and the answer will most likely be weeds. Rodale Institute is currently in the second year of a series of field trials investigating organic weed management using cover crops. See how they are looking mid-season.      Source: Rodale Institute

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

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then being impacted by a bushfire is a real risk to you and your family. You need to have a bushfire survival plan and keep it updated.
When developing your plan decide together if you will leave for a safer place, which may be to relocate to family or friends, or stay to actively defend your home. Make sure you write everything down.
Keep your bushfire survival plan in an easy to find place and make sure everyone knows where it is.
At the October meeting of the Roleystone Organic Growers Chris Cairns from the Roleystone Volunteer Fire Brigade will be discussing how to develop a bushfire survival plan and we will meet in small groups on the night to share ideas.
Chris has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She has been in the Roleystone Volunteer Fire Brigade as a fire-fighter for 16 years, Bushfire Ready educator, part of the emergency response groups and been involved with Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness Program (JAFFA).

The meeting is on Wednesday October 12th  at 7.30pm in the Roleystone Family Centre, 19 Wygonda Rd, Roleystone. Entry $3-members free.
Enquiries to Lisa 9399 2312
porter4@aapt.net.au

Wendy’s plan for growing veggies in pots in her sunroom is developing which led us into a conversation about good resources for organic gardening in containers.   Peter Bennett’s ‘Organic Gardening’ was recommended plus the website beyondgardens.com.au (recommended as a good website for lots of organic gardening ideas).  Around this time we discussed the benefits of nasturtiums as a useful addition to mulch and compost as a way of returning minerals and other goodies to the soil – in addition to nasturtiums role in attracting some of pests.

Michelle provided information about Perth Edible Gardening on Facebook.  It’s a closed Facebook forum which means that participants have to be nominated/accepted by a member.   The site is a virtual space to exchange information and ideas about edible gardens with enthusiastic WA gardeners.  Joe and Michelle are members. Request access via messaging Charles Otway in Facebook.  Other interesting options are the Open Garden Scheme (see their website for more info) – Michelle will circulate further information to the group.   Many thanks Michelle.

Mike and Di gave a run down on their garden, their passion fruit has produced a winter crop – word is that while winter fruit may not change to the purple we’re used to; they will ripen and by around October should be ripe inside even if the fruit are still green. 

We ended by exchanging ideas about watering strategies.  Michelle has found that she can adapt a watering wand from the hardware store by removing its sprinkler head which then leaves a hollow metal wand which she can push into the ground to get water to the root areas of plants.  We noted that plastic pipes have also been dug into the ground to help get the water below the surface.

Our next meeting will be on 29th October. charles@permaculturewest.org.au or 0466633275

Sorry I missed the report last edition. We had a great visit to the Broome Organic Gardens, a 12 acre 12 Mile property established in 1988. Wayne has turned his patch of savannah into a tropical food forest. There was too much information for me to give you all now but I will mention the plants he is growing; black Sapote, Avocado, edible taro, coconut, starfruit, jackfruit, mango, banana, papaya, cardamom, 40 varieties of bamboo, 8 types of boab, a variety of herbs and vegetables, and quite a few rare plants such as Frankincense and Asha nagenda (not sure about the spelling) commonly known as Indian ginseng.
An interesting fact I learnt was that Lord Mac Alpine brought the Malaysian Blue earth worm into Broome which Wayne proudly calls his secret workers. Wayne’s main tip was water! Unless you have the irrigation worked out don’t bother.
I will be away in October so no meeting at 12 Mile Café. If anyone would like to host the meeting which would be on the 15th of October let me know by email;
fusionherbs@westnet.com.au
Venue: 12 Mile Cafe
Address: Lot 20 Yamashita Rd, 12 Mile, Broome

After the lean times of winter the bounty of spring has arrived. We've now got a huge range of fresh herbs from Broome and various other growers. The local Asparagus is in full swing now and as well as a few different varieties of Kale.  After being really short for the last few months the Queensland Celery season has arrived and it’s looking really nice and fresh.

