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September 2011 |
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OGAWA
e-newsletter is published at the beginning of each
month except January. For enquiries please contact
enews_editor@ogawa.org.au.
OGAWA
Inc. PO Box 1512. Booragoon WA 6954 |
Hi Everyone,
Don't we have the best winters in Australia? Twenty Six on Sunday!!! And the very next day rain to water the gardens. Magnificent.
Yet another GM contamination, this time on a property that is not organic, but conventional, and in a declared GM free zone. Read more in Janet’s report below.
We have a date for our AGM. It will be Saturday the 15th October and to be held at City Farm where we will be having our yearly “Organic Festival” The AGM will be at 9.00am and the Festival will start at 10.00am and finish at 2.00pm. This is a great opportunity for you to come and see the “New Look” City Farm. The new committee have done a fantastic job of revamping City Farm. We will be needing volunteers to help on the day so if you have an hour to spare please let us know.
Charles, from our Gwelup group and Permaculture West, is doing a great job of putting together a program for the Permaculture and Ethical Living Display and Talks at the Perth Royal Show this year. OGAWA will be there during the week to help out on the display tables, but we need more helpers. You get into the show for free so if you can spare a couple of hours please come and help grow our association and help out the other associations in handing out and answering any questions that might be asked.
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Leesa Caldwell |
Spring is here, thank goodness, time for a new range of vegetables and herbs to start growing. My Basil is actually starting to come up now, so that’s a good sign to start seeding up all my Spring/Summer favourites. These will all be ready in about three weeks. I love the beginning of each season because by the end of the previous season I get sick of seeding up the same veges and herbs over and over again.
Until next month, happy spring planting.
Cheers
Leesa Caldwell www.thegreenhouseorganic.com.
Claiming to be Certified Organic
It was bought to my attention this month that a company in Perth is claiming to be Certified Organic with NASAA, when they are not. If you are unsure if a company is certified then you have every right to ask who they are certified with and request their Certification Number. They should also have their current certification certificate on display. If they cannot give you a number or a copy of their certificate, then they are not certified. Even if a company is selling a product with certified organic ingredients, then they too need to provide the certificate and certification number of every ingredient in their product. People have been getting away with claiming to be certified when actually they are not and they need to be stopped. If you truly want to buy organic you need to ask these questions. If you know of anyone that is abusing the words “Certified Organic” then please let me know and I can report them to the proper authorities.
Leesa Caldwell, President, OGAWA.
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Bunbury Market seeking local fresh produce suppliers
Bunbury Trotting Club have been holding a monthly markets at the club. Manager Julie Caldwell said “Last month we had 8000 through the gates and the common feed back from all involved was that they want more fruit and vege at the next market which is the 28 Aug. We would love to provide Bunbury and the greater surrounding areas with what it is crying out for which is locally grown, fresh, quality, affordable produce.”
Any producers interested in a stall please contact Julie Caldwell – Manager, Office 9721 2768, Mobile 0422 186 931, Website www.bunburytrottingclub.com.au
Halving power use at the vineyard
NSW Minister for the Environment Robyn Parker joined winemaker Mark Davidson at the Tamburlaine Winery in the Hunter Valley to launch a new Energy Saver technology report and take a first-hand look at how the vineyard has managed to slash its power use by half.
Source: Food magazine
Ed’s note -Tamburlaine Winery is certified organic
Fonterra to restructure organics operations
The world's largest milk producer, Fonterra, has today announced it will be restructuring its organics operations, following flow-on effects of the global financial crisis (GFC).
Source: Food magazine
BFA launches consumer guide to the Australian Certified Organic Standard - The first of its kind, free and easy for all consumers to download
For consumers asking themselves what’s the difference between organic and non-organic, there is now an easy and accessible answer.
These answers all lie within the NEW consumer guide to the Australian Certified Organic Standard, available to download free of charge from www.whyorganic.com.au
Source: the organic advantage
Ethical Consumerism Increasing Organic Meat Sales
Sales of organic meats have spiked as shoppers shocked by the cruel treatment of Australian cattle overseas seek out ethical options.
Source: Organic Monitor
Aldi and Spring Gully Foods forced by ACCC to re-label honey product
Posted: 03 Aug 2011 07:51 PM PDT
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accepted court enforceable undertakings from Aldi Foods Pty Ltd and Spring Gully Foods Pty Ltd in relation to misleading claims about the composition of Aldi’s ‘Just Organic’ honey. ACCC deputy chair Peter Kell said, “Consumers expect products to match the description on the label. In this case, consumers [...]
