Here is your opportunity to learn the secrets of healthy organic gardening with “Organic Food Gardening Beginner’s Manual” - all crammed into a simple, easy to use e-book.

Your very best area to grow your veggies
How to build up healthy, fertile soil without costing a fortune
How to feed your soil - the organic ways
How to create an easy, ‘no-dig’ veggie plot
Massive savings by learning how to grow food from seeds
9 Essential tips to successfully transplanting your seedlings
WARNING: avoid killing your established plants when moving them
Tips for the most effective watering
Why mulching is a must in every organic garden
5 easy ways to keep your garden weed free
How to slash your food bill in half, feeling healthy and energised
The 7 crucial ingredients to making great compost
What never to put into your compost; don’t end up with a sticky, stinky mess
How to make your own organic liquid fertilizers, saving $$’s
Natural ways to protect your plants from pests and disease
Top 10 easiest veggies to grow
Secrets to growing lush, healthy herbs
Why to include perennial vegetables
What you must do to grow your food if space is limited
How much to plant for your family’s needs

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The organic-food business is booming: About 70 percent of Americans buy organic food occasionally, and nearly one quarter buy it every week, according to the Hartman Group, a market research firm. For most of us, the reason is simple: We want natural food that’s better for us and for the environment, says Samuel Fromartz, author of Organic, Inc. But buying organic can cost you — as much as 50 percent more — so read on to know when it’s worth it.

Organic foods may have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research. The reason: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. Some studies have linked pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects — but many experts maintain that the levels in conventional food are safe for most healthy adults. Even low-level pesticide exposure, however, can be significantly more toxic for fetuses and children (due to their less-developed immune systems) and for pregnant women (it puts added strain on their already taxed organs), according to a report by the National Academy of Sciences.

Pesticide contamination isn’t as much of a concern in meats and dairy products (animals may consume some pesticides, depending on their diet), but many scientists are concerned about the antibiotics being given to most farm animals: Many are the same antibiotics humans rely on, and overuse of these drugs has already enabled bacteria to develop resistance to them, rendering them less effective in fighting infection, says Chuck Benbrook, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Organic Center, a nonprofit research organization.

What is organic food, anyway?

Though organic food can be produced with certain synthetic ingredients, it must adhere to specific standards regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Crops are generally grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation (a form of radiation used to kill bacteria), or biotechnology. Animals on organic farms eat organically grown feed, aren’t confined 100 percent of the time (as they sometimes are on conventional farms), and are raised without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.

Is organic food better for me?

Organic foods may have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research. The reason: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. Some studies have linked pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects — but many experts maintain that the levels in conventional food are safe for most healthy adults. Even low-level pesticide exposure, however, can be significantly more toxic for fetuses and children (due to their less-developed immune systems) and for pregnant women (it puts added strain on their already taxed organs), according to a report by the National Academy of Sciences.

Pesticide contamination isn’t as much of a concern in meats and dairy products (animals may consume some pesticides, depending on their diet), but many scientists are concerned about the antibiotics being given to most farm animals: Many are the same antibiotics humans rely on, and overuse of these drugs has already enabled bacteria to develop resistance to them, rendering them less effective in fighting infection, says Chuck Benbrook, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Organic Center, a nonprofit research organization.

Is buying organic better for the environment?
Organic farming reduces pollutants in groundwater and creates richer soil that aids plant growth while reducing erosion, according to the Organic Trade Association. It also decreases pesticides that can end up in your drinking glass; in some cities, pesticides in tap water have been measured at unsafe levels for weeks at a time, according to an analysis performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).  Plus, organic farming used 50 percent less energy than conventional farming methods in one 15-year study.

The University of Guelph is officially opened the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming and students of all ages will learn about local organic food production and resource conservation. President Alastair Summerlee said during a grand opening celebration “it’s all about preparing younger generations for a different kind of future.” The opening celebration is attended by Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge and Robert Gordon, the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College.
Summerlee said “this innovative centre will provide practical experiential learning opportunities for our students which in the long run will help bring about changes and improvement to our food system.” The farm is located on a one hectare at the northwest corner of the Arboretum, this will also serve as a community networking center. The three non-governmental agencies like the Canadian Organic Growers, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and FarmStart have been involved in both the planning and initial planting.
Prof. Ann Clark of the Department of Plant Agriculture said “We are not simply operating a market garden but also preparing society for greater self-sufficiency in healthy and nutritious food with less dependence on fossil fuel energy and scarce water resource.” The knowledge student’s gain will be both practical and useful.
A commercial organic market gardener Martha Gay Scroggins will coordinate the center. She will oversee teaching and practical learning opportunities as part of University of Guelph’s major in organic agriculture. Clark and Prof. Paul Voroney of the Department of Land Resource Science introduced the organic major in 2002. It was the first program of its kind in North America and it is still the only academic organic major offered in Canada.

