An organic education network has produced three books that may help
organic farmers, as well as conventional farmers who are considering
changing to organics.
Canadian Organic Growers is a national information network for organic
farmers, gardeners and consumers. The registered charity, which has
been operating since 1975, has 1,800 members who pay a $30 annual
membership fee.
They receive the quarterly Eco-Farm and Garden magazine, free access to
the group’s library and a discount on the network’s publications.
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- The Organic Field Crop Handbook is one of the group’s newest books.
It is a rewritten version of an earlier book, with several new chapters.
It contains updated information on growing methods, organic
certification and the economics of organic farming.
The handbook covers topics such as how to maintain and increase soil
fertility using green manure, how to control weeds using things like
tillage and intercropping and how to use cover crops to add organic
material to the soil.
“One thing that farmers have found enormously valuable is the rotation
section,” said project manager Eleanor Heise.
It outlines the principles of crop rotation and intercropping, gives
examples of crop rotations from across Canada and provides producers
with a crop rotation worksheet.
- The Organic Livestock Handbook has sections on the principles of
organic livestock husbandry, management tools for farmers and tips on
raising dairy cows and honeybees.
“As far as we can tell, it’s unique in the world,” Heise said. “It has
just filled a huge gap.”
Topics include health-care alternatives, methods to control internal
parasites, intensive grazing, manure management, fly control and stress
reduction.
- The Directory of Organics in Canada is an update of a book that was
last published in 1995.
It lists contact information for Canada’s legitimate certifying bodies,
and provides government contacts, seed sources and non-government
organizations involved in the organic industry.
However, Heise said the section detailing the country’s certified
organic producers, processors, distributors and retailers is incomplete.
“Some of the certifying bodies sent in their whole membership and for
others it was a bit spotty.”
The directory also lists institutions where organic research is
conducted as well as conferences, education and apprenticeship
opportunities in Canada.
All members receive a free copy of the directory. Extra copies are
available for $5 ($7.50 non-members). The Organic Field Crop Handbook
sells for $35 ($40 non-members) and the Organic Livestock Handbook
retails at $22.95 ($25.95 non-members). Shipping and handling charges
will be applied.
The books can be purchased from the network’s website. Bulk discounts
are available on orders of more than 25 books.
For a link to the network’s website, go to www.producer.com and click
on news links.
