GO Moves forward strengthened (May 09) - Going Organic (GO), Alberta’s organic umbrella group, is poised for a more dynamic role in determining the future for organics in Alberta. With a larger membership base that solidly represents organic producers and includes all segments of the organic community GO is building on a strong foundation and developing a persuasive voice.
Organic speakers share info and expertise (Apr 09) - Going Organic, Alberta's organic umbrella group, is ready to take a more active role in determining the future of organics in Alberta. At its recent annual general meeting, the organization adopted an innovative restructuring that crafted it into an inclusive entity. All certified organic farmers in Alberta are members, represented by region and by directors at large. Associate members include consumers, chefs, consultants, researchers and retailers.
Going Organic network is really cooking (Feb 09) - Food is central to any culture. GO, the Going Organic network in Alberta, is sharing its culture with the launch of GO - a Culinary Community. This cookbook profiles members of the organic community, who share their connection with food, as well as their recipes. The community is a broadly based group of people who want to see organics bloom in Alberta. They include organic farmers, gardeners, chefs, retailers, businesses and, of course, eaters from around the province and some from Saskatchewan.
Sustaining the community that sustains us (Sept 08) - Don Ruzicka and Joel Salatin are grass farmers who have found a way to make a living on the farm while sustaining the land base and enhancing the life around them. They are coming to Saskatoon Nov. 16-18 to share their approaches at the Organic Connections conference.
Producers, researchers share ideas at organic field days (July 08) - Green manure and tillage techniques, intercropping, soil amendments, hemp processing and great fellowship and food were part of the circle of learning at recent field days designed for organic producers. At the Organic Crop Improvement Association Chapter 5 field day, Gerard Draude of Lake Lenore, Sask., showed us how he handles alfalfa. He harvests a seed crop in the second year and in the third year, when most producers make a cut for hay, Gerard cuts alfalfa with a mulching type mower that spreads the residue evenly over the field.
Summer gathering foster organic growth (July 07) - The summer calendar is filled with opportunities for growth in the organic community. A number of organic groups host field days over the summer - opportunities to tour fields, to discuss issues and to celebrate the organic community.
Sharing Organic Knowledge (Aug 06) - Organic farming is based on knowledge. One of the most valuable ways of getting that knowledge is at farm field days, where farmers can share their successes, their challenges and their experiments. A wide variety of these mentorship events are hosted by organic producer groups across the prairies each summer.
