Organic Certification in Australia - for Beginners

In my last post I said I was going to investigate what 'organic' meant in Australia - so that I could make more informed decisions regarding (primarily) my food purchases.  This was especially motivated by learning, through "The Ominvore's Dilemma"  that 'organic' chicken, pork and beef might not necessarily be what the layman thinks it is.  I.e.  meat from animals that have not only been feed chemical free food, but food appropriate to their evolutionary preference (eg grass for cows) in situations that as closely as possible mimic their natural environments.  For example, somewhere quiet to lay eggs, room to scratch & forage, social interaction etc.  At least in the USA this doesn't appear to be the case - the organic label seeming to be determined more on not using chemicals or antibiotics, and ensuring the feed is also organic, but cows could still be fed corn in feed lots rather than grass in paddocks, pigs confined inside for the majority of their lives, and chickens raised in crowded barns - withhe h only nominal access to the outside.
So, as promised, I have started looking into it.

Dilemma

Specifically "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan.
I finished reading this book last night, it kept me really engaged the whole way through.

It really does make you think differently, and more deeply about what you eat.
Michael Pollen follows three food chains, Industrial, Pastoral, and Hunter/Gatherer from their start to the end product, a meal.  In the process showing us the hidden side of the food we eat today, and the drivers behind the processed food industry.
His descriptions of the symbiotic and intertwined relationships between the grass, cows, chickens, turkeys and pigs on Polyface Farm are fascinating.
What is the best way to eat?  For ourselves? For the planet? Is organic necessarily the best way to go? Or is local more important?  What about animal rights?  Do we look at the individual or the species?
Well researched and argued, giving both sides, it is still understandable to the layman and very engaging.
Now I need to do some more research myself - as some rules & regulations are bound to be different in Australia from the USA (eg Organic standards, which are not federally legislated here) and therefore might swing the arguments in slightly different ways.
If you are really interested in what you are eating, why you are eating it, and what the consequences are - read this book.  It is going to become a permanent part of my library!

In Defence of Food

Book Review

In Defence of Food - The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating. By Michael Pollan.

While discussing Coal Seam Gas, Organic Farming, Biofuels and Peak Oil with friends over a few glasses of wine, the book "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollen was recommended to me, and this one was mentioned as being good too. So when I searched the BCC Library catalogue I put a hold on both of them.

This one arrived first.

Brilliant! It sums itself up in 7 words in the introduction "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

The book then proceeds to define 'food' (nothing that your great grandmother wouldn't recognise is one) and eliminate all that confusion that has been created by the science of nutrition.
The explanations of the history of nutrition science, 'nutritionism' and government health recommendations (USA but we can relate to some here in Aus too) are fantastic, as is the explanation of the limitations of the science itself.
The book is easy to read and engaging, but not 'dumbed down'.

This could cure you of 'dieting' for life, and certainly points out how unlikely any of the fad diets are to make you healthy, or even help you lose weight in the long term.

Yet another (very cohesive) argument for going organic, mixed farms, and 'slow food' - or at least cooking most of your meals from scratch and eating at the table with your family.  Though that isn't its purpose.

A 21 page list of resources (by chapter) and a 12 page index make it a book to refer back to, or lead you on to further reading.

Invest a couple of hours.  Borrow it. Read it.

Highly recommended.

PS The picture is of the American edition of the book - hence the different spelling of the title.

Green (eyed monster?)

I did promise to put up some photos of my friends' vege garden in Stanthorpe.  They live on a mostly bush block with a cleared area around the house, a creek at the bottom of the property & a HUGE granite outcrop on one side.  Plenty of space for veges, chooks & kids.

Wide view of the vege garden.  Fenced for the usual offenders (wallabies, rabbits, pet dog, etc)

The chickens going through the 'tunnel' from their house to the run.

A rotated view of an orchid in the bush area down the back of the block.

Various Irises in the "Fairy Garden" - their bathtub is located in this area - Yes, it really is outdoors.  The kids loved it!

No Fairy Garden would be complete without Foxgloves!

Onions & friends - plus two other beds.

Lettuces and friends.

The mushrooms growing in the purchase spent mushroom compost.  They made a great addition to dinner! Broad beans can be seen behind.

Yet another glorious vegetable bed.  I'm told the carrots never get terribly big - the kids eat them before they get the chance.

Another view of the onions.

A cage made from recycled materials - protecting the delicate seedlings.

It is so long since I wrote that I have much more to fill you in on.  But I'll just have to do it a bit at a time.  Need to take some more photos.
And Christmas is coming - another reason I haven't updated you recently, I've been spending my time shopping online for the last few things, and creating the annual family calendar.
Take care & bye for now, but before I go....
.....a couple more of the chickens.
Ravs

Chickens in their run.

The man and his harem. Lookers aren't they?

 

Egg Thieves!

A long time between posts - mainly due to a neck problem (2 herniated disks, C5/6 & C6/7) which limits my stamina (due to pain) at the computer. Plus my computer is playing up recently (I'm using SMD's work laptop to do this), and I can't sit at the computer long enough to sort it out.

Anyway - when I get a chance I'll put up some photos of a friend's wonderful garden in Stanthorpe.

But for now - I need some help.

Does anyone have a suggestion to stop crows stealing our eggs?
 
We started loosing eggs, then found the occasionaly broken, but completely clean shell.  Very puzzled at first, until we saw the crows going in & out of the tractor.
Unfortunately Elsa & Blacky don't always lay their eggs before we leave in the morning.  So the crows have all day to find them.

Hope someone can help.
Ravs

Avian Aggression!

Here in Aus it is Magpie Season.
For those of you who aren't familiar with our magpie - it is nothing like the European one!  It is a large black and white bird with one of the most beautiful series of songs you are ever likely to hear (so good they are called 'carols') and a deadly beak.
They are quite intelligent, can become very friendly when hand fed, but the males can be deadly during the breeding season.  They swoop, from behind.  First thing you know is a loud rush of air & a clacking sound as the bird snaps its beak shut.  That is if you are lucky.  Sometimes they draw blood, or knock you off your bike.
But they don't attack everyone, some just attack cyclists, some just certain individuals, seems they can actually recognise faces!  If a certain bird gets really dangerous, sometimes the local council will relocate it - they are a protected species, as are most native birds.
Actually - they are one of my favourite birds.

But we have another bird that is starting to show a lot of aggression.

Elsa & Fasty Africa

All by itself!

I leave the garden for 9 days of cycling - and this is what I come back to!

The 

The Kangaroo Paws are in full flower.  I haven't managed to get a photo that really does them justice - they are really gorgeous.  I want to put some more plants in - especially of the 'original' green & red variety.  This sunny well drained spot seems perfect for them.

I also picked (for us just starting out) a heap of produce.  The potatoes are sebagos - just one plant's worth.  There's BokChoy, Calendula leaves & flowers, the last of the Sugar Snap peas, two types of carrot (still just thinning them out), and a beetroot.

The boys had the peas as a snack immediately.  We had the smaller potatoes, the bok choy & carrots for dinner within two hours of picking them - delicious!

The next day, last Sunday, I made a salad for a BBQ consisting of mixed salad leaves (from the supermarket), calendula leaves & petals (above), grated raw beetroot (above), and boiled eggs from our chooks.  I was very please with the result.

Planted a heap more potatoes after looking in the box and realising all my seed potatoes had sprouted.  They are probably too crowded but nevermind - we'll just see what happens.  Hopefully I won't disturb them too much when I harvest the remaining older plants in that bed!

I might go & see what I can harvest for dinner tonight!

Ravs.