Eat Healthier and Drink Organic Coffee

Posted on 16. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

In today’s world, environmental issues and the health of our families have become growing concerns. We have to take action to persevere our environment for future generations. At the same time, increasing health risks demand we have to ensure that our future generations are around to enjoy the environment we are working so hard to protect. Enter organic food products. Not only do our families receive the benefits of eating healthier foods, the farmers who grow organic crops cause indisputably less damage to the environment.

Certified Organic

During a routine visit to the grocery store you can find organic products on most of the shelves. From cereal to pastas, and all in between, more suppliers are providing organic alternatives for all of the food we commonly consume. With all of this new merchandise available, what assurance do consumers have that the suppliers are genuinely providing organic products? Look for products that are certified organic. The United States requires farmers to be certified by an accredited agency sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Requirements for certification include farming without prohibited substances like synthetic pesticides.

Don’t Forget the Organic Coffee

When you are out shopping for healthy products, don’t forget organic coffee. Conventional coffee is sometimes processed with chemicals like methylene chloride, which has been found to be harmful for central nervous system and potentially carcinogenic, or ethyl acetate, which is possibly harmful to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Organic coffee uses the SWISS WATER® process and is much safer and healthier for your family. Data from the Organic Trade association estimates that U.S. consumers purchased over $110 million worth of organic coffee products in 2006. It is also estimated that approximately 65 million pounds of organic coffee were imported in 2007 with a 33 percent annual growth rate. Data also shows that organic coffee’s global sales reached about 148 million pounds in 2006.

Organic coffee is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming also ensures that the products are free of genetically modified organisms, which ensures a safer, healthier organic coffee. Coffee product that contains 95 to 100 percent organic ingredients and were grown by certified organic farmers will feature the USDA organic seal. Peru is the top exporter of organic coffee, followed by Ethiopia, and Mexico but there are actually 40 different countries around the world that also export it. Organic coffee accounts for over two-thirds of all organic products produced in Mexico, proving to be the highest percent of land used to grow crops except for vanilla.

Since its establishment, Nectar of Life Coffee Co. has become representative of exceptional gourmet organic coffee. They are an extraordinary company that has remained firmly embedded in the principles of ecological and social responsibility. Nectar of Life chooses only the finest Arabica coffee beans from Fair Trade suppliers for the production of their organic coffees. Not only are they USDA and Fair Trade certified organic coffee roasters, they are also certified kosher. Fair Trade is a beneficial social movement that alleviates global poverty and promotes social sustainability, especially for developing countries seeking self-sufficiency.

Nectar of Life is certified in accordance to USDA Organic guidelines as well as a registered coffee roaster with the Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle, Swiss Water, and TransfairUSA. They are committed to selling only the best and whenever possible, they purchase shade grown organic coffee beans. Shade grown, organic coffee beans not only produce a more robust flavor, they also assist in providing suitable habitation for birds. Bird Friendly certification is available through the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for farmers who meet inspection and certification requirements.

Are Organic Supplements the Next Big Thing?

Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Organic supplements – are they really the next big thing? Take a look at the shelves in the medicine section of your local department store. This will provide a practical answer to this question. You’ll find all kinds of health supplements ranging from synthetic, natural and organic—for supporting general health protection to specific health issues such as cardiovascular health, weight loss or anti-aging. Support from scientific research, and recommendations from the medical profession, has given a significant boost to manufacturing organic supplements. As a result this organic manufacturing is doing booming business with a 5-15% rise in sales each year for the past decade.

The President of Natural Marketing Institute, Maryellen Molyneaux says, “This category (organic supplements) will continue to grow, driven by consumers’ desire for increased management of their health and more health options, and the high number of new product introductions across food and beverages that answer those needs.”

Organic Supplements: The Facts
Why would a consumer choose organic over natural or synthetic supplements? The answer is simple. Health has become a primary issue for most Americans. The American consumer has become more proactive in taking his health into his own hands. The American consumer is more educated today than ever about nutrition and its impact on health. Nutrition is being perceived as a preventive means to combat current health concerns.

Taking organic supplements to fill the nutritional gaps in a consumer’s diet is the popular trend. More Americans are finding a new-found freedom in choosing their own health supplements to meet their specific health needs. This trend shows in the statistics:

Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) in Harleysville, Pennsylvania reported that the US Health and Wellness industry rose by 15% in 2007, reaching a record breaking $1 billion.

