Natural Family News

I know we’ve been pretty short on posting recently. I hope to change that in the next few weeks. One reason is that we’ve been working on a new project. So, head on over and check out our new Natural Product Review blog. Let us know what you think. If you have a product you want to see reviewed, be sure to let us know.

Flowers and chocolates are pretty standard gifts for Valentine’s Day, but many people don’t realize that they are giving gifts tainted by tainted by toxic pesticides, child slavery, and labor exploitation. The Organic Consumers Association has created a Valentine’s Day page to help consumers make wise choices about gifts for their Sweetie.

LAFARGE, Wis., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/—The Heart of Farming, a new monthly
multimedia storytelling feature that connects America’s new generation of
organic farmers to their urban counterparts, has been launched by Organic
Valley Family of Farms, the cooperative that helped pioneer organic
agriculture in the U.S.
Available on the Organic Valley website at
http://www.organicvalley.coop/heart , The Heart of Farming is shot, edited,
and produced by award-winning photo journalist Carrie Branovan, exclusively
for Organic Valley Family of Farms. Branovan has been traveling across the
nation photographing organic farmers for the past five years. While she
walked through pastures, waited for the rain to pass, and sat at the farmhouse
kitchen table sharing pie and coffee, she was treated to some of the best
stories she had ever heard. This year, Organic Valley’s web team asked her to
share those stories with a larger community. The farmers’ voices and
beautiful photographic images are now blended together and embellished with
locally produced music. The result is an entertaining, thoughtful and
inspiring slice of life.
“The Heart of Farming is about the values that are shared by urban and
rural folks who think outside the box, and challenge existing paradigms,” said
Branovan.
Branovan noted that The Heart of Farming is a “creative vehicle that
connects the organic community—values to values—with the folks that
produce their food.” Farmers are able to tell stories in their own voices,
expressing their thoughts about a diverse range of topics.
“Organic farmers represent a renaissance population that thinks beyond
conventional farming methods, challenges popular thought, and often reinvents
what their parents and universities have taught them about chemically
intensive farming. These farmers are unusually intuitive, bright, talented,
and gregarious; they share a strong sense of justice and social
responsibility,” said Branovan.
The first Heart of Farming episode features farmers Laurie and Lee
Arboreal and 4-year-old daughter Iris, first generation market gardeners in
central Michigan. Viewers are treated to a story from Laurie, and invited to
reflect on managing life’s challenges, against a background of vibrant organic
images of food, flowers and family. Branovan pauses to ask, “Is it that
philosophers make great organic farmers, or that living a life close to the
rhythms of the earth creates philosophers? Maybe both!”
“The Heart of Farming is an authentic voice for a brand that has pioneered
the organic movement,” said Theresa Marquez, chief marketing executive of
Organic Valley, an unprecedented cooperative model owned by 730 organic family
farmers across the U.S. “It is an excellent example of Organic Valley’s
commitment to connecting citizen consumers to the farmers who produce their
food, renewing America’s pride in its agrarian roots, and celebrating the
growth of the organic movement.”
Each month’s Heart of Farming episode will be featured in Rootstock,
Organic Valley’s monthly e-magazine. To subscribe, follow the prompts to
become a member of Farm Friends at http://www.organicvalley.coop .

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/—America’s Second Harvest —The
Nation’s Food Bank Network, which is the nation’s largest charitable
hunger-relief organization, has partnered with OrganicBouquet.com, the
internets first organic florist, to raise funds to help feed the nation’s
hungry.

Organic Bouquet will donate 10 percent of each purchase made at
http://www.organicbouquet.com/ash. In addition, Organic Bouquet will donate five
percent of it sales from its new “America’s Second Harvest Bouquet”—two
dozen certified organic roses—created especially to support the work of
(America’s Second Harvest?) and available in the Charitable Bouquet collection
of http://www.OrganicBouquet.com.

“America’s Second Harvest is extremely grateful to Organic Bouquet for
their financial support of our efforts to help feed the nation’s hungry,” said
Robert Forney, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest—The Nations
Food Bank Network. “Our Network of Food Banks will help feed more than 23
million Americans this year and we could not do this without the help of
Organic Bouquet and our other partners.”

America’s Second Harvest has a Network of more than 200 Member food banks
and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico. Its primary role is supporting the 215 food banks that are a
part of its network and providing food throughout the year, as well as in the
wake of a national disaster, to those in need. During the recent hurricane
season, it sent more than 66 million pounds of food to the effected areas and
locations housing evacuees. This was in addition to the nearly two billion
pounds moved by the network annually.

“We are very proud to support America’s Second Harvest in its vital
efforts in the fight against hunger,” said Gerald Prolman, CEO of Organic
Bouquet. “Purchasing our flowers not only provides long lasting enjoyment for
the recipient, but is safe for farm workers, the environment and helps people
in need. Everyone benefits.”

Organic Bouquet has pioneered the organic flower market, working with
growers around the world who are committed to the highest social and
environmental standards. Flowers are grown and harvested using practices that
aim to improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimize damage to
ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance environmental quality for
future generations.

