1. Citrus Farmer Phil & Denise from @ Northey St City Farm Brisbane Every Sunday
   QUARTERDECK CITRUS FARM, Northern NSW
2. Banana Farmer Tony & Robin Lattanzi @ Miami Markets Gold Coast Every Sunday
   The Lattanzi Organic Farm Cudgera…Northern NSW
3. TROPO – The Tweed Richmond Organic Producers Association
4. Narelle Chenery Owner & Creator of World First Certified Organic Cosmetics – Miessence
5. Farm Gate Shop now open in Burleigh Heads – ORev
6. David Forrest from organicforrest.com.au
7. Alisdair Smithson of munchcrunchorganics.com.au
8. Northey Street City Farm (nscf.org.au)
9. Blueberry growers Sue & Rob @ Hampton Blue
10. Rod and Tania Bruin of Summit Organics, Tyalgum

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Citrus Farmer Phil & Denise from @ Northey St City Farm Brisbane Every Sunday

QUARTERDECK CITRUS FARM, Northern NSW

We purchased our property in Dec 1995 as an existing citrus farming very poor health. We were aided by the previous owner who gave us spray systems and programs. The farm was very young and only had a minor level of production at the time.

After 2 years of following his spray program we found that the fruit was more marked and therefore unsaleable in the conventional (chemical) market. We engaged entomologists who advised us on the correct and softer “sprays” that we could use to control the pests & diseases. Fortunately these entomologists worked on ORGANIC principles and introduced good systems of integrated pest management (IPM). This meant that we where introducing the natural predators for the insects that were causing damage to our fruit.

Within 6 months we were able to see a dramatic improvement in the quality of our fruit. It was at this time that we approached the traditional markets with the intent to sell, through the Brisbane Wholesalers. The best price offered for our fruit was $2.50 per 20kg box! (which isnt good when the box it was packed in cost $2.40).

We had heard of Organics and approached the ONLY organic wholesaler at the time and after sampling our fruit he offered us $27 a box, he then asked us for our ORGANIC CERTIFICATION NUMBER. (an identification number that prooves you have not sprayed your produce or farm with synthetic chemicals of any kind).
When he found out we didn’t have one, he sent us away in disgust saying “come back when you are certified!”.

We went away and chased up all the details from our local certifying body (Australian certified organic ACO) and returned to the market the following year with a CERTIFIED in Conversion Number. (meaning you can sell your produce as organic until full certification is approved, this now takes 4 years in total, inclusive of your 4th year being “in conversion”).

Q by Kym..: WHY does it take so long to become CERTIFIED ORGANIC? So you, the customer has absolute assurance that there is no contamination of synthetic pesticides, fungicides or herbicides on the food or farm. Spot audits annually keep the farmers true to their word, if this code is broken it is punishable by law and the farmer can go to jail!

Once “In Conversion”
The wholesaler gave us the $27 as promised and took everything we could produce. So in truth our conversion to organics was out of financial nessecity.
Since then our skills as organic farmers have greatly developed to a point where we now have 5 share farms and are still to this day unable to supply large wholesalers because of our significant Organic Farmers Market, customer base.

Our fruit is very popular due to its high brick level (measures nutrient sugar content).
We sell directly with our clients base and as such give 100% money back gtee.

To enable us to maintain our regular customer base at Organic Farmers Markets through out the year we have sourced a similar organic grower in Victoria who is able to supply us with Valencia oranges when our fruit is out of season.

NB: Citus fruit are in full season when we need them most….AUTUMN/WINTER, the fruit is rich in Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, VitC, A, E, B5, Folic Acid, Potassium,Sodium,Iron,copper,Manganese & Zinc, vital for your bodies immune health.

Come see us at NORTHEY ST CITY FARM BRISBANE every Sunday morning from 6am-11am.

QUARTERDECK CITRUS FARM, Northern NSW
Phil & Denise BUCK
02 6677 1421
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
LOCAL* ORGANIC* NOURISHING..

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Banana Farmer Tony & Robin Lattanzi @ Miami Markets Gold Coast Every Sunday

The Lattanzi Organic Farm Cudgera…Northern NSW

Passionfruit

We specialise in growing organic bananas on a certified organic farm in the Tweed Coast Hinterland.
Our farm has been fully certified organic for 13 years with a variety of tree crops passionfruit and small crops.
The more variety we have on our property the more opportunities we provide for a wider array of animal & human species that benefit.

We know that our organic farming systems operate much more efficently and effectively when no one species is able to dominate to the detriment of others.
By increasing diversity we lessen the potential for to imbalance.
The main difference in organic farming compared to NON organic (conventional) is the growing systems used when producing produce..
Organic farming maintains a balance of productivity with very low impact on the environment, thus preserving he ecology quality of the landfor future use. Conventional farming is totally synthetic chemical reliant whilst organic farming is a truly sustainable system with minimal inputs (usage of unatural chemicals) .

