Bellingen Eye - Plastic Free April 2012

Bellingen Eye - contact -  eyechallenge@gmail.com

Breast Cancer Support Group

Breast Cancer Support Group

Green Events at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival

Green events at BRWF 2012

There are many more events and readings in the festival that touch on the environment, check out the website   www.bellingenwritersfestival.com.au

Thursday 22^nd March

7am.  Valla Beach.  Join us for an early morning surfing Expression Session. Meet at the South Valla Beach Car park for a surf with Rusty Miller, Derek Hynd, Taylor Miller and Kim Satchell with local board designers and Mid North Coast surfers.

9am.  Valla Beach.  Breakfast at the Headland Cafe, 4 Thompson Street. Hosted by Kurungabaa Journal of Literature, History and Ideas from the Sea - Myths, Misdemeanours, Outrageous Lies and other Surf Stories with Rusty Miller, Derek Hynd, Taylor Miller, Kim Satchell and more! A choice of two hot breakfasts and coffee $22, Bookings on 6569 5140.

Valla Beach, north

9am.  Bellingen.  BELLINGEN BUSH BACKDROP and Nature writing- Presented by Ross MacLeay. Walk on Bellingen Trail & Scotchman Rd, 2 hours. Meet at the corner of Scotchman Rd and Bowra St – near Bellingen Primary school at 9am. Wear clothes for an easy bushwalk. Limit of 25 people. Contact in case of wet weather: 66552602, 0448047575. $15/10. Bookings essential - Book online.

5pm.  Bellingen. Presented by Claire Dunn WEAVING STORIES, WEAVING STRING. Meet on the north east side of Bellingen River just near the bridge. Feel free to bring a picnic rug or chair. Materials provided. Contact: 0466523326 if wet weather. Max no 20. Cost: $12/$10 Book Online.

Claire has just completed the Gunuuwa Independent Wilderness Studies Program, exploring her inner wilderness as much as the forest around her. A fascinating article about her experiences appeared in the spring 2011 edition of Australian Geographic. She will bring her passion for earth-skills, contemplative work in nature and social change to this event.

Friday 23rd March

7.45.  Dorrigo Rainforest.  Join our ranger/poet, Brian Hawkins for BIRD SONG AND POETRY, a poetic tour through the rainforest. Meet at Rainforest carpark. Group will car (or bus) shuttle to the Glade. Cost: $22.50 per person (includes full buffet breakfast) Bookings essential. Phone 02 66575913.

9.00- 12.00pm  Bellingen River (Friday and Saturday)    Paddle with  a Poet

A hit from last year’s festival! Launching from Lavender’s Bridge, Bellingen. A unique opportunity to explore the wonderful river that inspired Peter Carey’s Oscar & Lucinda. The opportunity to go on a guided canoe safari and hear some of the country’s best poets at the same time! Includes a stop for river poetry reading. Featuring festival poets Mark Treddinick, Michael Sharkey, Kit Kelen and surprise guests. This canoe expedition gives you a chance to hear original poems inspired by rivers and their landscape and engage with the source of the inspiration - the river itself. Bookings essential - book online.

10:15.  Dorrigo Rainforest Theatrette               The Kiss of Life with Deborah Bird Rose

Pollinators are among the great ‘elders’ on earth. They teach us how to live like mutualists, and thus how to make sure that our lives do not become trapped in dichotomies between self and other. These great teachers have learned to live for both other and self.

She will open a discussion of the idea that symbiotic mutualism, as we come to understand it so beautifully in the lives of forests, flying foxes, bees and other human and nonhuman mutualists, offers some wonderful examples of the joy of life when it is lived for others as well as for self.

Gold coin donation for tea & coffee Bookings essential. Phone 02 66575913.

2-4.30pm.  North Farm                                  Talking Stones: Keeping Faith, Writing Nature

Explore how nature corresponds and writes us, sustains us and holds us, even in its presence, its absence and its loss. We have a commitment to communicating something of the beauty and simplicity which reside within ecological complexity through our varied forms of art and expression.
Join a diverse group of writers and creative scholars from Kangaloon: world renowned environmental writers, Deborah Bird Rose, Freya Mathews Kate Rigby and poets Martin Harrison, Peter Boyle, Mark Tredinnick and with host Kim Satchell.

