Free Bread From Stones Book

This classic, written by Julius Hensel over 100 years ago is a highly recommended read. Even when it was written Julius was taken to court for making false claims about how much healthier plants were when being fertilised with rock dust. This information has been kept out of the main stream for too long. Every farmer will benefit from reading this book. Download the book free via Farming Secrets.

Peak Phosphorus

Peak phosphorus - based on current official estimates of world resources, is estimated to occur around 2030, only decades after the likely peak in oil production. The situation for phosphorus is worse than for oil however, as there is no substitute for phosphorus in food production. [I am not so sure I am so alarmist about this issue for biological farming, phosphorus is generally already loaded into our soils either naturally or from a century of fertilising it there. It is remarkably stable and biology can release it. Perhaps its simply another death knoll for conventional farming though]

Using Mushrooms for Packaging

Two entrepreneurs have figured out how to turn mushrooms and waste biomass into things like insulation for your home and packing material. Greensulate and EcoCradle are drop-in replacements for the expanded polystyrene you'd use either to insulate the walls of your home, keep you warm or cold, or pack things from televisions to toasters to iPods. The difference is while these products give you the same performance, physical and thermal, they're totally compostable in your own backyard, and they're grown from agricultural waste. They are basically using the mushroom mycelium as a glue. And as a bonus, this material is actually fireproof.

Contaminated Global Food

As food production and preparation moves farther afield, tainted items become hard to avoid. Food seems scarier in contemporary America because of better detection, which makes outbreaks more visible; and the wide range of the outbreaks. But it also reveals how a centralized food system can allow a single batch of contaminated food to hurt people across the country; and how concentrated production techniques that go with Big Food can help propagate pathogens. The food that the FDA worries most about right now is fresh produce because it isn't easy to trace produce, and they don't have a good handle on how bacteria can penetrate fruits and vegetables.

EU Organic Logo

The European Commission is taking votes on the three finalists in its contest to design the new EU organic label, all copyright checked to ensure they do not infringe existing designs. See what you think?

Dirty Natural Cotton

That "all-natural" cotton T-shirt in your closet? The one with the eco-friendly message brightly printed on the front? Ounce for ounce, it could be the most environmentally toxic item of clothing you own. The life cycle of the humble cotton tee has left ecological wreckage in its wake, especially in China.

Conventional or Free Range Pork?

For many of us, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the traditional ham. But few people tucking into their festive feast would spare a thought for where that ham actually comes from beyond the supermarket. Sadly, most ham and bacon comes from highly intensive factory farms - nightmarish places where animals almost never see daylight. [I have to say, having an abundance of free range pork locally is an absolute delight!]

Battery Hens of the Sea

Salmon farmers have relied on marketing Tasmania's clean, green image to spearhead their assault on mainland and overseas markets. But a growing number of critics say the marketing is a sham and that the waters of a salmon farm are more likely to be swirling with chemicals and waste. Industry figures show that from 2006 to 2008 almost 18 tonnes of the antibiotics Oxytetracycline and Amoxicillin (also used to treat people) were fed to Tasmanian salmon.

Composting Human Manure

Human manure, when properly managed, is odorless. "Human waste is a perfectly good source of an important resource, nitrogen,..Water is a valuable resource too. Why mix the two and turn all of it into a problem?" "[A] city will buy you a low-flow toilet, but they'll fight you all the way if you want to build one that uses no water at all." One group is aiming is to get their government into the night-soil business and put humanure toilets in county parks and town squares.

Biotech Crops Sustainable?

Biotech crops have contributed to significantly reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. The greenhouse gas emission reductions are derived from two principle sources: reduced fuel use from less-frequent herbicide or insecticide applications and reduced energy usage in soil cultivation from the use of no-till and reduced-till farming systems. [You might be able to argue foregone reductions (no doubt using models) -  but what about the advantages of doing all that without biotech and chemicals, which would include sequestering carbon and building soil fertility at the same time? It's being done and it works - biotech is always a poor imitator of nature]

GM Food Affecting Mammals

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 was performed. Analysis clearly reveals 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. 

Bayer Admits GM Contamination

Bayer has admitted it has been unable to control the spread of its genetically-engineered organisms despite 'the best practices [to stop contamination]'. "Even the best practices can't guarantee perfection." News of one recent contamination caused futures prices to fall about 14 percent. [and the non-GM farmers lost a lot of their predicted income...]

GM Creeping into Europe

There has been recent approval of a number of biotech corn varieties in the European Union (EU). While these approvals are seen as a positive step for the biotech companies, the EU's zero tolerance of unapproved varieties will continue to provide a significant market challenge to the biotech companies.

The Power of Monsanto

Confidential contracts detailing Monsanto Co.'s business practices reveal how the seed giant is squeezing competitors, controlling smaller companies and protecting its dominance over the multibillion-dollar market for genetically altered crops. At issue is how much power one company can have over seeds. Without stiff competition, Monsanto could raise its seed prices at will, which in turn could raise the cost of animal feed, wheat bread, cookies and much more.

Climategate

The media blizzard that has descended on climate science since the hacking of hundreds of e-mails held on the webmail server at the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, is set to become a case study - in public relations disasters, in the folly of incontinent electronic communication, in the shortcomings of peer review, and, very probably, in "how not to save the world." In the climate community, and perhaps elsewhere, Climategate may lead to far greater openness about research data. [I do hope so. This is a great read that highlights many truths. Why shouldn't the public and independent scientists and investigators be given access to data that is affecting their world? Check out the comments below too]

And if this is all a bit too serious - then many of you will enjoy this take on the 12 Days of Christmas...

Exxon Secrets

ExxonSecrets is a Greenpeace research project highlighting the more than a decade-long campaign by Exxon-funded front groups - and the scientists they work with - to deny the urgency of the scientific consensus on global warming and delay action to fix the problem. [Oh its no doubt happening on both sides of the debate - one side has supposed legitimate big dollar spending, the other some-how 'dirty' spending - but personally, I still don't see the problem or solution as being on either side - let's just focus on and then create what we all really want, a clean healthy landscape that supports all lifeforms, the other issues will miraculously melt away...]

Measuring Greenhouse Gases

Most of the summit's attention has focused on exactly how much countries will commit to cutting emissions of gases that data suggest are causing the earth to warm. Yet some scientists, legal experts and delegates say the hardest part of any deal in Copenhagen will be measuring - and then enforcing - whatever politicians decide. "I don't see the point in doing all this if the numbers are so far off. When you hear politicians tell you that they can measure these things, just because they passed a deal in Copenhagen, I think you should take that with a few grains of salt."

CO2 Regulated as a Health Hazard?

The United States says greenhouse gases blamed for global warming should be regulated as a health hazard. But of course such a regulation is also likely to spawn lawsuits and lengthy legal fights. [The world has gone made - what about all the other toxins out there that are not declared toxic or polluting, yet with evidence far more damning on its danger to life and environment...including the toxins from fossil fuels??]

Will Supposition Become Truth?

The heading is: Email hackers paid by climate sceptics:UN, yet the actual story is about United Nations officials suggesting the hackers were probably paid to undermine the Copenhagen climate change summit. Just a guess at best. Why couldn't the hackers be professional at both IT and their scepticism of climate change? Afterall, the Chechnya incident cited in this article involved hackers who could do both (hack and have a social conscious).

Which Farmers Sequester Soil Carbon?

I have been noticing this for a while, but it comes through clearly in David Combie's recent speech at Copenhagen. He states that farmers have always sequestered soil carbon and should be given credit for doing so. But this is simply not true - of conventional farming - the evidence is oh to obvious that such farmers are rapidly losing their soil carbon. It is only regenerative farmers (unfortunately few in number) that are actually doing this. This needs to be differentiated urgently, otherwise silly generalised arguments like this, that state something that all the evidence points in the opposite direction, can only damage any chance agriculture has of getting recognition and creating positive change. I do agree with his concerns with a tree-only focus though.

Image Makeover for China

The nation plagued by product recalls has hired a Manhattan ad agency to wage a global PR campaign. It's now running a TV spot seeking to boost the reputation of the ubiquitous 'Made in China' label. A voice-over in American-accented English ends the ad by saying, "When it says 'Made in China,' it really means 'Made in China, made with the world.' " Not a single Chinese face or factory appears. Some critics say China's ad campaign is misdirected and that the Ministry of Commerce and the trade groups would do better to focus their efforts on improving manufacturing practices in China rather than spending time trying to sway opinion overseas.

What is Green?

A project to remake South Korea's four longest rivers has spurred a national debate over what constitutes green development. The president claims it will generate thousands of jobs, improve water supply and quality, and prevent flooding, while providing a model for environmentally sound development. Environmentalists argue that dredging river bottoms will disrupt the ecosystem and the new dams will create catch basins, worsening pollution and flooding.

Reusable Toilet Paper

Environmental experts recently called toilet paper "one of the greatest excesses of our age," leading to suggestions that Americans adopt reusable cloth toilet wipes as an environmentally friendly alternative. Made of cloth, reusable wipes offer all the comfort of the triple-ply, ultra-quilted toilet paper roll with none of the nasty tree-killing consequences.

What's New...

Have you got sodic soils? Sodic soils cost farmers $1.5-2 billion per year in Australia, and the typical response is to do nothing or apply Gypsum. Gypsum works, but is a significant outlay for 2 to 3 years benefit unless soil humus and biology are improved as well. The alternative is to use calcium, carbon and biology....or CalPac from Bionutrient Solutions. "In our experience, when applied to the correct agronomic situation, CalPac will provide well more than 100% return on investment". Find more details and success stories in the attached.  Stop Sodicity Costing 15/12/2009,02:41 227.24 Kb

Myco-Force Forced off the Market

What a shame! The APVMA have advised Nutri-Tech Solutions that they can no longer sell Myco-Force into Australia unless it is registered as a pesticide.  Registration is around $100,000 so they will not be undertaking this work at this point in time. Myco-Force includes naturally occurring, bio-balancing fungal species to assist in the recovery of previously affected plants. [I have had good stories back on this product over the years] Is this the start of bans on all bio-management options in Australia...

Nutrition Matters Magazine

Nutri-Tech Solutions' next installment of Nutrition Matters is available. This issue features the wonders of Chia seed, Accelerate - bugs to save the world, reasons to use a refractometer, soil pH and moisture meter and other NTS news including some extravagant product specials. The file size is too large for this newsletter, so please contact me for a copy. Anyone who loves wine will be drooling at Graeme's trip to France - what an experience!

Harnessing Soil Biology Grant

The Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) is calling for multi-stage tenders that assist in harnessing some of the biological potential inherent in cropping soils. Tenders are called for in four theme areas: 1. Monitoring soil quality for better decision making; 2. Management systems for enhanced nutrient availability incorporating rhizosphere); 3. Suppressive soils: traits & transferability; 4. Education and Training (incorporating building research capacity). Tender closes 15th February.

SLaM Conference

How do we create prosperous and innovative organisations that act with integrity, creativity and care? How do we combine social responsibility with an organisation's economic mission? The 7th Spirituality, Leadership and Management (SLaM) Conference will bring together keynote speakers and presenters to inspire new ideas and thinking on how we may approach the complexities of leadership in organisations in the 21st century.

Business of Farming Course

PrincipleFocus will be running it's 4.5 day Business of Farming course in Dubbo 22-26 February 2010.  The Business of Farming course is the start of a unique program that uses a combination of training, coaching and peer mentoring to make lasting positive changes to farming businesses. The 4 day Cell GrazingFocus course will be running in Dubbo 23-26 March 2010.  The course involves action learning on the theory and practice of grazing principles.  Field visits to experienced cell grazing properties during the 4 days gives an insight into the benefits and practicalities of these grazing systems.

Vital Soil Consulting Workshops

These FarmReady approved 4-day training courses (usually 1 day per week) are delivered in the classroom and field. They teach an integrated regenerative approach to soil management. It covers chemical, physical and biological aspects of soil. Delivered by Sonia Lee of Vital Soil Consulting. Corinella 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th February; Poowong 25th February, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March; Corinella 2nd, 9th, 16th 23rd March; Fish Creek 17th 24th 31st March, 7th April; Drouin 19th, 26th March, 9th, 16th April.

Introduction sessions: Meeniyan 23rd February; Toora 24th February.  Vital Soil Workshops 13/12/2009,17:29 133.93 Kb

Health

Recommending Functional Food Hazards

A British National Health Service dietitian is facing a disciplinary hearing after recommending functional foods and allegedly displaying lack of competence. [Just imagine - she recommended dangerous things like avoiding coffee and drinking green tea...increasing iodine levels via seaweed food....drinking dandelion tea and goat's milk... Wow!! Bring the drugs in and keep us safe from such monsters] 

The Nature of Dis-ease

Because behavior is created through the interaction of proteins with their complementary signals, there are really only two sources of dis-ease: either the proteins are defective or the signals are distorted. While most of us are aware of the healing influences of the placebo effect, few are aware of its evil twin, the nocebo effect. Just as surely as positive thoughts can heal, negative ones-including the belief we are susceptible to an illness or have been exposed to a toxic condition-can actually manifest the undesired realities of those thoughts.

Parenting

‘Parenting' is the gift that keeps on giving. Its impact is intergenerational and blindly unchallenged. We cannot be empowering and enlightening parents unless and until we become empowered and enlightened people. Parenting, as a process, is long overdue for being explored, discussed and carefully scrutinized for the powerful impact it has on the adults all of our children become, far beyond the boundaries of blood lines and ownership. We need to recognize that our children - all children - are the seed of potential for the species.

Schooling is Wrong

In quantifiable terms - the more standardized and costly schooling becomes - the less literate and truly educated the population grows. One whistleblower concludes that this massive institution was not designed to develop true potential - but rather to limit, constrain, and Dumb Down that potential. The very first purpose or goal of institutional schoolings is to make people predictable. Consider what society would look like if 65 million trapped school children learning to be consumers were suddenly set to actively imagining themselves to be producers instead of bored consumers? If you submerge people in a rule-driven existence their imagination, the creative part of them, will naturally atrophy or vanish.

Fluoride Song

As the title suggests, this is a song full of information about water fluoridation. It's great to see more and more artists putting forward strong messages about the messes we are in - just like during the 60s with protests about Vietnam War. Blowing in the Wind comes to mind quickly.

Marketing Food to Prevent Disease

The spin doctors are at it again - its not about your health, its about landing the next profit bubble. "Against a background of increasing commercial pressures the need to find new markets and exploit them has never been greater. At the same time changes in prevailing healthcare thinking with respect to the role of nutrition means that better nutritional care of patients is increasingly on the agenda of governments and healthcare professionals alike. Add to that the rise in diseases (often associated with aging populations) that can be managed effectively with better nutrition and a burgeoning market segment is being created." [It's not about nutrition via healthy whole food grown in soil, its about packaged reconstituted versions that can be sold]

Chloramines in Water

When chlorine is no longer effective, chloramines are substituted into municipal water in America [I don't believe its being used in Australia - yet] It's a long-lasting chemical used to rid tap water of bacteria and contaminants, but it comes with health risks. People who live in communities where chloramines are added to the water have complained of issues including rashes and breathing problems, and some have even altered their day-to-day lives in extreme ways to avoid the chemical -- driving to neighboring towns to shower or using bottled water for washing. An alternative put forward is granular-activated carbon [which sounds like a good alternative to me].

Swine Flu Vaccine Allergies

Health officials across Canada are being asked to hold back a batch of swine flu vaccine that appears to be causing higher rates of severe allergic reactions.

It's Not the Vaccine Causing Deaths and Disabilities

The World Health Organization said on Thursday the H1N1 vaccine had been cleared of blame for 41 deaths which health authorities worldwide had investigated after suspicions they might have been caused by the inoculation. "Thorough investigation of these deaths, including a review of autopsy results, determined that underlying medical conditions were the cause of death and not the vaccine." But the collection of data in the first place is weak and so much is not reported. [It's all coincidence of course]

Fructose and Obesity

Scientists have proved for the first time in humans that a cheap form of sugar used in thousands of food products and soft drinks can damage human metabolism and is fuelling the obesity crisis. Fructose, a sweetener derived from corn, can cause dangerous growths of fat cells around vital organs and is able to trigger the early stages of diabetes and heart disease. Fructose bypasses the digestive process that breaks down other forms of sugar. It arrives intact in the liver where it causes a variety of abnormal reactions, including the disruption of mechanisms that instruct the body whether to burn or store fat.

Cartoon

Miscellaneous

Problem-solving is not an effective approach for dealing with difficult times. It's more likely to depress and de-energize you than to motivate and empower you. There is a more powerful way to approach change and challenge. A generic form of the creating process is a more powerful and effective way to create any results. This results-driven, reality-grounded approach can enable you to embrace the opportunities found in crises, take control of your actions, and create the results you most to create - in all areas of your life, work and relationships. This e-book by Bruce Elkin is perspective changing and refreshing. It follows the tenets holistigoal setting and you can only imagine if not just individuals, but governments (and businesses) followed this principle - long term positive changes with passion and excitement. Just imagine... STOP PROBLEM-SOLVING - INSPIRE INSTEAD!

Events

* SLaM Conference - Sydney NSW 11th - 14th February 2010.

* Vital Soil Workshop - Corinella Vic 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th February 2010.

* Business of Farming Course - Dubbo NSW 22nd - 26th February 2010.

* Vital Soil Introduction - Meeniyan Vic 23rd February 2010.

* Vital Soil Introduction - Toora Vic 24th February 2010.

* Cell GrazingFocus - Dubbo NSW 23rd - 26th February 2010.

* Vital Soil Workshp - Poowong Vic 25th February, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th  March 2010.

* Vital Soil Workshop - Corinella Vic 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March

* Vital Soil Workshop - Fish Creek Vic 17th 24th, 31st March, 7th April 2010.

* Vital Soil Workshop -  Drouin Vic 19th, 26th March, 9th, 16th April 2010.

Postscript

A record setting harvest was done in Biggar Sask, Canada. 160 acres was harvested with 100 combines and several grain trucks in 10 minutes and 15 seconds. This record will be entered in the Guinness World. [John Deere gets some good advertising in this too I see!]