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The Provender Journal January-February, 2008 Pennsyvania Dairy Labeling —from Rick North, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, www.oregonpsr.org Dennis Wolff, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), has issued rules that would ban all labeling of dairy products indicating if they were free of Monsanto’s recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST). He sent warning letters to 16 dairies, inside and outside of Pennsylvania, saying they must stop this labeling by the end of 2007 or they can no longer do business in the state. In an op-ed in Lancaster (PA) Farming last November, Wolff wrote “If consumers have preferences about the way food is produced such as “grass-fed,” “organic,” or “natural,” that’s their choice. However in this situation, consumers are not basing their decisions on sound science but rather on manipulative marketing.” The PDA convened a Food Labeling Advisory Committee made up of dieticians, consumer advocates and food industry representatives early in November to discuss “potentially misleading labels.” Of the 22 listed attendees, seven were from PDA itself. The only person supporting producers making truthful claims allowing consumers to support a system of agriculture they believe in was the director of Pennsylvania Certified Organic. She, along with many others, wasn’t invited to the meeting until three days before and didn’t get the agenda until she arrived at the meeting. Neither the invitation nor the agenda ever mentioned dairy specifically, only general food labeling topics, even though dairy labeling was the target. The Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers (PAMD), the group most affected by the PDA’s ruling was never invited to attend the meeting. PAMD was so incensed by the new regulations that it’s considering suing PDA. The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, the only statewide, member- based sustainable farming association in PA and one of the largest in the nation was also not invited. It is the major nonprofit that would oppose the labeling regulations. No dairy farmers opposing rBGH were at the meeting. The massive mobilization of consumer outrage against Pennsylvania’s rules banning any kind of rBGH-free type labeling has had an effect. Governor Ed Rendell has now ordered that the implementation date of label changes be pushed back from January 1 to at least February 1, and maybe later (as in never). In the meantime, the “Advisory Committee” may actually become a real committee instead of the window dressing it was the single time it met, giving cover to Secretary Dennis Wolfe of the PA Department of Agriculture, who already knew what he wanted to do. The committee may meet again with an expanded roster instead of the stacked prorBGH group that met in November. And there is a good chance that rBGH-free dairies, who stand to lose the most financially by these rules, will sue. The issue has attracted the interest of citizens and organizations all over the nation. Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, already has a sign-on list of over 60 consumer advocacy, health, animal protection, environmental, civil liberties and other organizations expressing their total opposition to PA’s rules. And all kinds of groups, both Pennsylvania-based and national, have activated their alert systems. Please send a comment to Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, protesting the state’s upcoming ban on any kind of rBGH-free type labeling. To send an e-mail directly to the governor, use governor@state.pa.us or you can go to http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html on the governor’s web site. You can also call his office at 717.787.2500. The fax number is 717.772.8242. To mail a letter, use this address: Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Office This isn’t just a Pennsylvania issue. This ban applies to all dairy products sold in the state affecting dairies all over the country. Moreover, Monsanto’s supporters are mounting the same attack in other states, including Ohio and New Jersey. These are the critical points to make: • Consumers have the right to know what’s in their food. • Dairies have the right to inform consumers what’s in their products. • There are significant differences between rBGH and rBGH-free milk. Scientists in the U.S., Canada and the European Union have all questioned the safety of rBGH, especially in increasing the risks of cancer and antibiotic resistance in humans. Codex Alimentarius, the United Nations main food safety body, TWICE decided it could not endorse the safety of rBGH for human health. • There is no doubt that rBGH increases disease rates in dairy cows – even the FDA acknowledges this and the health risks are listed right on the rBGH package insert. In addition to having concerns about human health, Canada and the European Union