Organic vegetable gardening seems to be the trend these days as more people have become conscious of what they are eating. This is because conventional methods allow the use of harmful chemicals, which may enter our bodies via the food we eat.

In order to control the problem, the US Department of Agriculture has issued a new directive. This encourages farmers to shift to organic farming.

With organic farming, farmers will no longer need to plant crops using genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge. Instead, this will be replaced with crop rotation.

Crop rotation is the practice of planting a different crop in the same area where another crop once occupied. This keeps the soil’s nutrients fertile, so it can be used again in the following season.

This approach is easier said than done as farmers are accustomed to the old ways of doing things, and may be reluctant to change. To help them change their minds the government offers incentives and subsidies to farmers who decide to follow this plan.

But the main reason why organic vegetable gardening is so important is the fact that the crops harvested have 50% more nutrients and vitamins, compared to those produced using conventional farming methods. This means organic food may reduce the risk of people suffering from a number of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers.

Children who drink organic milk will get more anti-oxidants, CLA, Omega 3 and vitamins, compared to GM milk, which will really help strengthen their bones and muscles.

You can buy organically grown vegetables from many supermarkets nowdays. The sad part is the almost everywhere you go, although the packaging comes from Department of Health, Quality Assurance International, California Certified Organic Farmers or the Oregon Tilth Farm Verified Organic, most processed ‘organic’ foods are only 50% to 70% organic. This is why homeowners who want to eat 100% organic vegetables are encouraged to grow these themselves.

There are two ways to achieve this. Buy seeds, or seedlings, plant them and wait until they grow or you can buy fully grown organic plants virtually ready to harvest.

In both cases the garden soil needs to be prepared, to suite the type of plants, and the area needs to be made safe from weeds, and insects and other animals that will eat the plants. Such problems can be fought off with other animals, insects, organic fertilizers, deodorant soap and a few other items which you can find out after doing a little research.

For those who don’t have a big garden, they can try growing these organically grown vegetables in containers. They require more water than those planted in the soil, and more care to ensure roots don’t overheat, or dry out.

There are many internet sites dedicated to organic gardening, and many forums if help or advice is needed. Taking control of what you eat can have a very positive effect on your health, remember, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT…..

Related posts:

1. Why biodynamic gardening makes sense
2. Gardening 101: How do I become a no impact gardener?
3. In India, Bucking The ‘Revolution’ By Going Organic

With ever increasing gas prices I have recently been looking at depth into alternative fuel sources to power my car. All that we here of in the mainstream is bio-diesel – people running their vehicles on cooking fat and suchlike. This is fine if you own a diesel car, but not much use if you’re on gas, like I am.

After a little digging around I came up with a very interesting potential solution – running my car on water. This is not a new idea; the concept was around in the 1930’s but never seemed to take off. It’s seems highly probable to me that the idea was suppressed by the oil and motor companies, through fear of losing their monopoly on fuel and petrol engines. If this is not the case, then it seems very coincidental to me that now people are starting to do their own conversions, suddenly major automobile companies are accepting the technology and starting to use the concept in their own vehicles, notably Honda.

So how does it work? The technology uses a hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel cell separates hydrogen from water, and this is used to power the motor. At the moment it’s just being used as a supplemental fuel alongside gas or diesel, but theoretically a car can run solely on water! This is great for the environment as all that it exhausts is water – zero emissions.

Now obviously a fuel cell backed by millions of dollars of investment and designed and built by a major auto manufacturer will outperform a homemade cell, but thousands of people are making them at home and fitting them themselves – and with these low technology units people are reporting improvements of between 30% and 60% improvement in miles per gallon!

Another great fact about them is that they are inexpensive to build and pretty simple in design; any semi competent DIY advocate can build one, with most items needed being available at Lowes or Home Depot.

