Bees for the Future

I was noticing, yesterday that the beans Aaron planted in the backyard garden had planted had bees on them. It was a lovely scene with these tan colored bees going from one red flower to the next. In some areas it is a rare sight to see bees about their work of pollinating and collecting nectar. In fact bees missing from gardens had become a global concern.

Missing Bees

Over the past several years the bee population, world wide, has been in serious decline. Most countries have reported these declines with the United States and Australia experiencing significant loss. Beekeepers in the US have reported losing one-third to all of their bees due to a mysterious phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. Canada has reported a 36% decline in colonies and a 10% reduction in honey production, over the last two years. This mysterious collapse may have several causes: infection; bee mites or colder temperatures. However, there is no conclusive evidence to any of these. In the mean time the bee industry and its associates are scrambling to slow the decline. Honey Maid, a Canadian company and Haagen-Dazs are promoting and sponsoring programs that they hope will contribute to an increase in the bee population. Genome B.C. has launched a 2.5 million dollar research program to determine strains of hardier bees. But there are ways that ordinary people can become involved.

How You Can Help

One simple and yummy way you can help is to buy a tub of Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Supporting this company enables them to promote “pollinator gardens”. A pollinator garden is one that is designed specifically to support the bees and their production of honey. For examples and a look at the 2008 design winner check the recourses below. A second way is in the garden. Plant a “pollinator garden” or at least plants that require pollination. By planting gardens that include such flowers as Coneflower (Echinacea), Black-eyed Susan (Rubeckia) or Bee Balm (Monarda) (if you need more suggestions, please email us) you encourage bees. A vegetable garden will also encourage bees. Finally, if you make a little blank space in your garden, especially if you have sandy soil you will encourage bees to built nests in your gardens. This idea may raise some concerns about nesting bees and stings. I have what most people call a bee allergy. If I get stung I could have an anaphylactic shock. The truth is I am allergic to hornets and wasps not bees and almost no one in the world is allergic to the honey bee. So, go ahead get growing and encourage those bees. It will be sweet of you!

Resources:

http://www.beemaid.com/story;story,30;Help-us-save-the-honey-bee!

http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/news/honeybeehavenwinner.html

http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/#/honeyBeeCrisis/honeyBeeCrisis/

http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/bustech/story.html?id=4de9483e-d16d-4d8f-9108-bfd252fedbee

http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=57a62d1e-27aa-4019-a832-6a2f27cc3177

Eat Local!

I realize this is a Hellmanns commercial but it is something for us to think (act) about!
Lets start acting!

Guerilla Gardening in Alliston

Photography by: Aaron Harcourt
Article by: Sarah Sondergaard

Ever feel like taking an unused, run-down, dumpy area and making it beautiful? You can. You should. Just jump in and do it! There are areas of land all over the place that lie in neglect and all that needs to be done is a little inquiring and a lot of elbow grease. Many people will give permission and allow you to use their land if you are making it better. You can find great areas to plant flowers, vegetables and herbs, while making a once unsightly places magical and enjoyable for all who pass by.

If you are interested in anything like this, visit our community vegetable garden behind the Feed Mill in Alliston. Access from Nelson St. or from front of Feed Mill. You are not trespassing...owner permission granted. Come join us as we grow, harvest and eat!

Community Garden!

Just wanted to let everyone in the Alliston area know that we are currently starting a community garden. We have already tilled the land and it is now ready for planting. If anyone is interested in joining please let me know by commenting on the blog or emailing me. We hope to meet next weekend! Looking forward to having a few extra hands!

The, Not So Sweet, Smell Of Incense

Photography by: Aaron Harcourt
Article by: Wes Harcourt

Lately there has been news from around the world about burning incense, especially indoors and the effect that it has on our well being. Since this is a common and pleasant practice, we thought you would be interested in knowing the latest.

Cancer and Incense

Studies in the practices of burning incense have been done in Denmark, Taiwan and Singapore. These studies have been published in Cancer and New Scientist Magazine. The studies show that the use of incense, especially in enclosed settings, doubles and sometimes triples the risk of upper respiratory cancer. Research shows that the particulate that comes from burning incense is worse than second hand smoke and can pollute the air more than the car. The research conducted in Asia showed that the air quality in enclosed temples is poorer than the air quality in their most heavily trafficked cities.

