Organic products

ORGANIC CITRUS GROWERS
Saturday, October 11
To help generate employment, increase the income of the Bontoc Organic Citrus Growers Cooperative members, enhance and sustain their organic farming with more production and market, the Department of Labor and Employment regional office is granting this cooperative a financial assistance amounting to P782,750.00.

The assistance is under the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program and the Unlad Kabuhayan Program Laban sa Kahirapan and comes in the form of equipment, supplies and materials. This will be turned over by DOLE Regional Director, Atty. Ana Dione to the cooperative on October 18.

Based on the project proposal submitted by the cooperative to DOLE, the amount will be used to purchase three portable shredders, 12 motorized grass cutters, 6 soil testers, and 120 earthen jars.

According to Miguela Limmayog, Provincial Head of DOLE Mt. Province, the Bontoc Organic Citrus Growers Cooperative based in barangay Maligcong, Bontoc has 90 members who are mostly residents in this barangay. Some members come from barangay Caluttit who have farms at or near Maligcong.

Coop members are engaged in organic fertilizers and pesticides production and they have been practicing organic farming the indigenous way. Their traditional farming practice was enhanced by the organic farming technology they have learned from Benguet State University and the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners Association.

To give each member a chance to make his own organic fertilizer, the members will be grouped into five clusters wherein each cluster will share one portable shredder which will be placed in a strategic area which is accessible to all members of the cluster. The cooperative has already acquired two shredders and with the additional three to be purchased, each cluster will have a shredder.

The citrus growers said the use of a shredder is of great help. What we chop manually in a half day can be done by the shredder in just two hours and even finer, they added.

In an informal meeting with the citrus growers in barangay Maligcong last October 7, Director Dione saw the actual situation and the needs of the members. She also admired the members of their advance knowledge which they have shared during the discussion.

Knowing that some of the members are also engaged in bee keeping, Dione encouraged them to maintain and to increase the number of bees as they are the most important pollinators.

Moreover, the DOLE regional office will also give assistance to the Samoki Weavers Association who are engaged in loom weaving. The agency provides one High Speed Sewing Machine and an Edger Machine (Zigzagger) worth P45,000.00 to help them improve their product and to be competitive with the other weavers.

By Juliet B. Saley

THE LATEST ORGANIC ORANGE, ORGANIC LEMON AND ORGANIC LIME NEWS, FROM THE ORGANIC HOME

ORGANIC BODYCARE PRODUCTS
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the 'Earth Friendly Personal Care Products Market Overview' report to their offering.

Organic and natural personal care products continue to grow as more consumer products firms and retailers work to supply growing demand for natural toothpastes, skin creams, soap, shampoos, makeup and the like. Consumer products firms are looking for niche organic care products they can acquire. Pharmaceutical and health care organizations are looking for growth markets and opportunities to diversify. Our Earth Friendly Personal Care Products Market Overview identifies more than 40 of the leading market participants, and provides information on each company which includes (when available): company background, product categories, and recent activities.

Our Earth Friendly Personal Care Products Market Overview provides the information you need to gain an understanding of the continuing evolution of the natural and organic personal care products market.

By www.marketwatch.com

THE LATEST ORGANIC BODYCARE PRODUCT NEWS, FROM THE ORGANIC HOME

CHINESE ORGANIC CONTRACTS
China Organic Agriculture said that it had inked two new sales contracts worth a combined $5 million.

The contracts, which are with Beijing Jingu Hengfa Trading and Shenzhen Shenjinda Agricultural By Product Trading, will involve shipping over 8,000 tons of organic rice. The agreement with Beijing Jingu Hengfa calls for 3,500 tons of green rice at roughly $2 million and the contract with Shenzhen Shenjinda call for 5,200 tons of green rice for roughly $3 million.

China Organic Agriculture is an active trader of agricultural products in China and also operates an organic vineyard in California.

By www.tradingmarkets.com

THE LATES ORGANIC IN CHINA NEWS, FROM THE ORGANIC HOME

ORGANIC COFFEE FOR ATHLETES
Chris McCrary is one of those people who's life is centered around all things triathlon; a triathlete himself, Chris represents some of the top athletes in the world through his business Katalyst Multisport. In addition, he co founded Ironman Organic Coffee, fitting, since so many athletes count on caffeine throughout training and race day morning! This time last year though, Chris was dealing with some bad press over the fact that, at that time, Ironman Coffee did not use Kona coffee beans. This time around, things are different. With a super busy schedule this week, Chris took a time-out to chat with us about how things are going with the coffee, the athletes and how he'll relax when this season's over (assuming he's not buzzing from the coffee!)

1. Hi Chris! Tell us a bit about yourself and your roles in triathlon.

Well, first and foremost I'm a dad with two wonderful boys, Collin (age 11) and Tanner (age 8). I just celebrated my one-year anniversary to my beautiful wife Sharon and I aged up this past year to the most competitive age group out there (40 to 44). My 'roles' in the industry include representing some of the world's best professional triathletes including Leanda Cave, Rutger Beke, Kim Loeffler, Linsey Corbin and most recently Ethan Brown, the current U23 National Champion. In addition to Katalyst, I am also the co founder of Ironman Organic Coffee.


2. So how did you decide to get into the coffee business? Why coffee?

Since college I've enjoyed drinking coffee and have always enjoyed the bold, richly roasted coffees. My two partners Andres and Kiko have also had a long, passionate 'addiction' to coffee. Andres and Kiko (who are also brothers) are Columbian and they have several family members who are involved in the coffee industry in Columbia. Initially, we considered teaming up with their cousin and simply importing Columbian coffee and acting as a green coffee distributor. Then, at Interbike in 2006 I had dinner with Andy Giancola and Bill Potts from WTC and we began discussing the idea of incorporating the Ironman brand with our coffee. I floated the idea of 'Ironman Organic Coffee' and both Andy and Bill were interested and very supportive. The rest is history.

