The Incredible Story of Michael and Dorothea Schmidt and Real Milk in Canada
Michael Schmidt was acquitted in a Newmarket court this morning of 19 charges of distributing raw milk and raw milk products.
Justice of the Peace Paul Kowarsky upheld the legislation, but said in this case Mr. Schmidt did not break the law because he was distributing to joint owners of cows and not the public at large.
As many of you know, COG has been lobbying for free access to standards for all. Last year, we got part way there when the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) agreed to drop the price. Now we’re thrilled to announce that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will be picking up the costs for at least the next five years. The deal covers the two latest versions of the standards – General Principles and Management Standards (CAN/CGSB-32.310) and the Permitted Substances List (CAN/CGSB-32.311) both amended December 2008 as well recent amendments released this month.
As of now, if you visit the CGSB site, you’ll find that the government is still charging for standards through their US distribution store. Be patient and don’t purchase the standards until they are free. It may take some time for CGSB and CFIA to conclude a formal agreement.
White House Whitewash: Can the Agribusiness Lobby Kill Small, Organic Dairy Farmers?
On some bureaucrat’s desk in President Obama’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), sits a document that has the power to either destroy the nation’s 1,800 family-operated organic dairy farms or come to their rescue.
In the early 2000s, virtually all of the nation’s organic dairy farmers—not to mention the millions of consumers willing to pay a premium for organic products—agreed that milk certified as organic by the United States Department of Agriculture had to come from cows that had access to pasture.
As government regulations go, it sounds pretty straightforward: room to roam, clean air to breathe, fresh grass to eat. And that was the general consensus on what the National Organic Standards required.
But beginning in the mid-2000s, at about the time when it became evident that the green “USDA Organic” label translated into bigger profits, huge Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with herds of up to 10,000 cows located in western states got into the organic milk business.
There was one obvious problem. How do you provide pasture for thousands of hungry cows in a semi-arid landscape that would, at best, produce enough feed for a few dozen animals?
After years of official haggling, the USDA has finally produced a new set of regulations for organic milk production. The exact terms remain undisclosed, but Miles McEvoy, the newly appointed Deputy Administrator of the USDA’s National Organic Program, has assured Kastel that the new rules will be in line with an understanding organic producers arrived at by consensus in the early 2000s: Milk cows will graze on pasture for the entire growing season, or for at least 120 days in areas of inclement weather, getting 30% of their food from pasture.
Almost half of Canadians believe it is more important a food be labelled natural than organic, even though organic foods are more heavily regulated, a new survey suggests.
Sixty per cent of Canadian consumers believe it's important a new product be made from "all-natural ingredients," while 45 per cent have "greater trust" in natural products than those labelled organic, the poll by BrandSpark International suggests.
Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health
We present for the first time a comparative analysis of blood and organ system data from trials with rats fed three main commercialized genetically modified (GM) maize (NK 603, MON 810, MON 863), which are present in food and feed in the world. Approximately 60 different biochemical parameters were classified per organ and measured in serum and urine after 5 and 14 weeks of feeding. Our analysis clearly reveals for the 3 GMOs new side effects linked with GM maize consumption, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly associated with the kidney and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, although different between the 3 GMOs. Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system. We conclude that these data highlight signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to each GM corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded.
Joël Spiroux de Vendômois, François Roullier, Dominique Cellier, Gilles-Eric Séralini
Monsanto Takes Center for Food Safety Legal Victory to Highest Court
The U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear a first-time case about the risks of genetically engineered crops. The case before the high court will be yet another step in an ongoing battle waged by the Center for Food Safety to protect consumers and the environment from potentially harmful effects of genetically engineered (GE) crops.
The modified alfalfa seed at the heart of the dispute has been engineered to be immune to Monsanto’s flagship herbicide Roundup. Monsanto intervened in a 2007 federal district court ruling that the Department of Agriculture’s approval of GE alfalfa was illegal. The Center for Food Safety (CFS) filed a 2006 lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of non-profits and farmers who wished to retain the choice to plant non-GE alfalfa. CFS was victorious in this case – in addition CFS has won two appeals by Monsanto in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: in 2008 and again in 2009. Now, upon Monsanto’s insistence, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case.
Dirty Rice: Jury Awards Missouri Farmers $2 Million, Finding Bayer CropScience Liable for Contaminating Fields with GM Rice
Ken Bell, a rice grower in southwestern Missouri, remembers that 2006 was shaping up to be one of those years farmers only dare to dream about. “Not only was the market up,” he told me, “but we had a good crop growing.”