Functional and fortified foods sold the most, representing 1/3 of the total industry sales. Organic and natural care products rose by 29% over the last year.

NMI reports that the most popular supplements used in 2007 were:

Multivitamins

Calcium

Vitamin C

Fish oil

Vitamin E

Antioxidants

Vitamin B and B complex

Omega 3s

Even organic pet supplements are showing significant growth!

According to as assessment by Packaged Foods in their article: Functional, Fortified and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages: The U.S. Phood Market, the key demands in nutraceuticals in the next few years will be:

Glucosamine

Probiotics

Sterol esters

Whey protein

Omega-3 fatty acids

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

By 2012 the projected sales in the US Health and Wellness market are expected to reach $170 billion!

Organic Manufacturing
Although organic supplements are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts, consumers are still willing to pay more for organic supplements to avoid chemicals, preservatives, insecticides. Organic supplements are perceived as giving more health value and worth the extra cost.

Organic supplements need to be certified by businesses or state agencies approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. This certification includes a physical inspection of the manufacturing area and its processes, as well as an audit of the paperwork dealing with sourcing of raw materials and adhering to strict standards of production. A label certifying an organic supplement has been certified to be organic by an approved authority will lend credibility to any organic health supplement. The certification of organic supplements reassures the consumer of a quality product that has high health value.

Organic: The Healthier Lifestyle
Organic is seen as a healthier lifestyle. In spite of a global economic crisis and rising food prices, the organic food industry continues to expand worldwide, with more global hectares dedicated to organic farming.

Investor Ideas which studied the health trend towards organic reported in April 2008: “The need for health awareness is a growing concern for North Americans. As consumers learn the health risks of consuming preservatives and ‘trans fats’ through packaged foods; organic seems to be the way to go for a healthy lifestyle.”

The organic lifestyle is here to stay. It is already a big thing and the industry is poised for even bigger things ahead. Increasing consumer interest in organic supplements will lead to more demand. The demand for newer products for specialized health needs is never ending. Not all synthetic supplements have their counterparts in organic supplements. Consumers are looking for more innovative organic supplements to fill the nutrition gap and provide wholesome nutrition for health protection. Organic options in health supplements are still a very wide open market. Organic supplement manufacturing has still to reach its peak.

Federal Tax Law 2005 – Exclusively For Nonprofit Organizations

Posted on 13. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Federal tax law allows tax exempt status to nonprofit organizations. The status has many advantages but it is important that those setting up nonprofit organizations understand federal tax law if they are to get the most out of this status and avoid running into trouble. Getting to know the ins and outs of the law will pay off in the long run.

It is something to consider at the very outset because only certain kinds of organizations qualify for tax exempt status under the Federal Tax Law of 2005. First of all it is necessary to understand what kind of organizations can be classified as nonprofit.

Non profit organizations include a wide range of organizations such as schools, hospitals, public charities, volunteer agencies, legal aid organizations, political organizations, churches, labor unions and professional bodies, research institutions and some government bodies. Under the federal tax law of 2005 these organizations do not have to pay tax. But those who run them still need to understand how the federal tax law applies to them if they are to protect their tax exempt status.

The Federal Tax Law of 2005 defines a nonprofit organization as “group organized for purposes other than generating profit and in which no part of the organization’s income is distributed to its members,directors, or officers.” They can also be called “non stock organizations.”

A nonprofit organization must be declared a nonprofit organization when it is set up in order to qualify for tax exempt status under the Federal Tax Law of 2005. A nonprofit organization must be established for a religious, charitable, scientific, public safety, literary, or educational, purposes, to prevent cruelty to children or animals, or to develop sport, whether on a national or international level. The statutes of the organization must clearly state that it is for no other purpose than those that are allowed for tax exempt status.

Nonprofit organizations are also exempt from social security tax. For an organization that is run entirely by volunteers this may be a useful factor. Volunteers will benefit from social security contributions made through their regular employment. But organizations that employ salaried staff usually opt to pay social security taxes because their employees would be disadvantaged otherwise. About 80% of nonprofit bodies pay social security tax despite the exemption.This is something to consider when setting up a nonprofit organization.

When a nonprofit organization is set up it must apply to the IRS for 501c3 status. This is the technical term that means it has tax exempt status under the 2005 Federal Tax Law. This special tax status allows the organization to receive tax deductible donations. Donors to the organization can then deduct their donation from their own tax return. Tax exemption is therefore a major benefit for any nonprofit organization since it provides an incentive to donors and maintains the organization’s income stream.