North Farm, Bellingen, Book online $15, ($10 concession). 165 Hydes Creek Road, Bellingen, see http://northfarm.com.au/about/location/

Saturday 24rd March

9.00- 12.00pm  Bellinger River,            Paddle with  a Poet (see Friday for details)

1.45.  Bellingen Memorial Hall              A POET’S GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE:

Kate Rigby & Freya Mathews present recent contemplations on the theme with selected poetry from Peter Boyle, Mark Tredinnick, Martin Harrison & Kim Satchell (Kangaloon: Creative Ecologies). Tickets as part of weekend pass or available as single session online closer to the day.

Sunday 25th March

8.30.  Bellingen                    The Poetry of Birds

Bellingen is home to an incredible diversity of birds and, unlike in dense forest, viewing conditions are often ideal.  Local poet and birdo Brian Hawkins will lead this walk through the streets of Bellingen, pointing out birds and speaking poetry – his own as well as some of the greatest bird poems ever written.  There will be some overlap with Walk One (Friday at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre), but also some new material: the two walks can be enjoyed together or in isolation.

Length: 1.5 hours Meet at: River viewing platform at the end of Church Street, Bellingen. Max No: 15. Bring water, hat, solid shoes and binoculars (if possible).  Book online

11.40.  Bellingen Library                   WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

Deborah Bird Rose & Lorraine Shannon on the interactive extravagance of so much life on earth. With poetry from Peter Boyle, Mark Tredinnick, Martin Harrison and Kim Satchell. (Kangaloon: Creative Ecologies)

Bellingen Business Builders

Bellingen Chamber of Commerce

Wadzy in Thora in March 2012

Wadzy in Thora

Bellingen EYE presents "Bag It" on Sunday 25 March 2012

Bag It - is your life too plastic -

Biodynamics Agriculture Autumn 2012 Preparation Making on 28 and 29 March 2012

Biodynamics Agriculture

Outside the Magic Square

It is almost 3 years and 5 months since

One Magic Square : Grow Your Own Food on One Square Metre
was published by Wakefield Press (2008).

The book lives a life of its own, in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and North America, the latter three adapted to local conditions.   One Magic Square put people back in touch with the earth that grows their food.  One man told me he had never grown anything when he bought the book, followed the seasonal squares and now cultivates 9 squares and never needs to buy vegetables again!   Through speaking to thousands of people about food security and home produce I started writing again, resulting in a companion volume to mobilise Australians to recreate food security:
Outside The Magic Square  :  A Handbook for Food Security
(Wakefield Press, Adelaide, 2012)
This book should reach stores late February and I'm pleased as punch that Simon Bryant, our favourite TV chef who works for zero food waste in more than one way will launch it at Adelaide Writers Week on 7th March 2012 at 5pm on the East Stage! (behind the back garden wall of Government House between King William Road and Kintore Avenue)
Admission to Adelaide Writers Week is free!

Meanwhile Jeni Lee and Sieh Mchawala's half hour movie Magic Harvest (on Tori Moreton's project) keeps playing  around the state.  Available  on DVD to share with your gardening and transition group. Order it from JDR-Screen, P.O.Box 28, URAIDLA SA 5142.   Or email Julia de Roeper on  deroepj@bigpond.net.au

May your garden/balcony/pot-rack keep you in fresh food.  Australia's five million+  backyards can give us food security!

Greetings for a green 2012.
Lolo Houbein
Bur

Local Lyme Disease Support Network

Local Lyme Disease Network

We have recently discovered an urgent need to form a Lyme Disease Support Network in the region, and would love to hear from anyone who has a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, or... perhaps more importantly... those who believe they may be suffering Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease, contrary to some very unhelpful medical opinions, does exist in Australia.  It is a tick-borne disease, and can be very debilitating.  It is often misdiagnosed as:  multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neurone disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety disorder, and various other ailments.  For more information regarding Lyme Disease and tick-borne diseases in Australia, please check out this website:  www.karlmcmanusfoundation.org.au   They are very good at answering any questions via email.  We are fortunate enough here in Bellingen to have Dr Gull Herzberg who is one of the very few doctors in Australia willing to identify and treat Lyme Disease.  The good news is that it is quite treatable if diagnosed early.  The bad news is that if it is left to progress, then treatment is prolonged and difficult, and sometimes full recovery may not be possible.

So, anyone who is interested in being on our local Lyme Disease Support Network mailing list, please email me directly so that I can add you in, and connect you with other Lymies.  There are a lot of people suffering alone out there and we want to meet them!