have banned the use of rBGH officially on animal welfare grounds. • Health Care Without Harm, an international coalition of over 440 organizations in 52 countries promoting safe and healthy practices in hospitals, has stated its official opposition to rBGH based on human and animal health risks. • The more consumers learn about rBGH, the more they want rBGH-free products. Tell your story straight from the heart and please note your name and address in any correspondence. It’s time to stand up and be counted! Plan now to attend the conference in October. We return to Hood River in the heart of the beautiful Columbia Gorge. The conference will be held Thursday and Friday, October 2 and 3. This year will present the 32nd Annual Provender Alliance Educational Conference and we promise to make it another interesting, stimulating and fun event. Frances Moore Lappé is one of our confirmed keynote speakers and she is not to be missed. Contact us with your ideas for workshop topics and/or presenters. You can reach the office by phone at 888.352.7431 or 503.859.3600 or by e-mail at info@provender.org. You may also want to contact one of your representatives, listed on page 25 of this Journal. Be sure to check the Provender web site, www.provender.org, for details as they develop. Don’t miss it. Oregon Tilth’s 33rd Annual Conference —from Oregon Tilth, www.tilth.org Oregon Tilth´s 33rd Annual Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 18 and 19, 2008 at the Salem Convention Center in Salem, Oregon. The conference theme is Organic Integrity: Principles, Practices, and Opportunities. Organic integrity is a concern that many share. This year’s conference will offer a rich variety of topics relevant to anyone involved with food systems, organic agriculture and livestock, sustainability, advocacy, and many other issues. It is also a wonderful opportunity for consumers and the general public to learn about sustainable agriculture and organic food production. We have planned exciting roster of stimulating and topical symposia and roundtable discussions, practical workshops, and an engaging roster of speakers who are sure to draw a crowd—and keep it talking well after the event is over. Enjoy an organic wine tasting, gourmet meals prepared with local, organic ingredients, and the company of others involved in sustainable and organic agriculture. Oregon Tilth is inviting sponsors for our 2008 Winter Conference. For more information please download our Conference Sponsorship Packet from our web site at www.tilth.org. Please contact us directly at 503.378.0690 with any questions you may have about helping sponsor this event. —from Northwest Cooperative Development Center, www.nwcdc.coop The Northwest Cooperative Development Center is organizing a series of workshops called “Grow Your Own Food Co-op.” We plan to work with members of multiple co-op planning groups over a six-month period. Over the course of each three weekend-long gathering, we will help them to launch their organizing drive and prepare them for the road ahead. This program is envisioned as a way to help build co-op density east of the Cascades. The tentative schedule is to hold workshops on three weekends: In February, we will gather to address the process of starting a co-op, and give general organizational information. In May, we will focus on organizational development and leadership. In August, the focus will be on feasibility and financing. Tentative locations are Boise and Moscow, Idaho, and Baker City, Oregon. For more information, please contact Andrew McLeod at 360.943.4241 or andrew@nwcdc.coop. Burt’s Bees Acquired by Clorox —from John Replogle, President and CEO, Burt’s Bees, www.burtsbees.com On October 31, 2007, the Clorox Company announced their intention to buy Burt’s Bees for $925 million. This pending merger was expected to close in December 2007, at which point Burt’s Bees became part of the Clorox Company’s family of products. Burt’s has received many questions about the pending merger with The Clorox Company, and I want to openly address those questions. This company was founded on two simple and profound beliefs: Natural products work in harmony with our bodies to promote balance and well being; and we should respect, preserve and improve the precious resource of our environment. These founding principles have guided this company - they are, and will continue to be the core of the business. I assure you that the brand and products we all know and love will not change! The Clorox Company recognizes the value of our commitment to the quality of our products and the personality of our brand – it’s what makes us so special. We will continue to develop the best natural personal care formulas, environmentally sensitive packaging and nature-safe manufacturing processes. We will remain guided by our mission to Make people’s lives better every day, naturally. Clorox’s resources will help us reach our lofty goals