Tax exempt status does not mean that a nonprofit organization does not have to keep financial records. Effectively, a nonprofit organization has to keep the same records as though it were going to submit a tax return. In order to maintain its 501c3 status a nonprofit organization must keep a record of all its revenue from donations, grants, sponsorships and so on. The IRS can demand that a nonprofit organization files information about its income.

Understanding how the federal tax law applies to nonprofit organizations will help you to run a successful organization.

Why You Should Choose an Organic Mattresses

Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Why you should choose and Organic Mattress?

“Green” your bedroom with an organic mattress!
Sleeping well is vital to good health. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping, and an organic bed is an excellent way to ensure that, for at least 8 hours a day, we are free from exposure to the toxic chemicals so prevalent in consumer products today.

What is the difference between an organic mattress and mainstream mattresses?
Organic mattresses are derived from natural materials. Conventional mattresses are made primarily of man-made materials derived from nonrenewable resources such as natural gas and petrochemicals. Plus, in conventional mattresses, fire retardants and other chemicals are used on cover fabrics and in paddings. (OMI’s mattresses are made with naturally flame-resistant organic Eco-Wool, which keeps you safe without the use of chemical fire retardants).

What makes a bed organic?
It all begins with natural organic materials that are grown using sustainable agricultural methods. This type of agriculture maintains and enhances ecological harmony, conserves precious resources, and sustains the soil in both the short and the long term.

What are the natural materials used in OMI organic mattresses?
They are constructed with cruelty-free Eco-Wool, certified organic cotton, and 100% natural rubber latex — all renewable, biodegradable resources. These natural materials are grown, processed, and manufactured without toxic chemicals.

Do organic mattresses come in different firmnesses, and do they have innersprings?
There are two main types of organic mattresses: Natural rubber, which is basically metal free, and innerspring. Both styles are available with different firmness options.

How is an OMI organic mattress made?
The inner core is made of either natural rubber latex or innersprings. The quilting consists of Eco-Wool and certified organic cotton battings, quilted between two layers of certified organic cotton fabric (ticking). The padding in our innerspring mattresses is simply certified organic cotton.

Where do the raw materials come from?
OMI is committed philosophically to the organic movement and to supporting American organic farmers. The Eco-Wool is sheared from free-grazed California sheep, and processed under strict controls to minimize any chemical contamination or animal cruelty.

The cotton is 100% certified organic. It is grown and processed without chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. The natural rubber latex (from the milk of the rubber tree) is 100% natural, and produced by the only manufacturer of Talalay latex in America.

Why are these raw materials used in an organic mattress? Wool is warm in winter and cool in summer. It absorbs perspiration, which then evaporates, regulating the sleeper’s body temperature throughout the night for a more restful sleep. Wool is also resilient, durable, and flame resistant. Cotton is comfortable and durable, and a natural padding choice in a mattress. Certified organic cotton is healthier for the soil, the water, the ecosystem, farm workers, you, and your family.

Natural rubber provides a naturally resilient and healthful sleep environment. It offers comfort and support for a deeper, sounder sleep. A mattress made with natural rubber eliminates 85% of the motion transfer from a restless partner and rarely needs flipping. It is naturally anti-microbial and dust-mite resistant — an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.

What is the difference between natural rubber latex and the latex used in other mattresses? All latex is not created equal. Natural rubber latex is produced using an environmentally-friendly process from a natural renewable resource, and is biodegradable. Compare this process with styrene-butadiene (man-made) latex that is manufactured from petrochemicals using nonrenewable resources. Memory or viscoelastic foam is derived from plastics.

Our 100% natural (not blended) rubber instantaneously conforms to individual body contours with up to 33% more pressure relief than man-made latex foam. That means a better night’s sleep.

Our organic mattresses are made with Talalay latex — the finest available, most consistent, and most durable latex in the world. Our natural rubber latex is 100% natural, and not a blend of natural and man-made latex.

If organic mattresses don’t have flame retardants, are they safe from fire? OMI’s mattresses have been tested at an independent testing facility. They meet both federal and California open-flame standards without the use of chemical flame retardants, suspected to be health and environmental hazards.

Can a new organic mattress be placed on an old foundation or box spring? A foundation is meant to support a mattress, and using an old foundation or box-spring under an innerspring mattress will affect the comfort of the mattress and shorten its life. Our natural rubber mattresses are intended to be placed on a wood-slat foundation. If you have a platform slat bed designed for a mattress only, you would not need a foundation with this mattress.

How long will my organic mattress last? Our mattresses are backed by an industry-leading 20-year limited warranty.

What sizes do organic mattresses come in? From crib size to Eastern or California king, our organic mattresses are made in all conventional sizes, and even custom sizes.

Are organic top-of-bed products also made with organic materials? Yes! Our pillows, mattress pads, and comforters are made with the same organic materials as our mattresses. Our pillows are offered in all wool, all cotton, or all natural rubber latex, and are covered with a certified organic cotton fabric. Our handmade comforters are wool filled and hand tied, and available in both summer and winter weights. Mattress pads are offered in certified organic cotton flannel, as a wool moisture protector (perfect for children), and in a wool underbed style.

Contact Bedrooms and More for more information at 888-297-8844

Why Organic Gardening?

Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

You’ve probably noticed that organic foods are becoming very popular. This is because many individuals are learning the benefits of organic foods. At first, it seemed as if ‘organic’ was a word used to describe an exotic type of food, but it is anything but. Some individuals would even steer clear of the organic foods section in their local supermarket because of the fact that these foods were different. But now, organic food is something that is found all over the supermarket. There is a section in produce designated for organic, but you will find these foods scattered all throughout the supermarket.

But what is meant by ‘organic’?

Well, it all starts with the gardening. Organic gardening is different than most methods that are currently used. In other words, the methods are different than the methods that are used to grow the rest of the fruits and vegetables in the produce section.

The methods

When you think about it, the methods that are used in organic gardening are the same as the metghods used before there were pesticides and fertilizers. In other words, the soil is organic. It has no chemicals in it. There are also nothing but organic fertilizers used on the crops. This means that there are no manmade chemicals used in the growing of these crops. Everything that is used to help them grow is 100% natural. This means that there are no pesticides and other chemicals being carried into your body when you eat them.

Unfortunately, crops raised using non-organic fertilizers and chemicals have shown evidence of being ingested by people. It is believed that these chemicals cause cancer and other illnesses because they are not natural to the body.

The benefits

The benefits of organic gardening are many. First of all, you are not taking in pesticides and fertilizers that may not have been washed off the vegetables. Second of all, organic farming is good for the earth. Without using non-organic fertilizers and pesticides, the ground is not being polluted with the chemicals.

Here are some other benefits you may find interesting:

- Organic farming involves using insects against insects to keep the crops from being consumed by pests. If lady bugs are released in the early spring, they will get rid of aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, mealybugs, and so much more.

- Disease can easily be prevented by using other organic products. Eco Oil is one of those products because it prevents disease that can be caused by insects and also keeps insects away.

- Because studies have shown that pesticide intake by children can be harmful, organic foods keep this from happening. This can prevent a lot of health problems in the future.

As you can see, organic foods are much healthier for you and your family. That is why you need to look for a label that says ‘organic’ when you are shopping in your supermarket. You can now find organic noodles, juices, and so much more. So not only are your fruits and vegetables organic, but so are other foods because of the use of organic ingredients.

It makes us wonder why it is we turned to other gardening means. Perhaps it is because organic gardening does require a higher degree of effort than the methods that are primarily used today. Although it takes more effort, it is the healthier choice for everyone. In a way, it gets us back to the roots of gardening in that there was a time in which the only way to garden was through organic means. The only thing missing at that time were the organic fertilizers and various other organic gardening tools. But it is about time that we do get back to our roots. Organic gardening allows that.

Reap The Benefits Of Staying Organized

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

There are many benefits to staying organized and it is well worth the effort even though it is sometimes difficult. Many individuals have had parents, teachers, administrators, bosses and spouses shouting the mantra at them throughout their lives, and they may still put the task aside. In the end, organization is a key to success. Whether you are organizing binders, your kitchen, your garage, your desk or anything else, getting organized is crucial.

One of the first major benefits of organization is how it makes you look. When somebody walks into your house, they are often impressed by organization and neatness. Keeping a home organized is often a difficult task. The key is to be consistent. One cannot clean once every spring and expect the organization to last until next year. It needs to be a constant process. Always put things back where they belong, be willing to adapt your system to your life, and get the best materials to help you organize. These suggestions can help you turn your house into an efficient place.

