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The Provender Journal July-August 2009 2009 Provender Conference Update 2009 Provender Conference Update The 33rd Annual Provender Alliance Educational Conference is heading north again this year to Bellingham, Washington. The conference will be held Thursday and Friday, October 8 and 9, with additional events on Wednesday, October 7. The conference will be held at the Lakeway Inn. We are keeping the Wednesday through Friday format as that has been quite popular for several years. Another bit of good news is that registration costs will remain the same this year. The conference theme this year is From Dreaming to Doing. One of our confirmed keynote speakers is author and mycologist, Paul Stamets, founder of Fungi Perfecti. Conference planning is nearly complete and there are some great workshops scheduled. One of this year’s offerings will be a day-long intensive on Wednesday, October 7, dealing with Human Resources, specifically for businesses without dedicated HR departments. There will be multiple presenters addressing a variety of topics relating to this particularly challenging aspect of any workplace so plan now to attend. It will be very worth your while. To continue your conference experience after the intensive there will be a no-host bowling party at nearby 20th Century Bowl. Shoes and lanes will be provided. The bowling alley is a short 15-20 walk from the hotel and will be a great way to meet up with old aquaintances, meet new ones and just have some fun before the full conference starts. Food and beverages will be on your own. Workshop presenters will include Michelle Long from Susatainable Connections who will present a session on local and regional food systems. Mel Braverman from Cooperative Development Services will fill you in on business strategies to weather the fluctuating economy. Matthew Dillon from Tim Blakley from Frontier Cooperative will return this year as well as Evelyn Hall from First Alternative, Carolee Colter from Cooperative We will be offering a tour of some of the nearby farms providing goods to the local region. We will keep you posted with updates and details as they develop. The conference is the place to recharge your energy. Don’t miss it! McDonald’s to Cut Pesticide Use —from Pesticide Action Network Updates, April 9, 2009, www.panna.org. Complete article in The Farmer Exchange, Volume 17, Winter 2009, a publication from Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, www.pesticide.org. Reuters reports that McDonald’s Corp, the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States, has agreed to take preliminary steps to reduce pesticide use in its domestic potato supply. The action came in response to a shareholder proposal by three investors, including the AFL-CIO, that would have required McDonald’s to publish a report on options for reducing pesticide use in its supply chain. As part of the agreement, McDonald’s will survey its current U.S. potato suppliers, and recommend best practices to its global suppliers. “We welcome McDonald’s stepping up to the plate and look forward to supporting the company’s efforts to reduce pesticide use in the future,” said Dr. Richard Liroff, executive director at the Investor Environmental Health Network. Liroff added McDonald’s must first know where it stands in terms of pesticide use in potato supplies before it can set targets for reduction. The world’s largest fast-food chain said the process would support ongoing efforts to make its supply chain sustainable, and it would share its findings with investors and include the findings in its annual corporate social responsibility report. Organic Acreage Increases in Washington —from ATTRA–National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Weekly Harvest Newsletter, April 22, 2009, http://ncat.attra.org Organic agriculture continues on its upward climb in Washington state, according to a recently released annual report from Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. The 2008 profile estimates a total of 96,139 acres of certified organic land statewide, up 18 percent from 81,472 acres in 2007. The amount of certified acreage in the state has increased 183 percent since 2003. The full report is available to download as a PDF from the Oregon Tilth web site at www.tilth.org. The report was written by Elizabeth Kirby and David Granatstein and was released in February 2009. Visit the Center’s web site at http://csanr.wsu.edu. New Structure for Provender Member Dues — by Brad Averill, Wildtime Foods, brad@wildtime.com As your treasurer, I want to take a moment to talk frankly with you about Provender finances. Not to worry, for now. Generally, the news is good. Through the Executive Director’s hard work, Provender Alliance is financially sound. We have covered expenses for the Executive Director, the Provender Journal and the Provender Conference consistently for the last 10 years. In fact, we have managed to put aside some money that could be used as a rainy day fund, if necessary. Of course, we would prefer not to tap our savings. Our philosophy has been to have the Journal pay for itself through advertising and to have the Conference pay for itself out of registration fees and sponsorships. Funds to compensate the Executive Director are derived primarily from member dues. Susan Schechter has done an excellent job over the years. She took on the job as Executive Director when Provender was struggling financially. It was not clear, at the time that Provender Alliance would even survive. Through hard work, frugality and good common sense, Susan has built the Alliance into the sound organization it is today. An Executive Director that does so much for us deserves to be fairly compensated. In fact, Susan’s compensation is modest by comparison to many similar organizations. The Board of Directors feels that is important that we do what we can to make it attractive for Susan to remain with us. To continue to adequately compensate the Executive Director, we need to increase