Then on August 18, a Friday, Bell’s world collapsed. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that traces of genetically modified rice produced by Bayer CropScience, a division of the huge German drug and chemical company, had somehow escaped test plots and found their way into rice fields in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The GM crop was engineered to survive applications of Liberty Link, a Bayer herbicide. The USDA still does not know what caused the widespread contamination.
It didn’t take long for Chip, a Tennessee fainting goat sporting a luxuriant Vandyke beard and an impressive pair of curlicue horns, to live up to his breed’s name. When Peter Borden, accompanied by a stranger, entered the immaculate stable that Chip calls home, the goat pressed his velvety nose through the bars of his stall, begging for a scratch. But at the visitor’s approach, Chip apparently had second thoughts. His left foreleg stiffened, his brown eyes went glassy and he began to list to one side.
Located on a 45-acre estate in Newport, SVF is the only organization in the country dedicated to conserving rare heritage livestock breeds by freezing their semen and embryos, a technique called cryopreservation. Chip, now SVF’s unofficial mascot, was the proof that the foundation had mastered the process. In early 2004, as a six-day-old embryo, he was flushed from his mother’s womb and spent the next several months frozen. Thawed and transplanted into a surrogate Nubian doe, a common breed, he was born on May 7, 2004, a perfectly normal fainting goat.
Government of Canada Invests in British Columbia’s Organic Farming Sector
The Government of Canada is investing in British Columbia's organics industry so that
farmers can take advantage of new research and growing market opportunities. Member of Parliament Ed Fast (Abbotsford) announced an investment of up to $900,000 to help the Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC) implement a new and comprehensive market development strategy for the organics industry.
AAFC Media Release 30/01/10
Organic Agriculture and Food Safety
COG has received the go ahead to work with mainstream commodity groups to determine the level of interest in customizing On Farm Food Safety programs to meet the needs of organic farmers. If you’re an organic farmer and you’ve also been through one of these food safety programs, we’d love to interview you for this project. Please contact laura@cog.ca to set up an interview.
Cooperating with Mainstream Agricultural Groups
COG has taken on a contract for the Organic Value Chain Round Table to investigate opportunities for collaboration between the organic sector and mainstream agricultural organizations. If you know of any successful collaborations between the two worlds or have suggestions for particular commodity groups/and or commodities that we should be looking at, please send me a quick email (laura@cog.ca). I’d love to have your input on this.
Everdale Launches New Organic Farming Certificate Program
More and more urbanites want to become farmers and they are looking for training that will fast track their entry into agriculture. Everdale Farm is launching an innovative training program called the Organic Farming Certificate (OFC) program. The OFC is based on a program offered at the University of California at Santa Cruz and will help Ontario to meet a growing demand for locally grown organic produce.
The OFC is a 32-week program that teaches the practical skills and concepts necessary for the sound management of a small-scale organic farm. The OFC training schedule includes 600 hours of curriculum-based learning such as field trips, lectures/seminars, a personal field plot project completed by each OFC intern, field walks, and technical field demonstrations. It also includes 900 hours of in-field training and farm experience on Everdale’s organic farm.
For additional news and information regarding the OFC please contact:
This winter COABC’s Extension Services is offering two morning webinars that will be of interest to livestock producers and bee enthusiasts. Pull a chair up to your computer, pour a coffee and enjoy these informative one hour webinars. You will see a livestreaming video of the presenter, view his/her PowerPoint and have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. If you are unable to be present for the webinar, a recording of the webinar will be available for purchase, through our registration page (see below).
February 6 10 am - 4 pm
Planning Your Organic Vegetable Gardenwith Gavin Dandy, Everdale Farm Manager, The Stop's Green Barn, 601 Christie St., Barn #4, Toronto, ON
Using Grandin-like Principles in Livestock Production: small things sure can make a difference – 10:00 am (PST) – with Jane Morrigan
Animal welfare is a cornerstone principle for organic farms. Knowing proper livestock handling can make a big difference in animal health. Jane Morrigan, from Integrity Livestock Services, will give practical guidance on humane handling techniques for dairy and beef cattle, pigs and sheep in organic livestock production. Based on the know-how of Dr. Temple Grandin and on down-to–earth application of sound scientific evidence, this webinar will cover relevant natural animal behaviors, the importance of good stockmanship, how to improve livestock handling and how to reduce animal stress. Jane is a sessional lecturer with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and offers training and consulting on livestock handling
February 17
What Happens When the Honeybees Disappear? - 10:00 am (PST) – with Ted Leischner
Colony collapse disorder of bees is a serious and alarming trend that is threatening the livelihood of farmers worldwide. To put the situation into context, Ted Leischner, corresponding CANPOLIN member and conservation volunteer, will discuss what is killing our bees as well as the immediate grassroots actions that farmers can take to assure pollination services, food security and ecological health. There is much that can be done that is quick, convenient and economically feasible but, it will require a shift in perspective. Ted will share his insights on how we can employ the 400 species of native bees that are exquisitely adapted to living here and operate as a complete pollination guild for our ecosystem.
