Organic Gardening Jenny Isler Clark University, Sustainability Coordinator May 31, 2011

Organic Gardening

Jenny IslerClark University, Sustainability Coordinator

May 31, 2011

ECO-ENTREPRENEUR: ORGANICS

CONTEXT: WHY ?- ENVIRONMENT- HEALTH

BACKGROUND: WHAT ?- ORGANIC IS…- EXAMPLES- BY THE NUMBERS

STORY: HOW ?- FOURWINDS ORGANICS

ENVIRONMENT

Biodiversity Water Climate change

Gulf of Mexico hypoxic ‘dead zone’created by fertilizer runoff 7000 sq mi. 16% US fisheriesSource: NASA; USCoC

HEALTH

“You are what you eat” Vitamins Pesticides Disease?

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.ORGANIC IS…“an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimaluse of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” Source: OTA

WHAT?a system of farming that improves soil fertility without using toxic chemicals like those found in fertilizers and pesticides.a way of growing that considers the soil, the plants, their fruits and those that eat them as one interdependent system.

HEALTHY SOIL = HEALTHY PLANTS= GOOD FOOD

Sources: Organic Trade Association, Organic Industry Survey 2010USDA , Recent Growth Patterns in the US Organics Food Market, Bulletin 777 The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging Trends 2010

BY THE NUMBERS

1990 2003 2006 20090

5

10

15

20

25

30

US Organic Food Sales in $ Billion

20% average annual growth

Organic fruit & veg lead market 2009 vs 2008: +11.4 %

Market penetration :(% all food sales)1997: 0.8 %2005: 2.5 %2006: 2.8%

Global organic food sales: 2003: $24.8 billion2008: $50.9 billion

FOURWINDS ORGANICS

Passion & personal connection Market need Planning Network Persistence Adaptability

THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS ?