We Did It! We took the whole Summer Off!

And it was Wonderful!

Now, we’re back and ready to go to work building, selling and promoting Home & STEM Food Growing Systems. Below is a Photo of our smallest System, the EZ-15, in Full Grow Out!

The EZ-15 Home & STEM Food Growing System

Keil Plotczyk, our Greenhouse Manager and System Designer, did a great job of taking care of our Greenhouse and the new Fishroom while we were gone. The EZ-15 above is the smallest System we sell, and it’a able to grow a whopping amount of food in just two 8 sq. ft. Grow Beds. In the Grow Bed on the right, we planted Romaine Lettuce (front), Kale (middle) and Swiss Chard (back). In the Grow Bed on the left, we planted Squash (front), Tomatoes (front) and Basil.

AUSA’s Completed Fishroom

When we took off for our Summer Break, the fish in the front Tank above were just 1 inch long Fingerlings. They are now over 5 inches long. We’ll do an in Tank, under water Video of them to share here and on our TikTok Channel soon.

AUSA Tank #3 with 15 Big Blue Tilapia

The other two Tanks have about 15 HUGE BLUE TILAPIA in each one of them. The Big Blues in the Tank above are about four years old. Tilapia live to be eight years old so these guys will be fertilizing our Greenhouse Grow Beds for another four years UNLESS WE REALLY DO RUN INTO FOOD SHORTAGES. If that unthinkable event happens, we’ll need to eat our Tilapia that we’ve been keeping as working fish. In crazy times like these, it’s always comforting to know we can grow food and food fish.

AUSA’s SIT (Seedling Incubation Table)

When you run a year around Aquaponics System, you’re always growing Seedlings so the SIT is always full of them. On the right you can see Beans, which are the tallest seedlings on the Table. In the middle are Lettuce Seedlings for our Lettuce Wall.

Now that we’re back, there’s so much to do so, I’ll sign off for now. So Happy to be sharing with our WordPress Audience again.

We’re Growing So Much Food, We Have To Create Products

Introducing Our zerO Label Products

We’ve evolved to the place where we can produce this much Butter Lettuce on our Vertical Lettuce Wall every 4-5 Weeks. But this is only half of the story. We’re showing you our Proprietary Agri-Tech that we are sharing here as you can only see WHAT we are DOING not HOW we are DOING IT! We’ll be sharing the HOW as soon as our Provisional Patent comes through.

Here’s the other half of our Vertical Lettuce Wall. This is the Romaine side of our Lettuce Wall. We’re looking for outlets for our Lettuce, as it’s plain to see there is no way we can eat all of this Lettuce by ourselves.

So we now need to Name and Package our Aquaponics Lettuce Product, and we created our zerO Label just for that!

This Label says a lot about what we think is important when it comes to growing food. First, we believe the ability to preserve refrigerated food as long as possible is important, and with that in mind, we keep our Lettuce Roots attached to the Lettuce, which is why we can label it “Living Butter Lettuce” because it’s alive and will last up to 3 weeks in cold storage.

Unless you’re growing your Lettuce in a water only System without Grow Bed Media, you cannot grow Living Lettuce with the Roots attached because the roots get tangled up in the Media making it impossible to leave them attached.

The next thing unusual on our Label are the words, “Certified Aquaganic™”. We have an “Aquaganic™” Trademark which we created ourselves complete with a Certification Certificate, which we also created that holds Aquaponic Growers to rules that are more stringent than “Organic” requirements.

Then comes the statement that our produce is “Locally Grown”. The Grow Local Movement is taking the agriculture industry by storm and large chain grocery stores are purchasing and featuring Locally Grown produce more than ever. Any time food miles are reduced, freshness, longevity and health are increased.

And finally, the words, “Shielded from Radiated Rain, Snow & Soil” bring to mind the unpleasant fact that Fukushima happened and is still happening and affecting the entire world. Growing food in protected, covered Greenhouses and Grow Houses is the only way to insure against radiated food.

Above is one of our Living Butter Lettuce Heads jammed into a Shell for sale. I use the word “jammed” here quite literally because our Butter Lettuce is so huge it barely fits in the Shells.

Our Lettuce Product is the easiest to deal with. You plant the seeds, move the Seedlings into Stage 1 Horizontal (a Proprietary Agri-Tech Horizontal Growing Area), move the more mature Seedlings into the Vertical Agri-Tech Growing Area pictured above and wait until it’s time for harvest. At harvest you wash the Lettuce and place it into a Shell for Sale. Wah Lah!

But dealing with the other Veggies like Swiss Chard and Tomatoes is a very different story and way more time consuming to turn the veggies into packaged Products. Let’s start with the Swiss Chard.

Swiss Chard grows like weeds in an Aquaponics System, and it’s very forgiving. By that I mean, you can leave it in the Deep Media or Vertical Growing Area for a long time before harvesting it. While I’m writing Blog and Social Media Posts, conducting Tours or soon Classes in our up and coming Classroom, the Swiss Chard will not spoil. It will patiently wait to be harvested while simply getting bigger.

And it will grow Horizontally like above or Vertically like below.

You can only eat so much Stir-fried Swiss Chard, which is delicious. But we had to come up with another way to process our Chard and created a freshly juiced Swiss Chard & Apple Juice using our Jack LaLanne Juicer.

Below is the processing table set up in front of the TV because it takes a while to do this job. There’s a wooden tray with a cutting board inserted into it. You also need a colander, a bowel, a large measuring cup to receive the juice, the organic apples cut into quarters (need to remove the seeds), the juice bottle and a funnel for pouring the juice into the bottle. It took some trial and error to come up with the ratio of Swiss Chard Juice to Apple Juice, and finally, we added some sweetener, which is about 8 drops of Stevia into every bottle.

Two standard garbage bags full of Swiss Chard and several hours of work results in five bottles of delicious Swiss Chard & Apple Juice like the one pictured below. Now this juice is not like Orange or Apple Juice. You don’t guzzle down an entire glass full of it. A little bit goes a long way and Does The Trick (if you know what we mean).

For our next Juice Product, we’ll be juicing Bok Choy, which also grows like weeds in an Aquaponics System. And, Yes, it’s a time-consuming job to juice down a couple of bags of Bok Choy or Swiss Chard, but the juice is so healthy it’s worth it. The cardinal SIN of any Aquaponics Grower is to grow food and either let it rot on the vine or throw it away because you don’t want to deal with it, or worst of all, actually processing the food and then letting it spoil in the refrigerator.

In our next Blog Post we’ll share the process of turning a massive Tomato harvest into Salsa and Spaghetti Sauce. Oh, YES, we had to learn to use a Pressure Canner.

Black Angus Invasion

In 2016 we made one of the best decisions of our lives. We MOVED from California to Arizona where we purchased 10 acres of pristine land (strewn with volcanic rock, see 2 Posts back) that has a Well on one of America’s best aquifers, Coconino, and a perfect house with a covered porch that we turned into our new Greenhouse.

Being the City Slickers that we were, little did we know at the time that the two Road Signs separated by about 50 yards on the road that goes by our house were trying to tell us something important. The first sign read OPEN RANGE and the second one had a Cow sillouette on it.

If you put the two Signs together, you are being told that in this Rural Arizona world, Cattle Ranchers are allowed to range their cattle wherever they please, and if your property is not fenced or your gate is open, that means on your private land. It also means you need to expect to see them on your road so don’t hit one or you’ll pay for a very expensive cow without the benefit of eating the beef.

So it wasn’t long before we awoke to a yard full of cattle complete with calves and bulls all bumping up against our Garage and Greenhouse while heading for the bales of hay we had just arranged to serve as our Archery Arrow catch.

Our property was fenced but we needed to be able to control the gate, so our solution was to get an expensive electric gate closer/opener to work the gate from inside the house or on the Road. That worked great until one of those extreme Arizona Monsoon Storms hit complete with Lightning that struck the mechanism that was controlling the gate and destroyed it.

We fixed the Gate and were free of cow invasions for three years UNTIL TODAY when about 25 beautiful Black Angus took advantage of our gate still being open after an Estes Truck had just picked up one of our STEM Teaching & Food Growing Systems.

So here they are happily munching on the thick green grass that surrounds our Septic Leach Line.

And yes, we ran out with flailing brooms to try to get them to leave, but we might as well have been a couple of flies because they had no fear of us at all beyond our being a bit pesty. The danger was that pristine land I mentioned that is strewn with lava rock is under the grass covered landscape so you can’t see what you’re stepping on, and Oliver and I were lucky we didn’t break one or more of our four legs before realizing getting them off our property was a futile act.

So for the time being, we have a partial herd of happy cows exploring their new home. And we have once again been reminded when a Black Angus herd is practically in our Living Room, that we live on OPEN RANGE LAND.

Oh, and here’s the gang that just discovered the Hay Bales. Now they think they’re our pets. We surrender to being faux Black Angus Ranchers of OPC’s (Other People’s Cows), and bless their gentle Bovine hearts.

