Organic Soils Hold so Many Solutions

Science coming out of Europe supports the idea of using soils to mop up carbon, but this informative article looks at it from a few angles. Organic soils save carbon by: not consuming conventional fertilisers as well as storing and locking up carbon, while in the process becoming more resilient to climatic changes, and importantly becoming more productive. A win all round with very little up front cost. Certainly not the doom and gloom of the CO2 advocates.

Then there is the research coming out of Australia on Agrichar (Terra Preta, Biochar, charcoal...) looking to soils as a potent carbon sink.

More Climate Change Ideas

And its soils again. The desertification of soils is apparently blowing dust onto snow fields and reducing their reflectiveness, therefore absorbing more heat and reducing snow longevity and hence cooling. I personally remember flying over Europe many years ago and looking down on the 'brown' alps - the scale of the pollution was breathtaking.

Then there is the brilliant article recently put together by Dr Christine Jones, where the rational argument is put forward that soils and green plants are the answer to global warming, while CO2 is merely an effect not a cause...it is a really great read and expounds the idea of Yearlong Green farming and the 'greening of a brown land'.

Landcare Farming Forum

For those who were unable to attend the wonderful Landcare Farming Forum in Grafton in March, you can download some of the papers presented. Rebecca Line-Kelly also offered this summary of the event highlighting the discussions on water and its links to trees and the idea of soils acting sponges (an analogy I use a lot when describing the role of perennial grass roots in the landscape).

Fulvic Acid and Drought Protection

Although the following is an old paper, it seemingly has been dismissed or ignored (like many others that have a humic content). It documents the role fulvic acid has on drought affected wheat plants, increasing nutrient uptake and yields. 'Spraying with FA increased the yield of droughted plants to 97% of the irrigated controls.' These results seem worthy of more attention I would have thought. Instead we hear more and more about GM crops holding the answers to drought proofing. Fulvic acid paper 10/07/2007,14:36 286.10 Kb

More Flavonoids in Organic Tomatoes

While this is great news I was appalled at the twisted logic as to why organic tomatoes have higher levels of flavonoids. The explanation given is 'over-fertilisation' of conventionally grown plants with the following logic: 'Flavonoids are produced as a defense mechanism of the plant in response to nutrient deficiency. In the organically grown plants, no fertilisation occurred which was mirrored in increasing levels of the flavonoids over time as the soil fertility decreased.' What rubbish!! How about flavonoids are a natural defense mechanism, but it is poorly fertilised crops (ie salty and unbalanced conventional crops) who can't supply the nutrients to make flavonoid molecules...while naturally (and sufficiently) fertilised organic crops provide all the nutrients needed??

The Organic Roadshow

Held in regional and metropolitan areas around Australia and hosted by leading organic member organisation Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), the roadshow is providing much needed information for new entrants and current members of an industry which despite being the fastest growing sector of the food and drinks industry, is struggling to meet demand. See Events below for dates and places.

Managing Acid Soils Field Day

The Oaky Landcare Group is holding a field day outside Armidale NSW on 21st July to discuss acid soils and have asked me to speak on strategies to improve fertility, management practices to enhance soil health and the role of microbes in soil. All are welcome. Oaky Field Day 10/07/2007,10:55 122.00 Kb

Bionutrient Solutions Crop Review Day

Bionutrient Solutions are planning to hold a cropping trial review on 3rd August in Moree NSW. The key topics for discussion are: trial results from the past 18 months using biological inputs; carbon farming with Professor Peter Grace; the WA wheatbelt experience using liquid injection and foliar nutrition with Michael Eyres; ending with a round table discussion.

Sister Catchment Presentation

Toowoomba Landcare Group (TLG) are holding the Toowoomba - India Sister Catchment Presentation on 17th July at University of Southern Queensland. It will include an Indian supper and informal discussion about the partnership. India Presentation 10/07/2007,12:50 100.28 Kb

Permaculture People's Party

Bill Mollison is apparently pulling together the Permaculture People's Party, and they are chasing 500 members to register. Bill is happy to talk to anyone regarding the party, and can be contacted at Tagari, northern NSW. Attached is the form that needs to be filled out and sent to 31 Rulla Road, Sisters Creek, Tasmania 7325. Permaculture Party form 10/07/2007,13:02 102.16 Kb

Ochre Archive Newsletter

The 6th Edition is now on line. Its well worth a visit just to read about the amazing slime mould recently found on the place. What a weird creature!

GMOs back in Europe?

The games that seemly get played between authorities is breathtaking, using excuses like trade barriers, regulations. laws etc - how much say does the consumer really have at this level? Like the GMO debate world-wide - consumers simply don't want it, yet so much money and effort is spent either coercing governments (blinding them with science) or telling the consumer they are ignorant and stupid, or ridding the consumer of any choice by banning labeling. Democracy at work - arse-up!

Solar House Tour

I am about to start tracking the progress of our straw bale house in these newsletters as I know the topic of environmental building is of interest to many. While lots have been happening behind the scenes already, we expect to get our first design drawings back in the next couple of weeks and thought they would be an appropriate kick-off point. It may end up being as entertaining as some of the house projects on Grand Designs! (a UK TV program on ABC Thursday nights 6.30pm)

In the meantime, as a sampler, a solar house tour is planned for Gloucester on 11th August 2007.

Health

Folic Acid

I have been following the folic acid fortification debate for a while now and am pleased to say that in Australia at least, consumers will get a choice. Organic breads will not be fortified which is terrific news! Surely a boon to the organic industry too?

Vaccinations

I have posted a few emerging problems with the new HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine, Gardasil in recent newsletters. The story isn't improving.

Sunscreens

Sunscreens finally being recognised as contributors to the skin cancer problem, and the nasty bit is the way the money generated from the myth actually spins back around to the 'sickness' industry. Much like fast food chains donating money back into hospitals. Note that while severe sunburn is not a great thing, the damage caused by the sun is really the result of free radical damage (scroll down to the Health section) that can be mopped up with an array of antioxidants.

Miscellaneous

The numbers are quite stark - in 1983, 50 corporations ruled the U.S. news media, by 2004 this number decreased to a minuscule 6 corporations, with similar parallels in Australia. This trend certainly helps to get the public all thinking the same way...

Events

For all July events

For all August events

Toowoomba - India Sister Catchment Presentation - Toowoomba Qld 17th July 2007.

The Organic Roadshow - Brisbane Qld 20th July 2007.

Managing Acid Soils Field Day - Armidale NSW 21st July 2007.

Soil Symposium - Mudgee NSW 28th - 31st July 2007. Soil Symposium V - Mudgee 10/07/2007,14:41 336.50 Kb

Bionutrient Solutions Crop Review Day - Moree NSW 3rd August 2007.

Solar House Tour - Gloucester NSW 11th August 2007.

International Symposium on Forest Soils and Ecosystem Health - Noosa Qld 19th - 23rd August 2007.

Trundle 20th Annual Bush Tucker Day - Trundle NSW 1st September 2007.

The Organic Roadshow - Launceston Tas 5th October 2007.

The Organic Roadshow - Armidale NSW 30th November 2007.

Postscript

The Pal Diet by Anonymous

I have 2 dogs & I was buying a large bag of Pal at Big W and standing in line at the check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

On impulse, I told her that no, I was starting The Pal Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Pal nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry & that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.

I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a guy who was behind her.

Horrified, she asked if I'd ended up in the hospital in that condition because I had been poisoned. I told her no; it was because I'd been sitting in the street licking my balls and a car hit me.

I thought one guy was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard as he staggered out the door.

...why else would I buy dog food??