and broaden access to truly natural personal care. We will collaborate to drive innovation in sustainable manufacturing and positively impact our communities and the Earth. I will give you an honest and transparent progress report in six months time and, in the meantime, welcome the continuing dialogue. Thank you for your support and loyalty – you are an integral part of what Burt’s Bees is today! We invite your continued feedback so that we can evolve further to enhance your path to well being. PCC Makes Flood Relief Donation —from PCC Natural Markets, www,pccsea.com PCC Natural Markets (PCC), the nation’s largest natural foods retail cooperative, has made a $10,000 donation to the Art Wedig Disaster Relief Fund administered by Organic Valley Family Farms, a Wisconsin-based dairy cooperative with farmers throughout the nation. These funds are earmarked for relief efforts supporting Organic Valley member-owner farmers who have lost livestock and farmland in the recent flooding in Lewis County, Washington. “With so much devastation hitting so close to home, our members, shoppers and staff wanted to offer hope and support to those affected,” said Tracy Wolpert, PCC’s CEO. “Organic Valley is a trusted supplier of quality organic dairy products to PCC, and when we learned they had a program in place that assured direct payout of funds to the dairy farmers most in need, we felt confident that this was an excellent place to direct our contribution.” “It is very moving to see so many people coming to the aid of our Washington dairy farmers during this crisis,” said George Siemon, CEO of Organic Valley. ”We are deeply thankful, not just for the gift, but for the opportunity to share the principles of cooperation and community with such a caring organization that PCC represents.” PCC encourages other retailers and consumers to join in the relief effort. Donations can be made through several channels including: Mail checks payable to “Art Wedig Disaster Relief Fund” to: Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative Please note in memo line: “WA Farmer Flood Relief” Donate online through the Olympia Farmers Market at: www.olympiafarmersmarket.com. Donate in person at any US Bank branch, specifying the donation is for “Northwest Response.” —from ATTRA–National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Weekly Harvest Newsletter, October 24, 2007, http://ncat.attra.org In Washington, an 18-member task force has been appointed to provide the first statewide guidance for farmland preservation. The Farmland Preservation Task Force consists of six farmer representatives along with legislators, county commissioners and key officials from local, state and federal agencies. The same legislation that created the task force also created the Office of Farmland Preservation within the State Conservation Commission. The Task Force will provide policy input as it pursues several farmland-preservation goals outlined by lawmakers. To read more details about the Task Force please visit www.scc.wa.gov. Frontier Implements Certification Program —from Frontier Natural Products Co-op, www.frontiercoop.com Frontier Co-op officially introduced Well Earth, its program to find and develop ethical sources of high quality products, at its Earth Day Celebration in April, 2007. The program screens potential suppliers with an extensive questionnaire and on-site visits to thoroughly evaluate their product quality, operational sustainability, environmental practices, and social responsibility. Frontier works with suppliers accepted into the program to help maximize high quality, organic agriculture and support environmental and social progress in their communities. There are ongoing financial incentives for improved performance in both areas. In Southern India, Frontier is working with a local agricultural company that has developed an organic and biodynamic school where farmers learn about sustainable agricultural and healthy living practices. The academy requires farmers to attend week-long workshops periodically throughout the course of two years. The Well Earth partnership with Frontier offers a long-term, honest purchasing relationship that provides a viable, stable and accessible market for the supplier. Frontier also provides suppliers with technical and financial support— loan and grants, assistance with quality issues and connections to growing, processing and trading expertise. The Well Earth program provides direct financial contributions as well as assistance with grants and other outside funding for social and environmental programs in the grower communities. Frontier CEO Tony Bedard and Vice President Cole Daily travelled to India to review efforts in process and presented a meals program there with a check for $10,000 — an amount that will feed 350 children a midday meal at their schools for one year. Well Earth is also a way of bringing high quality, socially responsible products