Green Man promotes Organics

In the UK, all organic producers are certified by the Soil Association, ensuring consumers are getting agricultural products which are grown in a way which respects the planet and the ecology.

Artificial fertilisers are made primarily from 'fossil' gas and do nothing to replenish or feed the soil, they're just a quick fix boosting plant growth. Pesticides and weedkillers are often indiscriminate with their action and damage food webs, sometimes accumulating in top predators, including humans. Although organic agriculture is not as productive per acre, it is far better for wildlife, gives more employment, and, according to some, tastes better and is better for health.

So this weekend I was invited by The Co-operative Group to contribute to an Organic Fortnight event at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm in Leeds by giving a short talk on my favourite subject, home-composting.

There were three other speakers, starting with Robert the Education Officer at the Farm. He explained about the history of the Urban Farm, including that the building we were in, 'The Epicentre', was made from two trees from Harewood House, that the Farm is involved in conservation of some rare breeds of animal, and grows organic fruit and veg which are sold in the shop and cafe.

Additionally, the stream running through the site is home to some very rare white-clawed crayfish. The next speaker, Fiona, runs THE MILLRACE Restaurant in Kirkstall, Leeds which specialises in organic and local food. It sounds lovely!

Finally, Wai-Yii from Org Organics, 79 Great George St Leeds, enthused about her shop. Not only does it sell organic and local fruit and veg, but also ready-made meals, frozen foods, meat and fish, alcohol and other groceries, cosmetics and books, and there's a juice/coffee bar, a veg box delivery and a treatment room. I'll be popping in next time I'm in Leeds.

The event was organised by the Co-op as they are very involved with promoting organic and fair trade products, as this fits in with their ethos of 'being part of the solution'. Early next year, the country's two biggest Co-ops are merging, and then they, along with the Co-op Bank, Smile, Funeralcare, Pharmacy shops, Shoefayre and Travelcare will simply be called The Co-operative Group. I am a member of The Co-operative Group and membership has quite a few benefits. Members get discounts on holidays and funerals, points on their account for taking out insurance and using the savings account and mortgage, and these points can be converted into cash or vouchers to spend in the shops. The size of this 'dividend' is dependent on how much is spent in Co-operative Group businesses, so if you book your holiday and buy insurance through them, you can save quite a lot of money in the Co-op shops, or get a cheque paid into your bank. My 'Green Tip Of The Week' is to join the Co-op, as there's nothing to lose, just benefits! Log on to www.co-operative.co.uk/members and do it all online. You'll be joining a group of people who care about making the World a better place through trade and healthy living.