Twilight meetings shed light on organic growing

RELEASE: July 31, 2009 – Volume XLI, No. 31

“Twilight Meeting” may sound like the title of a hip, new vampire story, but it’s really the opposite. Rather than a gathering of undead creatures abhorrent to nature, Twilight Meeting is a chance to learn more about how to grow plants in harmony with nature.

This summer and fall, the Northeast Organic Farming Association is holding four Twilight Meetings – from 5 to 7 p.m. – to teach the benefits and techniques of growing and making your own food, organically.

A growing body of evidence is proving that growing food organically provides clear and well-documented benefits for human health, soil fertility and environmental protection. Advocates of organic gardening and cooking now have the science on their side!

Here are a few examples from the nonprofit Organic Center:

• The average levels of 11 nutrients are 25 percent higher in organic foods compared to conventional foods, based on 236 scientifically valid comparisons;
• Organic fruits and vegetables are approximately 30 percent higher in antioxidants;
• Organic milk and meat enhances the nutritional quality of breast milk;
• Organic produce often tastes better, likely the result of reduced nitrogen levels and higher antioxidant levels.
• The average child in America is exposed to 10 to 13 pesticides daily in their food and drinking water; switching to an organic diet for just five days virtually eliminates any sign of exposure to organophosphate insecticides among school-age children;
• Organic food and farming can help slow and potentially reverse the rising incidence of obesity by eliminating exposure to approximately 180 pesticides known to disrupt the development or functioning of the endocrine system.

Check out the Organic Center’s key findings on the Rodale Institute website at http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/files/Organic_Center_Key_Findings_7-09.pdf.

For many people, the hardest step in embracing organic practices is getting started. The Twilight Meetings are a great way for everyone to learn first-hand from experts.

Here are the dates:
• Designing a Winter Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program: Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Genesis Farm, 41A Silver Lake Road in Blairstown, Warren County.
• Tomato Grafting: Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Muth Family Farm, 1639 Pitman Downer Road in Williamstown, Gloucester County.
• The Energy Efficient Farm of the Future: Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Double Brook Farm, 20 Long Way in Hopewell, Mercer County.
• Cheese Making: Thursday, Oct. 15, at Valley Shepherd Creamery, 50 Fairmount Road in Long Valley, Morris County.

The cost of each class is $10 for NOFA-NJ members and $15 for non-members.
To register, call NOFA-NJ at 908-371-1111 or mail a check to NOFA-NJ, 334 River Road, Hillsborough NJ 08844.

For more details – as well as lots of great information about organic practices – go to NOFA-NJ’s website at www.nofanj.org. And I hope you’ll consult New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s website at www.njconservation.org or contact me at info@njconservation.org, if you would like more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.

Return to SWI Columns