What’s the Solution?

The best possible solution for yourself and people around you is not to burn incense at all. But this seems extreme, especially when it comes to religious practices. We cannot see an end at all to the use of incense in worship when it is documented in many sacred scripts from around the world, but the solution taken in Taiwan, to increase ventilation, seems a logical compromise. Worshippers in Taiwan and other Asian areas threw open the doors and windows of their places of worship to allow more breathable air into their temples. This could also take place here in our worship centre’s, except in winter months. In the winter months, exhaust fans should be brought into play for the sake of worshippers.

At home is another story. If children are present, then indoor incense burning should be suspended, as little ones are more susceptible to the fine particulate that incense produces. Outdoor burning should be considered at this point, in the garden, around the hot tub or on widow sills, are some suggestions. If you are going to burn incense indoors make sure you increase the ventilation too. Open the doors and windows and let the air flow free.

We would love to have your comments. Do you burn incense? What is your usual practice? Will this article change your habits? Do you think we are out in left field? Either way we want to hear from you so give us your comments, please.

Sources and Other Reading

http://news.bbc.co.uk Thursday, 2 August, 2001

www.cbc.ca Monday, August 25, 2008

http://health.usnews.com August 25, 2008

http://totobobo.com/blog info on August 31, 2008

http://publish.bsu.edu November 3, 2006

• Could Incense Burned in Church Give You Cancer? 20211645
• Lung Cancer Rates Among Nonsmokers Not on the Rise 20270473
• Health Buzz: Incense Linked to Cancer and Other Health News 20217345
• Study Suggests Red Wine May Protect Against Lung Cancer 20199795

Fluoride...

Photography by: Aaron Harcourt

Article by: Wes Harcourt

Recently there has been news about fluoride in water and toothpaste and we thought that a consolidation of that information and some of our thoughts would be worth reading. We have compiled a brief history of the use of fluoride, the controversy around the use of fluoride and some recent. Have a read and let us know your thoughts and experiences.

Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Brief History

Fluoride has been in use in North American water systems since the 1940’s. It was introduced after studies were done on children in a region where higher levels of fluoride occur naturally in the water. A discovery was made by the researchers that moderate fluoridation prevented cavities. The result of this research encouraged many regions to add fluoride to drinking water so that people, especially children and children of the poor would benefit from this additive. You must be wondering how Fluoride in the water prevents cavities?

How Fluoridated Water Works

Drinking fluorinated water causes low levels of fluoride to mix with the saliva in the mouth. This fluorinated saliva prevents demineralization of the enamel of the teeth and helps teeth re-mineralize during the early stages to tooth decay. It is estimated that an 18–40% reduction in cavities is achieved when water fluorination is used by children who already had access to toothpaste. Fluoride in water is not the only source of this additive.

Fluoride in Toothpaste

Fluoride was introduced into toothpaste in the 1970s as the compound Sodium Fluoride. Since that time there has been a significant reduction of cavities in children and adults both in North America and Europe. To make things a little interesting the most recent studies show that the reduction in cavities has occurred despite water being fluorinated or not. This ineffective aspect of ingesting fluoride is not the only problem.

The Trouble with Fluoridated Water

Opposition to fluoridation has existed since its initiation in the 1940s. The main issue has been the ethics of the practice. Opponents say that fluorinating water violates the rights of those who need access to municipal water systems. There are direct implications to using fluoride in the water supplies as well. Dental fluorosis, or mottled teeth, has been directly linked to fluoride in the water supply. Dental fluorosis is the malformation of developing teeth. These have been the only concern until recently.

New studies from China and North America show that one of the biggest problems with fluorinated water is the intake cannot be controlled. This makes children, small individuals more susceptible to health problems. But people, in general, who consume fluoridated water, may be being overexposed. The town of Alliston has never fluorinated the water system. (For additional information check out the town’s committee report #PW-2009-10).