to the marketplace and giving consumers in the U.S. the opportunity to use their purchases to influence the way the world does business. Although Frontier continues to work with a variety of existing programs that support sustainable and ethical sourcing, Frontier felt it needed its own program to address the full range of both its products and its social goals. Frontier was founded in 1976 and is based in Norway, Iowa. For more information about their products and programs, visit www.frontiercoop.com. —from Harvesting Clean Energy, www.harvestcleanenergy.org Rural landowners and communities from throughout the Pacific Northwest can learn how to make farm operations more efficient, save money, and develop renewable energy like wind, biofuels and solar — at the eighth Harvesting Clean Energy Conference on January 27-29, 2008, in Portland, Oregon at the Red Lion Hotel on the River (Jantzen Beach). The conference will feature experts and farmers with direct experience in successful clean energy projects. You can register on-line at www.harvestcleanenergy.org/conference, or call Dana Schlenker at 253.445.4575 for more information. Horizon Presents Workshop at FFA —from Horizon Organic, www.horizonorganic.com Many of Horizon Organic’s farmer partners across the United States have children who are involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA). In support of these families’ involvement with FFA, the Organic Stewardship team at Horizon Organic began negotiations with FFA for program development that would bring information about organic agriculture to high school educators. At last year’s 80th National FFA convention in Indiana, Horizon Organic presented two workshops on “Organic Farming: From the Soil to the Standards.” Horizon Organic’s presentation was the first time in FFA history that a professional development workshop focused on organic. Themes for the presentations were a brief history of organic, the creation of the National Organic Program, organic certification process, and an overview of what is required on an organic operation. Robyn Nick of Horizon Organic was joined by Elizabeth Martens, a high school sophomore at Penn Yan Academy in New York, and daughter of Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens. Elizabeth is a member of the Penn Yan FFA; her presentation focused on the FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) she had completed, and her work with organic dairy heifers. Elizabeth Martens lives on a 1,400 acre certified organic crop farm with her family, and bought her first 2 calves when she was 12. Two years ago, she partnered with her older brother to buy eight more heifers, receiving money for the project through an FSA youth loan. She successfully paid off her first loan and is now in the process of paying off her second loan. She currently has 17 organic cows. Those attending the workshops appreciated Horizon’s willingness to educate about organic agriculture, as well as the opportunity to meet a bright and talented FFA student, who is deeply involved in organic agriculture. “It was a great opportunity to show teachers how their students can learn about and get involved in organic farming,” said Elizabeth. For more information about Horizon and its products and programs, please visit www.horizonorganic.com. —from Wise Acres Farm, www.herbaltransitions.com A distinguished gathering of physicians and herbalists will lecture in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, 18 minutes from Eugene, at the NW Herb Fest 2008 to take place Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27 at Wise Acres Farm. This 2-day weekend herb conference and festival will feature ten renowned experts leading 24 classes. The event will be an exciting, educational experience for everyone with healthy food, an herbal bazaar, beautiful natural surroundings, and other fun activities. Registration is $145.00 before May 1st. Speakers at the symposium include Christopher Hobbs, Jill Stansbury, ND, Michael Tierra, Paul Bergner, Kathi Keville, Richo Cech, Julie Bailey, Wren Davidson, Glen Nagel ND, Sharol Tilgner, ND, and Robin Dipasquale, ND. Lectures will include but are not limited to the following topics: Woman’s Herbs: Role of Phytohormones in Health, Essential Oils as Antimicrobials, Treatment of West Nile Fever, Making Herbal Sodas, & Beers, Tongue Diagnosis, Herbal Treatment of Pain, Neurotransmitter Herbs: Research, Folklore & Clinical Applications, Skin Herbs, Nutrients, Products & Recipes, Insulin Resistance: Pathophysiology & Natural Therapeutics, 4 Elements Theory, Re-establishing Balance in the Female Reproductive Cycle, Liliaceae Family: Plants that Effect Female Energy, The Divine in Nature. Guardians at the Gate, NW Ethnobotany, Abdominal Hara Massage and Palpatory Diagnosis and Treatment, Moxibustion and Artemis, Healing Smoke. Herb walks will be available throughout the weekend! Separate intensives with Christopher