Ong Kung Wai the renowned national organic consultant, felt that the abundance of fertile land and coupled with the hot and humid weather all year round would ensure the success of organic farming in the state. Farmers and livestock breeder must be brave to venture into organic farming in view of the good market potential locally and globally.
Ong Kung Wai said “if you are a good organic farmer to begin with, the switch over will be quicker and you can match productivity as can be seen in the Cameron Highlands where the farmers are making good money.”
Ong also said organic farming was more on intensive farming technology where the farmers needed to know a little bit more about the soil, weather, insect pests, dynamics and nutrient science. Ong is a board member of International Federation of Organic Movement or IFOAM and chairperson of Organic Alliance Movement or OAM. He said the awareness on using organic products was on the increase among Malaysians who insisted on eating food free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
He said “this can be seen in Peninsular Malaysia especially in the bigger towns and cities where many supermarkets allocate spaces for organic products and the market for them is quite good.” He advised the consumers to check the origin and quality of the products to avoid buying fake products.
The four principles of organic farming were health, ecology, fairness and care. The benefits of organic farming were improved crop and animal health and better nature resource management, lower use of non-renewable resources, safer food and safer working environment.

Ph.D. Pam G. Marrone is reports a development of a new “green” pesticide obtained from an extract of the giant knotweed, in a report scheduled for presentation at the 236th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. The booming consumption of organic foods creates a pressing need for natural insecticides and herbicides that can be used on crops certified as “organic”.
Founder and CEO of Marrone Organic Innovations Inc., Marrone said, “the product is safe to humans, animals, and the environment.” The new biopesticide have an active compound that alerts plant defenses to a range of diseases, including powdery mildew, gray mold and bacterial blight that affect fruits and vegetables. Marja Koivunen, Ph.D., director of research and development for Marrone Organic Innovations said that the product will be available this coming October for conventional growers and a new formulation has also develop for organic farmers and will be available in 2009.
Biopesticides are derived from plants, microbes, and other natural materials and are proven to be safer for humans and the environment. The Marrone Organic Innovations or MOI R&D team is working on an organic rice herbicide based on an extract from a marine microorganism, and also on insecticides and nematocides to kill insect pests and soil inhabiting, like parasitic roundworms that affect plants and animals.
The synthetic pesticides sales dominate the $30 billion pesticide market and the use of biopesticides is increasing. Marrone Organic Innovations officials estimate that global sales will hit $1 billion by 2010 and grow 10 percent a year on average and the biopesticide could make up 4.25 percent of the global pesticide business in 2010, up from 2.5 percent in 2005

Organic food production is still hampered by concerns raised by consumers about the authenticity of organic produce, and although organic produce has secured market recognition in Malaysia. Attempts by the private sector and the government to address the issue however have not been so fruitful to date. This issue has been raised at public seminars, newspaper articles as well as internet chat sites.
Self claimed organic products can similarly retail alongside certified products at up to 300 percent more than conventional produce. The organic producers are burdened by the additional documentation, expenses, fees and control procedures which do not facilitate any additional market margin. NGO and public demands, the Malaysian government published the National Organic Standards (MS1529) in 2001. The Department of Agriculture established an organic certification program, Malaysian Organic Scheme (Skim Organik Malaysia-SOM), for the domestic market in December 2003.
The scope of the certification program, presently limited to crop production, is offered free of charge to farmers. Over 70 farmers have reportedly applied since 2004 but only 17 are certified so far. Certification of imported final products is clearly marked as such on their respective product labels. Importing from all over the world, the Malaysian market are with numerous certification marks, which wholesale and retail staff are not always able to explain correctly.
OAM or Organic Alliance Movement, comprising chief executive officers of major organic importers and wholesalers setup in 2002 has mixed results in establishing a local certification program; one of OAM’s founding objectives. Processors of imported certified bulk items often claim their repacked items are certified organic although their repacking operations are not certified. Processors of multi ingredients from different countries and certification systems face difficulty in the choice of certification body unless they simplify their supply sources.
Organic Alliance Movement or OAM is currently working on domestic organic assurance program, promoting Malaysia common market mark and in alliance with certification bodies in Europe and Asia to offer certification service for organic exporters.