Recent research is also suggesting that fluoride may be connected to a number of serious conditions, including the development in teenage boys of osteosarcoma. Fluorinated water may also be connected to reduced intelligence levels in children and impaired thyroid function.

Despite these new findings, Health Canada and The Canadian Dental Association consider the benefits of fluorinated water to far out weigh the risks. In the U.S., water fluoridation is listed as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. However, these finding seem to bring into question the consumption of fluoride as a benefit but there are factors to consider in the topical application as well.

Fluoride in Our Toothpaste

The potential danger regarding fluoride-containing toothpastes appears to be the accidental ingestion of fluoride due to inadvertently swallowing the paste. Young children are at the higher risk because they are more likely to swallow the toothpastes, if not properly supervised. Due to this concern, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, U.S.A.) requires a warning statement on the packaging of all fluoride-containing toothpastes. Some doctors and dentist recommend that fluoride toothpaste be avoided all together, but here it does seems, at least for adults, that the benefits out weighs the risks

Sources and Additional Reading

www.cuprident.com/fluoride.php

www.kidshealth.org

CTV.ca Experts disagree on fluoride in drinking water

Globe and Mail November 23, 2007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoride

Earth Day

Just to let everyone know, Wednesday, April 22nd is Earth Day. For more information about how to get involved please see, www.earthday.ca.

Also, good on'ya Zehrs...they are going bag free (pay/bag) after Earth Day!

Organics: A Growing Issue

This issue we thought we should begin to open some discussion on growing produce and gardens organically. We want to enlighten you on organic certification, organic branding and simple back yard organic gardening and a little knowledge on eco footprints.

Organic certification

Organic certification is governed by an international body, The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements and also by local governments who register with this international body. In Canada organic certification falls under the Department of Justice which follows the international certifying body and adds additional regulations to IFOAM’s mandates.
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) defines organic agriculture as:
Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

Organic agriculture is based on agricultural management practices that

• Create ecosystems capable of ensuring sustained productivity
• Maintain soil fertility by maximizing biological soil activity
• Control weeds, pests, and diseases by
o encouraging a balanced host¬-predator relationship
o increasing beneficial insect populations
o using biological and crop controls
• Recycle plant and animal wastes
• Use crop selection and rotation

The Canadian body adds additional regulations about which chemicals must not be used and for how long. We are not going to lay each regulation out, as certification is not our main issue here but if you are interested in pursing this or are interested in knowing more check out, http://laws.justice.gc.ca and do a search under organic products. But before we leave certification we need to look at who needs certification.

Organic Branding

There are two reasons for being certified in Canada. The first is because the grower or producer wants to use the brand for selling their product. Retail stores are more likely to require certification for organic items to be stocked at their stores. The second is if the products which are grown organically are to be sold outside the boundaries of, in our case, Ontario. But there are many local organic growers who are not certified and produce quality products. Cookstown Greens and Willow Creek Farm are two we mentioned last addition. John and Shelia Klinekink are another. The Klinekink’s warned us that there is some cheating going on with organic growing because it is not regulated but the non-regulation is just fine with this anarchist and the buyer should know their grower. Purchasing however, is not what we want to encourage here, we want you to put your hand to growing your own organics.

Home Grown Organics

Back yard organics is really quite easy, very satisfying and helps with the grocery bill. Following the IFOAM steps laid out above is a good way to get started. So find a spot where you can get some produce in the ground and where it will grow. Even if you have existing flower gardens popping tomatoes and basil amongst the flowers works, they are quite happy to share. Now put away the Miracle Grow and get some manure. We use composted horse manure from Peter Vanderpost but Zerhs has a good selection also. Encourage predator insects, such as Mantis and Ladybugs. Use 1-40 soap and water spray for pests or just pick them off your plants. Finally make sure you have a spot for composting to recycle your plant material back to the ground. Congratulations you are now an IFOAM organic grower! We know some of you will not be able to grow so maybe some advice in purchasing organics would be helpful.