Source: Australian Food News
Bio Agriculture - Soil Carbon Measurements
Our research has shown that bio-agricultural farming methods (organic and biodynamic) can sequester over 3 metric tonnes of CO2-e per hectare per year into the soil. See www.bioagriculture.org
The Federal Government has granted full tax-deductibility to any donation over $2 in Australia. You can download copies of brochure with FRRR Donation Form
Source: OFA
WA organic farmer aims to sue neighbour for ‘GM contamination’
Western Australian organic farmer Steve Marsh is suing his neighbour after genetically modified (GM) canola seed is alleged to have contaminated his property in late 2010, leading to the loss of his organic certification. Marsh has alleged that his neighbour’s negligence resulted in the GM contamination of his land. Slater & Gordon Lawyers and the anti-GM [...]
Source: Aust Food News |
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 |
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| The Organic Association of Western Australia holds meetings in suburban and regional locations. Below is a list of some of our groups. Please contact the coordinator or e– mail Leesa for more information. |
| FREMANTLE |
OGA
Freo next meeting:
| when: |
September 17th beginning at 10.00 am |
| where: |
Mt Athos monastery |
| price: |
$10 donation |
| speaker: |
Stan Kailis |
| topic: |
Garden visit
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Group photo after the tour and the delicious lunch. Brendan and Cheryl are on the right. |
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Message from May-Ring |
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We visited the organic Maddog Gardens Inc in Hope Valley on Saturday 20th. We were greeted by Brendan and Cheryl Corry who run this “hobby” mainly on the weekend. Brendan gave us the background of the business which is run as Incorporation and later we had a tour to look at the vegetable plots. The corporation now has around 20 members who, if they wish to, can come and help with the preparation of the soil, planting, weeding, compost making and harvest (membership $20 per year). And of course they can purchase the produce too. Since Maddog became certified their vegetables are now also available at the farmer’s market in Palmyra. After the tour we all sat down to homemade pumpkin soup accompanied by absolutely yummy damper bread. Most of us went home with fresh garlic, potatoes, kale or rhubarb pick on the day. Thank you so much again to Brendan and Cheryl for your hospitality.
Next meeting is going to be on Saturday 17th September. We will be visiting the Olive Grove and Vegetable garden at the Mt. Athos monastery. Tour begins at 10.00 AM, and the address is 280 Holmes Road, Forrestfield, WA6058. Send me an email to: ogafreo@yahoo.com.au or give me a ring to reserve your place on 9336 3363 or mob. 0434 908 405. |
| Anyone who would like to car pool please let me know I can arrange for you to into contact with the driver/passenger. I will need your suburb to make is easy for everyone.
Kind regards
May-Ring and Margaret
ogafreo@yahoo.com.au
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| ROLEYSTONE |
OGA
Roleystone next meeting:
| when: |
September 17th beginning at 10.00 am |
| where: |
Mt Athos monastery |
| price: |
$10 donation |
| speaker: |
Stan Kailis |
| topic: |
Garden visit |
Mt Athos Monastery
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Message from Lisa |
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Hi Everyone,
We had a very interesting meeting about wicking beds last month. Local horticulturist extraordinaire Chris Oliver very kindly gave us some further thoughts on the soil mixture for wicking beds that may improve the "wicking action" and therefore improve the success of growing:
The soil texture and structure are important in allowing capillary action through the soil to the plant roots. The higher the percentage of fine particles in the mix the higher the moisture will rise in a mix. This is due to the finer capillaries (air passage ways) created in the soil.
A course soil, as suggested, may not allow the rise in capillary action required i.e. the 300 mm depth suggested. The addition of stable clay particles to the mix may also be an advantage as a lot of organic fine humus may clog the soil after a while, due to decomposition.
A good loamy soil with some sand to keep drainage open, plus a small percentage of fine humus may be worth experimenting with.
We will not be having our regular meeting in September at the Family Centre. Roleystone Organic Growers have been invited to visit the Olive Grove and Vegetable garden at the Mt Athos monastery on September 17th beginning at 10.00 am. The address is 280 Holmes Road, Forrestfield, WA 6058. This is a unique opportunity to have a tour through this estate with Stan Kailis, the father of the olive oil industry in WA.
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Please contact MayRing ogafreo@yahoo.com.au or 0434 908 405 for bookings.
The cost is $10.00 donation for the monastery garden fund.