The principle behind the technology is simple – you separate the hydrogen in the water from the oxygen, discard the oxygen, and you’re left with a highly explosive gas. A basic cell consists of two stainless steel plates connected to a battery, one plate positive the other negative. When current is passed through the cell the oxygen and hydrogen in the water are pulled apart. The more plates you have the more gas is produced.

Type ‘hho’, browns gas, hydrogen cell or water car into Google and you’ll find a wealth of information on the subject, including actual fuel cell designs and plans, as well as readymade cells for purchase for home fitting.

It seems such a shame to me that this technology is readily available yet not being promoted by governments; a completely emission free, unlimited source of fuel, at very low cost. I feel that cost is the major stumbling block; low cost means low taxes and less profit – the money machine wins again!

I think eventually, especially as people are taking the matter into their own hands and the system is gaining more and more public interest, governments will come up with a reason why taxing us more for water will be a ‘benefit to society’ and the system will become mainstream.

Until such a time I think it’s up to every individual to make the most of the technology while it’s still free!

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As with all things in nature, there is a balance. Organic garden pest control doesn’t upset that sensitive arrangement too much. Even if we practice organic gardening, pest control is necessary. Garden pests love the convenience of their favorite foods all being in the same place!

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to a long list of diseases and health problems: Parkinson’s Disease, infertility, cancer, birth defects, encephalitis, and lymphoma, just to name a few. Currently the law does not require companies to test lawn pesticides with the same standards as pesticides used on commercially-grown food. Many of these contain hidden “inert ingredients” that have never been tested for possible harm. The Center for Disease Control has documented cases of farmworker illness after exposure to pesticides.

In addition to the harm they can do to us humans, pesticides contaminate the air, water, soil, plants and animals around us. For example, many studies have proven that pesticides harm honeybees, butterflies, ladybugs (which eat lots of other pests) and fish, and that lawn chemicals seep into the water table.

Learning to combat pests without chemicals is a great way to help your health and to help the environment. It’s not as difficult as it might seem, if you learn a few tricks of the trade.

An important thing to consider is that healthy organic soil is an easy way to reduce pests in the first place. Plants tend to thrive in an organically rich environment, which helps them fight off pests on their own. If you don’t already have a compost bin at home, get one. Fill it with all your organic vegetable scraps and you won’t need to go buying expensive organic compost from the store.

So how do we control pests without chemicals? There are many organic pest control methods that are highly effective, and can be prepared easily at home.

Garlic fire spray: There are many versions, but they all generally consist of any and all of the following:

Garlic, chilli peppers, soap, vegetable oil and water. A suggested starting recipe follows, but experiment with quantities:

* 2-3 crowns of garlic
* 6 large hot chilli peppers
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 dessert spoonful of organic liquid detergent
* 5 cups water (Use about 2 cups in the blender, and top up with the rest later)

Put the ingredients into a blender, then strain through muslin or similar. Pour what you need into a spray bottle for use and keep the rest in airtight jars, well labeled.

If you don’t have a blender put a whole garlic bulb through a garlic press and let it sit in a glass jar with several ounces of mineral oil for a couple of days. Mix a few spoonfuls with organic dish washing liquid, hot pepper sauce and water in a spray bottle.

This stuff really stinks! Fortunately the smell dissipates quickly, once it’s been sprayed around. This garlic fire mixture needs to be re-sprayed frequently, such as after rain and dew. It’s best to spray every few days until there’s no sign of pests. From then on about every week to 10 days for any eggs or larvae that may have hatched out.

Uses for this natural garden pest control are unlimited. The oil and dishwashing liquid in it make it stick to plants as well as suffocating pests such as scale and mealy bug. It will kill ants, aphids, caterpillars, grubs, bugs and just about anything small. Mind the ladybugs, they’re your friends!

Spraying this mixture around the edge of your garden will also deter pets. Rabbits, gophers, woodchucks, racoons and other garden gate crashers will also be discouraged.