Rohan in young bananas

Healthy soil produces healthy plants which produces nutritious food containing less of the things you dont need, and abundance of the things you do need in your diet.
We are very passionate about organic farming and hope that this brief story creates some interest in your choice to buy local, sustainable, seasonal food, grown without the use of synthetic chemicals EVER!

We believe on nourishing the body with beautiful food that is grown in a loving and nurtured environment. The proof is really in the taste!

Yours Truly
Tony Robin & Family
02 6676 4264

This is a quote from TONY followed by my summing up..:
“When we were Chemical Farming, we were at risk of DYING…”

KYM: The farmers and their families, who still chemical farming today are being poisoned by their profession and are in the 1000s. (see website: beyondblue.org.au, quotes that 1 farmer every four days commits suicide). WHAT THE? We just cant let this keep happening and have to take back control of our food supplies…Vote with our wallets!
We have to make a stand, demand the best food on the planet, support our Certified Organic Farmers today…
Because you and your family are WORTH IT!

Bananas

Lychees growing with Bananas

Basil with passionfruit in background

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TROPO — the Tweed Richmond Organic Producers Organisation

The TROPO story so far…

TROPO, the Tweed Richmond Organic Producers Organisation, was established in 1989 as a grassroots local action group dedicated to fostering organic agriculture and gardening on the New South Wales North Coast. (For those far away, this is on Australia’s eastern seabord, in a subtopical region.)

Since then membership has grown to over 150 and includes commercial organic producers, part-time farmers, home gardeners, conventional farmers considering converting to organic methods, and many others with an interest in supporting the kind of agriculture that does not poison people or the environment.

TROPO activities include meetings and field days covering practical organic farming and gardening techniques and looking at wider issues in sustainable agriculture.

Annual membership costs only $28 and includes meetings and field days, as well as access to TROPO contact people who have hands-on experience in growing specific crops, and a networking list which helps members get in touch with others.

You also get four free issues of the TROPO magazine Going Organic mailed directly to your address (within Australia). Going Organic keeps you in touch with what’s going on, provides a forum for all members to express their views, and contains down-to-earth practical information for farmers and gardeners.

In the struggle for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable world, your views count, and TROPO helps make your voice heard. As a group TROPO members provide input to a number of influential institutions including NSW Agriculture, organic certification groups like NASAA and BFA, plus produce wholesalers and retailers.

Visit TROPO here www.tropo.org.au

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Narelle Chenery Owner & Creator of World First Certified Organic Cosmetics – Miessence

Owner and creator of World First Certified Organic (to Food Standards, the strictist standards in the World) Narelle Chenery is the creator of Miessence, she travels the world, shes an educator and activist for social and consumer change. She is a leader in her field of experise and meets with business leaders,entreprenuers, cosmetics industry professionals and government bodies. Mother of three, has also written many articles for women’s & health magazines.

Narelle is passionate about empowering and educating consumers on how to avoid harmful chemicals in their products.
Education is the key, if we know how to see through the green wash, we can, choose to avoid toxins.
We as consumers are incredibly powerful, we just need to own it! Most of the Multi Billion dollar cosmetic industry turnover supports the use of toxic chemicals.
If we tell those chemical peddlers we will no longer put up with the toxins they put into our bodies and the environment (by refusing to buy them) they will have no choice but to make the changes we wish to see.

BUY ONLINE AND SAVE at www.organicbeauty.com.au

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Farm Gate Shop now open in Burleigh Heads – ORev

The Gold Coast, now has its FIRST REAL “FARM GATE SHOP” @ ORGANIC REVOLUTION BURLEIGH HEADS…

Organic Revolution (OREV), proudly supplies our closest Certified Organic & BioDynamic Region of Farmers harvest direct to you. In Northern NSW, we are most fortunate to have more than 50 farmers growing food for our families. They are known as the TWEED RICHMOND ORGANIC PRODUCERS ORGANISATION, and lovingly called TROPO. www.tropo.org.au.

Every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday their surplus food + the weekly cafe needs harvested only 24 hours prior, is collected or delivered to the door. OREV Cafe, have made a promise to our farmers, that because they truly value their good work and want to lead by example, they happily buy their produce for a fair price, the true cost of growing organic food. (Commercially grown supermarket food is heavily subsidised by our GOVT and is stored for months, years & travels 100-1000s of klms).

OREV also know, if our farmers food is not sold out @ the markets, it is given away, thrown to the chooks or tossed into the compost heap. They need this income to continue growing food for our families and in return this will help their families stay in business and is why the “Farm Gate Shop” initiative was born.

You can help too, just by changing one habit at a time, if you are in the area, be sure to come on in for an Organic Picnic Lunch or your weekly Organic Groceries, Green Box Hamper, Milk, Bread, Eggs etc…

OREV has Market Day every day, their prices are set @ the Market price to ensure you get the best price, freshest, local, cream of the crop food, direct. Our Organic Farmers food not only sustains lives, but also their farming practices nourish our land, waterways, animals and all living things. No farmer, their families or their customers are harmed by the use or ingestion of toxic chemicals.

