Let us now start off with the definition of the word "organic". According to the Whole Foods grocery chain website the definition of organic means " that soil and plants cannot be treated with chemicals or persistent pesticides or herbicides. No synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge can be used to promote growth. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are not allowed. Animals are fed organic feeds, given access to the outdoors, and allowed to fulfill their natural behaviors. Synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics are forbidden". According to Websters Dictionary the definition of organic says in part ".... relating to, or derived from living organisms <organic evolution> (2) : of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides". According to the USDA Consumer Brochure entitled "Organic Food Standards and Labels: "Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation". Having the facts now I think we should be able to guess what organic farming is and isn't. Lets discuss some ways that food is grown using GMO's and poisons. Be prepared folks you will not like it. Let's first start off with the GMO's.
GMO's: What are GMO's? A GMO is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. GMO's incorporate many different items. These items can be plants, animals, vegetable, corn, Pharmaceuticals and various other items that have been genetically altered, changed (modified) from the original. Genetically modifying something sounds like a good idea if it improves something. Who wouldn't want crops that are resistant to bugs, or pesticides that kill bad bugs? Think of how much more food could be grown to feed the poor. How about Disease resistance or Cold or heat (Las Vegas) tolerance or drought tolerance/salinity tolerance?. How about better tasting food or bigger produce or animals? According to the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are over 40 plant varieties that have completed all of the federal requirements for commercialization (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/biocon). The good thing about designing a plant with an insecticide gene is it eliminates a lot of unwanted bugs. The downside is that only the strongest insects survive, resulting in a new class of super-bugs resistant to both the crops, implanted toxins and spray-on chemicals. Some examples of these plants include tomatoes and Cantaloupe's that have modified ripening characteristics, soybeans and sugar-beets that are resistant to herbicides, heat, cold, and corn and cotton plants with increased resistance to insect pests. Not all these products are available in supermarkets yet. This all sounds great except for the leaving only the strongest, super-bug resistant insects. There are issues however that the manufactures of genetically altered products are not telling us about. Before we get to thinking that GMO's are the answer for all of our ills beware. There are lots off issues that the manufactures of these GMO products are not telling us about. As this article goes to print there are two articles that have just been released concerning the dangers of GMO's. The first one is from NBC news - Business (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/original-cheerios-go-gmo-free-2D11844100) who posted an article entitled "Original Cheerios to go GMO Free". The reason, the article says is "But consumers have expressed concerns about the long-term impact they could have". The second article is from "Natural News" (http://www.naturalnews.com/043392_oral_vaccine_cholera_GMOs.html) which is entitled "Oral cholera vaccine loaded with GMOs to be tested on babies worldwide". The article goes on to say in part ".... California-based vaccine manufacturer PaxVax has reportedly submitted an application to begin international trials of a novel oral cholera vaccine that contains live, genetically modified (GM) bacteria. VacTruth.com reports that the new vaccine is set to be tested on more than 1,000 individuals, many of whom are young children, in a three-part clinical trial series to take place throughout Australia". Here is an interesting bit of information you can look for next time you are at the grocery store. According to Dr. Frank Lippman Here are the basics of what you should know about those stickers we all see on our produce. The PLU by the way is the little stickers on the produce:
1) "If there are only four numbers in the PLU, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The last four letters of the PLU code are simply what kind of vegetable or fruit. An example is that all bananas are labeled with the code of 4011".
2) "If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8″, this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables trump being organic. So, it is impossible to eat organic produce that are grown from genetically modified seeds. A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011. If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9″, this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified. An organic banana would be: 94011"
The following areas are just some of the ones in which GMO's cause problems. These are NOT the only issues known but due to lack of space I will just included the following.
1) Unintended Harm to Other Organisms: Last year a laboratory study was published in the magazine Nature (Nature, Vol 399, No 6733, p 214, May 1999) showing that pollen from B.t. corn caused high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants, not corn, but the fear is that if pollen from B.t. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighboring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish.