3. Last year in Kona, there was quite a debacle over the fact that Ironman Coffee was not from Kona, but Guatamala. Were you caught off guard by the controversy? How have you responded to what happened last year?

Yea, last year in Kona was pretty crazy for us. I got married in September and then spent two weeks of my honeymoon in Peru before heading to Kona. Because of my wedding and honeymoon we simply could not finalize our Kona coffee deal in time for Ironman week. We decided to go with what we had, which was our organic, single origin Guatemalan. WTC was kind enough to help us out by sending out a press release announcing Ironman Organic Coffee and honestly stating that it was Guatemalan, not a problem right? Wrong. As soon as word of the press release spread among the Kona coffee farmers, things quickly turned negative. We made a huge mistake and the Kona coffee farmers were rightfully upset with us. It got so crazy that there were 'reported' threats of farmers planning to drive their tractors on to the bike course during the race to block the race and even the AP wire picked up on the story and it became a national news story. So yes, we were caught off guard and yes, we did take a hit for our lack of forethought about the situation but there is always a silver lining to every dark cloud. On the Friday evening before the race, I met with the Kona Coffee Farmers Association (KCFA) leaders and explained that we had always planned to have Kona coffee as our flagship product but just ran out of time due to my wedding and honeymoon. Once they heard our side of the story they were extremely supportive and the 'situation' was put behind us. We now have a great relationship with the Kona farmers and we are 100% committed to supporting organic Kona coffee.

4. Ironman Coffee has three profiles to choose from: Kona, Guatamalan and Peruvian. How did you and your team choose the beans, did you visit various coffee growers in different locations? And why is it important that they're all organic?

Initially, we cupped a variety of single origin and blended coffees but the hands down winner for flavor and roast was the Guatemalan. We also did informal taste tests among our friends, comparing all different types of beans and roasts but once again the Guatemalan was the clear favorite. We knew we wanted to have a variety of offerings so we went through the same process when we added Peruvian.

Our Kona coffee comes from the award winning A'Ama Organic Farm in Kona and it is truly a work of art. Our Kona partner Nancy Griffith has been tending to her farm for nearly 30 years now and has been organic since day one. The coffee trees on her farm are over 100 years old and are still producing incredible coffee. We're in Whole Foods now and several of the coffee buyers have said that our Kona is some of the best coffee they have ever cupped, a great compliment to Nancy and her dedication to organic farming. We have a cool video on our website of Nancy and her farm in Kona, www.mdotcoffee.com. It really gives you a sense of just how much love and care goes in to each bean.

Sourcing only 100% certified organic coffees was really just a natural extension of who we are, myself and my two partners are Ironman athletes and we do everything we can to eat organic products because we understand the health benefits. So committing ourselves to being 100% organic was an easy decision.

5. Can you tell us a bit about your business as an agent for pro triathletes? Who do you represent?

I currently represent Leanda Cave, Rutger Beke, Linsey Corbin, Kim Loeffler and recently just started working with Ethan Brown. I am truly fortunate to be working with all of my current athletes, they are incredible individuals, fierce competitors, friends and just wonderful people. I'm certainly not getting rich as an agent in our sport but I do it because I truly care about my athletes and I think their ability to perform at such a high level is absolutely amazing.

6. How are your athletes feeling coming into Kona this year? Think we'll see any surprises from any of them?

I don't want to jinx anyone, but as of now (Thursday before the race) everyone is 100% healthy and ready to go. You never know what will happen on the days leading up to the race but I think this year everyone will be toeing the line healthy and hungry. As for surprises, let's just say you won't see Rutger Beke walking the entire marathon this year. Each of my athletes have their specialty, Kim and Rutger are probably two of the strongest runner's in the field, Linsey will put out an incredible effort on the bike and run, Leanda will be leading things out of the water and on to the bike.

7. You're also a triathlete yourself! Tell us about some of your races! Will we get to see you racing in Kona someday?

I raced Lake Placid this year and posted a PR of 10:24 but I was still 6 minutes away from the last qualifying slot for Kona. Despite the torrential rain, it was really a fun day. I ended up chasing Vinu Malik from Fuel Belt for the last half of the marathon, he passed me at mile 8 but then I started to gain some time back on him. I had him in sight and tried my best to catch up. In the end Vinu picked it up and I faltered, hence the reason Vinu got the last slot in our age group. Having my boys and Sharon with me along with all my friends from the Forward Motion Race Club made it a special race. So will you see me in Kona someday, well, I'm in Kona right now, just not racing. Does that count?

8. OK, here's a question I ask everyone who's been to Kona and will be there this year, what's your favorite breakfast at Lava Java?

Leanda Cave has a breakfast creation named after her, 'The Cave Cakes', fantastic whole wheat pancakes, fruit, good stuff. Lava Java is also serving our Ironman Organic Coffee all week so of course I'm getting my fill of coffee.

9. How do you drink your coffee? Simple black, or do you make some special creations?

I'm a keep it simple kind of guy, just a bit of half & half and some natural sugar.

10. As an agent and an athlete yourself, the tri season has got to be pretty busy for you! Now that we're near the end, how will you relax after Kona and in the winter months?

Unfortunately, from Interbike in September until March is the busiest time of the year for me, sponsorships are negotiated, race plans laid out, etc. So not much of a break. My wife and my youngest son Tanner snow board while my older son and I ski, so I'm sure we'll have a few family days up in Tahoe.

By Betsy Delcour

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