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

Hello again.  I hope you've been enjoying time in the garden this Spring.  The good rain followed by lovely sunny days has meant plants have been springing out of the ground.  Especially the weeds at our place!
This is the perfect time of year to be growing heaps of summer vegies and salad greens.  It’s not too late to get planting.  Remember to improve your soil with compost and aged manure, and incorporate rock dust to provide trace elements.  Water well and leave to settle for about a week if possible.
Whether you choose to grow from seed or seedlings, there is a huge variety of things which will grow well now over the next few months, including Artichoke, Asparagus, Basil, Beans, Capsicum, Carrot, Celery, Chilli, Choko, Coriander, Eggplant, Leek, Lettuce, Peas, Pumpkin, Radish, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Spinach, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Watermelon and Zucchini.

Most seeds need constant temperatures of between 18 – 25 degrees to germinate, so depending on where you live, we are starting to approach this.  But remember soil temperatures are lower than air temperatures, so you may wish to start seeds off in seedling trays you can move around to ensure seeds are kept warm enough.  Remember to keep an eye on moisture levels.  As a general rule the smaller the seed, the more water may be required – often you are best misting regularly with a spray bottle or setting up a simple wicking system.  It is as bit of a trick to ensure the seed is kept moist but not waterlogged.  On our website we have a downloadable ‘When to Sow’ chart that incorporates a seed germination guide. Temperature & moisture problems, and sowing too deeply are three of the main reasons why seeds fail to germinate.  As a rough guide seeds should be sown to a depth of two/two and a half times their diameter – so you can see that is not very deep given that most seeds are quite small.  Small seed can be placed on top of soil and JUST covered with a sprinkling of sand or fine compost.  While germination rates vary greatly, as a very general rule most will germinate within 10 – 14 days.  However, don’t get impatient and throw them out day 15 if they haven’t popped up!
Personally, I like to grow from healthy seedlings to avoid the uncertainty and for some instant gratification (OK, the secret’s out - I’m a lazy gardener).   We have a lovely range of Certified Organic summer vegies becoming available, with the range increasing every week.   We also have loads of non-hybrid tomatoes, and many herbs which make great companions for them.
So if you've been thinking about giving Organic Growing a go –now is the perfect time.  Even if you start small with a 1m x 1m plot, you can be enjoying your own healthy salads within a few weeks!
Until next time, have fun in the garden!
Linda  
Until next time, Linda Mitchener
The Green Life Soil Co

Cheers,
Janet Grogan Jan60gro@yahoo.com

Interview with Jason Fowler, Cook and Owner of 12 Mile Café in Broome

What makes an organic café different?  Well 50 % of the menu had to have 100% organic ingredients. A limited supply of organic ingredients means the menu had to be flexible and adaptable to what is available. For example our Gado Gado Salad has a variety of steamed veggies with peanut satay sauce. If one veggie is not available, such as sweet potato, it can be substituted with another such as potato.
Do you find this challenging? Of course! It means we have to be more creative to achieve a 100% organic dish. One of our popular cakes is a Kaffir Lime Polenta Torte which traditionally uses lemons. The lemon supply stopped and at the same time we had a glut of Kaffir Limes so we substituted and created a delicious new torte. So it inspires creativity.
What’s taboo in the Café? Anything GM (the Greenpeace truefood guide is very useful when shopping and lets you know which brands to avoid), caged chicken and eggs. We try to think sustainable and local when sourcing ingredients and cleaning products.
What’s involved in the yearly audit? You have to provide evidence that the organic ingredients are traceable to their source. Cleaning products are examined and how they are used. A normal organic café (which doesn't have its own garden) may have problems separating organic from non organic ingredients in storage so cross contamination doesn't occur. Not such a problem for us as we use 90% organic ingredients.
Staff training is discussed to make sure staff is aware not to contaminate food with prohibited substances.
Lastly the menu is assessed to ensure compliance with 50% totally organic.

Is philosophy part of the audit? Yes. The auditor will question the owner on why they have chosen the organic path because they want to see that your basic philosophy is to be organic and sustainable. These questions are usually designed to bring out flaws or inconsistencies in management.

So tell us about 12 Mile Café. Our café is located on an organic/biodynamic farm 20km east of Broome. As far as sourcing ingredients we couldn't be more isolated! This means we rely heavily on our own produce. Our cooking philosophy is based on simplicity and letting the ingredients speak for themselves. We use lots of fresh herbs to give the dish flavour instead of drowning it in creamy/processed sauces or dressings.
Most of what we grow is of south East Asian origin and our food has a strong Malay/ Indonesian/ Thai/ Sri Lankan flavour but we aim to keep everyone happy by having European/Australian dishes as well. The organic lamb bolangaise is very popular.