The data was corroborated in a more recent study, as cited in a July 2011 article in the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/science/12butterfly.html?_r=0) , and once again in a study by the University of Minnesota, as published online in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity in March 2012. Another study back in 2007 showed that the corn’s insecticidal toxins leached into nearby streams, causing increased mortality and reduced growth of caddisflies, an aquatic insect related to the pests targeted by the toxin in GMO corn (yes, this problem has been going on that long!). Further, because caddisflies are a food resource for fish and amphibians, contamination spreads further when these insects are consumed by its natural predators. First reported on the Indiana University website (http://www.pnas.org/content/104/41/16204.abstract), the study was subsequently published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science. The most recent study found more than 1/3 of the 13 major pest species have become immune to GMO corn and cotton, and several others were in the process of developing resistance. In the scientist’s own words, “You’re always expecting the pest to adapt. It’s almost a given that preventing the evolution of resistance is not possible.”
2) Reduced Effectiveness of Pesticides: Just as some populations of mosquitoes developed resistance to the now-banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to B.t. or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides. In 2011, scientists examined 13 major pests and found that five were immune to the poisons genetically bred into GM plants like Bt corn and Bt cotton. Similarly, farmers are battling ultra-hardy weeds which aren’t responding to glyphosate–the herbicide marketed as Roundup. As a result farmers are forced to use even more chemicals to combat these super-weeds. According to the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Sciences Europe, GM crops cause herbicide use to increase 25 percent per year.
3) Allergies: Agricultural laborers in six villages who picked or loaded Bt cotton reported reactions of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. Some laborers required hospitalization. Employees at a cotton gin factory take antihistamines everyday. One doctor treated about 250 cotton laborers.
4) Animals: Sheep died after grazing in Bt cotton fields. After the cotton harvest in parts of India, sheep herds grazed continuously on Bt cotton plants. Reports from four villages revealed that about 25% of the sheep died within a week. Post mortem studies suggest a toxic reaction. Farmers report pigs and cows became sterile from GM corn. More than 20 farmers in North America report that pigs fed GM corn varieties had low conception rates, false pregnancies or gave birth to bags of water. Both male and female pigs became sterile. Some farmers also report sterility among cows. Genetic manipulation is different and so far fraught with danger. It works by forcibly inserting a single gene from a species’ DNA into another unnaturally. A pig can mate with a pig and a tomato can mate with a tomato. But this is no way that a pig can mate with a tomato and vice versa. The process transfers genes across natural barriers that separated species over millions of years of evolution and managed to work. The biotech industry now wants us to believe it can do nature one better, and that genetic engineering is just an extension or superior alternative to natural breeding. It’s unproved, indefensible pseudoscience mumbo jumbo, and that’s the problem. Rats fed genetically engineered Calgene Flavr-Savr tomatoes (developed to look fresh for weeks) for 28 days got bleeding stomachs (stomach lesions) and seven died and were replaced in the study. Rats fed Monsanto 863 Bt corn for 90 days developed multiple reactions typically found in response to allergies, infections, toxins, diseases like cancer, anemia and blood pressure problems. Their blood cells, livers and kidneys showed significant changes indicative of disease. Iowa farmers reported a conception rate drop of from 80% to 20% among sows (female pigs) fed GM corn. Most animals also had false pregnancies, some delivered bags of water and others stopped menstruating. Male pigs were also affected as well as cows and bulls. They became sterile and all were fed GM corn. One interesting point. When given a choice, animals avoid GMO foods. This was learned by observing a flock of geese that annually visit an Illinois pond and feed on soybeans from an adjacent farm. After half the acreage had GM crops, the geese ate only from the non-GMO side. Another observation showed 40 deer ate organic soybeans from one field but shunned the GMO kind across the road. The same thing happened with GM corn.