For more pest specific solutions you may want to try any of the following:

Ants: Cucumber peels on an ant route will make them go away.

Butterflies & Moths: To discourage butterflies, moths and grubs on green veggies simply spray with a molasses blend.

Mix one tablespoon of molasses with two pints of hot water. Then add a teaspoon of organic liquid detergent and put in a spray bottle. Spray the leaves, top and bottom about once a week. An alternative to the molasses spray is a blend of one part vinegar to three parts water. Add a teaspoon of organic liquid detergent and put in a spray bottle. Spray the leaves, top and bottom to kill off grubs and bugs.

Cats: Save your citrus peel, especially orange, and cut it up or run over a pile with the lawnmower. Scatter it around garden edges and keep topping up. Cats really dislike citrus.

Earwigs: If earwigs are eating your plants crumple some newspaper and put it into flower pots and leave them in the garden. The earwigs will hide in the paper once they’re done eating. In the morning shake the paper out somewhere away from your plants.

Fleas: To deter fleas in your garden use diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it on your shoes and socks as you step into the garden. This way the fleas won’t hitch a ride back inside with you. Diatomaceous earth consists of vast amounts of microscopic fossilized, broken down diatoms. It looks like flour and is harmless to animals and humans. It kills small insects and bugs by cutting into their surface, thus causing dehydration. It’s often in farmers’ stores as well as some health stores and garden centers. Pennyroyal (sometimes called stinking roger) grown near the door and in the garden gets rid of fleas.

Gophers: Encourage birds of prey by putting water bird baths in garden and keeping foliage around the garden edge down so the birds can spot any such rodents. Lay mesh around your garden edge at least 45cm (18″) deep. Having a dog, or even a cat, in the garden during dawn and dusk at the same time as gophers get active will discourage them. Gophers and other burrowing creatures will avoid trespassing where there are family pets in sight. Spraying with “Garlic fire” mixture works but depending on size of garden it may be too big a task and too expensive to make enough. If you already have a few gopher holes, put the hose down them and flood their tunnels.

Mildew, moulds and fungi: Plants that are susceptible to mildew, such as peas, pumpkin, zucchini and cucumber can benefit from a milk spray. Use full-cream milk and spray every few days on the leaves until the mildew is under control. If the small white patches of mildew are just starting you should be able to catch it early and stop further spreading by using a diluted milk solution of equal parts water and milk. If the situation is out of control, either remove the affected leaves or the whole plant and destroy it.

“Damping off” is caused by fungi such as Phtophtora and Pythium. Seedlings like lettuce suddenly collapse with the rot. Soggy conditions, overcrowding or too much peat in the mix can be the cause. Try letting the soil dry out on the surface in-between waterings, and even sprinkling a layer of sand on the surface.

Sand and a dry surface will control “Fungus gnats.” They are tiny little black midget type flies that crawl and fly around the surface of the soil. They lay their eggs and the larvae will damage seedlings by eating their roots.

Chamomile tea is a fungicide. Prepare a cup of chamomile tea and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Once cool it can be sprayed on the affected leaves, top and bottom. Cinnamon powder sprinkled around plants and on soil also controls fungus.

Possums: Mix natural camphor flakes or oil to a paste with something like Vaseline and rub around tree trunks, or put camphor in stocking leg or net bag and hang from a branch. If possums just love your garden and fruit and veggies, it may be worth your while to fence them out. Use strong chicken netting just around three feet, high supported on lengths of fencing wire that are curved outward at the top so the possums just get swung around when then try to climb up. Bury the netting eight inches in the ground. For fruit trees put a smooth, wide metal collar around the trunk to stop them climbing up.Keeping chickens nearby may also deter possums.

Red spider mites: Mix 4 tablespoons of organic dish washing liquid into one gallon of water. Spray plants weekly until mites are gone, then monthly to stop them from returning.