In this month’s Vegetarian Times, I read a brief mention of maple fudge made by Krueger-Norton Family Sugarhouse. It sounds absolutely delicious, and it contains only organic maple syrup, Vermont cream and walnuts. It sounds like a great sweet treat. For more information or to order maple fudge, syrup or candies, visit their site.

Boulder, CO (PRWEB) January 6, 2006—Boulder Natural Solutions LLC annouces new web site to help answer questions about natural and organic meat products. When you have questions about natural and organic meat products, Boulder Natural Solutions has the web site with the answers.

As we bring in the new year, alot of us make resolutions to lose weight or get in shape. Some of us resolve to eat better. Boulder Natural Soltuions lauches a new web site that can help and answer questions you may have about natural and organic meat products.

With over 50 years of combined experience in the meat business there isn’t any area Boulder Natural Solutions hasn’t been involved with. Our new web site provides information about us, our services, the products we’ve developed and recipes to make cooking easier.

One of our products is the Kentucky Natural Farms all natural hams. This ham begins with all natural great tasting pork, containing no antibiotics or hormones. Then nothing is added. Nothing to take away from its all natural appetizing goodness – no antibiotics, no nitrites, no artificial or chemical preservatives…nothing.

Kentucky Natural Farms uses a time honored tradition of preparation form Old World artisans who specialized in creating hams with exquisite flavor and unsurpassed tenderness, making it perfect to serve to your family or special guests for that special dinner.

Kentucky Natural Farms Premium hams are fully cooked, all boneless and exceptionally lean, so there’s no trimming excess fat or other preparation needed. Simply heat, slice and serve to make your holiday dinner or any dinner extra special. Look at our web site for many quick and easy recipes to help you with dinner.

Kentucky Natural Farms Uncured Premium Hams can be found at select outlets in Northern California, and the Pacific West Coast and soon can be bought on line.

Founded in 2004, Boulder Natural Solutions LLC is a leader in bringing natural and organic meat products to market. The company works with farmers, processors, and retailers to design systems that encourage sustainable farming through creation of unique, natural products and services.

Boulder Natural Solutions are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Boulder Natural Solutions LLC in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Here at Natural Family News, we’re always on the lookout for opportunities to share with our readers. One of our partners, The Green Guide, has started a free newsletter with daily living tips for more eco-friendly living. Called the Ideal Bite, it is filled with tips on how to choose a more environmentally friendly coffee, hybrid cars, recycling your cell phone, getting rid of junk mail, and much, much more. Delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday for free, the Ideal Bite is a must have for those interested in taking steps, small or big, towards a friendlier planet. To sign up or to read more about what they have to offer, visit the Ideal Bite by clicking on this link.

I saw these in the store the other day, and I knew I had never seen them before, but it wasn’t until I saw an article online that I knew for sure that they were new.

Traditional Medicinals Organic “Just for Kids” line has four products. Organic Cold Care Winter Season Tea has a chamomile and peppermint taste. Organic Throat Coat supports throat health with a slightly sweet and spicy flavor. Organic Nighty Night Calming and Relaxing Tea has the soothing taste of chamomile and hibiscus. Organic Tummy Comfort Tummy Ache Tea has the gentle taste of chamomile, lemon balm, and peppermint.

We haven’t tried them yet, so I don’t know whether my kids will actually drink them, but I think it’s worth a try. If any of you have used them, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how your kids liked them.

Beantrees coffee made the list of 12 things Oprah’s chef can’t live without. In an article in the Chicago Tribune, Art Smith raved about the organic coffee company. Unlike Starbucks, Beantrees does not have any retail stores. You can, however, get the coffee delivered to your home by ordering online. Beantrees is certified organic, fair trade, and even bird friendly.

LAFARGE, Wis., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/—“Generation Organic,” a campaign to
save the family farmer from extinction by bringing new farmers into organic
agriculture, was announced today by Organic Valley Family of Farms, America’s
largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the country’s leading
national organic brands.
“Generation Organic is the ‘Endangered Species Protection Act’ for the
American family farmer. U.S. farmers have disappeared from the land at the
rate of 195 per day for 70 years. We have worked to protect the bald eagle and
the grizzly bear. Now it’s time to save the family farmer. The health of our
food, our environment and our future generations is at stake,” said Travis
Forgues, 32, the Organic Valley dairy farmer from Alburg, Vermont whose
concern for the future of family farming gave rise to Generation Organic, or
“Gen-O.”
Forgues noted that the average age of the remaining family farmers is
getting older, even in the organic community where the percentage of younger
farmers is high. The majority of U.S. farmers today are 55 years and older.
Said Forgues, “Gen-O will work to reverse the trend and keep family farmers on
the land!”
Forgues announced a five point “Gen-O Agenda” for developing the next
generation of organic farmers:

1. Save the family farmer, an endangered species—Five million family
farmers have been lost since 1935 and most of those remaining are 55
years or older. Gen-O will bring new farmers into the fold and plant
the seed for future generations of organic farmers.
2. Keep diversity in agriculture—Do we want all our food from factory
farms? Gen-O will educate about the risks of allowing our food to be
sourced from chemically-intensive factory farms where profit is the
goal, and work to promote a sustainable and diverse organic
agriculture that works in harmony with nature to produce healthy food.
3. Preserve farmer wisdom and knowledge—Farming is a time-honored
craft whose technical and intuitive knowledge is passed down from
generation to generation. The Gen-O movement will not let this vital
treasure become extinct.
4. Unify rural and urban communities—Fostering the connection between
city and country dwellers will increase our appreciation for the
people who grow our food as well as the people who eat it. Gen-O will
tell the story of America’s family farmers.
5. Offer hope for a safe and healthy future—By supporting farming
methods that work in harmony with nature, Generation Organic promises
to deliver food that is safe and healthy, protects the environment and
nurtures a sustainable way of life.