Organizing your house is also beneficial because it makes everything easy to find and it reduces stress since the next time you clean, the process is usually much easier. Quality shelving helps you keep books, magazines and other miscellaneous items neat and tidy. Plastic containers are great when it comes to storing items that are always in the way. The key is to remove the clutter. Excess items may always make your house look bad. Manage your belongings well, and you can be well on your way to getting organized.

You are probably wondering how this can help you. Imagine for a moment that your boss is coming to your house for a visit. Now it is time to panic. You begin hurrying to make everything look perfect, but in the end, something is always wrong. You may not have storage space for everything, but if your house is constantly organized, then the boss’ visit is more manageable. Getting cleaned up is simple, and everything should have its place. This can leave a wonderful impression with anybody who visits your home. Your home is a window into your personal identity. Maintaining an organized home can set you apart in the workplace as well. Being efficient and productive every day at work can be wiped away with a poorly organized home. However, a well-organized house can help you gain substantially in the workplace.

Beyond making you look good; having a well organized home will help relieve stress. Buy an all-in-one valet to help you take care of the little things that are always around the house. A good valet will store your cell phone, iPod, keys, wallet, and any other small object that is hard to find a place for. Many will even have built in note pads, making it easier to remind yourself of important occasions. All of this will make the process of getting out of the house easier. For many, getting to places on time is stressful, and often impossible. But if you organize these small items, your process is much easier.

Organization helps remove stress in ways beyond getting out of the house. Having a well-organized living space makes it much easier to clean regularly. For many, cleaning is a chore because it is always a huge project. There are many items out of place, and it becomes tedious and time consuming. Having an organized living area makes cleaning much easier. It is a simple matter of straightening, vacuuming and dusting. Cleaning can become a breeze in a well organized house.

Beyond cleaning, an organized life is much less stressful because everything is easier to locate. No more shuffling through papers for an hour to find the right document. Instead it is in a logical place that is easy to find. The same goes for bills, books and even movies. Getting organized can streamline your life as a whole and make it less stressful.

The benefits of getting organized are manifold, and with the right amount of effort, anybody can reach them. Take the time to get organized and you can make yourself look better. One also relieves stress greatly with an organized lifestyle. Becoming organized is not very difficult, yet it is something that causes many people to procrastinate. After you straighten up your house, it should become much easier to clean the next time. So take the time to get organized this year, and keep it up. It can make you life much better. The benefits are endless but the main reasons to get organized is stress relief and knowing that everything is put away in a logical place and you no longer have to worry about losing an important document. Next time you decide to put aside getting organized, you may want to consider these benefits.

Graphic Organizer PDF Files Can Help You Learn

Posted on 09. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

In schools are various different types of learning materials that can really help pupils to learn different concepts and boost their understanding of subjects such as English and mathematics. One type of learning tool that is incredibly popular are graphic organizer PDF files which can be easily printed out and distributed to the pupils in the class as many times as necessary. As a graphic organizer PDF file is straightforward to access and print that a teacher can print out as many of the graphic organizer PDF’s as they need even when a class is in session.

There are different types of graphic organizer PDF packs that schools can use and they can vary from graphic organizer PDF’s that can be used for very young children all the way up to teenagers. Some students that are revising for exams may even find that using a graphic organizer PDF can really help them to put their notes from class into some kind of easy to access order which can be used to revise from. In some schools these are used to help pupils to create timetables from which they can see which lesson is scheduled for when and where their free periods and break times occur.

Studies have shown that using visual aids for learning such as a graphic organizer PDF can play a very beneficial part in the education of children of all ages. Even children who have mild-to-moderate learning difficulties can use a graphic organizer PDF to assist them with their learning on a daily basis. One of the aspects of these organizers that makes them so user-friendly is that they are uncomplicated and are so straightforward to use. They can even be used in art classes where the graphic organizer PDF forms the outside of a shape such as a coat of arms, a building, various different animals, different vehicles and so on. Many teachers use these to help pupils learn about virtually any topic within the school as they are so versatile . Pupils can then either draw inside the shapes of colour their main when they are in class, some teachers will even give printouts for people to take home so that they can continue using a graphic organizer at home.

As graphic organizer PDF files can easily be stored on a desktop or laptop computer they are always available to be printed out. In addition to this such files do not take up very much space on the memory of a computer, so thousands of them can be stored quite easily without any need for extra memory. Any teacher or childminder who is looking for a fun and easy way to help the children in their care to learn and enjoy themselves at the same time should think about using graphic organizer PDF files. They can be easily obtained online and once you have your graphic organizer PDF files they can be used time and time again, just by printing them out onto plain white paper.

