Dirt!, Mobile Soil Measurement, Carbon Trading Opportunities Still Open, BFA Organic School Gardens, Fossil Water, Women Leading the Food and Farming Revolution, Navdanya, Where Does Privacy Start and End?, Duty of Care for Farmers, Platypus Protein to Stop Methane Production, Raw Milk Bust, Super Charging Photosynthesis, Why GMs are Incompatible with Organics, The Genetic Conspiracy, Global Censorship of Non-GM Labels, CSI - Climate Science Investigators, Using Hair to Mop Up Oil, Biodegradable Fishing Line, Biodegradable Chewing Gum?, Swapping Mobiels for Trees, Solar Window Glass etc, Discussion Paper on Solar Energy, The Next Generation of Cities, Sunshield Trials to Commence, Opposing New NSW Mining Legislation, Carbon Farmer Newsletter, Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshops, The Deakin Lecture Series, 2010 UrbanSalt Conference, Pasture to Pocket Workshops, Cunnamulla Organic Roadshow, NTS Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, Harvesting the Sun @ Inverell, Biodiversity Workshop in Ashford, Grasslands Society 2010 Conference,  Future Global Sustainability - The Hemp Industry?, Holistic Farming Forum, Food Futures Forum, Health (cancer: cause and cure, dangers of cooked food, our ancestors consumed prebiotics, volcanic fluoride harming animals, healthier ways to eat meat, toxins and cancer, DNA test from the chemist, resveratrol drug vs natural resveratrol, the marketing of madness), Quote, Cartoon, Miscellaneous, Events, Postscript

Dirt!

DIRT! The Movie takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. "Drought, climate change, even war are all directly related to the way we are treating dirt." "The only remedy for disconnecting people from the natural world is connecting them to it again." [Gosh there are some brilliant movies being released at the moment - this trailer is very tantalising]

Mobile Soil Measurement

The Rodale Institute's approach to measuring soil carbon uses either optical or infrared devices designed to take a reading of the soil at the sampling point.  These instruments allow them to eliminate both the time involved in transporting samples to a laboratory and the costs associated with traditional lab testing.  These sensors also provide means for nondestructive sampling; that is, measurements can be taken without the need to alter, or in some cases, even remove the sample from the field.  

Carbon Trading Opportunities Still Open

The plug has been pulled on the CPRS, but that doesn’t mean the end of carbon trading. The postponement of the CPRS may have opened up fresh opportunities for soil carbon. Now, instead of the voluntary market being a poor cousin to the “official” CPRS market, the voluntary market will be the only source of emissions credits. “We don’t accept that improvements to soil health are enough to drive change. Trading of soil carbon credits harnesses the profit motive, and farmers’ pride in what they sell.”

BFA Organic School Gardens

From May2010, Australian primary schools and anyone with an interest will have access to a new, free organic gardening program released by Biological Farmers of Australia. The program is designed for students aged 8 -12 years and provides written materials for lessons taking place both inside and outside the classroom written by the author of highly acclaimed and twice-published gardening guide “Easy Organic Gardening and Moon Planting”.

Fossil Water

In the world's driest places, "fossil water" is becoming as valuable as fossil fuel. This ancient freshwater was created eons ago and trapped underground in huge reservoirs, or aquifers. And like oil, no one knows how much there is—but experts do know that when it's gone, it's gone. Also when underground reservoir levels change, they slightly alter Earth's gravitational field. [Some interesting facts included in this one]

Women Leading the Food and Farming Revolution

Temra Costa puts the spotlight on the women in her first book Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat. She brings together farmers, educators, mothers, chefs, business women and policy wonks, and profiles the work they’re doing to cultivate new paths to carry good food from seed to stomach. Costa celebrates the agricultural renaissance taking place and maintains a feminine approach to our food system is what is really driving much of the change. [And it is happening in Australia too!]

Navdanya

Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread across 16 states in India. Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation and climate change. Navdanya is a women centred movement for the protection of biological and cultural diversity. [Another wonderful website to be inspired by]

Where does Privacy Start and End?

