Soil & Health
Association of New Zealand Inc (est 1941) Healthy
Soil - Healthy Food - Healthy People |
New Zealand's leading source of information on Organics & Sustainable Living
Levin Branch Newsletter - 2007 February01-02-2007Newsletter No 236OUR FIRST BRANCH MEETING FOR 2007 IS AT TONY ROBINSON’S “RAMBLERS FLOWERS” ON SUNDAY 25 MARCH Tony grows organic cut flowers for export, a market which demands perfect appearance and freedom from pests. Tony will tell us how he manages these demands commercially using organic methods. He will also share some of the latest findings from his long-term experience with worm farms and bio-active compost teas. The meeting will commence with the AGM, starting promptly at 1.30. The financial statement and president’s report will be sent out with the March newsletter. Ramblers Flowers is north of Levin on SH1, just past Lindsay Road. Please park in Lindsay Road as there is no parking on the property. There will be a sales table and afternoon tea. Note that there is no gate charge for this meeting as it incorporates the AGM. Please bring a chair if you can. ORGANIC RIVER FESTIVAL  The 2007 Organic River Festival was another successful one for our branch. A steady stream of visitors over the two days saw us take in over $1400, which will go a long way towards financing the branch’s activities over the coming year.The Festival is also our major annual opportunity to “spread the word” about our branch and the national association. We talked to many people over the weekend, explaining our philosophy and activities, and distributed virtually our entire stock of back issues of Organic NZ magazine to prospective members. Singa was interviewed by a reporter from Radio NZ, with some snippets being included in an item on Morning Report on the following Monday. A large number of Soil & Health members from Wellington, Wairarapa and Wanganui identified themselves, including some who showed interest in (re-)establishing branches in their areas. We also had a visit from national councillor and spokesperson Steffan Browning, who spent a lot of time at our stall talking to members and the public.  Thank you to Kiwibackyard Products (www.kiwibackyard.co.nz) for donating the untreated macrocarpa garden bed as first prize for our raffle. This was won by Amanda Dobson from Wellington with ticket number 111. Second prize of a year’s subscription to Organic NZ and membership of Soil & Health NZ went to Darren Gempton of Levin.Thanks also to Common Property, Te Horo, which donated a wonderful array of healthy, vigorous herb and vegetable plants for the stall. Finally, thanks to those of you who donated plants or food, and especially to those who gave their time to help staff the stall – Bart Dekker, Malcolm Murchie, Leone Summers, Anne MacLennan, Fay Tekira, Tony Lamb, Shirley Hampton, Judith Balchin, Kath and Pat Blewman, Wendy Batterbee and Michael Shaw. ORGANIC GRAPES IN HAWKES BAY C J Pask Winery is conducting a three-year organic trial on 13 hectares of grapevines in Hawkes Bay that have never fully recovered from severe frost damage in 2001. Vineyard manager Bruce Smith has grown crops all his life using conventional fertilisers and chemicals, including the last 10 years in the wine industry. However, he said his eyes were opened by the research of world-renowned soil micro-biologist Elaine Ingham, founder of the Soil Foodweb Institute. He has recently attended three New Zealand workshops with American biological farming expert Arden Andersen. Soil health was the vital issue, promoting vine health and reducing the incidence of disease and pests, Mr Smith said. He feeds the soil and vines with a brew of fish waste, seaweed, and even seawater, to provide valuable minerals. Molasses and table sugar are other ingredients. The vineyard makes its own compost on site from which it brews compost tea, full of living organisms. “That’s the biology in our soil. They’re the life of the soil,” he said. He is passionate about the link between healthy soil and improved human health. “We feed soil and vines, as opposed to using protective chemical covers. A balance in the soil is the key and the early signs are good. It just feels nice to be making such positive changes.” Part of the biological experiment involves a Sustainable Farming Fund trial, in conjunction with Lincoln University, using flowering species between the rows to attract beneficial insects. Grape-growing neighbours are looking over the fence with keen interest. For C J Pask, a successful trial would mean switching entirely to biological production of its grapes. - from the Dominion Post, 21 February 2007 MOON PLANTING GUIDE - MARCH 2007 Full moon 4th Last quarter 12th New moon 19th First quarter 26th Best dates for sowing root crops such as onions are the 6th, 7th, 8th and especially the 9th and 10th. For sowing and planting leaf crops such as broccoli, silver beet, cabbage, lettuce and spinach, the best days are the 22nd and 23rd. The 27th and 28th are particularly auspicious for sowing and planting out fruit, flower and seed crops such as broad beans and cauliflower and winter flowering annuals such as alyssum, cineraria, pansy, poppy and sweet william. FARMING PARTNER/S WANTED Shareholding opportunity for one or more in 50% of 74 acres at Weber 38km East of Dannevirke
Contact Debra Walkley on (06) 374 3445 phone/fax/answering machine. THE NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING will be held on Monday 5 March at 10am with Barbara, 111 Arcus Road, Te Horo. All members are welcome to attend. ORGANIC BLUEBERRIES FOR SALE 41 Arcus Road, Te Horo. phone (06) 364-2181 A1 SHELTER BELT TRIMMERS For all your shelter belt and hedge trimming. Height reduction and decrowning now available. Competitive prices, prompt service. Phone Marty (06) 362 6737 MAWHENUA FARM - organic since 1986. Beef, hogget & lamb processed & packaged under MAF licence. Craft & knitting wools available. For price list and inquiries contact Warren and Trish Gilbert, RD 7, Dannevirke (06) 374 8281. AGRISSENTIAL NATURALLY BETTER FERTILISERS BIOGRO certified Rok Solid and Organic 100, available from IMAGO ORGANIC ORCHARD For information phone Ann (06) 368 3858 CACKLEBERRY ORGANICS Organic chickens, pieces and pies. Organic chicken manure/sawdust mix. For inquiries contact Jeff & Christina Paulin (06) 368 8961, cackleberryorganics@clear.net.nz World’s first fully certified organic SKINCARE, BODYCARE AND COSMETIC PRODUCTS 100% free of synthetic chemicals. Discount and free shipping available. Order on-line www.organic4you.net.nz or phone Louise (06) 364 2190. |
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Soil & Health
Association of New Zealand Inc (est 1941) Healthy
Soil - Healthy Food - Healthy People |