In schools are various different types of learning materials that can really help pupils to learn different concepts and boost their understanding of subjects such as English and mathematics. One type of learning tool that is incredibly popular are graphic organizer PDF files which can be easily printed out and distributed to the pupils in the class as many times as necessary. As a graphic organizer PDF file is straightforward to access and print that a teacher can print out as many of the graphic organizer PDF’s as they need even when a class is in session.

There are different types of graphic organizer PDF packs that schools can use and they can vary from graphic organizer PDF’s that can be used for very young children all the way up to teenagers. Some students that are revising for exams may even find that using a graphic organizer PDF can really help them to put their notes from class into some kind of easy to access order which can be used to revise from. In some schools these are used to help pupils to create timetables from which they can see which lesson is scheduled for when and where their free periods and break times occur.

Studies have shown that using visual aids for learning such as a graphic organizer PDF can play a very beneficial part in the education of children of all ages. Even children who have mild-to-moderate learning difficulties can use a graphic organizer PDF to assist them with their learning on a daily basis. One of the aspects of these organizers that makes them so user-friendly is that they are uncomplicated and are so straightforward to use. They can even be used in art classes where the graphic organizer PDF forms the outside of a shape such as a coat of arms, a building, various different animals, different vehicles and so on. Many teachers use these to help pupils learn about virtually any topic within the school as they are so versatile . Pupils can then either draw inside the shapes of colour their main when they are in class, some teachers will even give printouts for people to take home so that they can continue using a graphic organizer at home.

As graphic organizer PDF files can easily be stored on a desktop or laptop computer they are always available to be printed out. In addition to this such files do not take up very much space on the memory of a computer, so thousands of them can be stored quite easily without any need for extra memory. Any teacher or childminder who is looking for a fun and easy way to help the children in their care to learn and enjoy themselves at the same time should think about using graphic organizer PDF files. They can be easily obtained online and once you have your graphic organizer PDF files they can be used time and time again, just by printing them out onto plain white paper.

A View on Growing Things Organically

Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Before World War 2, ALL gardening was \’organic\’, as there were no chemical fertilisers

until discoveries were made during the administering of bomb production and subsequent

dropping of said bombs on innocent peoples heads.

Back in the late 60\’s early 70\’s, when growing things naturally started

to attract a

ground-swell of interest and was subsequently given the title of

\’organic gardening\’

(previously known as plain old \’gardening\’); there was a knee-jerk

reaction by people who could not quite grasp the idea (amazing, isn\’t

it?) – that led to the rather erroneous belief that in order to be an

\’organic grower\’, one had to dance around naked under a full moon,

replete with tamborines, candles, chanting and flowers in the hair, in

order to understand this mysterious \’organic\’ mumbo-jumbo.

Room was even made for articles in popular magazines, albeit

tongue-in-cheek, about this new \’hippy hobby\’. Even today, in these

supposedly enlightened years, there are many who just don\’t trust all

that hippy-shit.

The general belief being, that if produce is not enormous, shiny, not a

mark on it, and under vision altering lights – surely it just cannot be

all that good.

There is not much variety with organic produce, either! It\’s always

lots of cabbages and daikons, then in summer, you just cannot see over

the piles of tomatoes and beans.

The concept of seasonal produce will never catch on.

Modern consumers are too used to getting whatever they want, whenever they want it.

Let us not forget, either, that organic produce is more expensive to buy.

Yes…. it costs more, it\’s smaller – and well, just doesn\’t look as good, does it?

Then things get really tricky, if, as is fairly common knowledge,

supermarket produce

gets more and more expensive, due to the expense of increased use of

fertilisers,

insecticides, chemicals in general and freight costs; why then is

organic produce STILL more expensive if they don\’t use those things?

The cost of water goes up every quarter, but organic growers use lots

and lots of mulch, ground covers and the like, using less water, so

THAT can\’t be it.

Well, sorry folks, it\’s just greed. The prospect of money to be made always gets in the road.

Organic growers used to be little hobby farmers, pooling their wares,

or selling out of road-side honesty stalls. Then organics went legit,

became corporate and the fix was in – here there be money!

In the early days of organic growing legitimacy there were governing

organisations to oversee the industry\’s practices, and of course to

keep all the cheats in check. Well, if it has been \’grown\’ you cannot

deny that it is organic, a block of wood is organic, so, grave fears

were held that the market would be infiltrated by cheats and

non-believers.