It was revealed this week that the NSW Labor Government was using satellite imagery in its latest attempt to catch illegal land clearing. NSW Premier Kristina Keneally should stop the State Government’s “Big Brother” antics by not photographing properties owned by farmers using satellites, says the NSW leader of The Nationals, Andrew Stoner. [Personally I feel invaded knowing satellites can zoom in on my personal space without knowledge or permission - I guess it all fits with a fear-based society that feels it needs protection from the 'enemies']

Duty of Care for Farmers

Landholders could be bound by a duty of care to maintain the environment or face penalties for breaching standards under a radical proposal in the Henry tax review for a new national land management regime. [Oh boy, read the comments below this article. What a ludicrous way to go about 'forcing' change, particularly when the hypocrisy is so apparent throughout other aspects of industry and life]

Platypus Protein to Stop Methane Production

Australia's most distinctive animal, the 180 million year old platypus, might provide the answer to lowering the greenhouse gas emissions of cattle. They produce antimicrobial peptides, substances which kill or inhibits the growth of micro organisms such as bacteria. [I can only assume that these peptides only 'kill' the methane producing bacteria, not all the other microbes that actually digest the food and provide numerous essential by-products for animal health...]

Raw Milk Bust

The Maple Street Food Co-op in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast has become an alternative lifestylers' icon over the past three decades. But now the store has been busted – for allegedly promoting the sale of raw, or unpasteurised, milk for drinking which has been illegal in Australia since the 1980s. The co-op stocks raw milk produced by Trevor Mahaffey at his dairy farm in Goomboorian near Gympie and sold around the country under the brand "Cleopatra's Bath Milk" as a cosmetic.

Super Charging Photosynthesis

New technology developed by Australian scientists has supercharged photosynthesis - the natural process of plants converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into biomass and usable energy increasing its potential for bioengery generation. The new technology reprograms the photosynthetic cells of grasses to produce and store more sugars known as fructans. Recent trials have recorded a doubling of plant biomass compared with exisiting varieties.

Why GM's Are Incompatible with Organics

Despite fundamental differences in what they represent, there are occasional calls to allow the use of genetic engineering  (which produces genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs) within the USDA National Organic Program. Ten essential points are summarised as to why GMOs are incompatible with organic production. [A wonderful to-the-point run through the many varied issues involved]

The Genetic Conspiracy

How safe is the so-called "Green Genetic Engineering" really? Monsanto, the world's largest genetic engineering corporation, insists it is safe. Numerous studies claim genetically modified plants can cause allergies and cancers. However, commercial and political interests are determined to make genetic engineering the norm. [This includes some damning investigative journalism!]

Global Censorship of Non-GM Labelling

The U.S. is attempting to outlaw non-GMO labeling of foods via an international CODEX meeting, thereby making it illegal for a non-GMO food product to even claim "non-GMO" on the label. [Will be interesting to hear about the outcome]

CSI - Climate Scene Investigators

Heavy snows, cold snaps and heat waves may not be crimes exactly, but CSI is ready to track down the culprits. They investigated the blizzardly winter on the US east coast and say they found no fingerprints of human-induced global warming in the storms. So they held a lineup of suspects and narrowed it down to two co-conspirators — El Nino and the North Atlantic Oscillation, a pair of changing weather patterns in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. [Amazing the types of jobs some people have]

Using Hair to Mop Up Oil

As it turns out, hair adheres to oil pretty efficiently, which is why your hair gets greasy. Now salons are donating their discarded locks to help with the Gulf Coast cleanup. Matter of Trust makes nylon stockings stuffed with human hair and trimmed animal fur. After the booms are constructed, they're tied together with zip-ties. Then this clump of what looks like hair sausages is shoved into a long mesh liner to make a bigger hair boom to be laid along the waterline.

Biodegradable Fishing Line

A new biodegradable fishing line has the potential to minimise recreational fishers’ environmental footprint and help to meet the environmental guidelines. The US-manufactured fishing line is called Bioline. Unlike traditional nylon, braid or fluorocarbon lines, if Bioline is lost at sea it will biodegrade within five years, less than one hundredth of the time taken for conventional fishing lines to do the same. If disposed of in compost it will biodegrade within six months. [Go to page 30]

Biodegradable Chewing Gum?