What do you find most rewarding? When customers tell you that’s the best food they've had in months or the best sandwich ever! Showing people organic food is brilliant and that you don’t have to a 5 star chef to make it great!

Orchard Alert – Issue 1, Sept 2011 from the Agriculture Department

Thrips

The numbers of thrips found in stone fruit blossom in the Perth Hills and the Donnybrook regions have been low so far. However, this could change with the weather warming up and monitoring should continue until after shuck fall.

Identification and damage symptoms
Adult thrips are very small (1 to 2mm) winged insects.  The two main species of thrips which can damage fruit crops during blossom are plague thrips and western flower thrips (WFT).  Thrips species identification is difficult and should be left to the experts.  Because control methods and damage are very different for these two species, and western flower thrips distribution is still spreading, it is important to know whether western flower thrips occurs in your orchard.  

Plague thrips
Plague thrips are the main species present in orchards early in the season.  Although they can breed in weeds and ground covers particularly capeweed, dock, sorrel and clover, their main source early in the season is native vegetation (wattles and gum trees).  Their numbers in orchards are determined by what happens to their population in the bush.
 
On summer fruit, adults lay eggs into the flower ovary during blossom; emerged larvae feed under the calyx and can cause severe scarring on stone fruit.

On apples, heavy plague thrips infestation will cause flowers to abort resulting in lower fruit set.

Western flower thrips
Western flower thrips are an exotic species and primarily breed within the orchard on fruit trees and ground cover plants including weeds present in and/or around the orchard. Depending on the season, they are more likely to be a problem mid to late season when populations have had a chance to increase after winter.

On summer fruit, adults feeding on mature fruit will cause “silvering” in the period leading to harvest.
On apples, egg laying in the young fruitlets will result in a ‘pansy’ spot visible at harvest time.

Wind damage can cause symptoms very much like those attributed to thrips damage. Field sampling is needed to confirm the presence of thrips at blossom time.

Monitoring
Thrips monitoring should start at least two weeks before bloom and continue until harvest. Tapping is the preferred method for monitoring.  Flowers, foliage and fruitlets should be sharply tapped over a white tray or container.  Tap 4 flower clusters per trees over 25 trees (or 100 flower clusters).  A 10xhand lens is required to see and count the thrips.

To collect thrips for identification, use a small paint brush dipped in a 70% solution of methylated spirit. Dab the insect with the paint brush and place it into a glass vial containing a small amount of the same solution. Take the specimens to your nearest DAFWA office for identification.

Management
Weed management can help reduce thrips population levels.  Do not encourage host plants such as capeweed, dock, sorrel and clover to occupy the orchard floor.  If you need to slash to suppress host plants, do so well before budbreak.  Avoid disturbing the ground cover in the rows and around the orchard from immediately prior to budbreak until well after fruit set.  Naturally occurring ladybirds, lacewings and predatory thrips may feed on thrips larvae but are unlikely to control infestations. However, their preservation is important so care should be taken.

Brown rot
In most areas, rainfall for the period August-September has been substantially higher than for the same period last year. The conditions so far this spring have been ideal for the development of brown rot on stone fruits.   It is important to ensure stone fruit blossom is protected at all times.

San José scale
Orchardists in the Perth Hills have noticed large populations of San José scales while pruning their apple trees.   San José scales are difficult to control and if left unmanaged can gradually weaken the tree, even causing premature death. Fruit marked by scales cannot be sold. San José scales are not tolerated in export fruit.  Action must be taken when this pest is first noticed as populations can quickly explode making its control more difficult. Populations can build up during mild winters, similar to the one just experienced

Life cycle-Symptoms
A pest of both pome & stone fruits, San José scales overwinter mostly as immature adults protected by a hard grey wax coating. Their yellowish soft body can be seen with a hand lens if the protective cover is carefully removed. High numbers give the branches or twigs affected a scruffy grey appearance. On older trees, heavy infestations can match the colour and appearance of the bark.