5) Humans : Soy allergies skyrocketed in the UK, soon after GM soy was introduced. In a single year, 1999, soy allergies in the UK jumped from 10% to 15% of the sampled population. GM soy was imported into the country shortly before 1999. Antibody tests verify that some individuals react differently to GM and non-GM soy varieties. GM soy also has an increased concentration of a known allergen. A GM food supplement killed about 100 people and caused 5,000-10,000 to fall sick. One brand of the supplement L-tryptophan created a deadly US epidemic in the 1980s. The company genetically engineered bacteria to produce the supplement more economically. Their product contained many contaminants, five or six of which were suspected as the cause of the disease. In GMO foods Genes are sometimes turned off. Native Genes in a subject can be mutated and even deleted. GMOs also pose other health risks. When a transgene functions in a new cell, it may produce different proteins than the ones intended. They may be harmful, but there’s no way to know without scientific testing. Even if the protein is exactly the same, there are still problems. Consider corn varieties engineered to produce a pesticidal protein called Bt-toxin. Farmers use it in spray form, and companies falsely claim it’s harmless to humans. In fact users of Bt had powerful immune responses and abnormal and excessive cell growth, and a growing number of human and livestock illnesses are linked to Bt crops. Arpad Pusztai and other scientists were shocked at their results of animals fed GM foods. Other independent studies showed stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomachs, abnormal and potentially precancerous cell growth in the intestines, impaired blood cell development, misshaped cell structures in the liver, pancreas and testicles, altered gene expression and cell metabolism, liver and kidney lesions, partially atrophied livers, inflamed kidneys, less developed organs, reduced digestive enzymes, higher blood sugar, inflamed lung tissue, increased death rates and higher offspring mortality as well. Nearly all 100 Filipinos living adjacent to a Bt corn field became ill. Their symptoms appeared when the crop was producing airborne pollen and was apparently inhaled. Doing it produced headaches, dizziness, extreme stomach pain, vomiting, chest pains, fever, and allergies plus respiratory, intestinal and skin reactions. Blood tests conducted on 39 victims showed an antibody response to Bt-toxin suggesting it was the cause. Four other villages experienced the same problems that also resulted in several animal deaths. Promoters are used in GM crops as switches to turn on the foreign gene. When done, the process may accidental switch on other natural plant genes permanently. The result may be to overproduce an allergen, toxin, carcinogen, anti-nutrient, enzymes that stimulate or inhibit hormone production, RNA that silences genes, or changes that affect fetal development. They may also produce regulators that block other genes and/or switch on a dormant virus that may cause great harm. In addition, evidence suggests the promoter may create genetic instability and mutations that can result in the breakup and recombination of the gene sequence. There are other things besides GMO's to worry about. We will continue by discussing pesticides (or poisons).
The next problem we will discuss is that of pesticides. I will give examples of some pesticides and just what they do. If you haven't started to wake you up to the dangers in our food already, sit back you are in for a wild ride.
1) Pesticides: A study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and published in the September 2005 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives shows eating organic foods provides children with “dramatic and immediate” protection from exposure to two organophosphate pesticides that have been linked to harmful neurological effects in humans. According to the website Pure Zing, The pesticides—malathion and chlorpyrifos—while restricted or banned for home use, are widely used on a variety of crops, and according to the annual survey by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Pesticide Data Program, residues of these organophosphate pesticides are still routinely detected in food items commonly consumed by young children. I bet you didn't know that the pesticides that are sprayed on our foods are not only poison to us and our family's but they are also poison to the bugs, both good and bad . How many have heard about large amounts of birds just dying or the loss of the Bumble Bee? On July 22, 2013 The New York Times published an article http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/science/loss-of-bees-can-affect-plants-ability-to-reproduce-study-finds.html?_r=0 entitled "Loss of Bees Can Affect Plants’ Ability to Reproduce, Study Finds". If plants don't reproduce the human population won't exist much longer. On January 2, 2014 the Huffington Post printed an article entitled "Birds Dying". On this page is 8 articles of mass bird deaths. What do birds eat folks? They eat bugs, plants, fruits, vegetable. The same that we eat. These items are sprayed with pesticides folks. There are many more articles of this sort if you are interested. Here are some pesticides that are used in our foods. The following are examples of Pesticide that were or still are used in our foods.
A) Chlorpyrifos: Chlorpyrifos was widely used in homes as a residential insecticide under the name Dorsban. In 2005 it's use was ended due to the fact that the E.P.A (Environmental Protection Agency) banned it for that use due to it's hazards for children. Even though it's use was banned in homes as an insecticide it is still used on your food, the same food you and your baby eats. Here is the E.P.A link concerning Chlorpyrifos. http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/updates/2012/chlorpyrifos.html. Chlorpyrifos is produced by the Dow Chemical Company. Dow's vision statement http://www.dow.com/company/aboutdow/vision.htm states the following: "To passionately innovate what is essential to human progress by providing sustainable solutions to our customers" with the vision: "To be the most profitable and respected science-driven chemical company in the world", and the values: “Integrity, Respect for People, and Protecting our Planet”. I think they violated the "Integrity, Respect for People, and Protecting our Planet” section.
B) Azinphos-methy: Azinphos-methyl is a neurotoxin derived from nerve agents developed during World War II. In the US, it is registered for use on select nut trees, vegetable crops, and fruit trees. It is not registered for consumer or residential use. It has been linked to health problems of farmers who apply it, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered a denial of reregistration, citing, “concern to farm workers, pesticide applicators, and aquatic ecosystems". After settling a 2004 lawsuit brought by the United Farm Workers of America and other groups, the EPA announced it would begin phasing out the remaining uses of the pesticide in 2007 with all uses ending in 2012. In January 2007, the suit was reopened, with the plaintiffs seeking a quicker phaseout. The question here is how many of our children ate this "neurotoxin? Azinphos-methyl is a broad spectrum organophosphate insecticide manufactured by Bayer CropScience, Gowan Co., and Makhteshim Agan.[2] Like other pesticides in this class, it owes its insecticidal properties (and human toxicity) to the fact that it is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Here (http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/azm/settlement_fs.htm) is the E.P.A link to the settlement agreement betweenthe E.P.A and the United Farm Workers.Health and Environmental Effects which are know for Azinphos-methy are Endocrine disruption. This type of chemical effects the hormone system in Humans and is associated with learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder, cognitive and brain development problem, breast, thyroid, prostate and other cancers. Some other associations are Kidney/Liver Damage. This chemical is toxic to insects including the good insects such as bees. This chemical is sold by non other than Bayer http://www.wonderdrug.com/products/ar/ar_cc.htm. Yes the same Bayer that makes the children's aspirin. The Bayer main page says "The new Farming’s Future focuses on the empowerment of smallholder farmers and biological crop protection"
C) Monocrotophos: sold under the trade names Hazodrin, Azodrin, Dominator, Plandrin, Megatron, Macabre (personal favorite) and Phoskill among others – has left a trail of damage since it was first registered. It was introduced in the United States in 1965 by the chemical-pharmaceutical giant Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis). It soon was linked to massive bee die-offs and thousands of dead birds, leading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to start limiting its use in 1984 and to ban it outright in 1991. The American Bird Conservancy, which lobbied for its withdrawal, calls it “one of the most avian-toxic substances ever developed.”. Haven't we been heard stories of the Bumble Bee disappearing as of late. How many of you were eating fruit before 1991? How many of you were feeding your babies fruit before 1991? In the January 2, 2014 edition of the Hindustanitimes http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/is-monocrotophos-a-banned-pesticide-responsible-for-mid-day-meal-deaths/article1-1099689.aspx newspaper the country of India still uses the chemnical Monocrotophos and the chemical company (Novartis) that produces the product convinced them to continue using it. Novartis by the way makes "Pharmaceuticals, Generics, Vaccines (more than 20 they say) and consumer health products (such as surgical devices)".
D) Dicamba: According to research compiled by scientists from Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and the University of California at Davis, dicamba is a pervasive plant killer that can cause birth defects and other serious problems in humans (http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu).
E) 2,4-D: This chemical according to Natural News "..... is composed of roughly 50 percent of the Agent Orange chemical weapon used to carpet-bomb Vietnamese villages during the Vietnam War. This deadly chemical is capable of destroying virtually anything it comes into contact with, except, of course, the genetically-modified (GM) crops designed to resist it". According to research compiled by scientists from Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and the University of California at Davis, dicamba is a pervasive plant killer that can cause birth defects and other serious problems in humans (http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu). Agent Orange was used in Vietnam to kill the jungle that the enemy was hiding in. Our troops developed Cancers of all sorts, destroyed their lungs and suffered all kinds of medical conditions due to Agent Orange.