For further information and registration information see this website.
The fee for each seminar is $20.00 (incl. GST), student/apprentice rate $10.50 (incl. GST). The deadline for registration is midnight, of the Monday before each seminar.
Learn how to grow organic vegetables right in your own backyard. This workshop will focus on the bio-intensive method which maximizes the amount of food you can grow in a small space. Topics will include planning for space needs, soil building, seed buying, low maintenance weed control methods and other techniques that will yield a bountiful harvest of veggies from spring until fall!
March 5-7, 2010
Closing the Loop – Keeping More Income on the Farm, Kamloops BC,
The keynote speaker is Dr Bill Codedirector of the Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Co-operative.
Presentations will also include value stream development, alternative energy sources, and good agricultural practices.
Additional Conference information and registration can be found at this webpage.
February 8 - 10, 2010 2010 Western Canadian Holistic Management Conference
Location: Russell Community Centre & the Russell Inn, Russell, MB
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
Visit this page for more information and to register.
February 20, 2010 COG Presents Crop-Planning for Vegetable Growers, Greely, ON
How much, when and what do you plant for those farm gate, market or subscription customers? Join Frédéric Thériault, market gardener and co-author of COG’s newest book Crop Planning for Vegetable Growers
This workshop will help you to develop and implement a crop plan that will allow you to realize your financial goals, calculate crop quantities, and analyze harvest and sales with an eye to improving next year’s crop plan.
Click here to register for this event.
February 25, 2010
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 and includes a free copy of COG’s Gaining Ground: Making a Successful Transition to Organic Farming
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
Register for both the COG and GO workshops and save $5 off the price of each ($75 for two days).
Feb 27, 2010 Eco Farm Day Ottawa
Welcome to Eco Farm Day - eastern Ontario's premier farm conference. Organic, transitional and conventional farmers of field crops, market gardens, and livestock rely on Eco Farm Day for the best training, information, and commerce opportunities. Over 350 people come back every year for the social event, the networking, the positive atmosphere, and the great food!
Friday evening, February 26th, 2010 – organic gala dinner with Wayne Roberts, at 6PM.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 – full conference with Wayne Roberts at 9AM and 12 workshops.
Click here for registration and further information.
March 4-6, 2010 Bring Food Home Conference Hosted by FoodNet Ontario, Sustain Ontario, FarmON and the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
This conference will bring together a broad range of participants to facilitate our learning and working together to create food systems that are healthy, just, accessible, culturally appropriate, financially viable and sustainable. The conference will be organized into the following streams:
* Training for Emerging Farmers
* Community Food Security
* Strengthening Regional Economies
* Sustaining Food Production - Farm, City and Countryside
For more information please visit www.bringfoodhome.com or call 1-800-766-3418
March 4, 2010 CSA Mini-School, offered in conjunction with the Bring Food Home Conference COG PWW, EFAO and Ignatius will be offering a CSA mini-school – a one day workshop for farmers considering the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, Kitchener, Delta Hotel (105 King Street East), ON
Three CSA farmers of different sizes and types will share their experiences on all aspects of organizing a CSA including member recruitment and retention, crop planning, and financial planning and management.
Cost: $95 (late registration fee may be higher)
For more information and to register visit http://www.bringfoodhome.com
March 4th - 6th, 2010
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network’s 10th Anniversary Conference & Trade Showat the Rodd Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island
Keynote Speaker: Director of the Florida Organic Growers and Agricultural Justice Project, Marty Mesh.
Visit ACORN website for more information and to register.
March 12, 2010
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
Exploring the Co-operative Option: Strategies for Tapping into Local Markets
Canadian Organic Growers (COG) has been exploring marketing options for organic food across the country through the Growing Up Organic Project. In almost every region, including Eastern Ontario, there is a strong demand for local organic food. However, there are not enough farmers to meet the demand. Cooperative business models offer solutions. A farmer owned Cooperative could provide resources, skills development and support to farmer members to make the transition to organic production easier, allowing farmers to tap into stable long term markets for certified organic products.
COST: Free for farmers, $25 for everyone else. COG members receive a $5 discount.
Please call 1-888-375-7383, email office@cog.ca, or visit our website to register.
Location: Kemptville College, 830 Prescott St.
Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0
