Make it yourself or buy it locally -- just make sure your gifts won't add unnecessarily to the landfill site ... or support your favourite charity www.cog.ca.
What is the perfect drink to go along with that organic free-range chicken you are planning for dinner? How about a certified organic Chardonnay? Certified organic wines are now not only available in great diversity but are quickly rising in popularity, say the men and women who make and sell them.
In November, the Turkey Farmers of Ontario announced policy changes aimed at ensuring organic turkey farmers can comply with organic standards and meet rules enforced by the organization. At issue was a May 2008 ruling requiring Ontario turkeys to be grown under a solid roof and walls to mitigate the spread of Avian Influenza. This put organic farmers at risk of violating the Canadian Organic Standards which require outdoor access for poultry.
To learn more about this issue and the resolution, join the Organic Council of Ontario at the Guelph Organic Conference in January. Cost $40, or $10 for students/OCO members.
The Government of Canada has joined an international network as a founding member of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to drive agricultural research that will deliver practical benefits for both the environment and Canadian farmers.
- If all UK farmland was converted to organic farming, at least 3.2 million tonnes of carbon would be taken up by the soil each year - the equivalent of taking nearly 1 million cars off the road.
- The widespread adoption of organic farming practices in the UK would offset 23% of UK agricultural emissions through soil carbon sequestration alone, more than doubling the UK Government’s pathetically low target of a 6-11% reduction by 2020
- A worldwide switch to organic farming could offset 11% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Raising soil carbon levels would also make farming worldwide more resilient to extremes of climate like droughts and floods, leading to greater food security
- On average organic farming produces 28% higher levels of soil carbon compared to non-organic farming in Northern Europe, and 20% higher for all countries studied (in Europe, North America and Australasia)
- In the UK, grasslands and mixed farming systems have a vital role to play, and soil carbon may go a long way to offsetting the methane emissions from grass-fed cattle and sheep.
Take a look at your meal. I’m looking at mushroom ravioli, parsley, olive oil, Italian bread, and parmesan cheese. But I can’t accurately tell you where these tasty food items come from, how far or wide reaching their impact. I do not know my meal’s “foodprint,” a concept discussed at last weekend’s NYC Food and Climate Summit.
What is a foodprint? A foodprint is our food system’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The impact of your food may be far greater than those incandescent light bulbs you replaced with fluorescents, or even your hybrid or gasoline-powered car. It is estimated that one-third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions globally derive from our food system, the way we cultivate, process, package, transport, and dispose of our food.
A new report shows that GM seed prices in America have increased dramatically compared tonon-GM and organic seeds, cutting average farm incomes for US farmers growing GM crops.Launched at the recent Soil Association GM briefing, the new report – The Magnitude andImpacts of the Biotech and Organic Seed Price Premium – was written by Dr Charles Benbrook,chief scientist at the US Organic Center.The report reveals that, in the 25 years from 1975 to 2000, non-GM soybean seed prices rosea modest 63%. But since 2000, as GM soybeans came to dominate the market, the price roseby a massive 230%. Farmers buying Monsanto’s new Roundup Ready 2 soybean seed in 2010will pay 42% more per bag than they paid in 2009. Similarly, maize (corn) growers who plantthe new GM variety ‘SmartStax’ will pay more than twice as much as farmers plantingconventional non-GM seeds, while today’s GM cotton seed costs $700 – a staggering six timesthe price of non-GM cotton seed.
A mix of Pennsylvania vegetable, fruit, livestock, goat and cow dairy, and poultry farms, in a range of sizes and marketing types, have received funding in the new Path to Organic program. The effort is administered by the state’s department of agriculture.
The 13 farmers will track changes in soil carbon, soil health and water quality to document how their conversion to organic management techniques can help the state cut the flow of agricultural pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay while reducing agriculture’s contribution to climate change.
The farmers are eligible to receive up to $7,500 in a single calendar year or $30,000 in a four-year period for reimbursement costs directly related to organic transition, including building, machinery and equipment, and operating costs.
EU citizens can now take part in the democratic process for the new EU organic logo. The Commission has selected three logo designs from the many entries to its EU logo competition.
Canadian Organic Growers presents Transition to Organic Crop Production in Saskatoon, SK with instructor Ian Cushon. This one-day workshop takes place the day before the Crop Production Show at Prairieland Exhibition Complex (West Breakout Room, Hall E). Join us for the day and stay for the show! Cost is $50, but that includes a free copy of COG’s Gaining Ground: Making a Successful Transition to Organic Farming book and lunch.
Canadian Organic Growers presents Transition to Organic Livestock Production in Saskatoon, SK with instructors Gene and Ken Kessler. This one-day workshop takes place on day 1 of the Crop Production Show at Prairieland Exhibition Complex (West Breakout Room, Hall E). Join us for the day and stay for the rest of the show! Cost is $50, but that includes a free copy of COG’s Organic Livestock Handbook and lunch. Livestock producers who are new to organic production are encouraged to register for both the crops and livestock workshops on January 10 and 11.
Join Canadian Organic Growers and the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate at our booth at the Western Canadian Crop Production Showat Prairieland Exhibition Complex in Saskatoon, SK.
