(Frick, 30.5.2002) Organic agriculture is finally making its presence felt in the worldwide scientific community. For the last 24 years the DOK trial has compared conventional agricultural practice with organic agriculture; its findings will be presented at the end of May in the renowned scientific journal Science. The experiment yields impressive statistics which demonstrate that organic agriculture is kinder to the environment, more efficient and more sustainable.

The latest issue of Science dated 31.5.2002 contains the summary of an experimental comparison of farming systems which has been carried out in Therwil near Basel in Switzerland for the last 24 years. This trial, which compares three systems of agricultural production biodynamic, organic and conventional (or integrated) farming is known as the DOK trial (an acronym derived from the German designations biologisch-dynamisch, organisch-biologisch and konventionell). Nowhere in the world has such a long- term study been conducted. Publication of the findings in this authoritative scientific journal signifies a definitive breakthrough for organic farming research.

This is the first time that the journal Science has carried a European paper on organic farming research. The results of the experiment will have highly significant political, scientific and economic implications for conservation of the agricultural production base and natural biodiversity.

The DOK trial demonstrates that organic crop production is amazingly efficient. Although expenditure on fertilizers and energy was 50% lower and pesticide use was 97% lower, yields of organic crops over a 21-year period were only 20% lower on average.

The DOK trial is also informative on the issue of soil fertility, which is clearly encouraged by organic husbandry. Double the numbers of soil microorganisms, earthworms and ground beetles are found in the study's organic plots. Organic production systems rely in part on organic soil activity to achieve considerable yields using lower inputs of non-renewable resources while maintaining higher soil fertility and better soil structure.

The organic plots not only exhibited higher soil-organism activity, but also a greater diversity of microorganism, weed and ground beetle species. Hence organic farming helps to maintain high levels of biodiversity despite agricultural use of the land. The active, diverse communities of microorganisms ensured efficient use of organic sources of carbon in the soil. It is particularly interesting that the evidence points to a definite correlation between efficient above-ground production (energy input per unit of yield) and efficient production in the soil (soil respiration per unit of microbial biomass). When subjected to intensive interventions via fertilizers and pesticides, the microorganisms evidently become stressed and make heavier demands on resources for their own survival.

The DOK trial is being conducted in Switzerland by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick and the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology and Agriculture (FAL) in Zürich-Reckenholz. It will be continued for at least the next four years and probably longer still.

The following people will gladly provide further information

For technical questions concerning the trial: Paul Mäder, Trial Manager, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Postfach, CH-5070 Frick, Tel. 0041 (0)62 865 72 72, paul.maeder@fibl.ch For general questions on organic agriculture:

Clare Organic Products in the News

Trade-shows and Fairs

On April 20 we were in Wolfville, NS, at the Going Green Spring Fair at the Wolfville school on Acadia Street from 9:30 to 5:00. We had a change to meet the public, share some stories, and find out what was on your mind.Wolfville Going Green Spring Fair

Also, we were at booth 616 at the Yarmouth Life Styles 2002 Show at the new Mariner Centre on the 19, 20, and 21 of April. It was nice to meet our customers and share gardening tips and stories.

Newspaper:

Also, we will be in the spring issue of the (French) Chambre de Commerce d'Atlantique.

Radio:

Many Americans Make Eating Organic Food a Top Choice to Protect Health, According to New Survey

Eating organic foods and beverages ranks as one of the top methods for ensuring long-term health along with taking vitamins and cutting calories, according to a national survey conducted for Walnut Acres, America's original organic food company.

Americans are convinced that these health choices make a meaningful difference. Nine in 10 Americans (90%) believe one's lifestyle plays a critical role in determining long-term health and nearly six in 10 (58%) say they are thinking about the future when making food choices. For many, that means consuming organic foods and beverages. The majority of Americans (56%) believe that organic foods and beverages are healthier than non-organics and 57% believe that "eating and drinking organic foods and beverages from childhood helps protect people from possible health problems."

"Americans clearly see organic eating as a way to take control of their long-term health," said Mark Koide, vice president of marketing of Acirca, Inc., maker of Walnut Acres. "We are giving consumers high-quality, great tasting certified organic foods and beverages that provide a convenient way to care for themselves and protect their future health."

Taking Control of Long-Term Health

Most Americans (56%) believe that organics are healthier than non-organics. When asked to select from a list of actions that they personally consider good choices for long-term health, Americans reported:

Reported as "Good choices for people trying to help ensure their long-term health"

Taking Care of the Family

Americans also see organic eating as a way to take good care of their families. Six in 10 organic purchasers (61%) say they're buying for the entire family, and this percentage increases to nine in 10 (89%) among parents who buy organic foods and beverages. Two-thirds of organic purchasers say major reasons for buying are that "organics are better for me and my family" (68%), organics are healthier than non- organic foods and beverages (66%), and "I feel like I am taking good care of myself and my family when I choose organic products (65%)."

Organic Industry Growth

These positive perceptions may help explain why organic foods have grown more than 24% per year for the past decade-ten times the growth of conventional foods. Sales of organic foods and beverages totaled $8 billion in 2000 and are expected to reach $20 billion by 2005.

The survey from Walnut Acres found that currently more than half of Americans (51%) buy organic foods or beverages at least sometimes, and about four in 10 expect that organic foods (44%) and beverages (38%) will be an increasing part of their diets in the next five years. A good sign for industry growth: younger adults are buying even more organics than the general population. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) of 18- to 24-year-olds say they purchase organic foods or beverages "every time" or "sometimes" when they go shopping.

Food safety concerns are also expected to drive sales of organic food products. Three fourths (74%) of all Americans say they are concerned about the safety of foods today and the majority (87%) of organic purchasers are motivated to buy organics because they are safer. Many worry about "mystery ingredients" in non- organics: 74% of all Americans agree that "with non-organic foods and beverages, you never know what hidden ingredients you are eating." New legislation mandates clear labeling of products that are - and are not - certified organic.

New Labeling Requirements

Beginning in October 2002, products with at least 95% organic content may carry a "USDA Organic" seal, indicating the product fulfills the new standards of the National Organic Program (NOP). All Walnut Acres products will carry the seal. For the first time, consumers nationwide will be able to select a food labeled "organic" knowing that it meets a strict, consistent standard, no matter where it is produced or sold. Moreover, the use of the "USDA Organic" seal will signify that the maker follows the rigorous NOP certification program and is reviewed by certified inspectors.

The Walnut Acres survey found that more than seven in 10 Americans (72%) say that if presented with two identical foods, they would be more likely to purchase the one with an organic seal than the one without, all other things being equal. "The USDA Organic seal will increase consumer confidence and trust that all products carrying the seal meet strict, consistent federal guidelines," Koide said.

Survey Methodology

The study was conducted by RoperASW via telephone among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults, age 18 or older. The sample was collected March 1 - March 3, 2002, using Random Digit Dialing methodology.