Spend time (not money) gift ideas

For me, one of the disturbing trends associated with the festive season is the increasing levels of credit card debt that many of us feel compelled to rack up in order to show our affection for friends and loved ones. It doesn’t need to be that way. In fact, there are some strong arguments to suggest that it shouldn’t be that way. With the exception of children, who tend to fall victim to the strain of peer pressure and the relentless bombardment of advertising from toy companies and department stores, most of us are happy at this time of year with modest, thoughtful gifts. If you’re struggling for ideas, and you’re keen not to face January 2008 with astronomical credit card bills, hopefully some of these “spend time not money” gift ideas can help make the festive season a genuinely celebratory experience.

Take an older friend to the local farmers market - a trip to the local farmers market, while not a novelty for everyone, might be a fantastic way for some older folk to enjoy your company and the atmosphere of the market. Farmers markets’ are a great place to interact, share stories, and learn from some of our older folk. It’s also a great place to pick up some fresh produce to cook up a storm upon your return home.

Arrange a visit to an organic farm – visiting an organic farm, depending where you live, provides a great opportunity for children to see what life is like on a farm. There’s nothing quite like seeing the face of a young child who’s seen a cow for the first time. Many children who live in urban areas only have very limited opportunities to connect with nature these days. Consequently, many of them haven’t seen the scale and beauty of a working organic farm. Why not arrange a day trip, perhaps arranging for a couple of families to take the trip.

Support a good cause - buy a friend membership of their local organic association. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and may just start them off on a fantastic journey of organic discovery.

Reduce food miles – the typical Christmas meal for an average family could have travelled 49,000 miles - equivalent to two journeys around the world and releasing 37kg of CO2. Why not sign a friend up to a local organic box scheme for a few weeks in the New Year and see if they like it? If they’ve over-indulged during the festive season, it’ll help them in their efforts to detox.

Introduce organic produce to a friend for Christmas - bake them an organic cake, select some organic food from the markets, or purchase them an organic basket or hamper.

Start a small organic vegetable plot - a great way to introduce basic biological concepts to children. And when the garden starts producing fresh produce, there’ll be the associated health and lifestyle benefits of eating fresh, wholesome organic produce. Besides, you and the children will have a lot of fun.

These are just some ideas. There are many, many more ideas out there that won’t assist credit card companies in their efforts to become richer. Perhaps at this time of year, we owe it to ourselves - and others – to reflect on the reasons we feel the need to hand over expensive store bought gifts that we’ve sourced from the local multi-level shopping mall. Could it be that we’re trying to over-compensate for not having spent enough time with the people we really love and care for?

Organic sugar and the co-op model

The history of cane sugar has been shaped to a large extent by the plantations of the West Indies, Pacific Islands, and several regions within Latin America. Iturbe, Paraguay has recently distinguished itself as the official headquarters of the Asociación Agricola Cañera del Sur. Since the emergence of democratic government in 1989, agricultural cooperatives have become central to the lives of Paraguay’s primary producers, including those involved in the organic sugar sector.

For a variety of reasons, most sugar producers are not in a position to raise the capital required to modernise operations and secure their access to international markets where organic products are desperately sought. Smaller producers have generally missed out on the assistance provided through officially sponsored programs and there have been significant barriers on account of deficits in regional infrastructure.

Sugar cane processing depends upon availability of milling equipment and the technical expertise which has often forced small scale farmers into individual contracts with mill operators who thereby exploit their stronger negotiating position. The majority of Paraguayan sugar cane farmers work on mixed plantations which may include cotton, soybeans, corn, and other vegetables. The Asociación Agricola Cañera del Sur negotiates on behalf of its members to promote equitable opportunities for community development and access to international markets. In practical terms, this has resulted in the maintenance of local roads, educational opportunities for children, and improved medical services for rural workers.

In partnership with Fairtrade, The Asociación Agricola Cañera del Sur is able to provide a higher income and better lifestyle for many of its members. Fairtrade has also provided valuable assistance in selected development projects and the transition between conventional and organically certified agricultural enterprises.  

Organic Valley Family of Farms

To follow up recent comments on the importance of cooperatives within the organic sector, it seems fitting to identify then describe a selection of these.

Organic Valley is the US based producer’s cooperative which is currently representing more than 1100 farmers, or approximately 10% of the organic farming community nationwide. Together, these farmers contribute organically certified foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, meat, soy milk, juices, and gluten free products.