Program:
- Visit monastery church - overview of Greek Orthodox Religion, and meet the Monks and history and tour the church
- Visit the vegetable garden - growing philosophy
- Visit new olive grove (Stan Kailis to guide)
- Refreshments, thank you and and farewell
Cheers
Lisa Enquiries to Lisa 9399 2312 or porter4@aapt.net.au |
| MUNDARING |
OGA
Mundaring next meeting:
| when: |
2nd
(second) Tuesday of the
month 7.30.pm |
| where: |
Bugle Tree Creek
Communication Centre,
Stoneville Road Mundaring |
| price: |
$3 |
| speaker: |
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| topic: |
Biodynamic growing |
 Biodynamic talk August |
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Message from Ralph Darlington |
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Hello everyone.
I hope that you are all getting your fair share of this beautiful rain. There is nothing like it make your gardens grow is there?
Spring is really on it’s way, the wildflowers are really starting to show their beautiful faces. The birds are pairing up, they are starting to call and do insane aeronautics as they chase each other through the bushes. I was sitting out on our patio the other morning (with a cuppa) and was privileged to watch a number of Bronzewing Pigeons strutting, head bobbing and calling in their mating rituals.
Last month at our meeting, we were not able to have our hoped for speaker, but we were fortunate to have Neutrog Fertilizers attend. They gave the members a talk about their range of products, and how to use them. Neutrog have some interesting fertilizers and micro organism products. They were very generous and we all received some sample packs of product.
Once again our ‘plant table’ held some interesting and useful seedlings and cutting matter.
September the 3rd is our ‘Seed-in’ morning, it is a great fellowship and practical time for our (and visiting) members.
Next month (Sept) we do have a talk on Bio Dynamic growing principles and experiences, from one of our members.
Regards,
Ralph Darlington
for more information contact Ralph Darlington
darlington2@bigpond.com |
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| GWELUP |
OGA
Gwelup next meeting:
| when: |
27th August |
| where: |
phone for details 0466633275 |
| price: |
$3 |
| speaker: |
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| topic: |
ring for details |
Wedding Bush |
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Message from Charles |
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We didn't have our usual ‘round the table’ session this week, instead everyone was quite happy to have a casual chit-chat.
Topics that we discussed where;
Fig trees, especially a small variety called palmer, being grown in pots.
The growing interest in bee keeping, as the numbers of bees is decreasing globally every year.
Pig poo was mentioned - whether to compost or not to compost? My comment to this question, would be that it’s always better to compost manure, especially ‘fresh’ manures. Pig is especially concentrated being an omnivore, so yes, please compost it for the pathogen (bad bugs) and smell reasons.
We talked about doing a trip to the worm shed in the near future.
Also discussed were the Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpos pinifolius), proteas and hardy natives.
There was also the usual vegie talk - Beans, Types of onions, Bananas, Plantain, Broccoli Raab, and Heritage beetroot. |
Cheers
Charles Otway
http://terrapermaperth.blogspot.com/ |
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| BROOME |
OGA
Broome next meeting:
| when: |
check with Tan |
| where: |
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| price: |
members free $3 non members |
| speaker: |
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| topic: |
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Message from Tan Fowler |
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No details at time of publication please contact Tan for update.
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fusionherbs@westnet.com.au
Venue: 12 Mile Cafe
Address: Lot 20 Yamashita Rd, 12 Mile, Broome
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Well the good news is that Banana prices are now starting to come back down. It might take a while for them to get back to what they were but they are at least heading on the right direction now. The other fruit (depending on your point of view) that are plentiful at the moment are the local Avocados. We've got the big, round, creamy Cunningham's, lots of lovely Hass and Fuertes and my personal favourite Cocktail Avocados. A nice surprise for this time of year is some juicy sweet Watermelon that has come down from the Northern Territory.
There’s currently plenty of great, local veggies. Cauliflower and Broccoli are crisp and tasty. The JAP Pumpkin is an amazing deep orange colour (with flavour to match). Snow Peas are adding a nice touch to stir fries and salads. We've also got some fresh purple Garlic. It’s not quite mature yet, but you can actually use the stalk as well if you cut it finely. We've been getting great feedback from the customers who have given it a try. |
Fruit and Veg at Organic on Charles
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All in all, for a time of year that is between seasons we’re really not doing too badly.
Enjoy!
Lyndon McMath
Shop 7, 299 Charles Street
North Perth WA 6006
p: (08) 9227 7755 f: (08) 9227 7711
www.organiconcharles.com.au |
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| Gardening report from Linda Mitchener from The Green Life Soil Co. |
Last week my brother and I were sorting out some of my Dad’s things, and amongst the books I re-discovered ‘The Reader’s Digest Complete Book of the Garden’. Although I had forgotten about it, once I picked it up, memories of my mother leafing through it came flooding back. Published in 1965, it contains not a single photograph, just loads of beautiful, intricate illustrations. When I have time, I intend to read through it – I am sure it contains much wisdom. In some ways though – I am thankful that things have moved on. The book talks about dieldrin, DDT, and 2-4-5-T as recommended treatments for garden pest & weed control! (I am hoping my mother skipped that chapter!)
