What is Green Politics

I came across this essay by Paul Kingsnorth, a writer and environmental activist from the UK. I think he illustrates the difference between the light green and the deep green perspective of politics. This same perspective can be applied to the green-washing of of our current economic system.
To be truly "green" is to identify oneself with a movement that is outside of the current political and economic paradigm. It is to be more radical than the Marxists!
Remember the original meaning of radical is 'to go to the root of'. I think this is appropriate to those who love Nature foremost.

The Farm Gate: Organic Integrity

 This article appeared in the Mercury Food and Wine supplement on 24 November 2010

Organic Integrity

I have heard a lot of opinion lately about the trustworthiness of food and other products that are purported to be Organic. There seems to be a definite level of distrust in products claiming to be organic.
The term "organic" has taken on many potent marketing associations. It has been used freely in marketing various products that have at best a tenuous link with true organic agriculture. The usage of the term "organic" is protected in most countries worldwide by legislation.

South Africa, unfortunately remains one of the few exceptions. Draft Organic legislation has sat with government now for a number of years. This has left open a loophole for unscrupulous traders and producers to exploit. Once the legislation is gazetted only properly certified producers and growers may claim the label Organic. At present anyone can label their products organic without complying with any standards. In fact they can be anything but organic.
Clarity is however on the horizon as the SA government is now about to finalise the draft organic standards.

The term "organic" is confusing in its definition and this has provided a further loophole for marketers to exploit. "Organic" as used in organic farming refers to a system of farming that sustains and improves the health of soils, ecosystems and people.
However, "organic" is also used to describe a branch of chemistry whose products are as far from the organic farming concept as can possibly be. DDT and Dieldrin spring to mind.

Another concern is that some growers on the whole comply with the accepted standards but are prepared to take short-cuts in order to increase profits.

What can the consumer do?

Ideally buy local, certified Organic.

Check to see if there is an organic bag or box scheme operating in your area. The organisers will be able to tell you of the origin of the produce. They should ideally be using certified produce and should gladly give you the farmers details.

Frequent the local Farmers Markets. This will give you the opportunity to meet with the actual farmers. Ask for certification or if they are not certified see if they would be happy for you to visit their farms. A word of warning. A number of stall holders are merely purchasing on the municipal market and reselling. Check that they are the real growers or that they are selling on behalf of a real organic grower.

If you purchase your produce from a supermarket or greengrocer check that the produce sold as "organic" has certification details on the labels. This needs to give the name of the certifying authority and the registration number of the grower or producer. It is preferable that the name of the grower be clear and some form of contact details be provided. This is not strictly necessary but shows that the grower is prepared to stand behind her produce. The grower can be traced through the certifying authority whom can provide details on the grower and will also provide copies of the certification standards.

Dedicated organic growers are proud of their craft. Some see it as a sacred duty to provide healthy, wholesome, real food and will be only to happy to meet consumers and show them what they do.

Climate Change - Papers from 2010

A thought provoking post on Climate Progress. We are in serious trouble and need to be doing far more than just lifestyle changes.

The Farm Gate: Organic or Hydroponic

(This is the second of a series of articles that I wrote for the Food and Wine supplement of the Mercury, September 2010)

The other day a retailer remarked “A salad pack is a salad pack. Customers don't care if its organic or not as long as the packaging is good!” I certainly hope consumers are making more informed choices as there is certainly a lot more to salad packs than what just meets the eye.

Over 90% of salad packs that not labelled organic are hydroponically grown so it will be safe to make a direct comparison with the organic alternative.
Hydroponics can be defined as a method of growing plants in a nutrient solution without needing soil. It can best be summed up by the phrase “feed the plant not the soil”. Plants are fed directly through the roots by synthetic fertilisers in a water solution.
This is the exact opposite of the Organic method. “Feed the soil not the plant” is the catchphrase of the organic movement. Organic agriculture focuses on the health of the soil as it is recognises that true plant and animal health relies on a balanced interconnection of all members of the soil ecosystem. Plants are fed primarily through the soil ecosystem and not through nutrients added to the soil.
The hydroponic system is an industrial short cut to higher productivity and yield that mainly benefits the producer as it has a more predictable business model, uses less labour and produces higher yields.
The Organic system is health centred and focuses on quality as opposed to quantity. It produces safer, more nutritious and better tasting produce in manner that promotes the health of the soil and the environment, promotes biodiversity, and focuses on fair trade and labour practises.
The main differences between organic and hydroponic salad packs can be summed up as follows:

• No pesticides or fungicides have been used on Organic lettuce. Some hydroponic growers claim they use minimal pesticides or fungicides but there is no independent certification process to verify this, such as exists for a certified Organic grower.
• The inherent quality of organic lettuce is high. It has higher levels of nutrients than conventionally grown crops. The taste of organic lettuce is superior and it has a higher shelf life.
• Lettuce for organic salad packs is washed in pure water with no added chemicals.
• The growing process of organic lettuce is beneficial to the environment. It promotes biodiversity, builds soil health and maintains water quality. Organic growing has a low carbon footprint as it locks away more carbon than it produces in the soil.
• Hydroponic growing has a high carbon footprint in that it relies on fertilisers that are manufactured using fossil fuels. The buildings and infrastructure of a hydroponic farm have a negative impact on biodiversity and landscape. Hydroponic growing may potentially use less water than organic but can pollute waterways and ground water with nutrient rich waste water.
• Organic salad packs are not always more expensive than hydroponic ones. A brief perusal of the shelves at major greengrocer chains will confirm this.

At the end of the day it is the consumer, purchasing sustenance for themselves, their family and friends who must make the choice. The choice has to be for their health and benefit, not for the benefit of the producers and retailers. It is not the packaging that matters, but the produce within.
 

The Farm Gate: Pest control on an Organic Farm

 (This is an article that I wrote for the August 2010 Food and Wine supplement of the Mercury)

I was asked a question recently about the safety of so called organic pesticides and fungicides. It is an interesting observation that most of us cannot see beyond the industrial farming paradigm. There is the assumption that any vegetable planted must be sprayed and drenched with wonder products otherwise it will be devastated overnight. So, obviously organic farmers must do the same, but with approved organic substances. The truth is that we do things a lot differently.

The emphasis of Organic pest and disease control is prevention. To do this organic farmers employ a number of methods.

The first is our focus on the soil. The soil is the foundation of Organic farming. A healthy soil means healthy plants, healthy animals and healthy humans. A healthy soil is rich in biodiversity. Each species of soil organism plays its part in enhancing the health of the crops that grow in it.

For instance mycorrhiza fungi interact with plant roots to improve their ability to take up nutrients.

A healthy plant has a healthy immune system and is able to produce sufficient of its own phytochemical defences against pests and diseases. Pests, like all predators will always seek out the weak first. Pests like nothing better than a field full of nitrogen bloated, chemically fed crops.

Our second method is to protect and enhance the biodiversity and balance of the natural environment of the farm. We rely on beneficial fungi, bacteria, plants, and animals to control pests through predation and repelling them. Birds and bats are some of our best pest control agents.

Thirdly we employ inter-cropping to help minimize the chances of disease or infestation. Inter-cropping means planting many different crops together rather than as a mono-crop or the same crop in a large area. This reduces the footprint of each crop and allows the different crop species to work together in mutually beneficial ways. Some plants such as the aromatic herbs repel insects, while other crops act as trap crops luring the pests away from others.

The fourth method is rotation. Rotation means planting different crops in succession and never in the same place twice in a row. Each crops adds substances and removes nutrients differently from the soil. For instance Rocket adds substances that repel root nematodes. Rotation enhances soil quality and biodiversity.

Fifthly, organic farmers try and plant seasonally. Crops planted in season will always be healthier and more hardy than those planted out of season. Swiss chard planted over our hot season is susceptible to cercospora spot. Swiss Chard purchased during this period has more than likely been heavily sprayed with fungicide.

If all else fails organic farmers can use certain natural approved substances to cure an infestation but only after seeking permission from the certifying body. However if an infestation occurs the impact is minimised by the diversity of an organic farm and most attacks are short lived.

The use of organic pesticides must be seen as a last resort and most organic farmers do not use them.