There are sugar-free, tooth whitening and nicotine added versions but none from leading makers, as yet, that are dissolvable in rain. Chewing gum is still a pain to remove from pavements. It is estimated that the cost of removing chewing gum from city pavements and benches is approximately between €3 and €20 per square metre. Chewing gum is made from non-biodegradable petrol-based polymers that make it stretchy also make it durable, resistant to weather and chemicals and, moreover, very, very sticky. [Did you know that that is what you are chewing?]

Swapping Mobiles for Trees

You can help Mobile Muster and Landcare Australia at the same time by recycling your old mobile phone through the 'Old phones more trees' campaign. Under the program, one tree will be planted by Landcare for every 1kg of mobile phones collected. The campaign runs from 1st May - 5th June. Mobile phone handsets, batteries and chargers are all recyclable. Hand your phone in to your local phone retailer.

Solar Window Glass etc

The latest advances in energy technology are truly mind-blowing. From solar window glass that could power your home, to solar collectors in orbit around the earth and more… Take a look at what the foreseeable future has in store! [Not sure about the glowing report on the wireless technology being used to beam electricity back to earth though]

Discussion Paper on Solar Energy

The NSW government have released a discussion paper on a draft ‘exempt’ and ‘complying’ development regime for small and large scale solar power systems including photovoltaic (PV), concentrating PV, and concentrating solar thermal systems. It has been prepared for public consultation purposes. It gives a good overview of the systems available and planning considerations including heritage, ecological and aviation issues.

The Next Generation of Cities

On the outskirts of Shanghai the most remarkable and intriguing 21st century urban project is just getting underway. It will redefine the way people live, work and enjoy leisure time in a metropolis. The Chilean architect and urban designer Alejandro Guitierrez from the design giant Arup and a team of 100 planners including architects, engineers, landscape designers, energy and water specialists and conservation biologists have set about to change the course of history.

Sunshield Trials to Commence

Bill Gates, the Microsoft billionaire, is funding research into machines to suck up ten tonnes of seawater every second and spray it upwards. This would seed vast banks of white clouds to reflect the Sun’s rays away from Earth. The British and American scientists involved do not intend to wait for international rules on technology that deliberately alters the climate. [How arrogant and audacious! It also leaves you wondering about the quantity of hydrocarbons that will be burnt to supply the energy to achieve this...]

Opposing New NSW Mining Legislation

The NSW Farmers Association is urging farmers to contact Members of Parliament and call on them to oppose the intent of the amendments contained in the Mining and Petroleum Legislation Amendment (Land Access) Bill 2010. The Bill will remove landholders’ existing rights with regard to the protection of their property from the impacts of mining exploration and gas exploration.

Carbon Farmer Newsletter

The latest newsletter from Carbon Farmers of Australia reports that the backflip on the CPRS is good news for carbon farmers if they choose to participate in the National Carbon Offset Scheme (NCOS) which is due to start July 1st. It also outlines the benefits this could provide farmers considering carbon farming practices. It also includes a snippet on the concept of soil bacteria actually producing water, as well as lots of soil carbon insights.

Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshops

These soil carbon works hosted by Michael and Louisa Kiely will be held in Braidwood 15th May, Warialda 1st June, Hamilton 18th June, Cann River 22nd June, Orbost 24th June and Bairnsdale 25th June. Contact Louisa.

The Deakin Lecture Series

In 2010, the Alfred Deakin Lecture Series will be one week of unparalleled debate with 30 of the best people addressing the climate problem now. These aren’t the usual suspects spouting fixed positions. Alan Lauder will be one discussing Carbon Down on the Farm, Bendigo 9th June.

2010 UrbanSalt Conference

The 2010 Urban Salinity Conference, Parramatta 8th - 9th June aims to: increase the understanding of all of the issues that relate to urban salinity across local government, state government agencies and the building and construction industry; provide an increased level of understanding of salinity issues from the “green fields” planning stage to the post development stage; encourage the development of networks across a range of sectors.

Pasture to Pocket Workshops

This 2.5 day workshop covers how soils operate; how animals operate; how business operates – the 3 Secrets of Profit; Grazing Management Systems – the pros & cons; principles of sustainable grazing; property development and planning; planning water and fences; Ecological Indicators; management tools. Cunnamulla 21-23 June, Eulo 24-26 June.