Out in the garden, weeds have certainly loved the rain we have had so far. For controlling them organically (as opposed to using 2-4-5-T) a flame weeder could be a worthwhile investment. We bought one many years ago and it is brilliant. It works by waving the flame wand over the weeds. You don’t actually burn the weeds; the heat from the flame cooks the weeds, bursting the cells in the leaves. It is highly effective to cover quite large areas, quickly.
Search on line or visit a good hardware store. They are available in models that run off gas bottles (like ours) or butane canisters. |
Readers Digest Complete Book of the Garden
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If you do prefer to hand weed, why not make the weeds into some wonderful weed tea? This is the perfect way to recycle the nutrients the weeds have stolen from your garden, returning them to their rightful place! We have a fact sheet on how to make weed & manure tea at: click here
Seeing as spring is just about here, it’s time to start preparing beds and planning what you will be planting. Enrich your garden beds with compost and some aged manure, re-mineralise with some good quality rock dust, and leave the beds to settle a little while. When you’re ready to plant out your seedlings they will explode! Don’t forget to check out our ‘When to sow’ chart to help get you thinking: download pdf
It’s time to feed the soil, so that down the track, the soil will feed your plants. To quote ‘The Reader’s Digest Complete Book of the Garden’ (talking about soil organisms) “There are so many below ground, busily feeding, that in an acre of dairy farm land their weight below the surface may be as great as the weight of the livestock feeding above the ground! The soil organisms have first call on any nutrients which may be applied; the green plants really get what is left over.”
Enjoy the garden; it really is a magic place to be this time of year!
Until next time,
Linda Mitchener
The Green Life Soil Co |
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Hi all,
While most of us are still coming to terms with the contamination of Steve Marsh’s organic farm and his subsequent decertification we have now learnt of further problems with GM canola.
On Tuesday 9th August a truck carrying GM canola caught fire and spilled over 15 tonnes of the seed on the Albany Highway near Williams. While this in itself was a disaster the fact that it was spilt in a declared GM Free zone is worse.
Twelve local farmers had formed a group which achieved a trade agreement with Japanese buyers to supply them with GM free canola. The group had previously asked Terry Redman to recognise their GM free position, but he refused as he said that it would be too costly, and then added that if he let them do it everyone else would want to!
The group also applied to be registered on the ‘sensitive sites’ map, as they deemed their produce as worthy of being protected, but again they were refused this recognition.
Now their worst nightmare has happened, and this in only the first year of GM canola commercialisation.
Should they lose their buyers due to the incident their only source of redress would be ‘Common Law’ as Steve Marsh has had to use.
And Redman’s response? According to a letter sent from his department to the Countryman they have already called any legal action that the group may take as ‘a publicity stunt’!
So what does this tell us? One may think that this government is backing GM crops at anyone’s expense, and defying them to complain about it!
I have a feeling that this may well be just the tip of this GM iceberg!
Cheers, Janet Jan60gro@yahoo.com |
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No Free Pass for New Genetically Engineered Crops!
In April, we asked organic activists to take action to stop an outrageous US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal for the biotech industry to police itself. Despite the opposition of 10,000 Organic Consumers Association members, the USDA is going forward with the controversial deregulation, which allows companies like Monsanto to decide whether their genetically engineered crops pose environmental risks.
And if this wasn't bad enough, this month, things got much, much worse. For the first time ever, the USDA announced that it was waiving its regulatory authority over a new genetically engineered lawn grass made by Scotts Miracle-Gro, letting the company start selling the Franken-grass without any review of how it might affect human health, the environment, or organic farmers whose pastures will be contaminated. Essentially, the USDA has created a new class of genetically engineered plants, animals and animal drugs that get a free pass through any government regulation or review.
Up until now, genetically engineered crops have been regulated as "plant pests" because plant pathogens like viruses and bacteria are used in the genetic engineering process. Because Scott's genetically engineered "RoundUp Ready" grass was created without using bacteria that could cause disease in plants, the USDA says it can't be regulated as a plant pest.
With this decision, the USDA has opened the farm gate to any genetically engineered crop now under development that does not use viral material. That's a loophole the biotech industry could use to contaminate the entire food supply. This is very dangerous territory; we need stronger safeguards against GE crops, not a slippery slope towards total deregulation.