Supply Chain Disruptions Are Here!

Way too many American homes depend on a “Just In Time” food shopping plan that models the American Manufacturing System borrowed from Toyota in the late 1980’s that de-emphasized the need for storing inventory. With the advent of Super Markets and Chain Stores, which exploded onto the American landscape about 100 years ago, shopping for food soon became a weekly or even daily event focused on a short, one-week or even one-day meal plan.

Long gone are Grandma’s gardens and the Victory Gardens of the 2nd World War. When women became major participants in the American work force, gardening became a thing of the past. So did Pantries of old that used to contain all kinds of delicious wonders including home grown and canned vegetables and staples like rice, beans and potatoes. Food has long been considered easily accessible requiring a quick trip down the street to a Grocery Store.

But what if that is no longer the case? American households would have to go into a shocking reassessment of what food security means. Some believe that reassessment is staring us in the face right now; and unfortunately, it’s winter when venturing outside to plant a Survival Garden is not an option for most Americans. So what exactly is going on?

Essentially, what is happening is a confluence of complicated issues that are being exasperated by the Covid Pandemic and our Government’s reaction to it. Early in the Pandemic scare, many American workers stayed home and collected Unemployment or worked from home to avoid contact with others who might be spreading the virus. To avoid public places, on-line shopping boomed and Jeff Bezos amassed an even bigger fortune than ever before as imports of both food and supplies sky rocketed.

Now, just when Unemployment has run out, the Government has caused a mass firing event based on thousands of workers not wanting to get the Vaccine due to religious concerns around Fetal Tissue cells used in the Vaccines or Natural Immunity based on their having already had Covid, both of which the Government is ignoring. The result is there are not enough American Workers to do the jobs necessary to get the Container Ships unloaded in a timely manner, and this is just the first shoe to drop in our “Just In Time” Supply methodology. We are about to see this catastrophic problem spread throughout all areas of Supplies and Services including Airlines (starting with Southwest), Hospitals, Police Forces, the Military, Trucking Industry, Packaging and Shipping Plants and more. 

Also, you may not realize this, but those Container Ships sitting off shore in the 10 Largest U.S. Ports, including the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, Port of Newark and New York, Port of Savannah, Port of Houston, Port of Seattle, Port of Norfolk, Port of Tacoma, Port of Charleston and Port of Oakland are carrying a lot of food from China that is being imported into the U.S. 

As meat prices make a beeline to the moon, Americans will gravitate to eating more FISH, and guess what? The chart below (whcih was created in 2010) shows a whopping 50% of Cod in American grocery stores was imported from China along with 79% of the Tilapia among other imports that include fruits and vegetables, snack foods, spieces and tea. Remember those numbers are from 2010, and only grew larger as time passed.

If you haven’t figured out yet that Aquaponics is a Food Growing Technology that grows Food Fish along with Vegetables, and that Tilapia is the most popular and easiest fish to learn to farm in Homes or Schools, this is the Good News. You can grow your own Tilapia and guarantee food security by creating your own Aquaponics System at your Home or School. (Source:https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/the-u-s-imports-a-lot-of-food-from-china-and-you-might-be-surprised-whats-on-the-list/)

And you can do it in a spare room, a garage or a greenhouse. Aquaponics is year-around food growing technology that doesn’t depend on Land, Soil or even the Sun because the new LED Grow Lights substitute for sunlight. If there was ever a time to learn Aquaponics and build or buy an Aquaponics Food Growing System, this is it. Go to our AquaponicsUSA website where we offer a wealth of information about this amazing Survival Food Growing technology.

Aren’t Coincidences Wonderful?

Here’s a really fun story to share about the location of our new Arizona Home and Greenhouse. Most people think of Arizona as dessert, but we’re not in the dessert. Actually, we left the dessert of Yucca Valley, California to come here.

We’re on a Plateau in the White Mountains of Arizona at over 6,000 ft. in elevation on a piece of land that is covered with Juniper Trees. Eight miles East of us is the beautiful little town of Show Low, Arizona, which is only a few hundred feet higher, but that few hundred feet make all the difference as Show Low is covered with Ponderosa Pine Trees. Certain species of trees require certain elevations.

Now I want to point you to the Brown Outcroppings in the picture above. Those are the Big Volcanic Boulders that are popping out of the greenery. There are a lot of these Boulders, but buried in the greenery are thousands of Little Volcanic Rocks that cover our land. It would be difficult to cultivate the land without using some heavy duty earth and rock moving machines. Right now we’re not considering venturing beyond our Greenhouse.

If you would like to get an exterior Tour of our Greenhouse Click over to our AquaponicsUSA YouTube Channel and watch our new Video after a LOOOOOONG Break with Oliver Introducing Our Arizona Greenhouse.

But here is why we named this Post “Aren’t Coincidences Wonderful?” Our land is covered with Volcanic Boulders and Rocks because 1,000 years ago, what is now the Sunset Crater in the image below was an erupting Volcano that sent the Volcanic Boulders and Rocks over to our property in a dramatic explosion of Mother Nature’s tendency to vent. Our Property is actually sitting in a Volcanic Field.

Enjoy Your Saturday,

Sustainably,

Grace

What’s Happening Today at Aquaponics USA?

‘There are 3 Seed Trays of Seedlings in the Greenhouse that need daily watering. We don’t need to water our Aquaponics Crops that are in the System because the System takes care of that, but when you’re germinating Seeds you need to water everyday.

Below are 3 Standard Seed Trays that have been growing Seedlings for about 2 weeks. We cut holes in our Humidifying Lids to allow more air flow into the Trays as it’s getting quite hot here in our Arizona Summer.

Below is what I call my Seed Tracker Sheet. As I plant the Seeds into the Seed Plugs, I fill in the Sheet with the Code Letters that tell me which Seeds are located where in the Seed Tray. For example BLC means Butter Lettuce Charles and RR means Romaine Red.

As an aside, here’s a little Cat Diversion. We can always depend on Magic for that.

Oh, and then there’s the Bee. He flew by me on the porch yesterday so now I have a clear glass jar waiting for that to happen again. My plan is to capture him and put him into the Greenhouse. I’ll let you know when that’s been accomplished. Did I just hear a Buzzing Sound?

Thank You for following us. We Write and Post to you and for you.

Sustainably,
Grace

We’re Also Doing More Blog Posts!

Our Arizona Greenhouse and our STEM Teaching & Food Growing System Orders have had us so busy we didn’t have time to talk about it. But what is the point if we don’t share what we’re doing with our Followers, so besides Videos, we’ll be sharing more Blog and Social Posts, too.

Check back to see what we’re up to now. You’re going to be amazed. The circled words in this announcement are the most important words of all starting with our “Followers”. Without you, we’re up here at 6,000 ft. in the White Mountains of Arizona without a rudder (not exactly connecting my metaphors), but you know what I mean.

Thank You for Following Us. We’ll be sharing our newest Seedlings later this week. Newly germinated Seedlings are like little Plant Children, adorable and in need of daily care. They can’t wait to show themselves off.

Sustainably,

Grace

What Is USDA Organic?