Hobbs and Michael Tierra will be offered Sunday night addressing Chinese pulse diagnosis and its application to all systems of herbal medicine and Essential Oil Therapeutics. To receive a detailed brochure or if you have questions call Sharol Tilgner at 541.736.0164, or send an e-mail to class@herbaltransitions.com. You can also view the schedule and get more information at www.herbaltransitions.com. Organic Farming Can Feed the World —from Food & Environment Electronic Digest, November 2007. www.ucsaction.org Organic farms can produce enough food to support the world’s population, according to researchers from the University of Michigan. They analyzed data from nearly 300 studies comparing organic yields with nonorganic yields in both developing and developed countries. The researchers concluded that organic farming methods could support the world’s current population, and potentially an even larger population, without converting any additional land to crop production. Moreover, intensified organic agriculture would reduce the harmful impacts of conventional farming such as soil erosion, water pollution, release of global warming pollution, and loss of biodiversity. OFRF to Invest in Organic Fruit Projects —from Organic Farming Research Foundation, www.ofrf.org Thanks to a major new partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) will invest $450,000 over the next three years in organic fruit research and education projects. In addition to this special fruit initiative, OFRF plans to award a record quarter million dollars in general organic project grants in 2008. Stretch Island Fruit Company, makers of FruitaBü organic fruit snacks, has committed $450,000 to help growers increase the supply of organic fruit. The company is also contributing additional funding to OFRF’s general grantmaking program in an effort to support the continued growth of organic agriculture throughout North America. OFRF offers funds for research on any topic that will improve organic production systems, and for education and outreach projects to share organic farming information with current organic producers and to farmers and ranchers considering transitioning their operations to organic. OFRF has supported organic farmers through its research and education grants program for 15 years. In that time OFRF has awarded 243 organic research and education grants totaling over $1.6 million. The OFRF Board of Directors, which is comprised primarily of working organic farmers, oversees all of OFRF’s grantmaking. —from Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com Who inspires you? The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is currently seeking nominations for its 2008 Organic Leadership Awards in two categories – a general award and an award honoring an organic farmer. Established in 1997, OTA’s Organic Leadership Awards are the association’s highest honor, bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to the organic industry. OTA encourages you to consider whether you know a candidate for an OTA Organic Leadership Award and to submit a nomination if you do. Nominations are due by February 1, 2008. The awards will be presented during OTA’s Annual Dinner April 28, 2008, in Chicago during the All Things OrganicTM Conference and Trade Show. Good candidates for the OTA Organic Leadership Award have: • Demonstrated skill, innovation, personal commitment, leadership and vision beyond the professional competence and requirements of the position for which s/he was employed. • Achieved identifiable and lasting changes to promote and protect organic agriculture and trade. • Inspired and persuaded others to act to advance the cause of organic agriculture and trade. To view a list of past award recipients, visit www.ota.com/about/annualolaward.html and to review the 2008 selection criteria and nomination forms, visit www.ota.com/ 2008LeadershipAwardProcedure.html. OTA’s Community Relations Committee, chaired by Matt McLean (Uncle Matt’s Organic), serves as the review committee for the OTA Organic Leadership Awards and will recommend honorees to the OTA Board of Directors. OTA staff contact is Laura Stravino, Director of Membership & Development, 413.774.7511, ext. 23. GE Sugar to Hit Stores in 2008 —from Food Safety Now, Summer/Fall 2007, www.centerforfoodsafety.org After years of opposition, several leading US beet sugar companies have announced they will be sourcing their sugar from genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets beginning in 2007 and arriving in stores in 2008. Like GE corn and GE soy, products containing GE sugar will not be labeled as such. Since half of the granulated sugar in the US comes from sugar beets, a move toward biotech beets marks another dramatic alteration of the US food supply. These sugars, along with corn and soy, are found in a large majority of conventional food products. Now, consumers will be exposed to genetically engineered ingredients in just about every non-organic, multiple-ingredient product they purchase. The GE sugar beet is designed to withstand strong doses of Monsanto’s controversial broad spectrum Roundup herbicide. Studies indicate farmers planting “Roundup Ready” corn and soy spray large amounts of the herbicide, contaminating both soil and water. Farmers planting GE beets are told they may be able to apply the herbicide up to five times per year. Sugar beets are grown on 1.4 million acres by 12,000 farmers in the US, from Oregon to Minnesota. Leading candy companies, Hershey’s and M&M Mars, previously urged farmers not to plant GE sugar beets, noting that consumer surveys suggest resistance to the product. Help continue the fight by contacting Hershey’s and M&M Mars and asking them to continue their opposition to thisexperimental sugar! Many of the sugar companies that have announced plans to source sugar from GE sugar beets also sell retail brands (as well as several store-brands) of bagged sugar for baking. We encourage you to contact these companies and let them know you do not want to eat genetically engineered sugar! You can also look for the contact information on the bag of the brand of sugar you typically buy (if it doesn’t say “cane sugar” it is most likely beet sugar—there is no GE sugar cane on the market), and give them a call, too! American Crystal Sugar (Crystal Sugar brand) 218.236.4400 For more information visit the Center for Food Safety at www.centerforfoodsafety.org. —by Susan Gisin. For more information visit Touch the Soil Magazine, www.touchthesoil.com Milk is one of the cornerstones of our diets. The USDA reports America’s 9 million milk cows will produce 185 billion pounds of milk in 2007. That’s over 600 pounds per person. After water is removed to make cheese and other dairy products, annual consumption of dairy products is approximately 300 pounds per person, of which roughly 200 pounds (23 gallons) is fluid milk. After water is removed to make cheese and other dairy products, annual consumption of dairy products is approximately 300 pounds per person, of which roughly 200 pounds (23 gallons) is fluid milk. Applying concepts of natural foods and organics to milk has led to an explosion in milk choices outside of conventional milk. Depending upon the laws of a particular state, milk choices may include: • Milk from cows not treated with rBGH, an artificial hormone designed to increase milk production in cows. • Milk from cows not treated with rBGH or antibiotics. • Organic milk from cows not treated with rBGH or antibiotics and fed organic feed without pesticides. • Organic milk not homogenized. Homogenization changes the molecular structure of milk so cream does not rise to the top. • Raw milk which is not pasteurized or homogenized to retain beneficial enzymes and other living features of milk. • Raw milk that is certified organic. Milk choices may also include how much of the cow’s life is spent on pasture, how much of the cow’s diet is grass (the natural feed for cows) and whether the milk came from a local dairy, a cooperative of family-sized dairies or large commercial dairies. A good place to get acquainted with today’s milk choices is the dairy case of an organic, natural-foods or foodcooperative type store. By sampling different products and reading the information on the packaging, a real hands-on learning experience takes place. What is available in one state may not be available in another as laws, particularly relating to raw milk, vary from state to state. Of all the milk choices, none is more charged with consumer and farmer conviction than raw milk. Redmond Heritage Farms reports a group of consumers take turns driving from Las Vegas, Nevada, a 600-mile round trip, to purchase raw milk from Redmond Heritage Farms’ dairy and bottling facility in Salina, Utah. Health-conscious consumers want transparency in their food choices. That means knowing what is added, changed or taken away from a product in its natural state. A good source of milk information is the book: The Untold Story of Milk by naturopathic physician Ron Schmid. The book is available in many organic food stores or from Schmid’s web site, www.drrons.com. When I travel, I like to treat myself to something exotic not available where I live — raw milk. I relish each full glass. You can also do something special for yourself — call ahead and visit an organic or raw milk dairy. Most owners love to tell their stories and often accommodate the public. Web Sources: Cornucopia Institute: Food and Water Watch: Campaign for Real Milk: Organic Pastures raw milk dairy: After a successful career in banking, Susan worked for AgriCents, a farm consulting firm at the forefront of the nation’s farm scene. Since 2005, she has been sourcing stories for Touch the Soil. She has visited hundreds of farms in her professional career.
Provender Alliance
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