Because Scott's new, gene-altered lawn grass is "RoundUp Ready", we will all be exposed to more of Monsanto's toxic pesticide, which is linked to birth defects and cancer. Plus, the reasoning used to give the RoundUp Ready grass a free pass will be used by companies like Monsanto to get future genetically engineered crops into the food supply without any public input or government review.
Scott's grass is genetically engineered to resist Monsanto's RoundUp herbicide, so lawns can be heavily sprayed with RoundUp, killing the weeds, but sparing the mutant grass. This will mean a drastic increase in the use of the pesticide in neighbourhoods, parks, schoolyards and golf courses, increasing the public's exposure to a toxin that causes "endocrine disruption, damage to DNA, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and cancer, as well as birth defects." (If exposure to RoundUp concerns you, avoid foods made with RoundUp Crops: corn, soy, cottonseed, canola, sugar beets and alfalfa, including meat, milk and eggs from animals fed these crops.)
A Free Pass for New Genetically Engineered Crops
We need government regulations like those in Europe, which require independent and rigorous scientific review of the potential impact on the environment and human health of releasing new, artificially manipulated DNA into nature and the food supply. The U.S. statutes that exist now are woefully inadequate.
Monsanto spokespersons and biotech industry reps are claiming they won't try this with food, arguing that genetically engineered food crops would not be accepted by the market without government approval. Don't be so sure. Genetically engineered foods don't have to be labelled, so there's nothing stopping new Frankenfoods from being secretly injected into the food supply.
Scotts needs to be punished in the marketplace with a consumer boycott of all Scotts, Miracle-Gro, Ormocote, Ortho and RoundUp (yes, Scotts markets RoundUp!) products!
New Website on where to buy organic food when you are travelling
Organic Jetsetter is a fantastic new website that shows travellers where they can buy organic food in major cities around the world.
An increasing number of people are turning to organic food for health and sustainability reasons and finding organic food when you are travelling can be difficult. Organic Jetsetter does the work for you.
Organic Jetsetter is carefully researched, stylish and inspirational and our ‘city guides for organic foodies’ cover 25 cities so far and we are adding new cities all the time!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Angela
http://www.organicjetsetter.com
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- Hulbert Street Sustainable Fair - 24th/25th September - for more information google The Painted Fish - Hulbert Street Festival is happening again this year. Together with Leesa, I have booked a stall for the Organic Association WA. We are looking for helpers over the weekend 24th and 25th September. If you could spare an hour or more (even better) to help us out that would be great. Please email me if you are interested – May-Ring ogafreo@yahoo.com.au
- Herb Spring Fair - Saturday 22nd October at Uniting Church, McDonald St, Como
- Lower Chittering Farmers Market - 18th September from 9am - 1pm at Christos Valley estate, 260 Chittering Valley Road, Lower Chittering
- Perth Royal Show - October
- Trinity Markets –9th October, Marmion Ave, Alkamos from 10am – 2pm
- Hillarys Wellness Expo – 11th – 13th November
AGM is on Saturday 15th October 9.00am at City Farm
Organic Festival
OGAWA’s Annual “Organic Festival” is on again this year. We are having it at Perth City Farm on Saturday 15th October from 10am – 2pm. (right after our AGM). There will be panel discussions, Stalls, free entertainment, etc. Come and join in on the fun.
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
Mindarie Regional Council (MRC) is holding a free Earth Carer course on 'waste - associated problems and possibilities', The course is 5 sessions over 3 weeks and includes tours and site visits, information sessions, domestic organic waste ideas, what others are doing and how to apply the message. All course materials, travel and meals are free. We just want people to know about waste!
Participants find the course stimulating, depressing, interesting, overwhelming and inspiring - often all at the same time! The course offers assistance for people who want to apply their knowledge at home, workplace, school, or beyond.
MRC has responsibility for waste in seven council areas including the Cities of Joondalup, Perth, Stirling, Vincent and Wanneroo, and the Towns of Cambridge and Victoria Park. While preference is given to participants from these areas, we will consider persons from outside these areas if places are available. The limit is 40 participants per course.
The next course is starting on 14 September.
Thank you
Peg Davies
Waste Education Officer
Tel: 9306 6307
Mobile: 0422 941 492
Email: pdavies@mrc.wa.gov.au
For an up-to-date list Permaculture Courses and Events visit the Permaculture West website:
Events/Courses : http://permaculturewest.org.au/events
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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 |
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