In their promotional material, Organic Valley are prepared to distinguish themselves from the corporate influences which control many of the food resources distributed throughout the US today. Based on their alternative business model, Organic Valley seeks to support the integrity of rural communities and the farming units which are typically based on families on the land.

From each producer’s perspective, membership entails a commitment to the philosophical aims and democratic principles of the cooperative. Members are invited to serve on regional committees which participate in cooperative governance and marketing. A national Board of Directors is also elected to oversee the wider policy and goals of the organization.

One example of Organic Valley policy is their profit sharing model which aims to recognize the important contributions of several stakeholders. Farmers, employees, and local communities are directly provided with financial incentives to maintain their standards for ensuring quality food production. In addition to these financial incentives, farmer members can apply for additional support in management, certification, planning, and professional development.

Like other successful cooperatives, the needs of retailers and consumers are prioritised by ensuring quality products, sustainable practices and optimum supply characteristics. These determinants are almost entirely based on research and familiarity with local markets. It is a fact that some consumers will also consider the wider impact of environmental stewardship when supporting a cooperative like Organic Valley Family of Forms. 

The cooperative model and the organic industry

A Cooperative model appears to assist the majority of organic producers in developed and emerging economies. Advantages of establishing a legal producer’s cooperative include the improvement of supply and an enhanced capability to negotiate with wholesale agents. Cooperatives are ideal for smaller organic producers who can benefit from distributing some of the expense involved in hiring staff, training, equipment, marketing and promotion.

Every now and then, I encounter lending agents who continue to distrust proposals associated with an ‘organic cooperative’. The seventies were, unfortunately, a decade of badly conceived agricultural ventures. While most participants were well meaning and earnest in pursuit of their philosophy, the vast majority failed the business test.

With a stronger representation of successful organisations to model themselves against, contemporary organic producers are less likely to become snared in the errors of the past. The first and most basic lesson is to establish each cooperative within a legitimate legal and financial framework. This will help to identify and secure member’s rights and responsibilities. It seems to have the additional effect of removing false preconceptions about the organic industry as a whole. People are generally misguided when they approach organic production believing that everyone involved will be generous, relaxed, and accommodating to the best strains of shared humanity. While there are many individuals with precisely these qualities, the reality of business within the organic sector is generally one of competition with limited margins between success and failure. If a solicitor cannot convince you of this, then hopefully your accountant will.

Working within a cooperative can provide an ideal safety net for the inexperienced producer. One of the most challenging goals is to determine the level of consumer demand for a particular product. Of course for most farm products, demand is relatively inconsistent and subject to seasonal fluctuations. By working effectively together, members of a rural cooperative can work to meet regional demand and limit their individual exposure to market uncertainty. At the same time a cooperative is usually in a superior position to negotiate with wholesale purchasers of their particular commodity.

The future of organic agriculture

Occasionally, I’m asked to explain the important factors which convince me to believe that organic agriculture will ultimately succeed against the major investment and technologies which have structured contemporary models of food production. While my response is based on evidence obtained from practical studies, it also appeals to the intuitive wisdom of agricultural traditions throughout history.

There’s an old saying which suggests “..you won’t get more out of any field than the amount you’re prepared to put in..” Putting philosophy on hold for a moment, every farmer knows that a field requires work to maximise productivity. When there is no long-term strategy for soil replenishment, sooner or later the field must cease to be productive. In this sense, organic agriculture remains consistent with the successful traditions of food production throughout recorded history.

We’re often told that organic agriculture is inefficient. In many situations this is absolutely correct, and I’m the first to admit it. But as soon as you agree with their simple enough proposition, adherents of chemical based agriculture will often attempt to close in with the substance of their argument. They maintain that elimination of pesticides and other forms of chemical control must reduce yields to an extent that farming can no longer be profitable or sustainable over the longer term. In this sense, they are dismissive and at times contemptuous of the cultural controls and other husbandry strategies employed by organic producers.

There are many studies showing that yields obtained through commercial organic cultivation can match those where chemical inputs are employed. One reality with most agriculture is the need to restore nitrogen which is partially depleted with each harvest. Organic farmers generally respond by selective rotations and the application of green manures and other cover crops which actually replace and fix nitrogen within the soil.