the funds brought in by membership dues. To that end, the Board has studied and discussed at length what we feel is necessary, fair to Provender members and sustainable. We have decided to raise dues by approximately 5% in 2010. We feel that this is a modest increase that will not be onerous to members. We have also calculated that, based on current membership levels, this increase will cover increases in Executive Director expenses we anticipate for 2010. It is only fair to state that, if membership drops, membership dues will not cover these expenses in 2010. If that comes to pass, we will have to look at either further raising dues, drawing down Provender’s savings or reducing Executive Director compensation. None of these options are attractive; but, for now, we are not facing them. When examining our current dues structure, it became clear to the board that it is anything but progressive. In fact, it is not even flat. Dues are based on members’ revenues. As revenues increase, dues increase. If the dues structure were flat, then all members would pay approximately the same percentage of revenues toward dues. In fact, small businesses currently pay a considerably higher percentage of revenues towards dues than do large businesses. The Board recognizes that there is a fairness issue here that needs to be addressed; however, we have not yet formulated a dues structure to do so. The Board is actively studying ways to make dues flatter in the future. Expect to see an article about this in the next Provender Journal issue. For now, we, as a Board, want to give you time to digest the upcoming dues increase and to explain the rationale behind it. We hope that you will bring us any concerns, issues and opinions that you have on this and any other Provender issues. Oregon Governor Proclaims Organically Grown Week... —from Oregon Organic Coalition, www.oregonorganiccoalition.org As a symbol of the importance of organic farmers, processors and distributors to the State of Oregon, Governor Ted Kulongoski issued a proclamation recognizing September 14-20, 2009, as “Organically Grown in Oregon Week.” The week-long celebration will include farm tours, grassroots events, a public awareness campaign, in-store demonstrations, and will be capped by the 2009 Oregon Organic Coalition’s Awards in Excellence presentations. This year marks the 21st anniversary of Organically Grown in Oregon Week, a tradition that began in 1988 as a means for celebrating Oregon’s organic industry and recognizing the leaders of Oregon’s organic movement. The Governor’s proclamation highlights the rapidly expanding organic sector of the state’s agricultural economy. In the past five years (2004 – 2008), the amount of land being used to produce certified organic products has expanded from 31,092 acres to 114,923 acres – a 270 percent increase. In his proclamation, Governor Kulongoski also acknowledges Oregon’s unique stature as a leader in organic agriculture, highlighted by the first organic standards legislation in 1973, the first published organic certification standards in 1987, and the first establishment of a statewide advocacy group – the Oregon Organic Coalition – to help promote the organic industry. As part of the Organically Grown in Oregon Week of awareness and celebration, the Oregon Organic Coalition will host the 2009 Awards in Excellence ceremony and luncheon. As many as 11 awards will be given to individuals and organizations across a variety of categories, including innovation in organic practices, service to the industry, expansion of organic business opportunities, and overall achievement in the state’s organic industry. The nomination deadline is August 1. Applications are available online at www.oregonorganiccoalition.org. The awards luncheon and ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, also known as the Ecotrust Building in Portland. For more information about participating in Organically Grown in Oregon Week contact Stacey Kraker, 541.461.6473 or skraker@organicgrown.com. Don’t Let the Real Monsanto Bill Get Through Congress —from Food & Water Watch, www.foodandwaterwatch.org An effort to fight global poverty and hunger may become a Trojan Horse to force genetically engineered crops on countries and farmers that do not want them. Can you ask your member of Congress to keep genetic engineering out of any food aid and agricultural research legislation? In the Senate, Senators Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) introduced the Global Food Security Act which increases desperately needed funding for agricultural research in the developing world. Unfortunately, the bill also requires investment in genetically engineered crops favored by a handful of companies like Monsanto. Most developing countries, especially in Africa, do not allow genetically engineered crops to be cultivated, but that’s changing with international pressure. During the 2008 food crisis, pressure from U.S. companies forced countries to allow GE crops that are unwanted by their farmers. What’s worse is that genetically engineered crops are not a solution to world hunger. The Union of Concerned Scientists recently found that genetically engineered crops have not increased the yield of American corn and soybean farmers — nor will it be able to combat hunger in the developing world. The House of Representatives is expected to introduce similar legislation soon. Can you ask your Representative to keep genetic engineering out of any food aid and agricultural research legislation? Visit http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org. —from Food & Water Watch, www.foodandwaterwatch.org Do you know what’s in your grocery cart? How about where it’s from? Most Americans don’t know that we are consuming more imported fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as canned and frozen produce and fruit juice, than ever before. Learn more about where your food is coming from with our new Global Grocer online tool! Visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/globalgrocer. Imported food can contain hidden dangers. Produce from other countries is more likely to contain foodborneillness causing bacteria and illegal levels of pesticides than domestically grown fruits and vegetables. What’s even more disturbing is that most imported foods aren’t even labeled as such because of loopholes in country-of-origin labeling requirements. That’s why we’ve created a great new on-line tool to help you learn what countries your produce comes from. The Global Grocer: Where is Your Produce From?, our new on-line tool, will transport you to a virtual supermarket where you can learn the likelihood that different food items are imported - and from what countries. Check it out! Tell Congress: Get GE Research Out of Foreign Aid —from Pesticide Action Networks Updates, April 23, 2009, www.panna.org A new bill before the U.S. Senate stands to completely overhaul the way the U.S. offers food aid and agricultural development assistance to the developing world. The Lugar- Casey Global Food Security Act (Senate bill 384) aims to reform aid programs to include a stronger focus on long-term agricultural development, and restructure aid agencies to better respond to crises. The Lugar-Casey bill also mandates funding for genetically modified crop research as a major component of its food security strategy. “However laudable the intentions of the bill,” Dr. Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Pesticide Action Network Senior Scientist, notes, “its GMO provision is more likely to boost profits for US biotech companies, while doing nothing to reduce the hunger, poverty and vulnerability of small farmers around the world.” Food First (www.foodfirst.org) argues that this bill is part of a coordinated roll-out of the “new Green Revolution”-a project driven largely by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). AGRA is one of the Gates Foundation’s multi-billion-dollar flagship grantees known for its aggressive promotion of GMOs. In response to Gates and AGRA, African farmers are mobilizing to reject GMOs; their views are presented in The Oakland Institute’s Voices From Africa (www.oaklandinstitute.org/ voicesfromafrica/). The science backing civil society concerns continues to grow: in addition to a series of recent landmark UN reports concluding that agroecological farming practices are better equipped to feed the world than industrial farming and GMO technologies, a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (www.ucusa.org) documents the failure of genetic engineering to increase U.S. crop yields. Meanwhile, in his G8 speech in Italy, U.S. Ag Secretary Vilsack persisted in calling for more biotechnology to feed the world. EPA Investigating Pet Spot-on Flea Treatments —from Pesticide Action Network Updates, May 28, 2009, www.panna.org More pet owners are reporting “side effects from over-the-counter and prescription flea and tick treatments,” reports the U.S. EPA, according to the Wall Street Journal. Incidents “range from skin irritation to seizures and sometimes death.” The agency says that because “the number of reported incidents stemming from so-called spot-on flea and tick treatments — drops that are applied directly to a pet’s skin, usually on the back — increased 53% to 44,263 in 2008,” it is “intensifying an evaluation of spoton products.” Products under investigation include those from major manufacturers such as Sumitomo, Hartz Mountain, Central Life Sciences, Bayer (Advantage), and Merial (a Merck and Sanofi-Aventis joint venture that makes Frontline). The companies claim that owner misuse is the cause, as such treatments have increasingly replaced sprays and shampoos over the last 15 years. However, vets report, at least one problem is that a pyrethroid pesticide common in dog products is dangerous for cats. “For example, the chemical permethrin, found in spot-on treatments such as Bayer’s K9 Advantix... ‘causes [a cats’] nervous system to go into overdrive,’ says Mark Stickney, director of general surgery services at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. ‘They can develop seizures.’ Dr. Stickney says he sees such cases once or twice a month in the emergency room.” Natural Resources Defense Council recommends that pesticide-laden flea collars and topical treatments should be taken off the market, because “many pet products for sale contain toxic chemicals that can harm people and poison pets.” OTA Releases 2009 Organic Industry Survey —from Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com U.S. sales of organic products, including food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing an impressive 17.1 percent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which made available its 2009 Organic Industry Survey in early May. This rate, which would be considered healthy growth in normal times, is all the more impressive with the current state of the global economy. While other sectors are seeing declines, organic agriculture and products provide a bright spot in the U.S. economy. OTA members wishing to purchase the report receive a substantial discount. The survey, conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA, measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008. The final report, which can be purchased online at www.ota.com/bookstore/2.html includes an executive summary, followed by the following: • Organic Food and Beverage Dollar Sales and Growth The report provides sales, growth and channel shares for the following organic food sub-categories: • Beverages It also provides sales, growth and channel shares for the following organic nonfood sub-categories: • Supplements The price for the report is $795 for OTA members, a sizeable discount from the $2,495 fee for non-members. Farmers Get Help Transitioning to Organic —from Union of Concerned Scientists, Food / Environment Electronic Digest, May 2009, www.ucssa.org A new web site from the Purdue University Extension Service in Indiana provides information for organic livestock farmers and those considering a transition to