Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. The farming systems used maintain and promote natural processes that work to ensure a natural environment. Organic food is produced to a set of standards and principles concerning such issues as artificial chemicalfertilisers/pesticides/herbicides/fungicides/ food additives/GMOs etc. Organic growers aim to produce food as 'naturally' as possible. Bio dynamic farming is a form of organic farming that actively works with the health giving forces of nature.

When our food is organic emphasis is placed on the system as a holistic farm management approach, using rotations and ruminant animals as an integral part of the system. Organic systems recognise that our health is directly connected to the health of the food we eat and, ultimately, the health of the soil. In this system soil health is critical in producing wholesome products. Organic farmers aim to produce good food from a balanced, living soil.

Certified organic growers are inspected on an annual basis by one of the following independent certification bodies:

1. Bio Dynamic Research Institute - DEMETER
2. Australian Certified Organic - ACO
3. National Association of Sustainable Agriculture in Australia - NASAA
4. Organic Herb Growers of Australia - OHGA

BIODYNAMICS

'Bio' comes from the Greek word which means life, and 'dynamic' means a moving force. Hence bio dynamics is life as a moving force. In tune with the natural rhythms Bio dynamic farming principles and methods are based on the teachings of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner who in 1924 outlined a method of agriculture that seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. He developed the technique in response to the degradation and nutrient depletion of European soils. Bio dynamics is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement in the West, predating, by 20 years, the organic farming movement.

Bio dynamics is about gardening using a set of eight homeopathic-like animal, mineral and plant based preparations. These preparations are used at certain times to align with the rhythms of the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets and constellations. Followers of this method of farming believe that energy and life comes from the astronomic features in a rhythm, and activities such as planting and adding preparations are keyed to the astronomical events. Bio dynamic farmers attempt to understand and work with life processes and they try to build their understanding of the mineral processes used in conventional agriculture. Bio dynamics is a holistic system that considers the farm an organic system. As such, it must include livestock.

Organic and bio dynamics both consider a healthy soil is the foundation of healthy plants, animals and people. In fact, a healthy, well-structured soil, rich in humus and high in biological activity is a prerequisite for any sustainable agricultural system.

Bio dynamic farming incorporates some controversial practices eg the use of eight soil and plant amendments called preparations numbered 500 to 507. The first (500) is based on cow manure packed into female cow horns and buried on the autumnal solstice for six months, and dug up at the spring solstice. The contents of the horn are then mixed with a large amount of water, then sprinkled over the soil. This preparation is used to enliven the soil, increasing the micro flora and the availability of nutrients and trace elements.

Good Soil Nutrient Management
Maintenance of soil fertility is critical to sustainability of the food supply - crop rotation, fallowing and organic amendment, strict pollution management, and integration of the farming system into the local environment are all components of any well-managed agricultural system. Organic farmers can use a variety of management practices to conserve nutrients and enhance soil quality, including:

• Applications of composted animal manure and other organic residue to form a more uniform and chemically stable fertiliser material. The use of animal manure completes the nutrient cycle allowing for a return of energy and fertiliser nutrients to the soil.
• Use of crop rotations to help trap and recycle nutrients in the soil profile, increase soil tilth, and provide a diversity of crop residues. Crop rotation is an essential component of any organic farming system, creating diversity in space and time that disrupts the growth and development of weed, pest and disease populations.
• Use of green manures and cover cropping is a standard practice in organic farming. Which crops are chosen depends on the intended function of the crop.
  So good you could eat it
• Use of compost is beneficial because it contains antibiotics and antagonists to soil pests allowing for increased plant resistance to attacks, increases crop yields, is important in weed control and builds up soil organic matter.
• Use of annual soil tests to help calculate appropriate amounts of organic fertilisers to add.
• Avoidance of surface application of manure prior to rain, or irrigation.
• Use of farming practices that enhance soil quality and reduce the potential for water runoff and wind and water erosion eg controlled traffic.
• Use of vegetative buffers or filters between cropping areas and water bodies to protect against nutrient and sediment movement into rivers or lakes.