Representatives of the organic community meet with the US department of Agriculture or USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team to discuss the implementation of organic provisions within the 2008 Farm Bill. The USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team was charged with crafting 70 implementation rules by 90 days after the 18 June enactment of the Bill.
It was arranged by The Organic Trade Association or OTA, was an opportunity to present information on the significance of organic provisions to the team charged with implementing the Farm Bill. Mark Lipson, senior policy analyst for the Organic Farming Research Foundation said “This meeting was very important as we shift from legislative advocacy to the hard work of implementation.” “Our wins in the Farm Bill must be integrated into each agency’s work plan as directed by the USDA leadership, but it won’t happen automatically.”
OTA spokesperson and other participants stressed the importance of National Organic Program funding, organic production and market data, research needs, organic crop insurance provisions, the national cost share certification program, and provisions for organic agriculture in conservation programs. OTA led group include representatives of the Organic Farming Research Foundation or OFRF, National Organic Coalition, Center for Food Safety, National Centre for Appropriate Technology, Rodale Institute, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Food and Water Watch and Florida Organic Growers.

With more people interested in buying organic food, a tucked away on the Canandaigua shoreline sits 50 acres of what Wegmans family calls their great experiment.  Wegmans developed a farm that is used as a testing ground to learn more about organic growing and pass on that knowledge to local growers.  Wegmans says his stores have seen an increased demand for organic produce in recent years, despite the fact that it’s usually more expensive.

Anne Grover, the organic farm’s garden manager said “I believe in bringing the heirloom vegetables back,” ”It is good DNA, they’ve survived the test of time, they are open pollinated which I think is very important.  I guess I’m old fashioned girl and an old fashioned gardener.”   Area farmers have noticed the trend as well.  A local farmer Jeff Partyka said, “I think there is an increased demand for growing organic and it is something we are hoping we can do.”  Partyka also owns a small fruit and vegetable farm in Hamlin.

Chickens raised on organic feed are also part of this farm.  Wegmans farm manager Steve Straub said “Once the farm gets going, I think this is a viable way of producing vegetables also.  We are just getting the fields and the soil established and that is the key.”  Those working the fields believe someday organic farming will surpass the traditional way of growing produce.  One area farmer is already considering making the switch from traditional to organic.

Yeo Valley Organic sponsors the Soil Association Organic Food Festival it is the Europe’s largest celebration of all things organic and kicks off this year’s Soil Association Organic Fortnight, this is a nationwide campaign bringing together communities, retailers, restaurants, organic farms and schools.
The festival is now in its eight year and the event will take place in Bristol on September 6 and 7, 2009 and it will be host to over 300 organic companies, showcasing the very best organic food, drink, skincare, and home ware products.

People who will visit will be spoilt for choice with food markets, green plane pavilion, kitchen demonstration, food cruises around harbor, and an arts and entertainment fringe. The festival will open with the Matthew sailing towards the Amphitheatre and new to the festival are the Local Market in Anchor Square, Grow Your Own Organic Garden area, Organic Live!, areas including cookery demos and wine tasting and the food for life Partnership Cooking Bus in the Kid’s zone.

The Soil Association Organic Food Festival is greener than ever with the introduction of sustainably source biofuel to power the festival generators, and an emphasis on travelling to the festival by train, bus and ferry. To encourage people to come by train, the Soil Association, in partnership with First Travel, offering a 2 for 1 offer on festival tickets on presentation of proof of using First Travel transport.

The month of August is a good time to start raising some of your own fruits and vegetables, because it is easy to dig due to all the rain which also helps plants take off and flourish.  August 24 Sunday the annual Organic Garden Tour in Sierra Vista it will be held at two backyard gardens on Choctaw off Highway 92 from 10am to 2pm.  New grower, Jim Woodruff will show his concrete block raised veggie beds, fruit trees watered by harvested rainwater,   berries, grapes, onion and garlic.  Elly and Bill Stavark’s 13 year old multiple raised bed backyard garden where they grow vegetables year round and make great compost.

The Bisbee Farmers Market, Compost Queen, Marcia Gibbons, will be sharing wealth of experience making compost.  She will have compost samples at various stages as well as information on composting systems.  This is on Saturday August 16 and on August 17 Sunday the Bisbee Community Gardens Group will have its first annual Organic Garden Tour, including several gardens in the Warren district.  There will be demonstrations of rain water harvesting, composting, solar cooking and solar drying.

Jane Wyatt of San Simon Chile Company will return with her green chiles and chile roaster to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market beginning on August 14.  On August 23 from 8 am to 1pm celebrate chile seaon at the annual Chile Festival at the Bisbee Farmers Market.  Jane will bring two large roasters and a trailer loaded with sacks of her green chiles and jalapenos as well as red chile pods.