Aquaponics USA/World October 2014 Newsletter Number 10 Table of Contents  The USDA Organic Label is Worldwide?  What hoops (Treatments) do imported foods have to have? Irradiated Food is . . . You decide. What’s the National List? Coming in November–Part 3 A Word from our Editor, Grace Sylke It’s always such a surprise when I get into a Series like this one because I learn as much as I share. We’re waking up together; and it’s so great to have you with us on this crazy ride through our food system. Quick Links  Aquaponics USA Aquaponics World Aquaponics Blog Aquaponics USA TV The National List Food Irradiation Watch Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry The Organic Industry in the U.S (uh, not really)          Part 2   Dear Subscriber: Some of the things we’ll be sharing in this Part 2 of our Report on the Organic Industry will surprise you. In some ways we’ll be sharing the dark side of the USDA Certified Label. In other ways, depending on how you view it, we’ll be sharing the bright side. You’re invited to make up your own mind. Did you know our USDA Organic Label is Worldwide?   Many, if not most of us Americans, naively believe that our USDA Organic Label is an exclusive U.S. only Certification. We have to admit, we we’re among them; but that is not so. “The U.S. National Organic Program (NOP) streamlined the certification process for international as well as domestic trade when it was implemented in 2002. Organic farmers and handlers anywhere in the world are permitted to export organic products to the United States if they meet NOP standards, along with other regulatory standards, and are certified by a public or private organic certification body with USDA accreditation. “In 2007, USDA-accredited groups certified 27,000 producers and handlers worldwide to the U.S. Organic Standard, with approximately 16,000 in the United States and 11,000 in over 100 foreign countries. Farmers and handlers certified to NOP standards are most numerous in Canada, Italy, Turkey, China and Mexico, which together accounted for half the total foreign organic farmers/handlers in 2007.” (Taken from the USDA “Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry” Report dated June 2009.) For an updated and very extensive list of Certified USDA Organic operations worldwide go Here. Clicking through the first 20 of the 2,711 pages (with 10 on a page) is an eye-opening experience of realization that USDA Organic is, indeed, a worldwide designation; and most of these operations and handlers are importing their products to the U.S. This list was updated in 2013 and surprisingly, there are still only a few more than 27,000 Certified Organic operations. We find this both puzzling and enlightening because it means that the proportions of operations and handlers reported in 2007 remain about the same, which is to say that 41% of the holders of USDA certification are from foreign countries. EGAD! It seems we didn’t only export our manufacturing to foreign countries, we exported our USDA Organic Standards so foreign operators could import food into our agricultural sector and land it in what we established in Part 1 as the fastest growing food market, which is expected to increase by 14% annually. It’s looking like we need to place “Made in America” labels next to our USDA Labels these days. (All quotes in this section taken from the USDA “Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry” Report dated June 2009.) What happens to Foreign Imported Food before it’s allowed in the U.S.? If we really wanted to tell this story in its entirety, it would take all of next years Newsletters in a Series. Don’t worry, we’re not going there. But we are going to give you a bird’s eye view of what Foreign Imported Food has to go through to gain entry and thank goodness these regulations are in place. “Since fruits and vegetables are particularly susceptible to phytosanitary [meaning issues that have to do with plant disease and plant pests] problems, their imports are often subject to a large number of regulatory requirements.” Having the USDA Organic label doesn’t magically get organic operator produce across the U.S. border because other agencies have to be satisfied. “For example, fruit and vegetable imports are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for pest risk, USDA’s Agricultural Market-ing Service regulates for quality standards and marketing claims and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates for adulteration with pesticides and human pathogens.” Then there’s the National Agricultural Release Program (NARP). It is “a special import program that mandates fewer physical inspections for shipments in pathways designated as low risk by APHIS.” Under the NARP Program, “APHIS allows agricultural inspections and treatments to occur at the country of disembarkation by creating producer-financed, pre-clearance programs.” The interesting word here that covers an entire gamut of things that could happen to imported fruits and vegetables prior to entry is the word, “TREATMENTS”. Treatments are actions that can be ordered by the regulating agency called APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). APHIS can order that the shipment be Fumigated, Cold Treated, Hot Treated, Irradiated or even Destroyed. Sometimes, if the producer is under NARP, these “treatments” happen before the shipment leaves the foreign country from which it is being shipped and paperwork attesting to that fact is presented. So what is Fumigation? “Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides-or fumigants-to suffocate or poison the pests within. [Did we say pesticides or fumigants?] It is used to control pests in buildings (structural fumigation), soil, grain, and produce, and is also used during processing of goods to be imported or exported to prevent transfer of exotic organisms.” Does that mean that the USDA Organic avocados from Mexico have been fumigated? If a questionable pest has been identified on the plant, it appears that might have happened. Who knows? I’m not aware of ever seeing a label that says, “This fruit/vegetable was Fumigated before it entered the U.S.” What is Cold Treatment? Cold Treatment is the storage of the fruit or plant in an approved cold storage facility with minimum degrees and numbers of days in cold storage depending on the fruit or vegetable being treated. For example, oranges from Costa Rica require 34 degrees for a minimum of 20 days before entry into the U.S. This treatment procedure is aimed at killing fruit flies. So if an imported USDA Organic crop is to undergo Cold Treatment on the U.S. side of the border, it gets to your local grocery store 20 days later than it would have without the treatment. That’s almost 3 weeks, which makes the “Locally Grown” Label we discussed in Part 1 look even better. What is Hot Treatment?”Hot water dips or heated air can be used for direct control of postharvest insects. In mangoes, an effective treatment is 46.4 C for 65 to 90 minutes, depending on size (Sommer & Arpaia in Kader, 1992). Fruit should not be handled immediately after heat treatment. Whenever heat is used with fresh produce, cool water showers or forced cold air should be provided to help return the fruits to their optimum temperature as soon as possible after completion of the treatment.”(Taken from the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Corporate Document Repository) What is Irradiation? We’ve discussed Irradiation before in our April/FOOD REVOLUTION Part 1  Newsletter. But it’s so important, we need to discuss it again below: Aren’t we all eager to eat the food that has passed through the RAD SOURCE?    “Food irradiation is the process of exposing foodstuffs to a source of energy capable of stripping electrons from individual atoms in the targeted material (ionizing radiation).” “The radiation can be emitted by a radioactive substance or generated electrically.” (Definition from Wikipedia) “This treatment is used to preserve food, reduce the risk of food borne illness, prevent the spread of invasive pests, delay or eliminate sprouting or ripening, increase juice yield and improve re-hydration. It is permitted by over 50 countries, with 500,000 metric tons of foodstuffs annually processed worldwide.” (Definition from Wikipedia) “Two things are needed for the irradiation process: a source of radiant energy, and a way to confine that energy. For food irradiation, the sources are radioisotopes (radioactive materials) and machines that produce high-energy beams. Specially constructed containers or compartments are used to confine the beams so personnel won’t be exposed.” But it’s fine to eat what went through this machine??? “Since 1986, all irradiated products must carry the international symbol called a radura, which resembles a stylized flower.” Now that’s interesting because we’re NOT aware of having seen a Radura anywhere or perhaps we have seen them and simply regarded them as a benign new label in the sea of labels. Accompanying the radura are supposed to be these words: “Treated with irradiation or Treated by irradiation” “FDA requires that both the logo and statement appear on packaged foods, bulk containers of unpackaged foods, on placards at the point of purchase (for fresh produce), and on invoices for irradiated ingredients and products sold to food processors.” Really? “Irradiation cannot be used with all foods. It causes undesirable flavor changes in dairy products, for example, and it causes tissue softening in some fruits, such as peaches and nectarines.” Yeah, peaches and nectarines are safe from irradiation! (All quotes in this section taken from a pro irradiation Food Safety Report by Iowa State Extension) If 500,000 metric tons of irradiated food are in the market worldwide, it seems we’d all be well informed about how to avoid this particular food “treatment” menace by looking for the ubiquitous label. At least irradiated food products are supposed to be labeled unlike the non-labeled GMO’s. We’re staging a Radura Watch on our Aquaponics USA Facebook page in November. Please join us, photograph your hits and post them on our/your page. “A major concern is that irradiation might cause chemical changes that are harmful to the consumer. In particular the argument is that there is a lack of long-term studies, and therefore the safety of irradiated food is not scientifically proven in spite of the fact that hundreds of animal feeding studies of irradiated food, including multigenerational studies, have been performed since 1950.” (Quote taken from Wikipedia) Animal studies aren’t human studies unless one sees us as cattle. Follow Food Irradiation Watch for continuing information about this kind of treatment of imported food in the U.S. Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Here’s the part where our minds are about to be blown, including your’s truly because we’re about to go LOOK at the NATIONAL LIST! We’ve talked about the National List. We’ve Linked to the National List; but we haven’t actually examined the National List. Today is that day. What is the National List? It’s the List of ALL the allowed and prohibited substances, methods and ingredients in Certified USDA Organic products. Below is the List of the ALLOWED items: Read it and WEEP! §205.601  Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production. (a) As algicide, disinfectants, and sanitizer, including irrigation system cleaning systems. (1) Alcohols. (i) Ethanol. (ii) Isopropanol (2) Chlorine materials-For pre-harvest use, residual chlorine levels in the water in direct crop contact or as water from cleaning irrigation systems applied to soil must not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act, except that chlorine products may be used in edible sprout production according to EPA label directions. (i) Calcium hypochlorite. (ii) Chlorine dioxide. (iii) Sodium hypochlorite. (3) Copper sulfate-for use as an algicide in aquatic rice systems, is limited to one application per field during any 24-month period. Application rates are limited to those which do not increase baseline soil test values for copper over a timeframe agreed upon by the producer and accredited certifying agent. (4) Hydrogen peroxide. (5) Ozone gas-for use as an irrigation system cleaner only. (6) Peracetic acid-for use in disinfecting equipment, seed, and asexually propagated planting material. Also permitted in hydrogen peroxide formulations as allowed in §205.601(a) at concentration of no more than 6% as indicated on the pesticide product label. (7) Soap-based algicide/demossers. (8) Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (CAS #-15630-89-4)-Federal law restricts the use of this substance in food crop production to approved food uses identified on the product label. (b) As herbicides, weed barriers, as applicable. (1) Herbicides, soap-based-for use in farmstead maintenance (roadways, ditches, right of ways, building perimeters) and ornamental crops. (2) Mulches. (i) Newspaper or other recycled paper, without glossy or colored inks. (ii) Plastic mulch and covers (petroleum-based other than polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). (c) As compost feedstocks-Newspapers or other recycled paper, without glossy or colored inks. (d) As animal repellents-Soaps, ammonium-for use as a large animal repellant only, no contact with soil or edible portion of crop. (e) As insecticides (including acaricides or mite control). (1) Ammonium carbonate-for use as bait in insect traps only, no direct contact with crop or soil. (2) Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #-1312-76-1)-the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. (3) Boric acid-structural pest control, no direct contact with organic food or crops. (4) Copper sulfate-for use as tadpole shrimp control in aquatic rice production, is limited to one application per field during any 24-month period. Application rates are limited to levels which do not increase baseline soil test values for copper over a timeframe agreed upon by the producer and accredited certifying agent. (5) Elemental sulfur. (6) Lime sulfur-including calcium polysulfide. (7) Oils, horticultural-narrow range oils as dormant, suffocating, and summer oils. (8) Soaps, insecticidal. (9) Sticky traps/barriers. (10) Sucrose octanoate esters (CAS #s-42922-74-7; 58064-47-4)-in accordance with approved labeling. (f) As insect management. Pheromones. (g) As rodenticides. Vitamin D3. (h) As slug or snail bait. Ferric phosphate (CAS # 10045-86-0). (i) As plant disease control. (1) Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #-1312-76-1)-the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. (2) Coppers, fixed-copper hydroxide, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, includes products exempted from EPA tolerance, Provided, That, copper-based materials must be used in a manner that minimizes accumulation in the soil and shall not be used as herbicides. (3) Copper sulfate-Substance must be used in a manner that minimizes accumulation of copper in the soil. (4) Hydrated lime. (5) Hydrogen peroxide. (6) Lime sulfur. (7) Oils, horticultural, narrow range oils as dormant, suffocating, and summer oils. (8) Peracetic acid-for use to control fire blight bacteria. Also permitted in hydrogen peroxide formulations as allowed in §205.601(i) at concentration of no more than 6% as indicated on the pesticide product label. (9) Potassium bicarbonate. (10) Elemental sulfur. (11) Streptomycin, for fire blight control in apples and pears only until October 21, 2014. (12) Tetracycline, for fire blight control in apples and pears only until October 21, 2014. (j) As plant or soil amendments. (1) Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed)-Extraction process is limited to the use of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; solvent amount used is limited to that amount necessary for extraction. (2) Elemental sulfur. (3) Humic acids-naturally occurring deposits, water and alkali extracts only. (4) Lignin sulfonate-chelating agent, dust suppressant. (5) Magnesium sulfate-allowed with a documented soil deficiency. (6) Micronutrients-not to be used as a defoliant, herbicide, or desiccant. Those made from nitrates or chlorides are not allowed. Soil deficiency must be documented by testing. (i) Soluble boron products. (ii) Sulfates, carbonates, oxides, or silicates of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and cobalt. (7) Liquid fish products-can be pH adjusted with sulfuric, citric or phosphoric acid. The amount of acid used shall not exceed the minimum needed to lower the pH to 3.5. (8) Vitamins, B1, C, and E. (9) Sulfurous acid (CAS # 7782-99-2) for on-farm generation of substance utilizing 99% purity elemental sulfur per paragraph (j)(2) of this section. (k) As plant growth regulators. Ethylene gas-for regulation of pineapple flowering. (l) As floating agents in postharvest handling. (1) Lignin sulfonate. (2) Sodium silicate-for tree fruit and fiber processing. (m) As synthetic inert ingredients as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for use with nonsynthetic substances or synthetic substances listed in this section and used as an active pesticide ingredient in accordance with any limitations on the use of such substances. (1) EPA List 4-Inerts of Minimal Concern. (2) EPA List 3-Inerts of unknown toxicity-for use only in passive pheromone dispensers. (n) Seed preparations. Hydrogen chloride (CAS # 7647-01-0)-for delinting cotton seed for planting. (o) As production aids. Microcrystalline cheesewax (CAS #’s 64742-42-3, 8009-03-08, and 8002-74-2)-for use in log grown mushroom production. Must be made without either ethylene-propylene co-polymer or synthetic colors. §205.603   Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production. In accordance with restrictions specified in this section the following synthetic substances may be used in organic livestock production: (a) As disinfectants, sanitizer, and medical treatments as applicable. (1) Alcohols. (i) Ethanol-disinfectant and sanitizer only, prohibited as a feed additive. (ii) Isopropanol-disinfectant only. (2) Aspirin-approved for health care use to reduce inflammation. (3) Atropine (CAS #-51-55-8)-federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires: (i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; and (ii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 56 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 12 days after administering to dairy animals. (4) Biologics-Vaccines. (5) Butorphanol (CAS #-42408-82-2)-federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires: (i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; and (ii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 42 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 8 days after administering to dairy animals. (6) Chlorhexidine-Allowed for surgical procedures conducted by a veterinarian. Allowed for use as a teat dip when alternative germicidal agents and/or physical barriers have lost their effectiveness. (7) Chlorine materials-disinfecting and sanitizing facilities and equipment. Residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act. (i) Calcium hypochlorite. (ii) Chlorine dioxide. (iii) Sodium hypochlorite. (8) Electrolytes-without antibiotics. (9) Flunixin (CAS #-38677-85-9)-in accordance with approved labeling; except that for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires a withdrawal period of at least two-times that required by the FDA. (10) Furosemide (CAS #-54-31-9)-in accordance with approved labeling; except that for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires a withdrawal period of at least two-times that required that required by the FDA. (11) Glucose. (12) Glycerine-Allowed as a livestock teat dip, must be produced through the hydrolysis of fats or oils. (13) Hydrogen peroxide. (14) Iodine. (15) Magnesium hydroxide (CAS #-1309-42-8)-federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian. (16) Magnesium sulfate. (17) Oxytocin-use in postparturition therapeutic applications. (18) Parasiticides-Prohibited in slaughter stock, allowed in emergency treatment for dairy and breeder stock when organic system plan-approved preventive management does not prevent infestation. Milk or milk products from a treated animal cannot be labeled as provided for in subpart D of this part for 90 days following treatment. In breeder stock, treatment cannot occur during the last third of gestation if the progeny will be sold as organic and must not be used during the lactation period for breeding stock. (i) Fenbendazole (CAS #43210-67-9)-only for use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian. (ii) Ivermectin (CAS #70288-86-7). (iii) Moxidectin (CAS #113507-06-5)-for control of internal parasites only. (19) Peroxyacetic/peracetic acid (CAS #-79-21-0)-for sanitizing facility and processing equipment. (20) Phosphoric acid-allowed as an equipment cleaner, Provided, That, no direct contact with organically managed livestock or land occurs. (21) Poloxalene (CAS #-9003-11-6)-for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires that poloxalene only be used for the emergency treatment of bloat. (22) Tolazoline (CAS #-59-98-3)-federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires: (i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; (ii) Use only to reverse the effects of sedation and analgesia caused by Xylazine; and (iii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 8 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 4 days after administering to dairy animals. (23) Xylazine (CAS #-7361-61-7)-federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires: (i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; (ii) The existence of an emergency; and (iii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 8 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 4 days after administering to dairy animals. (b) As topical treatment, external parasiticide or local anesthetic as applicable. (1) Copper sulfate. (2) Formic acid (CAS # 64-18-6)-for use as a pesticide solely within honeybee hives. (3) Iodine. (4) Lidocaine-as a local anesthetic. Use requires a withdrawal period of 90 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter and 7 days after administering to dairy animals. (5) Lime, hydrated-as an external pest control, not permitted to cauterize physical alterations or deodorize animal wastes. (6) Mineral oil-for topical use and as a lubricant. (7) Procaine-as a local anesthetic, use requires a withdrawal period of 90 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter and 7 days after administering to dairy animals. (8) Sucrose octanoate esters (CAS #s-42922-74-7; 58064-47-4)-in accordance with approved labeling. (c) As feed supplements-None. (d) As feed additives. (1) DL-Methionine, DL-Methionine-hydroxy analog, and DL-Methionine-hydroxy analog calcium (CAS #’s 59-51-8, 583-91-5, 4857-44-7, and 922-50-9)-for use only in organic poultry production at the following maximum levels of synthetic methionine per ton of feed: Laying and broiler chickens-2 pounds; turkeys and all other poultry-3 pounds. (2) Trace minerals, used for enrichment or fortification when FDA approved. (3) Vitamins, used for enrichment or fortification when FDA approved. (e) As synthetic inert ingredients as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for use with nonsynthetic substances or synthetic substances listed in this section and used as an active pesticide ingredient in accordance with any limitations on the use of such