Unlike the spreading of chemical fertiliser, cover cropping temporarily removes land from commercial production. This situation may be unacceptable where arable land is scarce or when economic imperative requires rapid returns on investment. Another impediment to organic agriculture is the tendency for wealthier nations to depend heavily upon consumption of animal based protein. Its no exaggeration to suggest that one kilogram of lean meat requires at least twenty kilograms of high quality grain. Under natural conditions, it’s almost impossible to replenish soil nitrogen at this rate.

The future of organic agriculture is beyond question provided we can understand and accommodate the need for arable land identification, soil replenishment, and longer term economic strategies.

Single-use plastic bags - no thanks!

As a dedicated organic consumer I like to play my part in minimizing the impact our species has on the planet. There are numerous “big” environmental issues, which I don’t have direct control over, and then there are the smaller ones over which I enjoy at least a degree of control. Naturally enough, rather than depressing myself with my inability to alter the course of global issues, I tend to focus my efforts and attention on the day-to-day things I can do to contribute to a better, cleaner, greener society. That’s why I pay particular attention to the packaging of organic produce. I have an expectation – and I don’t believe it to be unreasonable – that organic products should be packaged in an environmentally responsible manner. I extend this expectation to the packaging options provided at the checkout.

Last week, while visiting with friends in Boston - and feeling inclined to express my gratitude for the most gracious hospitality that had been bestowed upon me - I had cause to visit a local specialty organic store. The store, which I won’t name, was fantastic apart from one major shortcoming. They expected me to leave with my items packaged in single use plastic bags. “What”, I said to the cashier. “You can not be serious”. Although not said with the John McEnroe inflection that you’ve probably just ascribed to my comments - I have to admit - I was shocked. How can anyone sufficiently inspired to open a store dedicated to selling organic produce routinely provide customers with single use plastic bags? And worse still, provide no alternatives.

Some of you may be scratching your head and wondering why I’d bother to upset myself over a few plastic bags. After all, I was partly to blame. Clearly I had entered the store without my own shopping bags. And you’re right to ask – I’m big on consumer responsibility too. Normally I do present at the checkout with my own multi-use, hand-stitched organic cotton bags. But on this occasion I was traveling light. However, even though I hadn’t brought my own bags to take my produce home from the store, I still feel there should have been environmentally friendly packaging options made available.

What was I expecting? There are many alternatives to single-use plastic bags, but my two personal favorites would have to be:

• String bags – these are reusable and convenient. However, while string bags are excellent for bulky items such as the larger varieties of fruits and vegetables, they can prove awkward for holding smaller items.
• Calico bags – these reusable cotton bags are easy to wash. They fit into a pocket (or handbag) for portability and they hold more items than your average single-use plastic bag. They last for about a year and look great when a little bit of color and imagination is applied to them.

The irony is, it would have made sound business sense for this particular store to offer me an alternative to the single-use plastic bag packaging they were pushing. And here’s why:

• Cost savings – supplying plastic bags is a business expense to them with no financial return;
• Lost advertising opportunities – a reusable packaging option would likely have had the store’s logo emblazoned on it in a prominent position, thus ensuring the store’s brand was constantly visible and in the minds of both current and potential customers.
• Customer loyalty – most consumers are aware of the need to protect the environment for future generations. Providing alternatives to single-use plastic bags represents an opportunity to ensure customers remain loyal.

It might seem like a small and insignificant issue, but single-use plastic bags spoil our parks and beaches, block our drains, harm our wildlife and take over 1000 years to break down. Fortunately, steps are being taken. Many cities, including Boston in the United States, and indeed many countries throughout the world are starting to take this issue seriously. It’s important that organic storekeepers show some leadership in this area. 

Carbon profiling and organic agriculture

Large scale agriculturalists and primary producers have recently become interested in measuring their carbon profiles. This may be accounted for in terms of sound economic management, and the type of foresight which anticipates the introduction of government policy and other compliance imperatives. Within this analytical environment, there is renewed demand for comparative studies which measure the approximate carbon profiles of organic and conventional agricultural technologies.

In a field-based trial organised through the University of Nottingham, researchers concluded that organic weed control required almost double the amount of energy per hectare of wheat production compared with conventional control methods. In terms of carbon dioxide emissions, they estimated between 49 and 59 kg per tonne of grain as a consequence of organic weed control. Compare this with the 16.5 kg per tonne estimated from the conventional approach to weed management. The question then arises, to what extent might the elevated carbon profiles of organic weed control be offset by advantageous conditions within the productive supply chain?