2) Growth Hormones: Growth Hormones: Growth hormones can be natural or un-natural however the mere fact that they are placed into food means they don't belong there so they are NOT natural, they are artificial. While not technically a pesticide, growth hormones are still poisons (they are no good for us) that are placed into our foods. What are growth hormones and what is so bad about artificial growth hormones? Growth hormones (GH) are a protein-based peptide hormone. It stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals. Growth hormone is a 191-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior pituitary gland. Growth hormone is used in medicine to treat children's growth disorders and adult growth hormone deficiency. In recent years, growth hormone replacement therapies have become popular in the battle against ageing and obesity. Today, there are six anabolic steroids given, in various combinations, to nearly all animals entering conventional beef feedlots in the U.S. and Canada. There are three natural hormones given to our animals they are estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone. There are three man made and they are estrogen compound zeranol, the androgen trenbolone acetate, and progestin melengestrol acetate. Questions and controversy over the impacts of these added hormones on human development and health have lingered for four decades. In 1988 the European Union banned the use of all hormone growth promoters. The ADIs on the books for years are based on traditional toxicity testing methods and do not reflect the capacity of these drugs, which are potent endocrine disruptor s, to alter fetal and childhood development. According to Swan et al. "the possible effects on human populations exposed to residues of anabolic sex hormones through meat consumption have never, to our knowledge, been studied. Theoretically, the fetus and the pre pubertal child are particularly sensitive to exposure to sex steroids." This gap in research is remarkable, given that every beef-eating American for over 50 years has been exposed to these hormones on a regular basis. To begin to explore possible impacts, Swan et al. (2007) carried out a study assessing the consequences of beef consumption by pregnant women on their adult male offspring. The families included in the study were recruited from the multicenter "Study for Future Families" (SFF). The study team assessed sperm quantity and quality among 773 men. Data on beef consumption during pregnancy was available from the mothers of 387 men. These mothers consumed, on average, 4.3 beef meals per week, and were divided into a high beef consumption group (more than seven meals per week) and a low-consumption group (less than 7 per week). The scientists compared sperm concentrations and quality among the men born to women in the high and low beef consumption groups. They found that sperm concentration (volume) was 24.3 percent higher in the sons of mothers in the "low" beef consumption group. Almost 18 percent of the sons born to women in the high beef consumption group had sperm concentrations below the World Health Organization threshold for sub-fertility  about three-times more than in the sons of women in the low consumption group. Growth hormones also known as somatotropin or somatropin (marketed as Posilac by Monsanto) don't just make the cows or animals bigger or produce more milk they also effect our human bodies, our cells. They are used in animals to make them grow faster so the can be slaughtered faster which means less money the farmer spends on food which means the meat costs him less to produce. The farmer however still sells the meat or produce for the same price. Artificial Growth hormones also make the chickens produce more eggs and faster which again means more for the farmer to sell. Posilac has been banned from use in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and all European Union countries (currently numbering 27), from 2000 or earlier. In 1994 a European Union scientific commission European Union scientific commission stated that the use of rBST substantially increased health problems with cows, including foot problems, mastitis and injection site reactions, impinged on the welfare of the animals and caused reproductive disorders. The report concluded that, on the basis of the health and welfare of the animals, rBST should not be used". If you want to read it here is the report from the Canadian Government. http://web.archive.org/web/20080110050349/http:/www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/1999/1999_03_e.html. There is also a report from the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health Here in part is what they said about artificial growth hormones. ".....These six hormones include three that are naturally occurring – Oestradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone – and three that are synthetic – Zeranol, Trenbolone, and Melengestrol. When hormones are injected into cattle, some naturally occurring hormone levels increase 7 to 20 times. The committee found that “no acceptable daily intake could be established for any of these hormones.” Cows treated with rbGH (Recombinant bovine growth hormone) reportedly have higher incidence of infections in the udder. These infections are treated with antibiotics. Like in humans, high use of antibiotics can create a resistance to certain bacteria making treatment difficult. It is unknown if the antibiotics used to treat the mastitis create harm in humans. Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone that was developed by, among others, Monsanto Company, and is sold under the name Posilac. Monsanto Company spent around one billion dollars to develop BGH and bring it to market. The FDA approved BGH for use in dairy farming in November 1993, it actually began usage in February 1994. BGH is injected into cows to increase their milk production by approximately 20%. To illustrate how devastating BGH is, I will quote directly from an article written by Minnesota dairy farmer John Kurtz who carried out BGH field trails between 1985 and 1988 before FDA approval of BGH.(113)"When the injections began, it was obvious something happened. After about three days the injected cows were milking more. An hour before milking time, their milk would run, because they weren't able to hold the milk. They'd be stomping from side to side and bellowing, wanting to be milked. Something had been triggered.... "The first lactation milking period went extremely well. But one problem caught up with us in the second lactation: poor body condition. Basically, these cows were... taking fat and body reserves and turning them into milk." To get the cows back into good condition Kurtz worked closely with veterinarians and nutritionists sent by the FDA and Cyanamid. "But, by the end of the second lactation, one - fifth of the rBGH - treated cows had died, and another 15 percent had gotten "down cow syndrome" -- they fell, could not get up, and had to be killed. Autopsies conducted on these animals by the University of Minnesota showed that "these cows had so much taken out of their skeleton that even their shoulder blades had a ripple effect, like a ripple potato chip, where they had pulled calcium out of their system to produce milk." "These cows are in a negative energy balance. They can't eat enough to maintain their milk and maintain their bodies and be able to conceive." As if this devastation alone were not enough for BGH non-approval by the FDA, consider what the BGH (Posilac) package insert says about side - effects: Painful udder infections (mastitis); increased body temperature; an increase in digestive disorders such as indigestion, bloat, and diarrhea; increased numbers of enlarged hocks and lesions of the knee; disorders of the foot region; infertility; increases in cystic ovaries and disorders of the uterus; decreases in gestation length and birth weight of calves; increased twinning rates; higher incidence of retained placentas following calving; and possible unknown dangers to replacement bulls (adult male progeny of rBGH - treated cows used for breeding).