Scale: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon mild liquid soap in two gallons of water. Spray or wipe on plants once a week for 3 weeks or until gone.

Slugs & snails: Do a night patrol as for snails. The best time is dusk especially when it’s damp or raining. Don’t use your hand to pick them up — it’s horrendous trying to get that sticky stuff off. Scoop them up with an old spoon, dump them in a bucket and scrape them out somewhere where they won’t be a pest. Sprinkle crushed egg shells around vulnerable plants.

Slugs and snails will avoid crossing the sharp shells and it will also enrich your soil with calcium. Another dislike of snails is sand, which they do not like to cross. Put a band of fine sand around the garden base of plants. Put beer in a shallow pan in the garden to trap snails and slugs overnight. Vinegar in a shallow pan will do the same thing. Orange or grapefruit halves hollowed and turned upside down placed around the garden will also attract snails and slugs, which can then be removed.

Companion planting: Another important method for managing garden pests is companion planting. Some examples include planting garlic to deter flying insects, while mint and sage near cabbage will repel the cabbage fly.

Beneficial birds: Encourage native birds into you garden with bird houses, water baths and native flowering vegetation. They will eat many times their own weight in insects.

There are, of course, many other remedies but these solutions will give you a good start, while you perfect your own techniques!

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1. Gardening 101: How do I become a no impact gardener?
2. How to create a drought-friendly garden
3. The Importance Of Organic Gardening.

At The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, anything plant or animal based is considered organic. For example, organic mulch would be derived from a plant, such as fir bark. Ornamental rock mulch, while natural, would not be considered organic.

The chemistry of being organic

In chemistry, the definition of organic is any substance that contains carbon atoms. This definition is more inclusive in that it includes synthetically derived substances, as long as they contain carbon atoms.

An organic garden is natural

The last definition of the word organic comes from gardening, and is probably the first you’d think of. Anything natural applies in this category. An organic garden would not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and would not grow genetically engineered plants.

Now that you understand what Scotts® think “organic” means, you can now see the way their products can help you grow the organic way.

Types of Organic Plant Food

Some of the most common organic plant foods are bone meal, cottonseed meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, activated sewage and manures. Parts of your yard are better suited for certain kinds of organic plant food than others. Here’s a brief description of organic plant foods and how they are typically used.

* Bone meal: a mixture of crushed and coarsely ground bones that decomposes slowly. Use it when you’re planting bulbs.
* Cottonseed meal: a by-product of cotton manufacturing. It is somewhat acidic, so it’s ideal for your acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons.
* Blood meal: dried powdered blood from cattle slaughterhouses. It is a very rich source of nitrogen, so use it carefully. It’s also effective for keeping deer out of your garden.
* Fish emulsion: a decomposed blend of finely pulverized fish. It is high in nitrogen, so you want to be careful. The fishy smell goes away after a day or two.
* Sewage sludge: a recycled product of municipal sewage treatment plants. Activated sludge is usually sold in a dry, granular form for use as a general purpose, long-lasting, non-burning fertilizer. It’s popular for use on lawns and golf courses.
* Manures: commonly available manures include horse, cow, pig, chicken, and sheep products. Not all manure is alike, or equally effective. For Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Plant Food, recycled poultry litter is used from a poultry company. The litter is pasteurized in a unique process that kills harmful bacteria and weed seeds, and converts it into a high-quality, low-odor plant fertilizer.

Other materials

Sometimes, you just want to take a walk on the wild side of organic plant food. In case you do, try alfalfa pellets. Sold as animal feed, they are rich in nitrogen and make excellent plant food. You can dig the pellets into the soil or add them to a compost pile. Also, if you live near an animal- or plant-processing factory, the by-products produced there may be usable. Contact them for more information.

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With gas and diesel prices continually increasing we recently decided to look at the advantages of using a much cheaper fuel in our car – biodiesel. After a little research it has become obvious to us why it is better to use biodiesel over petro-diesel. Many people are still not familiar with all the biodiesel benefits, perhaps you’re one of them? Well we think the following reasons are a good starting point for understanding why biodiesel is an excellent alternative to presently used fuels.