substances. (1) EPA List 4-Inerts of Minimal Concern. (2) [Reserved] (f) Excipients, only for use in the manufacture of drugs used to treat organic livestock when the excipient is: Identified by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe; Approved by the FDA as a food additive; or Included in the FDA review and approval of a New Animal Drug Application or New Drug Application. §205.605   Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).” The following nonagricultural substances may be used as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” only in accordance with any restrictions specified in this section. (a) Nonsynthetics allowed: Acids (Alginic; Citric-produced by microbial fermentation of carbohydrate substances; and Lactic). Agar-agar. Animal enzymes-(Rennet-animals derived; Catalase-bovine liver; Animal lipase; Pancreatin; Pepsin; and Trypsin). Attapulgite-as a processing aid in the handling of plant and animal oils. Bentonite. Calcium carbonate. Calcium chloride. Calcium sulfate-mined. Carrageenan. Dairy cultures. Diatomaceous earth-food filtering aid only. Egg white lysozyme (CAS # 9001-63-2) Enzymes-must be derived from edible, nontoxic plants, nonpathogenic fungi, or nonpathogenic bacteria. Flavors, nonsynthetic sources only and must not be produced using synthetic solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservative. Gellan gum (CAS # 71010-52-1)-high-acyl form only. Glucono delta-lactone-production by the oxidation of D-glucose with bromine water is prohibited. Kaolin. L-Malic acid (CAS # 97-67-6). Magnesium sulfate, nonsynthetic sources only. Microorganisms-any food grade bacteria, fungi, and other microorganism. Nitrogen-oil-free grades. Oxygen-oil-free grades. Perlite-for use only as a filter aid in food processing. Potassium chloride. Potassium iodide. Sodium bicarbonate. Sodium carbonate. Tartaric acid-made from grape wine. Waxes-nonsynthetic (Carnauba wax; and Wood resin). Yeast-When used as food or a fermentation agent in products labeled as “organic,” yeast must be organic if its end use is for human consumption; nonorganic yeast may be used when organic yeast is not commercially available. Growth on petrochemical substrate and sulfite waste liquor is prohibited. For smoked yeast, nonsynthetic smoke flavoring process must be documented. (b) Synthetics allowed: Acidified sodium chlorite-Secondary direct antimicrobial food treatment and indirect food contact surface sanitizing. Acidified with citric acid only. Activated charcoal (CAS #s 7440-44-0; 64365-11-3)-only from vegetative sources; for use only as a filtering aid. Alginates. Ammonium bicarbonate-for use only as a leavening agent. Ammonium carbonate-for use only as a leavening agent. Ascorbic acid. Calcium citrate. Calcium hydroxide. Calcium phosphates (monobasic, dibasic, and tribasic). Carbon dioxide. Cellulose-for use in regenerative casings, as an anti-caking agent (non-chlorine bleached) and filtering aid. Chlorine materials-disinfecting and sanitizing food contact surfaces, Except, That, residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Calcium hypochlorite; Chlorine dioxide; and Sodium hypochlorite). Cyclohexylamine (CAS # 108-91-8)-for use only as a boiler water additive for packaging sterilization. Diethylaminoethanol (CAS # 100-37-8)-for use only as a boiler water additive for packaging sterilization. Ethylene-allowed for postharvest ripening of tropical fruit and degreening of citrus. Ferrous sulfate-for iron enrichment or fortification of foods when required by regulation or recommended (independent organization). Glycerides (mono and di)-for use only in drum drying of food. Glycerin-produced by hydrolysis of fats and oils. Hydrogen peroxide. Magnesium carbonate-for use only in agricultural products labeled “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)),” prohibited in agricultural products labeled “organic”. Magnesium chloride-derived from sea water. Magnesium stearate-for use only in agricultural products labeled “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)),” prohibited in agricultural products labeled “organic”. Nutrient vitamins and minerals, in accordance with 21 CFR 104.20, Nutritional Quality Guidelines For Foods. Octadecylamine (CAS # 124-30-1)-for use only as a boiler water additive for packaging sterilization. Ozone. Peracetic acid/Peroxyacetic acid (CAS # 79-21-0)-for use in wash and/or rinse water according to FDA limitations. For use as a sanitizer on food contact surfaces. Phosphoric acid-cleaning of food-contact surfaces and equipment only. Potassium acid tartrate. Potassium carbonate. Potassium citrate. Potassium hydroxide-prohibited for use in lye peeling of fruits and vegetables except when used for peeling peaches. Potassium phosphate-for use only in agricultural products labeled “made with organic (specific ingredients or food group(s)),” prohibited in agricultural products labeled “organic”. Silicon dioxide-Permitted as a defoamer. Allowed for other uses when organic rice hulls are not commercially available. Sodium acid pyrophosphate (CAS # 7758-16-9)-for use only as a leavening agent. Sodium citrate. Sodium hydroxide-prohibited for use in lye peeling of fruits and vegetables. Sodium phosphates-for use only in dairy foods. Sulfur dioxide-for use only in wine labeled “made with organic grapes,” Provided, That, total sulfite concentration does not exceed 100 ppm. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (CAS # 7722-88-5)-for use only in meat analog products. Tocopherols-derived from vegetable oil when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative. Xanthan gum. §205.606   Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic.” Only the following nonorganically produced agricultural products may be used as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic,” only in accordance with any restrictions specified in this section, and only when the product is not commercially available in organic form. (a) Casings, from processed intestines. (b) Celery powder. (c) Chia (Salvia hispanica L.). (d) Colors derived from agricultural products-Must not be produced using synthetic solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservative. (1) Beet juice extract color (pigment CAS #7659-95-2). (2) Beta-carotene extract color-derived from carrots or algae (pigment CAS# 7235-40-7). (3) Black currant juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (4) Black/Purple carrot juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (5) Blueberry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (6) Carrot juice color (pigment CAS #1393-63-1). (7) Cherry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (8) Chokeberry-Aronia juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (9) Elderberry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (10) Grape juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (11) Grape skin extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (12) Paprika color (CAS #68917-78-2)-dried, and oil extracted. (13) Pumpkin juice color (pigment CAS #127-40-2). (14) Purple potato juice (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (15) Red cabbage extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (16) Red radish extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3). (17) Saffron extract color (pigment CAS #1393-63-1). (18) Turmeric extract color (CAS #458-37-7). (e) Dillweed oil (CAS # 8006-75-5). (f) Fish oil (Fatty acid CAS #’s: 10417-94-4, and 25167-62-8)-stabilized with organic ingredients or only with ingredients on the National List, §§205.605 and 205.606. (g) Fortified cooking wines. (1) Marsala. (2) Sherry. (h) Fructooligosaccharides (CAS # 308066-66-2). (i) Galangal, frozen. (j) Gelatin (CAS # 9000-70-8). (k) Gums-water extracted only (Arabic; Guar; Locust bean; and Carob bean). (l) Hops (Humulus lupulus) until January 1, 2013. (m) Inulin-oligofructose enriched (CAS # 9005-80-5). (n) Kelp-for use only as a thickener and dietary supplement. (o) Konjac flour (CAS # 37220-17-0). (p) Lecithin-de-oiled. (q) Lemongrass-frozen. (r) Orange pulp, dried. (s) Orange shellac-unbleached (CAS # 9000-59-3). (t) Pectin (non-amidated forms only). (u) Peppers (Chipotle chile). (v) Seaweed, Pacific kombu. Starches. (1) Cornstarch (native). (2) Rice starch, unmodified (CAS # 977000-08-0)-for use in organic handling until June 21, 2009. (3) Sweet potato starch-for bean thread production only. (x) Tragacanth gum (CAS #-9000-65-1). (y) Turkish bay leaves. (z) Wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida). (aa) Whey protein concentrate. To see the National List for yourself, just click the words. Don’t despair. Anyone can petition to amend the National List. If you’ve found a substance that is of particular concern, just follow the step by step process below and see where it gets you. §205.607   Amending the National List. (a) Any person may petition the National Organic Standard Board for the purpose of having a substance evaluated by the Board for recommendation to the Secretary for inclusion on or deletion from the National List in accordance with the Act. (b) A person petitioning for amendment of the National List should request a copy of the petition procedures from the USDA at the address in §205.607(c). (c) A petition to amend the National List must be submitted to: Program Manager, USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 4008-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250. Is it any wonder, we’re saying that “Aquaganic™” fruits and vegetables have a real chance of being accepted by the “power shoppers” once they realize what the USDA Label really is and isn’t? This data was current up to September 17, 2014; but, unfortunately, because the NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) has been co-opted by Big Food, the result of which has been many substances added to this National List with more substances being added, more often, there have, most likely, been several new substances added since the current posted date of September 17th, 2014. The great fear is that GMO’s will be allowed; and that will kill the USDA Certified Organic Label completely. Don’t miss:  The Organic Industry in the U.S. Part 3 Coming in November: USDA Organic MEXICO MEXICO imports USDA Organic produce to the U.S. What are the rules? What is the outcome?  This is an amazing story. Be sure to read our November Newsletter. What is The Dirty Dozen Plus? In spite of all the negative press we’ve been giving USDA Organic Food, it’s still superior to pesticide laden and GMO Food. Here’s an eye opening List from the Environmental Working Group that shares some very disturbing news about some of our favorite fruits and vegetables when it comes to their pesticide residue contents. The fruits and vegetables that retain the most pesticides are actually on a well-known List called “The Dirty Dozen”; and you’re not going to like what you see. THE DIRTY DOZEN listed by most pesticide residues: 1. Apples 2. Strawberries 3. Grapes 4. Celery 5. Peaches 6. Spinach 7. Sweet Bell Peppers 8. Nectarines (Imported) 9. Cucumbers 10. Cherry Tomatoes 11. Snap Peas (Imported) 12. Potatoes It is highly recommended that you buy Organic or NCO (Non-Certified Organic) when it comes to these twelve fruits and vegetables. In terms of the image above, there are only three fruits and vegetables that are further down on the List. They are carrots at #22, Oranges at #31 and Bananas at #32 out of a total of 51 placements on the List. To get more information about the dangers of eating pesticide laden food, go to the Environmental Working Group site. Thank you for following our Second Series about The Organic Industry in the U.S. Please check back for Part 3 of this Series, USDA Organic MEXICO. Sustainably, Aquaponics USA/World