COG Ottawa presents Organic Veggie Workshop Series 2010 - Learn principles and best practices of organic gardening from Master Organic Gardeners in Ottawa, ON. For dates, fees and times, please check our web site!
REGISTRATION: Sandy Hill Community Centre Call (613) 564-1062 Registration open sJanuary 15, 2010 (Winter sessions) March 16, 2010 (Spring sessions) Check out : www.cog.ca/ottawa or call 613-244-4000
January 26, 2010
Canadian Organic Growers, in collaboration with our Manitoba chapter, the Organic Food Council of Manitoba, presentsTransition to Organic Crop Production in Saskatoon, SK with instructor Trevor Tuttosi in Portage La Prairie, MB. Cost is $50 and it includes a free copy of COG’s Gaining Ground: Making a Successful Transition to Organic Farming book and lunch.
JoinCanadian Organic Growers, Organic Food Council of Manitoba for Exploring the Small Farm Dream.
The aim of this course which is run in a series of evening courses, is to help those thinking about small-scale commercial farming (farming as a business with intent to make a profit, rather than as a hobby or a pastime) learn what it will take to start and manage a farm business, and decide whether it is something you really want to pursue.
Join Canadian Organic Growers, Perth Wellington Waterloo chapter at our booth in the University Centre of Guelph University, Guelph, ON
The 29th Annual Guelph Organic Conference has lined up dozens of speakers over four consecutive days. Topics of discussion cross the spectrum of our food system – farming as a career, the new Canadian Organic Standards, urban agriculture, genetic engineering and food policy. Introductory and advanced levels of eco-agriculture – soils, crops, weed and insect control, livestock management and direct marketing round out the programming.
Canadian Organic Growers presents Understanding the New Organic Regime: A Primer for Farmers with organic inspector Pat Gerwing at Evraz Place in Regina, SK.
The cost is $50 and that includes a copy of COG’s A Guide to Understanding the Canadian Organic Standards and lunch.
February 3-4, 2010 Soil Association’s Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK
This year’s conference will explore the issues of sustainable food systems and how we need to adapt our food and farming to cope with the challenges of climate change and diminishing resources. Keynote speakers include Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union, Hilary Benn (Labour), Nick Herbert (Conservative) and Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat).
Join Canadian Organic Growers at our booth in the Organic Pavilion at the International Farm Equipment Show at the International Centre near Pearson airport in Mississauga, ON.
If you’re interested in exhibiting in the pavilion, special rates ($350) are available. This show will expose you to thousands of AG producers who are looking for new and safer ways to grow their products! Book your location now by contacting Rob Etmanski at 1-888-454-7469, or via email at retmanski@mpltd.ca
February 20, 2010
Canadian Organic Growers, Toronto chapter presents Your Food Your Choice: Grounds for Change at 89 Chestnut Street, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Featuring: Bärbel Höhm, Germany’s first green party agricultural minister; Percy Schmeiser, the Saskatchewan farmer who challenged Monsanto; Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, and scientists, politicians, farmers, retailers, and concerned people like you.
Costs: $65 ($85 after January 31); $55 COG members
Canadian Organic Growers, in collaboration with Going Organic network Alberta, presents Transition to Organic Crop Production in Lethbridge, AB (Lethbridge Research Facility) with instructor Bernie Ehnes. Cost is $50, but that includes a free copy of COG’sGaining Ground: Making a Successful Transition to Organic Farming book and lunch.
Join Canadian Organic Growers at our booth at the MOSES (Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service) conference in La Crosse, WI. The conference hosts over 60 workshops, 140 exhibitors and 2600 participants.
February 26, 2010
Going Organic Seminar, Lethbridge, AB (Lethbridge Research Facility)
You'll hear from experts from Alberta and Saskatchewan on a host of topics of interest to organic producers. Cost is $35
Canadian Organic Growers, in collaboration with our Manitoba chapter, the Organic Food Council of Manitoba, presents Record Keeping for Organic Farmers with inspector Priscilla Reimer in Arborg, MB. This course is for organic or transitioning farmers who want to learn how to set up an organic audit trail, keep the records required by the Canadian Organic Standards and sail through their organic inspections. Cost is $50 for the one-day workshop, and this includes a copy of COG’s new Record Keeping for Organic Farmers book, and lunch.
Canadian Organic Growers, in collaboration with our Manitoba chapter, the Organic Food Council of Manitoba, presentsTransitioning the Small Produce Farm in Winnipeg, MB. Cost is $50 and includes a copy of COG’s A Guide to Understanding the Canadian Organic Standards and lunch.
Canadian Organic Growers presents Record Keeping for Organic Farmers with organic inspector Maureen Bostock in the Ottawa, ON region. This course is for organic or transitioning farmers who want to learn the best way to set up an organic audit trail, keep the records required by the Canadian Organic Standards and sail through their organic inspections. Cost is $50 for the one-day workshop, and this includes a copy of COG’s new Record Keeping for Organic Farmers book, and lunch.
3:30 pm Canadian Farm Business Management Council Webinar Capturing Opportunities in Organic Agriculture: Initiatives & Trends, Andrew Hammermeister, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