Bio-Diesel is Economical
Let’s say it loud and clear, making biodiesel saves money! If you make biodiesel at home, you can save more than 50% of your petro-diesel expenses. The fact that making biodiesel is a relatively easy and safe procedure is encouraging more and more people to use biodiesel. Many fast food outlets pay to have used oil disposed of, and would be happy for you to take it off their hands!

Bio Diesel Resources are Reproducible
Biodiesel is generally produced from vegetable oil. These resources can be regrown and are not finite like crude oil, that is running out fast. When using biodiesel instead of petro-diesel the demand for crude oil products is reduced, and as a result their prices decrease.

Using Biodiesel is more Environment Friendly than other Energy Alternatives
When using biodiesel exhaust emissions are significantly less polluting than using petro-diesel. According to studies there are several toxins – like hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide that are reduced when using biodiesel in diesel engines. And the more biodiesel used the less petro-diesel used!

Supporting Agriculture Industry
As the main ingredients for preparing biodiesel are vegetables oils there is a growing need for the main biodiesel resources which are the seeds like canola, corn, soy and others. The growing demand for biodiesel resources enables agriculture in general, and the farmers in particular, to have another market to sell to. This in turn helps to produce stability in the farming industries.
Reducing Dependence on Petro-Diesel and Fuel Companies
The more we use biodiesel instead of petro-diesel the less dependent we are on the dwindling resources of crude oil. This means that these crude oil companies, and in many cases countries, will eventually have less domination over other countries in the aspect of energy resources. This will hopefully lead to a better balanced world.

Better for engine’s health
Experience shows that engines run better on biodiesel. Its lubricity is higher than that of petro-diesel fuel. This higher lubricity enables the engine to work in a smoother manner, and therefore reduce the physical deterioration of the engine.

Best Energy Alternative To Current Fuel
Looking at all the alternatives for diesel engines, there is one major factor where biodiesel shines above the rest. Other alternatives to petrodiesel fuel require adjustments and modifications to vehicles. Sometimes it is in the fuel injection system and sometimes another fuel tank must be installed for example. The majority of diesel engines will work smoothly with biodiesel with no modifications. It is important, however, to mention that there is a small drop in power when compared to using petro-diesel. Biodiesel has a drop in power of around 9%, which most drivers won’t even notice in general driving, as most cars are overpowered anyway.

In Conclusion
As far as we can see biodiesel is cheaper, cleaner, less environmentally damaging and much nicer smelling than petro-diesel – and it doesn’t line the already bulging pockets of the oil industry – let us know what you think!

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With the increase of organic food in many grocery stores pet owners are now looking at the option of buying certified organic food for their pets.

Choosing organic pet food, especially for cats and dogs, over traditional fare is becoming more popular as organic suppliers increase. Many pet owners are now becoming reluctant to feed their pets any type of food that may contain products they would not want to eat themselves. It is possibly becoming an ethical issue also; why feed your pet something you wouldn’t eat yourself?

Shoppers are making the choice to not only read the list of ingredients of their pet food, but also attempt to track down the source of those ingredients. Understanding that animal by-products may not be from chemical-free animals, more pet owners are looking for organic pet food to insure their pets are eating healthy foods.

With the focus on healthy eating for humans, many outlets are expanding their selection of organic foods. Only food grown in fields certified as chemical free can qualify as being organic, and same is true for organic pet food as grains used in the manufacture of pet food must be grown in fields certified as organic. Products such as beef, chicken and lamb used in organic pet food must also be certified as organic, and raised with no signs of sickness prior to entering the food chain.

As organic pet food grows in popularity the choice for consumers will inevitably become overwhelming, but by feeding organic pet foods owners can ensure that their pets eat only organically grown ingredients. Whether it is dry food or canned food, the source must be all organic to claim the designation.