To Buy or Not to Buy

As you can see from above there are a few questions about buying. We do encourage local buying and so you could send us an email and we will be happy to give direction. You should also be mindful that next weekend Willow Creek Farm will being selling their heirloom tomatoes seedlings at market and Cookstown Greens also sells seedlings. Please check out their websites for details. To further help you in your purchase we came up with a series of questions you could use:

1 Is my purchase sustainable?
2 Is the product Organic?
3 Is it GMO free?
4 What environmental footprint am I making with this purchase?
5 Am I promoting justice when I buy?

Here is an example of what we mean. A local grocery store has garlic for sale. There are two choices. One is organic and the other is not. Both are from China. Both are about one dollar for a bulb. When we ask ourselves the above questions we end up with some disturbing answers. How can we be promoting justice to the worker when the end product is only $1.00? How can the product arrive in Canada without a lot of fossil fuels being burned? There is no local product available because it is winter in Canada. So the final answer for us is no garlic in the recipes for now. This may not be your answer but we do want you to think about your purchase. Thanks for the read. We look forward to your comments.

Mix it up!

Now that spring is here, everyone is thinking outdoor; patios, decks, gardens, lawns. I tend to have my head stuck in the garden, practically willing plants out of the ground. But I know a fair number of people who, although they may like gardens, love their lawns. Vast green expanses of perfection, perfect for walking barefoot on, having a picnic on, or riding over with your mower.

These beautiful green gems are however, difficult to maintain, can be costly, frequently sprayed with chemical and not nearly as good for the earth and air as a garden or trees. So...what to do?

If you have a lawn or are planning or putting in a lawn you can make some positive changes and keep your green spread, by turning it into a bio-diverse lawn. Simply grow two or more low, mowable, green ground covers. My favorite blend for Ontario is mother of thyme, white clover, and a mix of fescues and hardy grass blends.

Seed

• Available from Wildflower farm in Orillia
• Mother-of-thyme, Richters or garden centres
• White clover, farm seed and supply

There are also a fair number of steppables and other ground covers that can handle traffic. Find ones suited to your sun/shade conditions. Talk to owners at garden centres and find a hardy-grass seed that needs the least amount of mowing.

Remember, lawns don't need to be perfect and variety can be much prettier. Lawn grass is not even native to our province nor is it sustainable. Diversifying your lawn also helps combat grubs, a fierce problem in our area thanks to all those cute little June bugs. A flat green healthy space of diverse lawn is useful and essential to good design. Be wise and explore your options and let the dandelions grow.

Photographs from online source. From left to right: dandelion, white clover, thyme

Heirloom Vegetables

We want to start off by saying thank you for taking a look at the inaugural instalment of our blog. Please read on and take a moment to add your comment to our article.

The Big Deal about Heirlooms














Photography by: Aaron Harcourt

We thought it would be best to begin with some local information, so we have two stories on heirloom vegetables right here in our backyard. There is a difference between hybrid and heirloom vegetables. A hybrid vegetable is one that is the offspring produced by crossing two individuals of unlike genetic constitution; specifically; the offspring of two plants of different races, varieties, species, etc. Hybrids are produced for their uniformity and vigour. For example the orange carrot is a hybrid produced for its suitability to certain soils. Hybrids are the result of a marriage between two homozygous parents, which produce heterozygous offspring. There are two major disadvantages to hybrid vegetables, one is the grower must purchase new seed each year from the companies that breed and therefore control hybrid seeds. We could say more about seed control but we will save that for another instalment. The second and more significant reason is flavour. When a grower ops for uniformity and vigour, flavour is often sacrificed.

Heirlooms are any treasured possession handed down from generation to generation. This is a definition for heirlooms-in-general but it gives you the idea that we are trying to convey, an heirloom vegetable has been around for generations. If you went to your local grocery store and found a black carrot you would think it was either bad or a new fad but the black carrot has been around, an heirloom. Heirlooms are grown and served for their colour and flavour.

