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 ?