There are benefits to feeding pets organic food, over non organic, including fewer ailments and allergies as well as giving pets having more energy and maintaining a healthy weight. Just like humans, a diet high in processed foods can contribute to an animal’s weight gain and loss of energy. By feeding them a diet of organic food many health problems can disappear.

The animal’s quality of life may improve without being stricken by common digestive disorders and the pet’s immune system will be healthier, enabling it to fend of illnesses more efficiently. By consuming organic food pets can have a longer, healthier and happier life.

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Years ago, fish was considered a top choice when purchasing natural and organic food. High in protein, while low in fat and calories, it never caused us to pause before placing a few gorgeous filets in our grocery cart.

Today, however, buying fish is like spinning a roulette wheel. Media reports keep us guessing about which fish is safe to eat. Concerns about environmental pollution, sustainability, mercury content and other heath risks have added an element of danger to organic food shopping.

How did we get into this mess? Environmental contaminants like heavy metals (mercury, lead), industrial chemicals (PCBs, dioxins) and pesticides (DDT, dieldrin) are one culprit. You can also blame destructive fishing and aquaculture practices.

“Over the last 50 years, our technological ability to catch fish has outpaced our scientific understanding of fish populations and fishing’s impacts on them,” explains Tim Fitzgerald, a researcher with Environmental Defense. “As a result, the United Nations now estimates that more than 70% of fisheries worldwide are either fully exploited, overexploited or depleted,” he tells Organic Authority.

“Aquaculture is often thought of as the solution to declining fisheries,” he adds, “but not all fish farms are created equal. Conventional salmon farming uses chemicals to combat stressful growing conditions and allows fish waste and uneaten feed to pass directly into the environment. In addition, escaped non-native salmon can transmit diseases to or compete with native fish. Shrimp farming has caused a similar suite of problems due to its rapid emergence as America’s favorite seafood item. Developing countries have destroyed thousands of acres of mangrove forests to build enough shrimp farms to meet our insatiable demand. While these examples highlight the problem, responsible fish farming is possible and is currently in use in the United States (for example, catfish, shellfish, crawfish, striped bass); however, any expansion of this industry, especially into offshore waters, must be done with environmental conservation in mind.”

Resources for Organic Consumers

The average American eats close to 17 pounds of seafood each year — an all-time high, according to Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, imports account for 80% of consumption.

“This means that most Americans don’t know where their fish is from or how it is produced,” he says.

You can separate the fit fish from the unfit fish by visiting Oceans Alive, where Environmental Defense maintains a current list of best and worst choices. You can also print a pocket-sized reference (PDF file) by clicking here. At press time, top choices include crab, crawfish, sardines, wild salmon from Alaska and tilapia; worst choices include cod, halibut, farmed or Atlantic salmon, orange roughy, swordfish and tuna. The Seafood Watch program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, maintains a similar list.

And how reliable is your local fish merchant?

While no hard data exist, much depends on your region and community. On the West Coast, for example, fishmongers have become more aware of the issues, largely due to the efforts of programs like Seafood Watch, notes George H. Leonard, PhD, the program’s science manager.

“Knowledge on the East Coast is growing, especially around population centers like New York, Washington, DC, and Boston,” he says. “Knowledge in the middle of the country, especially in rural areas, is much lower. That said, I do think consumers need to be skeptical. In some respects, it is ‘buyer beware.’ There have been several high-profile cases of fish being mislabeled in the marketplace — for example, wild vs. farmed salmon. A Science study used genetic techniques to show that much of the ’snapper’ in the Southeast is from a range of species, many of which aren’t even remotely related to the snapper family. Rather than relying on your local fishmonger, we invite consumers and businesses to visit our website for a range of tools to help navigate the waters.”