Get your 10% Discount on FFGS Growing Systems Offer ends Thanksgiving Night at Midnigh

It’s not a bug, it’s Basil specific Downy Mildew!

If you’ve got any Sweet Basil plants that look like this, you’re not dealing with a bug. You’re dealing with a new blight on basil called Downy Mildew. And, unfortunately, we’ve got it.

Downy Mildew isn’t knew in gardens; and it’s been affecting cucumbers, squash and other vegetables for years. That Downy Mildew puts a white powdery cover over the leaves of the infected plant.

This Downy Mildew is a mildew of another ilk. It doesn’t turn the Basil leaves white. It first turns them yellow, then brown and then they are dead; and, unfortunately, it’s a rather new scourge in the U.S. having shown up in Florida in 2007 for the first time. What’s its origin? Uganda, no less where it was first reported in 1933. So it looks like it took 81 years to become endemic around the world. The good news is it did take that long to become a worldwide problem.

“Basil growers may recall with frustration a similar situation years ago with another new disease: Fusarium wilt. In just a few years, as the cause of this wilt was being identified, the pathogen became endemic most likely as the result of marketing of contaminated seed. It also is possible that spread of the basil downy mildew pathogen occurred through marketing of infected, basil leaves that were asymptomatic during shipment. Basil in the US has become the leading culinary herb and is available year round.”(Quote taken from Cornell University’s Vegetable MD Online at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html)

And it grows like weeds in aquaponics and hydroponics systems in both horizontal raft growing troughs and vertical growing systems, so identifying Downy Mildew early is important because it can take out an entire crop.

“Basil downy mildew is caused by the pathogen Peronospora belbahrii. This pathogen thrives in warm, humid conditions. It can move into the garden in infected seed or transplants or as airborne spores.”(Quote taken from Cornell University’s Vegetable MD Online at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html)

“Plants infected with basil downy mildew first display yellowing of lower leaves. Upon close examination, gardeners will notice that the yellowing appears to occur in sections restricted by major veins. This causes a blocky or angular yellow sections on the leaf.

If the lower surface of the leaf is examined, dark colored spores can be seen as a dirty looking fuzz that grows directly below the yellow sections of the leaf. A small magnifying glass may be useful in viewing these spores. As the disease progresses, infected sections of the leaf turn dark brown to black and leaves may fall off. “(Quote taken from Cornell University’s Vegetable MD Online at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html)

We just tore an entire Deep Media Bed out of our Greenhouse that had both Sweet Basil and Cinnamon Basil growing in them; and both plants were infected. Sweet Basil is much more susceptible to Downy Mildew but the Spice varieties will also get it.

“The first step in preparing for basil downy mildew is learning the symptoms. Observing spores on the underside of leaves is key to diagnosis.  There are other causes of leaf yellowing in basil. Spores are produced during the dark night period, therefore early morning is the best time to inspect basil for downy mildew. Leaves with yellowing resembling downy mildew but lacking spores can be placed upside down on wet paper towel in a closed plastic bag in dark for a day to encourage the pathogen if present to produce spores.”(Quote taken from Cornell University’s Vegetable MD Online at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html)

“Using seed not infested with the basil downy mildew pathogen, selecting a less susceptible variety, and applying fungicides are the primary management practices for downy mildew. Minimizing leaf wetness and reducing humidity to obtain conditions unfavorable for disease development may suppress downy mildew, especially in greenhouses.” (Quote taken from Cornell University’s Vegetable MD Online at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/BasilDowny.html)

Our mistake (again) was getting in a hurry to put seedlings into our Grow Beds and purchasing them from the Home Depot Garden Dept. instead of planting the seeds ourselves. One other time we did this, we ended up with a massive infestation of aphids in our Greenhouse. Hopefully, this time we learned our lesson.

Farmers need to regularly inspect their crops for signs of this scourge as once it’s gotten a foothold, it’s impossible to eradicate.

Thanks for following our Blog. We still consider ourselves gardening beginners around here and are sharing what we’re learning as we go. Sorry to have to share bad news about a relatively new plant disease like Basil Downy Mildew.

Sustainably,

Aquaponics USA/World Blog

FOOD REVOLUTION Part 4 (Final in this Series)

 