An Organic certification process was instigated and in order to get top

dollar for organically grown produce – one had to become \’certified\’.

But due to the fact that most administrative type people, might be a

bit pressed to tell the

difference between organic or not, the fledgling industry was run by

organic growers themselves. Or by people who had \’dabbled\’ in organic

growing (or failed), at the very least they had some knowledge about

it, albiet a pretty laid-back attitude.

This led to numerous problems, the most interesting being the \’true believer syndrome\’.

A certified grower would periodically be inspected by a representative of an organic

regulatory body, who in theory would then go around your farm and check that everything was kosher.

Balanced, integrated farming practices and no hidden bags of \’super\’, flyspray, etc.

But the \’true believers\’ had the attitude of “we\’re all in the same club, we ALL believe,

there could not possibly be any cheating”

This idea that all organic growers were of the same mind and could not possibly tarnish

the pristine ideals of harmonious, organic growing (and doing the world a big favour

at the same time) – was just astounding!

These certified organic organisation inspectors had to be forced to

actually have a close look! It was practically impossible to get one to

pull up a plant and inspect the root formation, or fish around in your

liquid fertiliser tank (god forbid actually \’testing\’ something).

The attitude was one of “your an organic grower, YOU\’RE alright” coupled with “it\’s your

patch, so I am not going in there without your express permission”.

True believers, organic warriors, brothers in the cause, mates – not to be doubted.

Due to the ludicrous nature of the industry in it\’s formative years, and money already having

been invested in regulatory organisations, something had to be done and it was mostly taken over by large corporations.

These guys regulate prices, they want a significant return. They don\’t actually care

about the blood sweat and tears involved, nor snap frosts. It\’s all about the bottom line.

Organic produce had come of age.

Organic Beers are Hot!

Posted on 07. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Organic Beers are Hot!

For the last several years American beer sales have been either slightly falling or at a standstill. One market where that is not the case is organic beers. Even big-time beer giant Anheuser-Busch came out with two organic beers in 2005. Both of them seem to have met with approval from organic consumers.

The labeling of a product as “organic,” means that it must adhere to certain USDA guidelines which were established for all kinds of organic foods in 1997. Organic beer must abide by these guidelines as well. They state that organic foods must be grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and they must be grown in soil that has been free from these kind of chemicals for a minimum of three years.

They further indicate that no genetically modified ingredients (GMO) can be used. Organic foods are supposed to be healthier than their non-organic counterparts. They are also meant to reduce erosion and the pollution of ground water. When there is less groundwater pollution, there are also fewer negative effects on wildlife. A study at Cornell University found that each year sixty-seven million birds alone die from pesticides which are used on American fields.

So, now organic beers, both ales and lagers, are making their way into health stores and supermarkets across the nation. Some people think organic products taste better and this is true of organic beer as well. Organic beer is still only a tiny percentage (less than 1%) of the beers sold, but the future of organic beer looked promising enough to Anheuser-Busch that in 2005 they launched two organic beers into test markets. Those brands were Stone Mill pale ale and Wild Hop lager.

West Coast organic beer, brewed by Peak Organic Brewing Co. in Portland Oregon and Butte Creek Brewing Co. in Chico, California, among others, is starting to spread across the country into more and more states. While a decade ago, you could barely expect organic beer to sell in its home state, today many organic beers are available in 25-30 states.

Otter Creek Brewing Co., on the other U.S. coast, is a Vermont company known for their specialty-brewed ales. They also make Wolaver’s Organic ale and oatmeal stout. They are now one of several New England brewers who see positive results with organic brews and are constantly adding new beers to their selections. Last winter the Wolaver label had a pumpkin spice beer out at Christmastime. 

The biggest problem for breweries that want to go organic is obtaining organic hops. For several years, they could only be acquired from New Zealand. Other countries, such as Germany, are now starting to export organic hops to the U.S.  Pests and diseases abound with organic hops, so there is a low success rate even among growers who give it a try.

More and more craft brewers are adding organic beers to their product list each year. It is a niche in the beer industry that will continue to grow for some time.

For more info go to

www.BeerTrap.com

Why Is Organic Farming Bad – If It Is?

Posted on 05. Mar, 2010 by admin in Organizing

Why is organic farming bad, if it is? We have been told that organic farming is good for our health. Proponents have trumpeted the message that organic farming is good for the environment. How could it possibly be bad?