Now that we have covered the non-organic end let's go into the organic end. As many of you already know if you are following me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DesertWineGuy?ref=hl) I will soon be growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in about 1 month and I have already decided that I will NOT be using any poison pesticides or fertalizers on them. I will also be growing some form of a white grape and the same goes for them. I also will have a small garden and will follow thru with the same plan. One of the items in organic farming also has to do with the soil you use. If you buy soil that is not organic then you are still to a certain extent adding poisons into your food. This is an area that I have not done anything about myself. I am planting into soil that is the native soil which is fine but have added a form of top soil which I doubt is organic. I might be wasting my time with this whole organic thing since the soil is not organic however I do think I have at least cut my risk way down by purchasing organic grape vines and Heirloom, non G.M.O seeds for my plants. According to the Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations "Genetically modified organisms. The use of GMOs within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity. The organic label therefore provides an assurance that GMOs have not been used intentionally in the production and processing of the organic products. This is something which cannot be guaranteed in conventional products as labelling the presence of GMOs in food products has not yet come into force in most countries. However, with increasing GMO use in conventional agriculture and due to the method of transmission of GMOs in the environment (e.g. through pollen), organic agriculture will not be able to ensure that organic products are completely GMO free in the future. A detailed discussion on GMOs can be found in the FAO publication "Genetically Modified Organisms, Consumers, Food Safety and the Environment".
The following are reasons to go organic:
1) Me and my family eat the food I grow.
2) Sustainability over the long term: Many changes observed in the environment are long term, occurring slowly over time. Organic agriculture considers the medium- and long-term effect of agricultural interventions on the agro-ecosystem. It aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems. Organic agriculture takes a proactive approach as opposed to treating problems after they emerge.
3) Soil: Soil building practices such as crop rotations, inter-cropping, symbiotic associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage are central to organic practices. These encourage soil fauna and flora, improving soil formation and structure and creating more stable systems. In turn, nutrient and energy cycling is increased and the retentive abilities of the soil for nutrients and water are enhanced, compensating for the non-use of mineral fertilizers. Such management techniques also play an important role in soil erosion control. The length of time that the soil is exposed to erosive forces is decreased, soil biodiversity is increased, and nutrient losses are reduced, helping to maintain and enhance soil productivity. Crop export of nutrients is usually compensated by farm-derived renewable resources but it is sometimes necessary to supplement organic soils with potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and trace elements from external sources.
Water. In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater courses with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is a major problem. As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers (e.g. compost, animal manure, green manure) and through the use of greater biodiversity (in terms of species cultivated and permanent vegetation), enhancing soil structure and water infiltration. Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. In some areas where pollution is a real problem, conversion to organic agriculture is highly encouraged as a restorative measure (e.g. by the Governments of France and Germany).
4) Biodiversity: Organic farmers are both custodians and users of biodiversity at all levels. At the gene level, traditional and adapted seeds and breeds are preferred for their greater resistance to diseases and their resilience to climatic stress. At the species level, diverse combinations of plants and animals optimize nutrient and energy cycling for agricultural production. At the ecosystem level, the maintenance of natural areas within and around organic fields and absence of chemical inputs create suitable habitats for wildlife. The frequent use of under-utilized species (often as rotation crops to build soil fertility) reduces erosion of agro-biodiversity, creating a healthier gene pool - the basis for future adaptation. The provision of structures providing food and shelter, and the lack of pesticide use, attract new or re-colonizing species to the organic area (both permanent and migratory), including wild flora and fauna (e.g. birds) and organisms beneficial to the organic system such as pollinators and pest predators. The number of studies on organic farming and biodiversity increased significantly within the last years. A recent study reporting on a meta-analysis of 766 scientific papers concluded that organic farming produces more biodiversity than other farming systems.
5) Reduce the toxic load: Buying organic food promotes a less toxic environment for all living things. With only 0.5 percent of crop and pasture land in organic, according to USDA that leaves 99.5 percent of farm acres in the U.S. at risk of exposure to noxious agricultural chemicals.
6) Taste Better and Truer Flavor: Scientists now know what we eaters have known all along: organic food often tastes better. It makes sense that strawberries taste yummier when raised in harmony with nature, but researchers at Washington State University just proved this as fact in lab taste trials where the organic berries were consistently judged as sweeter. Plus, new research verifies that some organic produce is often lower in nitrates and higher in antioxidants than conventional food.
O.K great now how do we get rid of pests on our grapevine (or other plants) Let me now give you some organic ways to eliminate pests.
1) Garlic and Onions: Grind up raw onions or garlic into a puree. Soak in warm water overnight and strain. Liquid can be sprayed on roses, fruit trees, and flowers. Kills aphids and apple borers. Scrape off any loose bark on the trunk and swab liquid on. Many gardeners mix onion water and wood ashes and paste mixture on tree
2) Tomato Leaves, Crushed: To avoid chemical sprays, try using crushed tomato leaves for leaf-spot diseases. Tomato leaves contain solanine, a chemical that has an inhibiting effect on black spot fungus. Grind two cups of leaves to a puree. Add five pints of water and one ounce of cornstarch. Keep refrigerated.
3) Garlic and Red-Pepper Spray: grind up a large bulb of garlic (or a large onion). Add one tablespoon of ground cayenne pepper and one quart of water. Steep for one hour. Strain liquid into a sprayer or watering can and refrigerate remainder in a tightly covered jar. It will be potent for several weeks, and is effective on all kinds of chewing and sucking insects.
4) Spearmint Spray: Put into a blender one cup of chopped spearmint leaves, one cup of green onion tops, and 1/2 cup of chopped hot-red pepper. Add 1/2 cup of water to assist in blending. Pour solution into a gallon of water. Add 1/2 cup of liquid detergent (preferably lemon-scented). Dilute by adding 1/2 cup of mixture to a quart of plain tap water. If the plant is small, dunk it in this solution, otherwise strain it and spray on. Effective on all chewing insects.
5) Lady Bugs: Ladybugs eat Aphids. Aphids are soft bodied insects that suck the juices out of plants. If you have roses in your garden, you have seen aphids. Aphids also come in a variety of colors and not all ladybugs like all the "flavors" of aphids. Ladybugs will also feed on scale insects and plant mites.
6) Praying Mantis: Praying mantis are highly predacious and feed on a variety of insects, including moths, crickets, grasshoppers and flies. They lie in wait with the front legs in an upraised position. They intently watch and stalk their prey.
7) Alfalfa meal: Derived from alfalfa plants and pressed into a pellet form, alfalfa meal is beneficial for adding nitrogen and potassium (about 2 percent each), as well as trace minerals and growth stimulants. Roses, in particular, seem to like this fertilizer and benefit from up to 5 cups of alfalfa meal per plant every ten weeks, worked into the soil. Add it to your compost pile to speed up the process.
8) Compost: Compost is mostly beneficial for adding organic matter to the soil. It doesn't add much in the way of fertilizer nutrients itself, but it does enhance and help make available any nutrients in the soil.
9) Animal-based fertilizers: Animal manures provide lots of organic matter to the soil, but most have low nutrient value. A few, such as chicken manure, do have high available nitrogen content, but should only be used composted because the fresh manure can burn the roots of tender seedlings. How about Bat/seabird guano or Fish by-products.
10) Orange Guard - http://www.orangeguard.com/. The following is from the company and no i am not getting anything from the company nor am I related to or no anyone who is related to anyone in the company. "Orange Guard was created as an alternative to harsh chemical insecticides that contain hazardous contaminants which may lead to potential long-term health and environmental dangers. Since Orange Guard is non-toxic, it is safe to use around food, adults/children and pets and kills insects on contact, repelling them for weeks. The effectiveness of Orange Guard lies in the ingredient d-Limonene orange peel extract that is a natural repellant. It is a water-based, indoor and outdoor insecticide that exterminates ants, roaches, fleas, aphids, spider mites, leaf hoppers, and other insect pests. Recognized as safe by the FDA and is EPA registered, it leaves a pleasant citrus smell in the home rather than that harsh chemical smell that conventional insecticides often carry".
11) Neem Oil: I had the opportunity to run into a man names Jack Sanders the other day in Pahrump Nevada since he happens to own Sanders Winery. Jack has worked in the wine industry for many years including with the Mondavi family vineyards and he let me in on a little secret. There is an oil that you can use to prevent these pests from even starting to destroy your vineyard. The oil is Neem Oil. Neem Oil has been around for many years and according to the National Pesticide Information Center (http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html) is 100% safe and natural.
These above listed natural pest killers seem to me to be a lot better to me than pesticides. They have to be better than spraying poison directly onto my plants, (which means INTO my fruits and vegetable) skin or breathing poison into my lungs and my children's lungs since they like to be outside with me in the garden. Are they perfect? No they are not but it sure is healthier that going to the average grocery store and picking a semi green Tomato that was picked when it was even greener that was grown in Night Soil. Night Soil is soil that is fertilized by human excrement, and yes it is used in developing nations (can you say Mexico) and shipped into our country thanks to the trade agreements our country has signed. Check out this article http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/USDA-issues-import-alert-for-certain-Mexican-cukes-204752401.html. I will take some loss of crops in order to eliminate such a great amount of poison. I think my family and your family is worth it. I also happen to be lucky in that I only have 1 bug that....well, bugs me and that is the Skeletonizer. I have written an article on this in this blog. There are many other ways to control pests and diseases. Lady Bugs are a great way to help keep pests down and so are Praying Mantis's. Here (http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/organic-pesticides/) is a website that gives 10 organic pesticides if you are interested. I want myself as well as my children go out to be able to step into my backyard and pick a red Tomato or Basil or a Banana Pepper and eat it right there. I want to wake up in the morning and pull up an Onion to cut into the eggs I am making for my family. I would love to get out of my pool in a few months and grab a couple of grapes. To me that would be fun and a great way to start my day. I don't think that I am asking to much to be able to eat fruits and vegetables without poison.
O.k wine lovers here is the wrap up. The pesticides are without question BAD, POISON to everything. The artificial Hormones are BAD, POISON to everything. If you can, avoid them at all costs. Having said all this I do know that more often than not we cannot avoid them. We buy a bottle of wine and those grapes are grown with some forms of pesticides and we drink it and unless the soil, compost, insecticide, fertilizer and vines themselves are organic or GMO free we are really not reasonably confident that we are are eating a poison free or healthy product. I do not want to mislead the reader that if you eat non-GMO product or a product that does not have pesticides or Human Growth Hormone that you are guaranteed of a purer product. However I myself would rather have a so called natural product go into me and my family's stomach than one grown or soaked with poison of any kind. Here is the U.S.D.A National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.dotemplate=TemplateNnavID=NationalListLinkNOPNationalOrganicProgramHome&rightNav1=NationalListLinkNOPNationalOrganicProgramHometopNav=nullleftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=NOPNationalList&resultTy. I hope you have enjoyed as well as learned about the agriculture industry. I hope you will use the information to better your life and push for safer eating.
In ending this article I wanted to let everyone know that before researching this issue I knew very little about GMO's, hormones or pesticides other then the fact that they were not healthy for us, the environment or the animals. I already knew that these items were unhealthy and that the government was doing nothing fast to help the situation. I am also in no way shape or form what you would consider an "environmental Waco". I am an average guy. I simply don't enjoy feeding myself nor my family poison nor do I see a point to it. Having said this I want my readers to be aware that a lot of this article is directly taken from other websites. At also at times copied and pasted some of the information in this article. In some cases I have made it plain that I have copied and pasted from my sources in other instances I have not. I am not attempting to portray this article as being written without the help of information already put in print on the internet. One of the the purposes of this article was to let you, the reader, the consumer, The Desert Wine Guy fans know that there are many dangers in out foods and that there are ways to cut down or avoid entirely the dangers in what we eat. The other purpose is to educate you. The purpose was not to fool people into believing The Desert Wine Guy is the end all be all of knowledge in the area of agriculture. I hope you have enjoyed this article as much as I have putting it together.
The bottom line in the organic / non-organic debate is to allow nature to do what nature does best.
The Desert Wine Guy
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