Forgues, who chose to become an organic farmer despite earning college
degrees in psychology and computer science, speaks on campuses and community
gatherings throughout the country to urge new farmers to enter the field:
“Nothing is more satisfying than the organic farmer’s life work. We produce
safe, healthy food, protect the environment, enjoy a rich family and community
life, and protect time-honored knowledge that is vital to the survival of our
species: how to grow the food we eat.”

Organic Valley: Farming for Future Generations
Organic Valley has spearheaded a full program of Gen-O initiatives to
nurture the next generation of organic farmers and will be adding more in the
year to come. Offerings include a nationwide program of “barn meetings” and
organic educational workshops, a farmers speakers bureau, web resources,
educational literature, a farmers hotline, financial and technical support for
farmers transitioning to organic, partnerships with university-based farmer
training programs, organic school curriculum, a farmer ambassador program to
heighten public awareness of organic farmers and, starting in 2006, an organic
farmer mentoring and internship program.
“Organic Valley’s job is to help create balance between skyrocketing
consumer demand for organic products and the number of farmers available to
produce them,” said George Siemon, CEO and a founding farmer of the co-op.
“Fortunately, the resiliency of the Organic Valley cooperative business model
enables us to provide our farmers with a stable, sustainable pay price and
invest in future farmer education and support.”
Siemon noted the following highlights of the cooperative’s success in
2005:
—Sales rose 17% to $245 million in 2005 and will climb to $285 million
in 2006.—The number of farmers in the co-op doubled over the last three years
from 361 farmers in 15 states in 2002 to 723 farmers in 22 states in
2005.—The estimated average national organic price paid by the co-op to its
farmers ($21.80 per hundredweight) was more than 40 percent higher
than its conventional counterpart ($15.35 per hundredweight).

For further information about Gen-O and the Organic Valley cooperative,
prospective farmers are invited to call the Organic Valley Farmer Hotline at
1-888-809-9297, or visit the Organic Valley Farmers website at
http://www.farmers.coop .

Organic Valley Family of Farms is America’s largest cooperative of organic
farmers and is one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988,
it represents 723 farmers in 22 states and realized a record $245 million in
2005 sales. Focused on its founding mission of keeping small and mid-sized
farmers farming, Organic Valley produces 200 organic foods, including organic
milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meats
which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives
nationwide. For more information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit
http://www.organicvalley.coop .

This was really exciting news to me. The Green Guide, which is an excellent resource for healthy living tips, eco-friendly product advice and green home news is having an open house next week from October 24-October 30. ALL their online content is FREE to browse for any 24-hour stretch during that week. I really recommend checking it out, and if you like what you see, think about subscribing. Visit the Green Guide and check out their open house here.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (July 2005) –

Canadian babies can breathe a sigh of relief! Now open for business, ParentingByNature.com offers a full line of natural parenting products that are healthier for babies, healthier for families and healthier for the environment.

Spurred by the unavailability of healthy, environmentally-friendly products for babies in Canada, owner Tamara Champion is helping to meet the growing demand for natural alternatives for families everywhere. With an online store stocked with products that offer parents and grandparents complete peace of mind, ParentingByNature.com will quickly become the natural choice for your family.

ParentingByNature.com offers a wide range of natural baby products including Canadian-made all-natural skin and body care products by Druide, cuddly organic cotton stuffed toys (Egypt), baby carrier slings & wraps, re-usable cotton and hemp diapers (Canada), baby and shower gifts, as well as products for moms such as the innovative DivaCup natural menstrual solution, comfy cloth pads and beautiful beeswax candles (Canada), a healthier alternative to chemically-ridden paraffin.

Products to watch for include wooden toys made with non-toxic paint and lacquers, lovable soft creatures hand-knit by a women’s cooperative in Kenya and even organic, fair-trade chocolate for moms to indulge in!

You can also turn to ParentingByNature.com for all your baby and shower gift giving needs. With their gift registry option and gift wrapping service you can conveniently shop from the comfort of home or the convenience of the office for gifts you can feel good about. With their great attention to detail, personal service and commitment to customer satisfaction, shopping with ParentingByNature.com is sure to be a pleasant experience for all!

For parents who what the absolute best for their babies while also creating a more sustainable future for their children, Parenting By Nature is your family’s natural choice. Purchase their unique products online at www.ParentingByNature.com or call 902-431-8584 and book an appointment to visit their in-home showroom today!