Cunnamulla Organic Roadshow

Roadshows are open to all interested in seeking the latest information on biological production systems and organic/ biodynamic food and farming. The Cunnamulla program looks exciting and includes talks from local producers, as well as farm tour - 20th May.

NTS Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture

This is becoming such a popular course (and rightly so - it is brilliant) that can be booked out in advance, with some people missing out. The next Yandina course is 19th - 22nd July - so this is an advanced warning to those interested - book in now to avoid disappointment!

Harvesting the Sun @ Inverell

The day features trade exhibits on solar panels, solar hot water systems, solar pumps as well as information on rebates. Speakers include residents who have made the switch to solar energy. Inverell 20th June.

Biodiversity Workshop in Ashford

Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA will host a biodiversity workshop in Ashford on 26th May. The event will feature ecologist Wendy Hawes from The Envirofactor and is open to the community free of charge.

Grasslands Society 2010 Conference

The theme of the Grasslands Society Conference this year is 'Adapting Mixed Farms to Future Environments'. The 2-day event will take place 28-29 July in Dubbo. Extensive site tours include the sheep abbattoir at Dubbo, trial sites at Trangie and saltbush lamb marketing at Wellington.

Future Global Sustainability - The Hemp Industry?

Managing Director of Ecofibre Industries Operations, Phil Warner has been working in the international Hemp industry for over 15yrs and is giving a presentation in Maleny 21st May on industrial hemp breeding, production, processing and products, and will include display product samples and references. It is an exciting old, but potentially new innovative Fibre, Grain, Food and Oil crop, with huge product potential from paper to carbon fibre and hempcrete etc...

Holistic Farming Forum

Holistic Agriculture pioneers Peter Andrews, David Holmgren and Gwyn Jones will appear together for the first time at a Bushfire Recovery information sharing session for Farmers and Food Producers in Kinglake, 15th May (THIS SATURDAY!). The three men are excited about how their innovations can work together to build a farming-led recovery in the region devastated by the Kilmore East fire.

Food Futures Forum

The Kinglake Ranges Food Futures Forum on Sunday 16th May 2010 will explore the futures of food, farming and food distribution in Victoria. Invited speakers guest are all leaders in their field. This unique event will appeal to farmers and foodies alike.

Health

Cancer: Cause and Cure

The book Cancer: Cause and Cure comes highly recommended from a subscriber known for his forays into historical books on soil and health. Percy Weston was an Australian farmer became absolutely convinced that exposure to and consumption of phosphorus/phosphate can cause very serious adverse health problems in both animals and humans. He experimented with stunning results curing livestock as well as himself and his wife using low-phosphorus diets. Weston's book is an outstanding read, full of fascinating detail about his experiments and experiences. He apparently lived to 103 - so he was obviously doing something right!

Dangers of Cooked Food

A diet that is based on high-heat-treated foods increases markers associated with an enhanced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in healthy people. Replacing high-heat-treatment techniques by mild cooking techniques may help to positively modulate biomarkers associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.

Our Ancestors Consumed Prebiotics

Well preserved faecal samples show that our ancestors regularly consumed in excess of 100 grams per day of prebiotic fibres – considerably more than modern recommendations of between five and eight grams per day for inulin and oligofructose. “The accumulating physiological health benefits observed for prebiotics should come as no surprise when you consider the nutritional landscape upon which co-evolution between microbial communities and their human hosts took place.”

Volcanic Fluoride Harming Animals

Animals in southern Iceland are at risk of fluoride poisoning if they inhale or ingest the ash from the recent volcanic eruption. Fluoride poisoning can lead to internal bleeding, long-term bone damage and tooth loss. Many may see this story and never connect the dots between the tragic poisoning of these animals due to a natural event, and the intentional poisoning of human beings through excessive fluoride exposure each and every day.

Healthier Ways to Eat Meat

Cooking meat with an antioxidant-rich spice mix could reduce compounds that have been linked to heart disease and cancer. In the latest study, adding a spice blend to burgers reduced the level of malondialdehyde, a chemical marker for oxidation, in the meat by 71% and levels in participants’ urine by 49%. Spices used included: cloves; cinnamon; oregano; rosemary; ginger; black pepper; paprika; garlic powder.