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This great article is about a genuine family home in Wales. It was built by it’s residents, with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting they moved in! Estimate construction time of 1000-1500 man hours and around $6000 are all it cost to this point! Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly $120/sq m excluding labor).

The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives them a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings.

Some key points of the design and construction:

* Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
* Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
* Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
* Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthetically fantastic and very easy to do
* Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
* Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
* Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement)
* Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
* Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring…)
* Wood burner for heating – renewable and locally plentiful
* Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
* Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
* Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
* Solar panels for lighting, music and computing
* Water by gravity from nearby spring
* Compost toilet
* Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.

Main tools used: chainsaw, hammer and 1 inch chisel, little else really. Oh and by the way The homeowners are not builders or carpenters either! This kind of building is accessible to anyone. Their main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverance and a friend or two to give a lift now and again.

Would you like to learn more about this sort of building and gain practical experience?

For more information click HERE

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1. Organic products meet stringent standards. Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.

2. Organic food tastes great! It’s common sense, well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.

3. Organic production reduces health risks – Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

4. Organic farms respect our water resources – The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.

5. Organic farmers build healthy soil – Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.

6. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature – Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7. Organic producers are leaders in innovative research – Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

8. Organic producers strive to preserve diversity – The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

9. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy – USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

10. Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike! – Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.

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For consumers who are looking for organic clothing information, buying organic clothing is the only “natural” choice. The clothing industry is a $7 trillion industry worldwide. It has been plagued with accusations of worker exploitation, child labor and environmental pollution. As a result, sales of organic clothing have been growing at a rate of at least 11% per year. Today, it is possible to be well dressed and environmentally conscious.

How does buying organic clothing accomplish this? The benefits of choosing organic cotton over commercially grown cotton are clear; pesticide reduction and environmental responsibility. Sales of organic cotton clothing are expected to top $3 billion by the year 2010. It is the second highest pesticide-laden crop in the world. Thousands of deaths per year are attributed to the use of pesticides in cotton growing. Making a single t-shirt from regular cotton requires 1/3 of a pound of pesticides. In West Central Africa, cotton provides employment for approximately 10 million people, and it is their only cash crop. Change may come slowly for cotton growers, however. Organic cotton costs about twice as much to produce because it is labor-intensive and it can produce a lower yield. But instead of pesticides, ladybugs are used to control pests, and manure is used instead of fertilizer.

Organic wool clothing and yarn provide the most natural environment for the sheep and the sheep growers, not to mention the lack of pesticide residues and synthetic chemicals next to the skin. Commercially grown wool is laden with chemicals. Sheep are first treated with pesticides to kill parasites; the fleece is cleaned with petroleum-based detergents. Then the dyes used are high in toxic heavy metal content. Finally, the runoff from these processes pollutes our streams, and workers exposed to these chemicals may suffer neurological damage. New Mexico is the U.S.’s largest producer of certified organic wool, representing about 80% of North American organic wool production.

Silk, a natural fiber harvested from the cocoon of the silkworm, is a smart choice for organic clothing. The mulberry tree is the silkworm’s primary food source. The major concerns with silk production are labor exploitation and the harm cause by using synthetic dyes. A better choice is dye-free raw silk, and silk which has been treated with natural, plant-based dyes.

Hemp is the newest star in the war against pesticides. A naturally insect-resistant plant, it can yield three times the amount of fiber as cotton, with virtually no need for pesticide use. It is, however, still illegal in the U.S. It is currently grown in many countries throughout the world and is imported to the U.S.

What about synthetic clothing?

Clothing made from synthetic fabrics take a toll environmentally. Polyester, for example, is made from petroleum, is not biodegradable, and its manufacture pollutes the environment. One exception is Tencel, which is made from wood pulp. It is biodegradable and its chemical by-products are recyclable.

Related posts:

1. Green Your Blue Jeans
2. In India, Bucking The ‘Revolution’ By Going Organic
3. The Importance Of Organic Gardening.