Heirlooms for the Table

Dave Cohlmeyer of Cookstown Greens has been growing and serving heirloom vegetables for many years. He has provided vegetables for dinners served to Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and both Bushes and most recently President Obama. His provisions have landed on the plates of visiting monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II and regularly supply both the Prime Minister’s and Governor General’s chefs. These vegetables are grown on his farm in the rich soil of Essa and include; red, white and black carrots, fingerling potatoes, various types of beets and the titan leek, to name just a few. Cohlmeyer sells out of the Brick Works in Toronto but these heirlooms are available directly from his farm. You can contact Dave at 705-458-9077 or visit on the web at www.cookstowngreens.com. That’s the market but what about the garden?

Heirlooms for the Garden

For your garden you could visit Kelly Gregory and Crystal Anderson of Willow Creek Farm. These two organic gardeners supply about 2,000 heirloom tomato seedlings, half the available heirlooms worldwide. They started out in a basement apartment with 30-35 varieties and continue to search the world for seeds. They now have their operation on Willow Creek Farm just south of Erin. Erin is about forty-five minutes south-west of Alliston or two hours on your bike. They sell out of a local farmers market in Inglewood or directly from their Willow Creek Market Garden. Gregory and Anderson’s tomatoes are “open pollinated” a true heirloom qualification which means their tomatoes are pollinated by insects, birds, wind or other natural mechanisms. The result is tomatoes that are rich in flavour and not like other cardboard tasting ones. Each year, come June, they sell out their seedlings to customers eager to have flavour on their table and their most popular varieties are Brandywines, Green Zebras, Lemon boy and Purple Calabash. If you are interested in these heirloom seedlings they will be available at Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre near Hillsburgh on April 25 only. You can also buy their tomatoes and their other organic vegetables at the Inglewood market, Wednesday afternoons from 4-7pm, starting June 10. More information is available at www.willowcreekheirlooms.com.







Photography (above) by: Willow Creek Farm

Sources:
The Alliston Herald, February 25, 2009.
The Hills, Spring, 2009.
www.yourdictionary.com.

Mission Statement

All around us we hear the rising voices of people desiring real change. We as a whole, need to begin shifting our focus from ourselves and our conveniences, to global and community issues, ranging from our environment and agro-ecology, to consumer awareness and injustice.

So how do we go about making these changes, really? How do we move away from super-consumptive lifestyles and navigate through the seas of conflicting and confusing information.

We need to bridge-the-gap between people who want to change and the resources and ways in which to really do this. Bringing people and their local, sustainable and fair resources together is what we are all about. We need to share our knowledge and wisdom as well as encourage more people to think, speak, and act out for the preservation of our community and environment.

This is a place that hopefully, will help people find practical and creative solutions and give others the ability to share their ingenuity and wisdom.

Bio's

Wes Harcourt~ has been around long enough to know that stone knives are better than plastic. He loves all things related to food, especially growing, purchasing, cooking and eating but his biggest concern with food is food justice. Not a justice related to the food but justice related to the people connected to the food. The questions that need to be asked are, “Is my growing, purchasing, cooking and eating promoting justice for the people involved with my food.” Wes’ hope is that as he researches and contributes to this blog that justice is increased in our world. He hopes that through his love for these things that love is increased in our world and more people experience justice as we grow in our knowledge and understanding of how our food is grown, purchased, cooked and eaten. You may also want to know that Wes has been married to Terry for more then thirty years, has two wonderful children, Aaron and Chaya.

Sarah Sondergaard~ I am the wife of an amazing man, mother of four insanely energetic boys, lover of food, dirt and all things that grow. I am and always will be a mountain girl, coming from the West and the Rockies; I have now been here in the Alliston area for more than ten years. I passionately love growing and cooking food; also tending and caring for the earth God gave us. I enjoy working with and for people in everyday life and in my landscape/gardening business, Just Gardens. I would like to spend the rest of my life learning and teaching how to live in harmony with every living thing around us; promoting justice, wisdom and a love for nature. One day, when I am old, I hope to die peacefully in my garden.

Aaron Harcourt~ was born in Oshawa, Ontario but spent most of his life growing up in Alliston. When he was eighteen, Aaron began his world travels, broadening his views in culture, relationships, nature and foods. His desire is not only to provide an avenue for better living through education, research and photography but also to learn from others and apply it to his own life.