In spring as the temperatures increase, these immature adults become either male or female. The males emerge as small winged insects. Females remain under the wax cover and do not move for their entire life.

Following mating, each female can give birth to up to 400 tiny live crawlers which are bright yellow and look like mites. These highly mobile crawlers leave their wax shelter and move to other parts in the tree or to other trees. Within 24 hours, they find a new feeding site and begin to suck sap.  Constant feeding will weaken the trees which will appear water stressed.  As they settle in and keep feeding, they develop a new hard wax cover. Initially white, this protective cap turns black later on and ultimately becomes grey.

The duration of the life cycle depends on temperature but is generally completed within 6 to 8 weeks. There can be 2 or 3 generations per year.  If infestations are severe, young fruitlets can become misshapen and bumpy, particularly pears. These symptoms can be mistakenly attributed to boron deficiency or even apple dimpling bug.

Monitoring and management
San José scales favour dry weather and dusty conditions.
If damage was noticed on fruits during the previous harvest, trees should be carefully examined during winter and “hot spots” marked.  Although the scales can only survive on live tissues, it is recommended to remove pruning’s from the orchard and to burn them if possible.  The weakest point in the life cycle of the pest is the crawler stage when the pest is not protected by its wax coating.  Monitoring the emergence of these crawlers in spring/summer will help

Proposed suspension of dimethoate
As part of its review of dimethoate, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has completed the latest Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment (released 22 August 2011) and found that its use on many crops exceeds the health standard established in January this year.
The assessment concluded that some of the estimated exposures for consumers are above the health standard, reducing, but not breaching the margins of safety that are normally in place to protect consumers from short-term dietary risks.

The APVMA therefore proposes to suspend dimethoate products as an interim regulatory action while it completes further assessments on the chemical. This would effectively prohibit the use of dimethoate on certain horticultural crops, including for fruit fly treatments of many fruits and vegetables

Carpophilus beetle monitoring traps
Traps for monitoring Carpophilus beetle can now be used in Western Australia. On the advice from Stewart Learmonth, entomologist at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute, the company Bioglobal which distributes the traps, was successful in including W.A. when renewing the minor permit no 12798 for beetle juice last June.

Perth Royal Show - Don’t forget the Backyard Food Growing Display, Demo's and Talks in the Conservation and Landcare section at the Perth Royal Show from October 1st through to the 8th.  If you go on Saturday 1st October between 11-12 you will catch our patron Jude Blereau, once again donating her experience and energies to support community education on organic whole foods.

Trinity Markets –9th October,  Marmion Ave, Alkamos from 10am – 2pm

October 14th - BFA Roadshow - Increase soil health and redu.ce dependence on inputs with guest speakers Gary Zimmer and Joel Willwimas - Baskerville Memorial Hall, 129 Memorial Ave, Baskerville, Swan Valley.    Farm and Cellar Tour of Harris Organic Wines.  For Bookings go to  www.bfa.com.au

AGM is on Saturday 15th October 9.00am at City Farm

October 15th – OGAWA Organic Festival at Perth City Farm, Lime St, East Perth from 8am till 2pm with kid’s activities, demo’s, and much more.

Attention all Commercial Members
We are holding our annual “Organic Festival” again this year.  If you are interested in having a stall please get in contact with Leesa for more information on sales@thegreenhouseorganic.com or phone 0400 239258

Herb Spring Fair - Saturday 22nd October at Uniting Church,  McDonald St, Como

October 23rd – The Whim Festival, Pioneer Park, Mt Helena - The ‘Mundaring mob’ are having a stall where they will answer any questions about organic vege’ gardening and give away seedlings that they have grown.  They will also have seeds for the kids to plant and take home.

Hillarys Wellness Expo – 11th – 13th November

Community announcements
Permaculture West's AGM will be held on Saturday the 22nd of October at 9:30AM at City Farm (City Farm Rd East Perth) in the white market space building. We will then have a panel discussion of permaculture concepts and methods with a focus on Q&A from the open audience and enjoy the City Farms Organic Farmers Markets and Cafe outside. http://permaculturewest.org.au/news/permaculturewest-agm-announcement

84 litre crates for sale

Dieter ph 041 232 8387 has total 800ea 84lt vegetable crates (ex Pacco) for sale...going cheap

Organic Farm for sale $460,000

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

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