Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

There has been some concern surrounding the “Food Safety Modernization Act” (HR875) several blogs, and YouTube videos have been criticizing the Act as “The Death of Organic Farming” and “…making it illegal to have a backyard garden”. The criticisms site the support of large agribusiness (like Monsanto) and reason to be skeptical of the Act.

We here at Peaceful Valley received several questions and emails with links to various takes on the Act and it’s implications in the organic agriculture industry. While we are not directly involved with any legislation or political movements, the sustainability of the industry and the organic movement at large is obviously of great concern to us… and has been since 1976.

I did my own research and asked for the opinions of industry groups. All of my investigation leads me to the conclusion that The Food Safety Modernization Act contains no language that would put organic farming or gardening at risk.

Many of those who were originally very concerned about this Act have been relieved by the “Myths and Facts about The Food Modernization Act” memo released by Congresswoman DeLauro’s office (see Below).

Some have apologized for causing a “False Alarm”. I would like to say that there is no apology necessary, the uprising of concern and interest is an important element of our democracy. The flurry of questions, emails, calls and concern that we saw from our staff, vendors, customers and peers shows that we are an aware and active community that is not afraid to stand up for what we believe in. For that I would like to applaud the community at large and encourage you all to stay alert and to continue to defend what you believe in!

Links to more information on this:
Myths and Facts about The Food Safety Modernization Act
HR 875 on GovTrack.com
Summary of HR875
Restructuring the FDA
Full text of HR 875
Congresswoman Rosa Deluro (HR 875’s Sponsor) web site

Thanks and best wishes on your organic growing season!

We have a fantastic lineup of workshops for 2009… come by our store and glean some gardening wisdom from some excellent speakers.

February 7
Hands on Pruning & Planting Tips (FREE)

Linda Nowak-Carlson, Peaceful Valley Nursery Manager

February 14
Growing Cool Season Veggies; Starting Summer Veggies
Linnie MacNaughton, Green Blessings

March 7
All About Soil: Microbes, Nutrients & Testing
TBA

April 4
Attracting Native Bees
Randy Oliver, Golden West Apiaries

May 2
Making Compost & Compost Tea
Marney Blair, Fulcrum Farm

June 6
Integrated Pest Management including Weed Control

Luci Wilson, Garden Coach

June 13
Intro to Permaculture
Paul Racko, Sierra Permaculture Design

July 11
Summer Cover Crops; Summer Pruning
TBA

July 18
Growing Medicinal Herbs

Kathy Keville, Oak Valley Herb Farm

August 1
Fall Veggie; Fall Cover Crops
Willow Hein, Peaceful Valley Freshman Farmer

September 5
Intro to Landscape Design

TBA

October 10
Fall Planting; Focus on Native and Deer Resistant Plants
Carolyn Singer, Foothill Cottage Garden

November 14
Fruit Trees; Winter Pruning and Care
Ellen Solomon, Arborist

December 5
Wreath making; Live Christmas Tree Care ($20)
Janet Jensen & Linda Nowak-Carlson, PVF&GS