Toxins and Cancer

The latest report by the US President's Cancer Panel states that environmental toxins, especially chemicals are the main causes of cancer and raises particular concern over the exposure levels for children. It also states that the current methods of testing and regulating chemicals such as pesticides are inadequate. Very significantly, the report recommends that people consume food grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers and growth hormones.

DNA Test from the Chemist

Beginning Friday, US shoppers in search of toothpaste, deodorant and laxatives at more than 6,000 drugstores across the nation will be able to pick up something new: a test to scan their genes for a propensity for Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, diabetes and other many other ailments. Some say that the test is irresponsible and could give many buyers a dangerous false sense of security or, conversely, needlessly alarm them. [It also doesn't take into account the flexible world of epigentics]

Resveratrol Drug vs Natural Resveratrol

A phase 2 human trial investigating the effectiveness of resveratrol for treating multiple myeloma patients has been suspended after 20% of the trial’s subjects developed kidney damage. [What is particularly interesting about this report is it fails to mention that the trial was being conducted on a drug form of resveratrol - ie an isolated and purified form no doubt made in a lab, not the natural form that you find in grape skins. I doubt eating grapes would have caused the same problem...]

The Marketing of Madness

The 'Marketing of Madness' is the definitive documentary on the psychiatric drugging industry. Here is the real story of the high income partnership between psychiatry and drug companies that has created an $80 billion psychotropic drug profit centre. Check out this trailer.

Quote

'An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind' - Mohandas Gandhi

Cartoon

Miscellaneous

Check out this futuristic way of shopping...imagine shopping for clothes like this? I suppose the potential is there to even design clothes this way too!

Events

* Holistic Farming Forum - Kinglake Vic 15th May 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Braidwood NSW 15th May 2010.

* Food Futures Forum - Kinglake Vic 16th May 2010.

* Cunnumulla Organic Roadshow - Cunnamulla Qld 20th May 2010.

* Future Global Sustainability - The Hemp Industry? - Maleny Qld 21st May 2010.

* Biodiversity Workshop in Ashford - Ashford NSW 26th May 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Warialda NSW 1st June 2010.

*2010 UrbanSalt Conference - Parramatta NSW 8th - 9th June 2010.

* Carbon Down on the Farm - Bendigo Vic 9th June 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Hamilton Vic 18th June 2010.

* Harvesting the Sun @ Inverell - Inverell NSW 20th June 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Cann River Vic 22nd June 2010.

* Pasture to Pocket Workshop - Cunnamulla Qld 21st - 23rd June 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Orbost Vic 24th June 2010.

* Grow It, Hold It, Trade It Workshop - Bairnsdale Vic 25th June 2010.

* Pasture to Pocket Workshop - Eulo Qld 24th - 26th June 2010.

* NTS Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture - Yandina Qld 19th - 22nd July 2010.

* Grasslands Society 2010 Conference - Dubbo NSW 28th - 29th July 2010.

Postscript

Oh some people are clever (and cheeky)!

In a Podiatrist's/Chiropodist's office: 'Time wounds all heels.'

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On a Septic Tank Truck: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels

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On a Plumber's truck: 'We repair what your husband fixed.'

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On another Plumber's truck: 'Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.'

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On a Church's Bill board: '7 days without God makes one weak.'

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At a Tyre Store: 'Invite us to your next blowout.'

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On an Electrician's truck: 'Let us remove your shorts.'

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In a Non-smoking Area: 'If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.'

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On a Maternity Room door: 'Push. Push. Push.'

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At an Optometrist's Office: 'If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place.'

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On a Taxidermist's window: 'We really know our stuff.'

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On a Fence: 'Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!'

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At a Car Dealership: 'The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment.'

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Outside a Car Exhaust Store: 'No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.'

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In a Vets waiting room: 'Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!'

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In a Restaurant window: 'Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up.'

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In the front yard of a Funeral Home: 'Drive carefully. We'll wait.'

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And don't forget the sign at a RADIATOR SHOP: 'Best place in town to take a leak.'

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Sign on the back of yet another Septic Tank Truck: 'Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises'