Organic Bytes #113: 7/12/2007
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IN THIS ISSUE
- Grassroots Victory: Congress Backs Off on Suppressing Local Rights to Regulate Food Safety
- Studies of the Week:
Organic Farming Can Feed the World - Scientists Reveal That Pesticides are Reducing Crop Yields by One-Third
- Disaster of the Week: America's Chemically Dependent & Toxic Lawns
- Solution of the Week: The Best Looking Organic Lawn on the Block
- Web Video of the Week 1:
Organic Lawns - Web Video of the Week 2:
Harry Potter Takes On Waldemart - Your Online Organic Community is Waiting for You
- Dialing for Organic Dollars
Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!
Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins
Grassroots Victory of the Week:
Congress Backs Off on Suppressing Local Rights
to Regulate Food Safety
Thanks to everyone who has joined in on OCA's recent Farm Bill action alerts. Deluged with thousands of letters from consumers and organic advocates, Congress is removing language, so-called Section 123, from the Farm Bill that would have eliminated local and state governments' power to regulate genetically engineered crops and police food safety at the local and state level (learn more about this past alert here).
This is a significant achievement. The 2007-2012 Farm Bill is a massive,
multi-faceted piece of legislation, so there is a lot of work to be done
to move this multi-billion dollar colossus in a sustainable and equitable
direction. If you haven't already done so, please take action on the
following OCA Farm Bill alerts:
- NAIS Alert: Keep 'Big Brother' Out of Farm Bill
www.organicconsumers.org/rd/nais.cfm - 2007 Farm Bill Alert:
Sustainable Agriculture or Corporate Welfare?
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5813.cfm
None of This Work Would Be Possible Without Your Donations
We need your support today to help us 
continue our work to safeguard organic
standards and to promote fair trade, health, and sustainability.
Please donate now: www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm
Study of the Week:
Organic Farming Can Feed The World
A new University of Michigan study indicates that organic farming is more
productive than chemical and energy intensive industrial agriculture. Researchers
noted 293 examples in previous studies that corroborate the fact that organic
farming is better than conventional, but pointed out that biased studies
funded by chemical producers have clouded the public's understanding of the
issue.
Corporate agribusiness has spent decades repeating the mantra that chemical intensive agriculture is necessary to feed the world. But according to the new report, "Model estimates indicate that organic methods could produce enough food on a global per capita basis to sustain the current human population, and potentially an even larger population, without increasing the agricultural land base."
Ivette Perfecto, a professor at the University of Michigan, said of the study, "My hope is that we can finally put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can't produce enough food through organic agriculture."
Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5996.cfm
Another
Study of the Week:
Scientists Reveal that Pesticides are
Reducing Crop Yields by One-Third
The National Academy of Sciences dropped a bombshell on the agri-toxics lobby in June when it published a study indicating that pesticides are actually decreasing crop yields by one-third. Specifically, pesticides are killing important bacteria in the soil that naturally produce a usable form of nitrogen for plants, a necessary fertilizer. As the use of chemical pesticides has increased in the U.S., soil bacteria have been dramatically reduced, thereby creating an insatiable demand for petroleum-based fertilizers. In contrast, organic farming promotes a healthy living soil with increased crop yields.
Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5995.cfm
Disaster of the Week:
America's Chemically Dependent & Toxic Lawns
67 million pounds
of pesticides are applied to roughly 30 million acres of lawns in the U.S.
each year.- The #1 most water intensive crop in the United States is lawn grass. The average lawn is doused with 10,000 gallons of water each year (in addition to rainfall).
- Synthetic fertilizers run off into streets and local waterways, choking aquatic life and polluting our water.
- The EPA estimates that a mower emits as much pollution in one hour as a car emits in driving 20 miles.
- Numerous studies have linked common household herbicides and pesticides to asthma, cancer, reduced fertility and neurological harm to fetuses, infants and children.
Solution of the Week:
The Best Looking Organic Lawn on the Block
Relax: Don't be afraid to let your average lawn height be higher than the local putting green. Taller grass has deeper roots, which requires less watering.- Seed: You get what you pay for. If you need to seed bare spots in your lawn, be aware that cheaper grass seeds tend to have more weed contamination than higher-end products.
- Weed: Use a dandelion digging fork instead of purchasing dangerous pesticides.
- Mulch: Grass clippings can provide the majority of nutrients needed by a lawn.
- Fertilize: For yards that require fertilization, most garden centers now carry organic fertilizers that are better for your lawn and the environment.
- Mow: Use electric, rechargeable or push mowers. Mow grass when it's dry and make sure the blade is sharp to reduce damage to grass.
Read the Citizen's Guide to Organic Lawn Care for more info: www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5997.cfm
Web Videos of
the Week:
Organic Lawns
The Wall Street Journal takes an entertaining look at organic lawns. Watch one of the Journal editors convert her yard to organic. Learn about some of the new lawn weeding tools on the market as well as organic grass fertilizers. Also see a photo slideshow detailing how one homeowner achieved a lush green lawn with various organic techniques. Scroll to the bottom of the Wall Street Journal article to see a step-by-step guide for going pesticide free in your own yard.
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6011.cfm
Harry Potter Takes On Waldemart
OCA's "Breaking the Chains" campaign has dedicated itself to reminding consumers of how Wal-Mart destroys local independent businesses, exploits workers, and undermines organic food and farming.
This week, we are happy to share with you a humorous video that will appeal to all ages.. In a few weeks, the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter book series will be released, and Wal-Mart stands to sell millions of copies. But in order to drive customers into their stores, Wal-Mart is selling the books dirt cheap -- 50% below the suggested retail price.This typical Wal-Mart move to destroy its competition will likely have a devastating effect on already struggling independent book stores across the country.
Watch this humorous web video and don't forget to boycott Wal-Mart and the chains. www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5987.cfm
Your Online Organic Community is Waiting for You
In a
matter of just two minutes from now, you could be posting your thoughts
on OCA's website for thousands of people to read. OCA's new interactive
web Forum is now buzzing with green-minded folk, like you, from all over the
world. Even if you are unfamiliar with web forums, this easy-to-use tool provides
you with a place to post questions and comments about any OCA related issue...
all the while building community and solidarity.
Whether your passion is organics, food safety, sustainability, social justice issues, politics, or any other related topic, we welcome you to login today and start posting your ideas and questions for discussion. www.organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php
Dialing For Organic Dollars
Each
year, Working Assets Long Distance (WALD) Company donates a portion of its
revenue to national non-profits, doing front line work on progressive issues,
such as the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), I
If you are a current Working Assets customer, you can help the OCA receive a portion of these funds by sending a quick online letter, nominating the OCA for donations. Thanks!
WALD customers vote for OCA here: www.workingassets.com/voting/
Support Our Supporters
Eden Foods Goes Beyond 'USDA Organic'
Eden Foods is one of the few national organic food producers who goes beyond
the USDA Organic Standards.
Although Eden Foods is USDA certified, their products do not bear the USDA seal, because they say the USDA standard really represents a "minimum standard" that Eden Foods goes far beyond.
Learn more about how Eden Foods has a long tradition of fighting for strong organic standards here.
Great
Organic Wines
Savor delicious, award-winning wine varieties from Frey Vineyards - California�s oldest organic winery - Appreciate layers of vibrant flavors not masked by the added sulfites found in most other wines.
Learn more about Frey�s special offer here!