ORevolution 15/33 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera (Next to West Burleigh Post Office)

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David Forrest from OrganicForest.com

ORGANICFORREST is a family company located in the hinterlands of Byron Bay, Australia. We’ve been farming organically for over 25 years, supplying local and city markets with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, macadamia nuts and coffee.

Our farming methods are sustainable and conducted with total respect for the environment. In our years of growing food in a mixed rainforest system, the ex dairy property has been transformed into a lush, fertile farm and haven for native flora and fauna.

Our four children are all involved with the business and take part in planting, harvesting, processing, distribution and marketing.

Recently we have developed a range of products made entirely from certified organic ingredients that we think you might enjoy.

Only the best quality ingredients are used, most of them harvested by our family or otherwise purchased from certified organic sources.

Our farm has been certified organic, by the Biological Farmers Association Australian Certified Organic (certification number 2346A)

Visit Organic Forrest here http://www.organicforrest.com

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Alisdair Smithson of munchcrunchorganics.com.au

Visit Munch Crunch Organics here http://www.munchcrunchorganics.com.au

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Northey Street City Farm

Northey Street City Farm is a non-profit community organisation situated on the banks of Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek in Windsor.

More than 1500 exotic and native fruit trees, bushtucker plants, shrubs and ground covers have been planted on the four hectare farm site since its inception in April 1994.

The farm has been developed for people to enjoy and participate in using the principles of permaculture. It is also intended to be a demonstration site where people of all ages can learn through practical, hands on experience.

Our Mission:

To create a working model of a cooperative, community based urban permaculture farm which demonstrates, promotes, educates and advocates for environmental and economic sustainability in a healthy, diverse and supportive community.

Visit Northey Street City Farm here  http://www.nscf.org.au

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Blueberry growers Sue & Rob @ Hampton blue

Hampton Blue is a mixed berry orchard situated at Hampton, 30km north of Toowoomba towards Crows Nest. Fresh blueberries and raspberries can be picked from November to Feb/Mar and January to April respectively. If you’re interested or would like to know more about any of the above information please contact either Rob or Sue on (07) 46979287 or info@hamptonblue.com.au.

At Hampton Blue we focus on providing naturally grown, quality fresh & processed berry products that are as pure as possible and remain full of natural berry flavours. Products are made by Hampton Blue, on the farm in a licensed kitchen. We thank our customers for continuing to support these and providing great feedback which allows us to develop new and hopefully exciting products for you well into the future. Product prices and health related info can be found below. Links to other blueberry and raspberry websites that provide great examples of the benefits of eating these fruits can also be found at the bottom of the page.

Visit HamptonBlue here http://www.hamptonblue.com.au

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Rod and Tania Bruin of Summit Organics

Summit Organics is situated thirty kilometres west of Murwillumbah on a 338-acre property, bordering the World Heritage listed Border Ranges National Park. The vegetable production area is a highly intensive market-garden utilising only approximately six acres.

Although the property is held in Trust and has been owned by the Bruin family since 1978, the Certified Organic production business is owned by Rod and Tania Bruin. They have two children, Ryan, 10 and Owen, 8. The property has been Certified Organic for almost 20 years.

Summit Organics originally started out as Summit Coffee Plantations and were processors of the first Certified Organic grown and processed coffee in Australia. Summit Organics now produce over fifty different vegetable and herb crops in a year. The farm is certified with ACO (Organic Standards Australian Certified Organic). The irrigation water used by Summit Organics comes from two spring-fed dams and is gravity fed to the production area (no pumping). All irrigation is undertaken through drip irrigation. Summit Organics has supplied Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney Markets in the past, but is now concentrating on local marketing to help reduce its ecological footprint and provide fresh produce. Vegetables are marketed through a network of local shops, box deliveries and the Lismore and Gold Coast Organic Markets. Lismore Market is held at Lismore Showground every Tuesday, 8.00 am — 11.00 am and Gold Coast Market is held at Miami High School each Sunday from 6.00 am —11.30 am.

Summit Organics produced with the help of organic compost. It is brought in by the semi-trailer load, with the farm using almost 600m year. The compost is supplied by Tryton in Lismore and is produced from Council Green Waste. Tryton has one of the largest worm farms in the Southern Hemisphere. We at Summit Organics are involved in educating students and consumers through many farm walks held over the years. TAFE and Permaculture students as well as market customers are regulars on these farm walks. We also take the opportunity to speak at various organic forums held throughout the region. We continually trial new crops, crop covers and growing systems, always aiming for greater sustainability and increased production. The most important aspect of all is the promotion of healthy soil through good organic farm practices; healthy soil and healthy plants, which lead to healthy people!

Summit Organics, Tyalgum, Phone: 02 6679 2012, Email: summitorganics@skymesh.com.au

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