The result - guaranteed healthy food and a healthier planet!! This product is produced by growers who are annually inspected by an independent certified body. The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service monitors the whole certification system.

We hope this information will give you a basic understanding of how your supplied produce is certified. Keep an eye out for the certifying
bodies, or for more information follow these links.

BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD?

Organics is about producing food the old fashioned way. By supporting the natural approach to food growing, you not only eat food that is nutritious and tastes great, but also you support the farmers who are looking after the environment we all share. Below is a list of benefits of eating organics and using the box scheme.

• To keep chemicals off your plate. Healthy clean food unpolluted with chemical herbicides, pesticides, growth hormones and artificial fertilizers.
• Consumer protection and choice for the community.
• The box scheme offers more affordable organic food and increased service, saving time, money, and resources.
• Increased support and production of organic food and goods. Supporting farmers that support your view for a cleaner environment.
• Extremely good tasting and healthier fresh food.
• Support of animal welfare and promotion of bio diversity
• No genetic engineering (G.M.O.s)
• If more people support the Organic industry, more farmers will convert to growing organic produce, and ultimately more people will be aware of and have access to clean unpolluted food.
• Supporting a community business initiative that holds ethical and sustainable values, and actively supports other community groups involved in Sustainability, Health and Environment.
• Supporting a true economy
  (non-organic food does not include the health and environmental costs, including taxes spent on cleaning up water and land pollution and degradation.)

Why choose Organic?

There are numerous reasons why we should choose organic. Organic food in Australia if often more expensive than non-organic, but the more you know about the overall benefits of organic food, the more you will realise it is much better value.

1. Organic food tastes better. Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil, which leads to the nourishment of the plant and, ultimately, our palate.

2. Organic food production helps protect future generations. Food choices made in the family and community now, determine our children's health - not only now but into the future.

3. Organic food has higher levels of nutrients. There is now plentiful research findings that show organic food is far superior in vitamin, mineral and nutrient content. They are especially higher in antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.

4. Organic farming methods prevent soil erosion and build healthy soils. Organic farms protect the environment by building soil organic matter and by mimicking natural systems rather than relying on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

5. Organic farming helps protect water quality. Pesticides and other chemicals widely used in conventional farming contaminate ground water and rivers and pollute primary sources of drinking water.

6. Organic food is free of artificial additives. The use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives, colourings, antioxidants etc are also prohibited in the processing of organic foods.

7. Exposure to Chemical residues are reduced by eating organic foods. Research has shown that 30 percent of insecticides, 60 percent of herbicides and 90 percent of fungicides are known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also lead to nervous and endocrine problems. Organic growers have pest and disease management strategies that do not use artificial and toxic chemicals.
Simply by eating the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables that are grown organically, pesticide exposure is significantly reduced

8. Organic food production uses less energy than conventional food production. Modern conventional farming uses more petroleum than any other industry. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilisers than to till, cultivate and harvest crops. Organic farming is still based on labour intensive practices such as hand weeding, green manure, and cover crops instead of chemicals.

9. Certified organic means GE/GM free. Genetically modified organisms are not allowed under the strict organic certification standards.

10. Organic farming practices maintain or enhance seed, crop and ecological bio diversity. Conventional farming relies on mono cultures and chemicals to eradicate other plant and insect species - this considerably reduces bio diversity.

11. Support for small farmers. When we purchase organic food we support traditional farming systems. Most organic farms are small, independently owned family farms of less than 50 hectares. Many family farms have been sold-up during the last couple of decades because of economies of scale - they are not profitable under conventional farming systems. Organic farming could be one of the ways family farms can survive.

13. Organic food is not irradiated.

Clean Great Tasting Food, Protecting Our Environment,
Community Co-operation & Empowerment, Sustainable Living,
Group Buying Power, Ethical & Ecological Agriculture & Business.