It is for example, advantageous to alleviate the additional energy expenditure associated with herbicide manufacture, and the other synthetic inputs required by a conventional production model. Once the energy expenditure is balanced to include fertiliser, pesticide, and similar treatments the carbon dioxide emissions rise dramatically from 16.5 kg to approximately 39 kg per tonne of grain production.

Of course, the anticipated advantages of organic production relate specifically to consumer safety and a wider spectrum of ecological practices which promote sustainability and stability of important food resources. It also needs to be clarified that specific unit energy studies are disadvantageous to smaller operations. Once organic farming units increase in scale so that yields approach those established through conventional cropping, these variations in carbon profile are likely to be revised.    

Seeing the lighter side of things

I love cartoons. I always have. Perhaps it’s the child in me. Anyway, yesterday I received an email from Seppo Leinonen, a cartoonist and illustrator from Finland. Seppo was emailing to inform me of his weekly cartoon feature. Seppo’s feature cartoon this week is in response to one of our recent posts, which provided details of a recent study finding that organic milk reduces childhood eczema. A smaller version of Seppo’s artwork appears to the side of this post. Good fun! If you enjoy cartoons, please visit Seppo’s website which contains an array of humorous and sharp-witted observations on all things environmental. There is some fabulous work on his site and I for one will be visiting often. Humour and laughter certainly make the world a much brighter place. Great stuff Seppo - thanks from all of us here at Organic Guide!

The costs and benefits of being green

The number of political and social movements seeking popularity through their advocacy of environmental or green causes has increased markedly over recent years. While their growth expands to encompass wider segments of the population, environmental awareness can easily become watered down to express positive sentiments while failing to address the complexity of genuine participation. The overall benefits of adopting a green perspective tend to be elaborated at the expense of balanced and honest accountancy. There are of course inherent deficits associated with the green approach and proper documentation of these is essential for growth and development into the future.

A significant percentage of consumers have adopted various lifestyle measures which are designed to reduce their utilisation of essential resources like oil, coal, water, and timber. Because the focus is generally toward efficiencies delivered through singular and domestic applications, there is often minimal awareness of the infrastructure required to support commercial or industrial applications of any scale. Included in a recent survey of alternative energy sources were the applications of solar, wind, geothermal, atomic, and tidal. With the possible exception of atomic and to a very limited extent geothermal, these alternatives remain impractical in terms of their overall cost efficiency.

For a variety of reasons, consumers may choose to purchase organically certified foods and manufactured products. To meet current levels of demand for organic products, agricultural and niche manufacturing enterprises have taken advantage of generous incentive programs which facilitate the transition towards organic production. While these are commendable and deserve to be supported by further stages of government policy, there is little understanding or sympathy for the large-scale operations which depend upon the conventional inputs of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and pharmaceutical treatments for stock. Understandably, this position is complicated with the continual advancement and distribution of genetic technologies.

It is an unfortunate reality that many examples of organic and sustainable husbandry are only practical on a small to medium scale where additional labour costs can be offset through access to government subsidies and opportunities for value promotion and niche marketing. This is particularly apparent when organic production methods are transferred to isolated and developing regions without the benefits of a strong local market for these products.

Organic sleepwear for infants

It’s important for new parents to feel comfortable and reassured that their infant sleeps in a healthy and secure environment. At the present time it remains difficult to source infant mattresses and sleepwear which are both non allergenic and free from synthetic materials. Despite the ongoing demand for an alternative option, many of the major retailers carry basic products which incorporate synthetic fibers and filling. Over time, synthetic products can contribute to breathing difficulties and skin irritation.

I’m encouraged to discover that many companies are now advertising organically certified sleepwear on the internet. So far, I’ve managed to source a range of infant nightsuits which are manufactured from blends of organic cotton and wool. I also discovered a number of cot mattresses made entirely from organically certified materials. These were both expensive and limited to a few standard sizes. Bedding material like sheets, pillowcases, and blankets are readily available in the organically certified lines. Judging by the wide variety of size and colours available, these enjoy greater popularity than the mattresses and sleepwear. They were also competitively priced when compared with conventional products of similar quality.

Parents often have hectic and stressful lives, with minimal resources to facilitate the search for elusive items like organic sleepwear and bedding. This task can be accomplished by grandparents or other relatives who enjoy contributing their time and support. Good luck with your efforts and please let me know when you discover a great product.

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