organic. The site features fact sheets and videos about organic and pasture-raised production of cattle, poultry, and pork, as well as daily news about organic and alternative livestock production. And there’s more good news for current and would-be organic farmers: the U.S. Department of Agriculture has just approved $50 million in additional funds to help farmers convert land to organic production. Farmers must sign up by May 29 to receive funds. Visit the Purdue site (www.ansc.purdue.edu/poa/), or read more about the newly available funds at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition web site (www.sustainableagriculture.net) and searching for NRCS ORGANIC INITIATIVE 2009 (pdf). On-line Connection Service Launched —from ATTRA–National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Weekly Harvest Newsletter, April 15, 2009, http://ncat.attra.org Friends of Family Farmers, www.friendsof familyfarmers.org, has announced the official launch of iFarm Oregon, a land and resource connection service with an on-line database for young and beginning farmers. As the average age of Oregon farmers reaches nearly 58 years, there is not a plan to get new farmers onto the land. Without access to education, financing and markets, we stand to lose 25-50% of the land that is currently in agriculture production. iFarm Oregon is intended to connect new farmers with experienced farmers and those preparing to exit agriculture that will help us grow our own next generation of family farmers. The on-line database, which can be found at www.ifarmoregon.org, allows the user to search for listings, which include: agricultural services, land for sale, land wanted, unique leasing arrangements, partnership options, mentoring and internship programs, educational opportunities and financial resources. Expel GE Hormones from School Milk —from Center for Food Safety, www.centerforfoodsafety.org The food kids eat today will have a lasting impact on their health. Unfortunately much of the food kids eat today is produced with harmful chemicals, genetically engineered ingredients, and artificial hormones. We’ve got a great opportunity to affect what kind of milk is in the National School Lunch Program. Roughly 15 percent of all dairies (mostly large dairies) in the United States inject their cows with an artificial, genetically engineered growth hormone called recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) that increases cows’ milk production. Besides the documented increase of infections in dairy cows injected with rBGH, which necessitates increased use of antibiotics, there are ongoing questions about links to cancer in humans. Most of the industrialized countries in the world have banned rBGH. But here in the United States, we’re giving it to our most vulnerable citizens—our children! It is possible that at least 84 million gallons of milk from artificial hormone-treated cows were distributed through the school nutrition programs in fiscal year 2005-2006 – or about one out of five pints of milk offered in school cafeterias nationwide. The good news is that we have a great chance to bring milk free from artificial, genetically engineered hormones into our schools as Congress takes up legislation on the National School Lunch Program. We are asking Congress to clarify that schools do have the option to purchase milk from cows that are not treated with artificial growth hormones. With nearly 430 million gallons of milk distributed through national school milk programs, we have to take action now to get artificial hormones out of our school milk! Take the first step in expelling the hormones from school milk by signing our petition. We are working with our friends at Food & Water Watch to collect 50,000 petition signatures to deliver to Congress. Our children should not be subjected to risky, unwanted hormones in their school milk. Please tell Congress to take action today! Thanks for all that you do for True Food! AAEM Calls for GM Food Moratorium —from American Academy Of Environmental Medicine, www.aaemonline.org The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) today released its position paper on Genetically Modified foods stating that “GM foods pose a serious health risk” and calling for a moratorium on GM foods. Citing several animal studies, the AAEM concludes “there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects” and that “GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.” The AAEM calls for: • A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food. “Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body. With this mounting evidence, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of our patients’ and the public’s health,” said Dr. Amy Dean, PR chair and Board Member of AAEM. ”Physicians are probably seeing the effects in their patients, but need to know how to ask the right questions,” said Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, President of AAEM. “The most common foods in North America which are consumed that are GMO are corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed oil.” The AAEM’s position paper on Genetically Modified foods can be found at http:aaemonline.org/gmopost.html. AAEM is an international association of physicians and other professionals dedicated to addressing the clinical aspects of environmental health. More information is available at www.aaemonline.org. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine was founded in 1965, and is an international association of physicians and other professionals interested in the clinical aspects of humans and their environment. The Academy is interested in expanding the knowledge of interactions between human individuals and their environment, as these may be demonstrated to be reflected in their total health. The AAEM provides research and education in the recognition, treatment and prevention of illnesses induced by exposures to biological and chemical agents encountered in air, food and water.
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