It seems that, increasingly, life is being divided into traditional and alternative. Each side claims their methods to be better than the other’s. Each tries to win people to their side. Traditional schooling fights alternative schooling. Conventional medicine fights alternative medicine. Mainstream culture fights alternative subcultures.

Farming, too, is involved in a battle, conventional farming against organic farming. Environmentalists and those concerned with their health assure us that organic farming is preferable in many ways. But others argue that organic farming is bad.

Why is organic farming bad?

Research Results

In 2002, Swiss scientists at the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture published in “Scientist” a highly publicized study. Their study, which covered 21 years, compared four types of farming. Two of those types were organic farming. The other two types were conventional farming.

Reporters quickly stated that the study proved organic farming was more efficient. Organic farming’s advocates said the study showed that organic farming uses 50% less energy. The facts?

1. Conventional farming is 20 percent more productive than organic farming.

2. Crop yields were significantly lower in organic farming.

3. The above two facts meant energy savings in organic farming were actually only about 19 percent per unit of crop produced, not 50 percent.

4. The study did not test organic farming against the most current methods of conventional farming. If it had, experts say, the 19 percent advantage of organic farming would disappear.

5. Current conventional farming matches organic farming when it comes to environmental advantages. Both have beneficial insects, produce less pesticide and fertilizer runoff, and reduce soil erosion.

6. Food quality was almost identical in conventional and organic farming. Advocates of organic farming had long claimed their food was far superior.

7. Current conventional farming methods produce the same or greater yields mentioned in number 1 above.

This research does not, of course, conclude that organic farming is bad. On the face of it, the conclusion is more that organic farming is not very different from current conventional farming. There most be other reasons for people believing organic farming is bad.

Organic Farming Can Kill

Many took from the Swiss study a realization that, as Cambridge chemist John Emsley said, “the greatest catastrophe the human race could face this century is not global warming, but a global conversion to ‘organic farming’- [where] an estimated 2 billion people would perish.”

Organic farming may supply food for small markets, but how can it feed starving nations? Its adversaries claim that current conventional farming is the only hope for these people. If we turn entirely to organic farming, they say, we will doom billions to die of starvation.

Challenging Organic Farming

Alex Avery, Director of Research and Education for the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Food Issues, recently published a new book, “The Truth About Organic Foods.” (2006) In this book, Avery offers an unemotional look at the odd origins and unscientific basis for organic farming.

Nobel Peace Prize Winning Agricultural Scientist, Dr. Norman Borlaug, says about this book, “The Truth About Organic Foods gives consumers a thorough and straight-forward explanation of why organic foods offer no real health or safety benefits. More importantly, Avery communicates why organic farming’s lower yields and reliance on scarce organic fertilizers represents a potential threat to the world’s forests, wetlands and grasslands. The book offers scientifically sound evidence that more-affordable conventional foods are healthy for families and also good stewardship of nature.”

Skimming Mr. Avery’s book, one finds statements that indicate:

1. Organic farming started in the 1920s when a German mystic advised use of only animal manure because synthetic fertilizers had no cosmic energy.

2. Soon, the wealthy decided manure-fertilized produce was better.

3. J.I. Rodale first published his “Organic Gardening Magazine” in 1942, and the organic farming / organic gardening movement was named.

4. In 2007, organic farming advocates still have no credible science to support their beliefs.

5. Organic farming does not avoid pesticides. About 5 percent a vegetable’s weight is natural pesticides, some of which are cancer-causing.

6. Foods from organic farming have more illness-causing bacteria. (The January 2007 issue of “Consumer Reports” showed that chicken from organic farming has 300% more Salmonella than that from conventional farming. University studies have found more bacteria in vegetables from organic farming than in vegetables from conventional farming.

7. If organic farming, which decries synthetic fertilizer, was chosen over conventional farming, we would have a choice. We could kill millions of people to reduce global food needs, or we could sacrifice wildlife habitat in the amount of millions of square miles so we could produce more manure.

Why is organic farming bad? Mr. Avery believes he has the answer.

Notwithstanding Mr. Avery’s new book, I am not sure whether organic farming is bad or not. It is often difficult to sort through rhetoric and find fact. I do know that my forefathers had large organic farms. The produce was good and it was nourishing. Before I can turn my back completely on organic farming and organic gardening, I need clearer evidence. You probably want to do more research, too.