July 2014, Newsletter #7 Table of Contents A Note from Our Editor The Tireless Allied Forces including Organic Consumers Association Food Democracy Now Institute for Responsible Technology Food Tank Slow Food USA FARM TO SCHOOL Natural News We Added Him to our Revolutionaries List, Mr. Michael Potter Another Revolutionary, Aaron Woolf Our Last Revolutionary, Anthony Gucciardi Monsanto has the US Government Wrapped The (Almost) Monsanto Protection Act Where Does Aquaponics Fit? Our Editor, Grace Sylke  Our Grace created the “MONSANTO, We’ve Got You Covered”Slam Sign you’ll see in this Newsletter. Please feel free to spread it around. You can Pin It, Facebook it, Twitter it. Make one of your own. The more Slam Signs the Better. This is the last Newsletter of the Four Month Series called FOOD REVOLUTION. It contains Links to all of them. Together, they are quite a story. ThankYou for following them. Quick Links: AquaponicsUSA.com AquaponicsWorld.net Aquaponics USA TV Aquaponics USA Blog April Newsletter Part 1 May Newsletter Part 2 June Newsletter Part 3 Organic Consumers Association Food Democracy Now Institute For Responsible Technology Food Tank Slow Food USA FARM TO SCHOOL Natural News Natural Society It isn’t USDA, it’s Aquaganic! The infamous “NationalList” The FOOD REVOLUTION Final Part 4: More Allies More About #1 Adversary, Monsanto More Revolutionaries Where Aquaponics Fits In See Our April Newsletter for Part 1: History See Our May Newsletter for Part 2: What is it? Why is it? Who Are The Revolutionaries? See Our June Newsletter for Part 3: The Battlegrounds, The Adversaries, The Allies     Dear Subscriber: This is a Revolution you’re participating in whether you know it or not. Some of us are participating in it consciously and some of us are unconscious participants. Every time you purchase a food item, you’ve helped the Revolutionaries or you’ve helped the Adversaries.  These Newsletters are about becoming more conscious. We’ve gotten more conscious just writing them. Yes, it takes time and effort to make sure you’re on the side of the Revolutionaries; but this War maybe the most important War we’ve ever engaged in on planet Earth because it’s a War for the very existence of pure, healthy, wholesome NATURAL food not food created by the Biotechs who actually think they can engineer food better than Mother Nature. Please make a commitment to join the FOOD REVOLUTION and bring back our right to eat real food.   Who Are The Tireless Allied Forces?   These are the Organizations in the trenches. They are actively engaged in the fight. Some are broadly focused. Others are more narrowly focused; but they are all fighting for our right to eat real food. They are often grassroots organizations and sometimes one-man bands. They’re fighting with education, scientific research and community organization tactics.    Find out about them. Join their causes. Support them. They are our Warriors in the fight backing up the Revolutionaries on the Food Battlefield, which is the entire planet Earth.   We’ve only listed 7 of these Organizations; but there are many more. Do your homework. Find the others and join them. This is how YOU can get involved.    #1. Organic Consumers Association   Organic Consumers Association is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children’s health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. They are one of the only organizations in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation’s estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers. This organization works in several arena’s including the movement demanding labeling of GMO’s. It was formed in 1998 in the wake of the mass backlash by organic consumers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s controversial proposed national regulations for organic food. (More on that later). The OCA represents over 850,000 members, subscribers and volunteers, including several thousand businesses in the natural foods and organic marketplace. (Taken from their “About” Page) #2. FOOD DEMOCRACY NOW! “Food Democracy Now! is a grassroots community dedicated to building a sustainable food system that protects our natural environment, sustains farmers and nourishes families. “Our food system is fundamentally broken. A few companies dominate the market, prioritizing profits over people and our planet. Government policies put the interests of corporate agribusiness over the livelihoods of farm families. Farm workers toil in unsafe conditions for minimal wages. School children lack access to healthy foods–as do millions of Americans living in poverty. From rising childhood and adult obesity to issues of food safety, air and water pollution, worker’s rights and global warming, our current food system is leading our nation to an unsustainable future.” Food Democracy Now, lead by Dave Murphy and Lisa Stokke is an over “650,000 strong organization of American Farmers and citizens dedicated to reforming policies relating to food, agriculture and the environment. Murphy has been called ‘the most crucial and politically savvy actor in the on-going efforts to help move American agriculture into the 21st century’ as a result of his ‘Sustainable Dozen’ campaign, which resulted in four candidates being placed in high level positions at the USDA and his efforts to reform food and agriculture under the Obama administration.” (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) #3. IRT Their “About” Page says the following: The Institute for Responsible Technology is a world leader in educating policy makers and the public about genetically modified (GM) foods and crops. They investigate and report their risks and impact on health, environment, the economy, and agriculture, as well as the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate practices, and reporting. Founded in 2003 by international bestselling author and GMO expert Jeffrey Smith, IRT has worked in nearly 40 countries on 6 continents, and is credited with improving government policies and influencing consumer-buying habits. IRT’s work comes from a dedicated team of subject experts, consultants and staff who generously donate their time and experience. In addition, IRT employs media experts, social network campaigners, writers, graphic designers, communications specialists, fundraisers, outreach professionals and support staff, who operate both at our headquarters in Iowa, and from virtual offices in the US. IRT’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, healthcare professionals, and the media, to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of GM foods. (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) #4. Food Tank Danielle Nierenberg is the President of Food Tank, a Food Think Tank focused on building a global community for safe, healthy, nourished eaters. They spotlight environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty and create networks of people, organizations, and content to push for food system change. Food Tank is for the 7 billion people who have to eat every day. They offer solutions and environmentally sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty by creating a network of connections and information for all of us to consume and share. Food Tank is for farmers and producers, policy makers and government leaders, researchers and scientists, academics and journalists, and the funding and donor communities to collaborate on providing sustainable solutions for our most pressing environmental and social problems. Food Tank highlights hope and success in agriculture. They feature innovative ideas that are already working on the ground, in cities, in kitchens, in fields and in laboratories. These innovations need more attention, more research, and ultimately more funding to be replicated and scaled-up. And that is where they need you. We all need to work together to find solutions that nourish ourselves and protect the planet. (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) #5. Slow Food USA Slow Food USA is part of the global Slow Food network of over 150,000 members in more than 150 countries. Through a vast volunteer network of local chapters, youth and food communities, they link the pleasures of the table with a commitment to protect the community, culture, knowledge and environment that make this pleasure possible. Their mission as an international grassroots membership organization is good, clean and fair food for all. They believe food should be tasty, seasonal, local, fresh and wholesome; and that  our food should nourish a healthful lifestyle and be produced in ways that preserve biodiversity, sustain the environment and ensure animal welfare – without harming human health. They also believe that our food should be affordable by all, while respecting the dignity of labor from field to fork. Slow Food USA has 170 local chapters and 40 campus chapters that coordinate local activities, projects and events. Working together with members and supporters across the nation, they preserve and share local foods and food cultures. They defend and advocate policies that promote holistic alternatives to the industrial system. Through tastings, workshops and social opportunities, they explore and celebrate the Slow life. Conviviality is central to their mission. They are a global community, connecting people to the land and to each other through local projects, educational events, and shared meals. They become catalysts for change by sharing the joy of Slow Food and prioritizing wholesome living over convenience. (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) #6. FARM TO SCHOOL Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools. Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities. Farm to school implementation differs by location but always includes one or more of the following: Procurement: Local foods are purchased, promoted and served in the cafeteria or as a snack or taste-test; Education: Students participate in education activities related to agriculture, food, health or nutrition; and School gardens: Students engage in hands-on learning through gardening. (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) #7. Natural News Natural News is a science-based natural health advocacy organization led by activist-turned-scientist, Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. The key mission of Natural News is to empower consumers with factual information about the synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, hormone disruptors and other chemicals found in foods, medicines, personal care products, children’s toys and other items. Natural News covers holistic health, nutritional therapies, consciousness and spirituality, permaculture, organics, animal rights, environmental health, food and superfoods, and performance nutrition. The site strongly criticizes drugs-and-surgery medicine, vaccines, corporate corruption, animal testing, the use of humans for medical experiments, the chemical contamination of foods, heavy metals in consumer products, factory farming and government corruption. Natural News also warns its readers about science gone bad and frequently cites examples of science resulting in catastrophies that it calls “crimes” against humanity. Examples of such subjects cited by Natural News include: Agent Orange Thalidomide Nuclear weapons GMOs and “genetic pollution” Aspartame and chemical sweeteners Chemotherapy The presence of hidden cancer viruses in polio vaccines The continued use of mercury in vaccines and dental amalgams The long history of pharmaceutical experiments on human beings, including the Tuskegee syphilis experiments conducted on African Americans in the USA. (Taken verbatim from their “About” Page with minor changes) We Had To Add Him To Our REVOLUTIONARIES LIST! To see the others on that List, click on our May Newsletter above. Meet one of our Heros, Michael J. Potter, owner of Eden Foods; and he couldn’t have a better suited last name because he’s the good guy fighting some real dark forces in this battle for Real Food. He isn’t in the trenches. He goes right into the middle of the NOSB Boardroom, which is the National Organic Standards Board where what is determined to be USDA Organic and what is not is decided. Sadly, what most of us don’t know is that the NOSB has been co-opted by the Big Food Companies like Coca Cola, Kellogg, Cargill Chemical and General Mills as these companies have bought up most of the nation’s once family owned organic food companies, kept their labels and now parade them out into the marketplace as the original thing. If you want to know more about this deception, go to our June Food Revolution Newsletter above. Because BIG FOOD has become BIG ORGANIC, they populate the NOSB and make the decisions about what new additives can be labeled Organic. So in late May of 2012, Mr. Potter went to the NOSB Meeting where some important decisions about additives were taking place; and he voiced his objection to adding “Carrageenan” to what is called the “National List”. This infamous List is the list of all the non-organic ingredients that have been allowed in foods that are labeled USDA Organic; and as these Big Food companies started stacking the Board, the list of nonorganic materials approved for organic foods increased from 77 items in 2002 to 250 nonorganic substances in 2012. Take a look at this ungodly “National List” for yourself and don’t blink because it’s growing right before our eyes. After Mr. Potter, our Hero, voiced his concern that Carrageenan has been linked to malignancies and other stomach problems, using research conducted by Dr. Tobacman, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, he was thanked for his input; and the NOSB Board then voted to keep Carrageenan on the National List. Here’s what Mr. Potter had to say about that: “‘The board is stacked,’ Mr. Potter says. ‘Either they don’t have a clue, or their interest in making money is more important than their interest in maintaining the integrity of organics.’ Which either/or do you think it is? “He calls the certified-organic label a fraud and refuses to put it on Eden’s products.” Quote taken from article in The New York Times, July 7, 2012 entitled “Has ‘Organic’ Been Oversized?“ Over here at Aquaponics World we’ve also turned our backs on the co-opted USDA Organic Certification Label and created our own Certification. We call it “Aquaganic”. You can read all about it on our Aquaponics World website, Aquaganic Page. Sorry to have popped any idealistic bubbles around heads that thought USDA Organic Certification meant the food you’re buying has no unhealthy additives. If you want to make sure you’re getting real food, buy Mr. Potter’s Eden Foods. They don’t carry that misleading label. Another REVOLUTIONARY,  Aaron Woolf Aaron Woolf is the producer/director of the hit documentary, King Corn. Other work has appeared on the Sundance and Discovery Channels and on numerous networks abroad including France’s ARTE, Italy’s RAI and Australia’s SBS. His films have won Rockie, Logie, and Peabody Awards. Woolf graduated from Middlebury College and earned a masters in film at the University of Iowa.  In the mid-1990s, Woolf turned to non-fiction storytelling, and trained his lens on individual stories that he felt touched on global trends. Woolf’s film, King Corn, followed Ian Cheney and his best friend, Curt Ellis, on a yearlong odyssey to understand where their food comes from… by growing it. In what The Washington Post calls “Required viewing for anyone planning to visit a supermarket, fast-food joint, or their own refrigerator,” the city-slickers learn to drive a combine, cash in on government subsidies, and homebrew high-fructose corn syrup. The film’s Peabody-winning findings, shared with theatergoers in 60 cities and in a PBS national broadcast, change the way audiences eat. Watch the Trailer. It’s a Real Eye Opener. And remember about 85% of the Corn grown in the US is Genetically Modified. EGAD! King Corn Our last REVOLUTIONARY,  Anthony Gucciardi, founder of  Natural Society Anthony Gucciardi became a natural health advocate after coming down with late-stage Lyme Disease and having traditional remedies that included the injections of powerful steroids lead to a rapid deterioration of his health. Anthony created his own lifestyle regimen and overcame not only the Lyme Disease but the physical challenges left from the prolonged use of steroidal drugs. After a short period of enhanced nutrition and the alteration of other lifestyle factors, Anthony had alleviated himself of virtually all pain and symptoms from which he had been suffering. It was at this point he crafted the concept that, even beyond health, it’s always essential to seek information for yourself and produce your own research. To help people follow this advice, he along with his partner, Mike Barrett, created Natural Society, which is now the third or fourth (depending on which stats you examine) largest natural health website in the world with millions of viewers per month. Many of their posts are food focused. More Bad News About The Biggest Adversary To Real Food On The Planet, MONSANTO! Josh Sager published an incisive article one month before the November 2012 US Presidential Elections that carefully documents how Monsanto has cornered and co-opted the US political system. The title of the article was “Monsanto Controls both the White House and the US Congress”. Read it and weep. Or read our quoted synopsis below and then weep. In essence, the article points out that no matter who is elected, Monsanto will be worshipped and Americans will continue to be the Guinea Pigs for these mad Biotechs. Case in point, “throughout his first term, President Obama has presided over the passage of several Monsanto-friendly legislative initiatives and has appointed numerous people associated with Monsanto to high-level positions.” “By giving several billion dollars to agro-businesses, one of which is Monsanto, the ‘Southern Africa FY 2010 Implementation Plan’ promoted the expansion of these businesses into the provision of food for Africa. This expansion is aimed at increasing food supplies in Africa, but it will have the unintended consequence of promoting Monsanto’s takeover of the African food markets. Put plainly, Monsanto will crowd local African farmers out of the market and will make a profit that would be more beneficial in the hands of local African farmers and in the local African economy. “On the issue of GMO labeling, Obama is rhetorically supportive of mandating GMO products to be labeled, but his administration has been largely silent on the issue. During the creation of the 2012 Farm Bill, there was a fight over mandating that genetically modified foods be labeled. Despite Obama’s supposed support for such labeling, his administration was essentially silent on the issue during this fight and, as a result, no mandate was passed; and 2014 brings more corruption and collusion between the Senate, the President and Monsanto. (See next Article). “In totality, legislation passed under the Obama administration has been beneficial to large agro-businesses, one of which is Monsanto. Very little has been done to increase regulation on GMO producers and several laws have been passed that directly benefit such corporations. “Due to the vested interest that Monsanto has in controlling regulation that affects its business, it has both donated to politicians and promoted the appointment of people who work for them to positions within the American government. As of yet, Monsanto has been successful in keeping its regulatory burdens low and getting its representatives into positions within the US government. The infiltration of regulatory agencies by corporate actors that is referred to here is called the “regulatory revolving door”. Individuals who work for industry go to work for the government, make public regulations, and then return to the private sector after leaving the public service. “While there are numerous points of overlap between Monsanto and the United States Government under the Obama administration, the three most important connections are that of Michael Taylor, Roger Beachy, and Islam Siddiqui. All three of these Monsanto affiliates were appointed to high level positions within the government by the Obama administration. “During his first term, President Obama appointed two Justices, one of whom was Elena Kagan, the former Solicitor General of the United States. During her time as the Solicitor General, Kagan filed a brief in support of Monsanto.” Unfortunately, things would NOT have been different if Romney had won the 2012 election. “In 1977, Bain Capital-the company that Romney ran, and in which he made most of his money-was starting out as a corporate consulting firm; Monsanto was among the first major clients of Bain. The multi-million dollar relationship between Bain Capital and Monsanto lasted from 1977 to 1985 and had significant effects on both corporations. Bain Capital, and its officers, made large amounts of money through its relationship with Monsanto and gained a significant client with which to base its consulting practice upon. Monsanto was given business advice by Bain and the corporation’s recent successes in GMO produce are traceable back to the suggestions that Romney made to Monsanto administrators.” (This is one long quote taken from the above designated article by Josh Sager and reprinted in the Global Research website, on May 24, 2014) It’s obvious our Government is NOT going to aide us in this FOOD REVOLUTION. In fact, our Government is on the side of the Genetic Engineers and against the people. If you thought the news above was bad, wait until you hear about what almost happened called The MONSANTO   PROTECTION ACT. Actually, it did happen; but only for a brief moment in time. Also from the Global Research News website, May 25, 2013 (we’re beginning to like Global Research News) an article entitled “Monsanto Protection Act Signed By Obama, GMO Bill ‘Written By Monsanto’ Signed Into Law“. It’s another Read it and weep moment that makes it clear our Government has got Monsanto covered while Monsanto makes sure the people of America are Covered. Here’s the essence of what the Monsanto Protection Act tried to do but failed when Senators, Barbara Mikulski and Jeff Merkley successfully led a charge to get it off the books in September of 2013 only a few months after it passed. But for a few short months this is what Congress passed (some unknowingly because it was hidden in the Spending Bill, HR 933) and this is what the President signed. “The Monsanto Protection Act, essentially both written by and benefiting Monsanto Corporation, was signed into law by United States President Barack Obama. The infamous Monsanto Corporation would have benefited greatly and directly from the bill, as it essentially gives companies that deal with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically engineered (GE) seeds immunity to the federal courts, among other things. “The bill stated that even if future research shows that GMOs or GE seeds cause significant health problems, cancer, etc, anything, that the federal courts no longer have any power to stop their spread, use, or sales.” Are YOU KIDDING ME! “The bill was apparently written by freshman Sen. Roy Blunt, in collusion with Monsanto, with them helping to craft the exact language of the document.” Sen. Roy Blunt, of  Missouri where Monsanto is headquartered, again a last name that fits the deed because this Bill was killing our Constitutional rights to justice with a Blunt Instrument, is a Republican. And, of course, “The Center for Responsive Politics notes that Sen. Blunt received $64,250 from non other than Monsanto to go towards his campaign committee between 2008 and 2012. The Money Monocle website adds that Blunt has been the largest Republican Party recipient of Monsanto funding as of late.” Kudos to Senators Mikulski and Merkley who along with hundreds of thousands of Petitions and Marches with thousands of participants from the Real Food Allied Organizations like the ones listed above, were able to kill the Monsanto Protection Act. The FOOD REVOLUTIONARIES won that battle; but the War wages on. However, there’s more good news because now we know exactly what Monsanto wants. They want immunity. Isn’t that interesting. If they really believe their Franken Food is good for us, why would they need immunity? So Where Does Aquaponics Fit Into The FOOD REVOLUTION? This is a picture of what’s growing in our Aquaponics USA/AquaponicsWorld Food Forever™ Farm Greenhouse right now. Actually, all the green sucker leaves at the top have been trimmed off since this picture was taken. That’s one of the secrets of growing tomatoes. You have to keep them trimmed. Not one petro-chemical, not one pesticide and not one trace of Genetically Modified Organisms are involved in growing these tomatoes or any of the leafy greens in our Vertical Duffy Duct Systems that take up most of this Greenhouse. There’s talk about the iPhone that goes something like this: Steve Jobs brought an item into the marketplace that no one knew they wanted until it arrived. Aquaponics food growing technology is kind of like that. Millions of people still don’t know it exists and have never heard the word, “Aquaponics” before. But as soon as they are introduced to it, they want it. They want it because Aquaponics is capable of producing the most wholesome, healthy, natural food on the market today without using harsh petro-chemicals, pesticides and GMO technology.  And it’s about to take the marketplace by storm. It’s a key player in the FOOD REVOLUTION. If we can eat locally grown food that is fertilized naturally from the dissolved solids of living fish, why would we want to eat food that’s been irradiated, or sprayed with pesticides and petro-chemicals and labeled USDA Organic while it’s full of additives from the infamous “National List” that has been co-opted by the Big Food Companies? The truth is WE WOULDN’T. And WE WON’T. Aquaponically grown food is a NEW CHOICE, A BETTER CHOICE and once we educate the public about that new choice and get enough Aquaponic Products out there, the FOOD REVOLUTION will be won by the good guys because there is no contest. Aquaponics is our ace in the hole. It’s the antithesis to GMO’s; and it won’t be long before it kicks Monsanto and friends right out of the marketplace. Help us win this FOOD REVOLUTION. Spread the word about Aquaponics, purchase Aquaponic Products whenever you can, request them at your favorite Food Store. The future is ours. WE’VE GOT THIS! Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for following our Newsletters and our Blog. We’re guessing by now you get that we’re on a mission. This 4-Part Series on the FOOD REVOLUTION has gone way beyond our original concept. This Final Newsletter contains All 4 Parts if you missed one as they all work together to make a complete story. Just go back to the top or click on our Quick Links Section. Now, we’re going back to working like crazy to get our Aquaponically grown Products into the marketplace; and you’ll be the first to know when they arrive. Ironically, it’s looking like Missouri will be that place; and it’s ironic because that’s right where Monsanto is Headquartered. Life works in strange ways. We’ll tell you more about that project in the August Newsletter and Blog Post. Sustainably, Aquaponics USA/Aquaponics World