Hope you’ve not gone mouldy in all this wet!

Regards,

Sara Walker
Ph:  6655 9424 or 0418 699 785
Email:  shwalker1@bigpond.com

Waking up to life - free introductory talk on Sat 25 February 2012

Waking up to life - Free Introductory talk at the Bellingen Senior Citizens Centre on Saturday 25 February 2012 - 9.30 -11.30am


find out more about the Diamond Approach click on http://www.diamondessence.com.au/

Nicole Foss Speaking Tour February 11 2012 1200-2.30pm

Nicole Foss - importance of local economies

Bellingen High School Community Garden

We hold working bees each Thursday at 5pm.

Yes, outside of school hours it's a community garden!  Now that the garden is established, we are hoping more people will do their gardening here.  Please feel welcome!

Bring plant cuttings, divisions, seeds etc if you have anything you would like to grow.  All tools and materials supplied.

For more information go to bellingenhighschoolgarden@gmail.com or cal Charlie on 0403 296 317

Gene Ethics report on Dr Huber's report to UK Parliament 2011

USDA Scientist Reveals All

Glyphosate Hazards to Crops, Soils, Animals, and Consumers

Don Huber painted a devastating picture of glyphosate and GM crops at UK Parliament Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji

A fully illustrated and referenced version of this report is posted on ISIS members website and is otherwise available for download here

Please circulate widely and repost, but you must give the URL of the original and preserve all the links back to articles on our website  http://www.i-sis.org.uk/USDA_scientist_reveals_all.php

In less than an hour, Don Huber, professor emeritus at Purdue University and USDA senior scientist (see Box) delivered to the UK Houses of Parliament a damning indictment of glyphosate agriculture as a most serious threat to the environment, livestock, and human health [1].

Don Huber

Don Huber, Emeritus Professor at Purdue University and senior scientist on USDA’s National Plant Disease Recovery System, has been a plant physiologist and pathologist for over 40 years. His academic career began with 8 years as a cereal pathologist at the University of Idaho, and the next 35 years at Purdue University where he specialised in soil-borne disease control, physiology of disease, and microbial ecology.  For the past 20 years, he has conducted extensive research into the effects of glyphosate on crops, in response to the increase in crop diseases on glyphosate-applied fields.

Since his letter to the US Secretary of State Tom Vilsak was leaked in February 2011, there has been a great deal of controversy over what Huber described as a pathogen “new to science” and abundant in glyphosate-tolerant GM crops (see [2] Emergency! Pathogen New to Science Found in Roundup Ready GM Crops?, SiS 50). As he concluded in the letter: “We are now seeing an unprecedented trend of increasing plant and animal diseases and disorders. This pathogen may be instrumental to understanding and solving this problem”.

His talk linked glyphosate to reduced nutrient availability in plants, increasing plant diseases, the emergence of a new pathogen, animal illness and possible effects on human health (see [3, 4] Glyphosate Tolerant Crops Bring Death and Disease, Scientists Reveal Glyphosate Poisons Crops and Soil,SiS 47).

Pathogen new to science

The conversion of US agriculture to monochemical herbicide practice has resulted in the extensive use of glyphosate herbicides. Coincidentally, farmers have been witnessing deterioration in the health of corn, soybean, wheat and other crops, and epidemics of diseases in small grain crops. All are associated with the extensive use of glyphosate, which has increased further since the introduction of glyphosate-tolerant, Roundup Ready (RR) crops.

Glyphosate immobilises nutrients required to maintain plant health and resistance to disease. This weakening of the plants defence could explain the infestation of GM crops with the new pathogen, which has now been observed in horse, sheep, pigs, cows, chicken, multiple animal tissues including reproductive parts (semen, amniotic fluid), manure, soil, eggs, milk, as well as the common fungal pathogen that is currently infesting RR crops, Fusarium solani fsp glycines mycelium.  All are coming into contact with glyphosate either through direct exposure or consumption through animal feed. It is also highly abundant in crops suffering from plant Goss’ wilt and sudden death syndrome.

The pathogen can be cultured in the lab, and has been isolated from livestock foetal tissue, replicated in the lab and re-introduced back into the animals. It appears to be very common and may well be interacting with the effects of glyphosate on both plants and animals, exacerbating disease and causing reproductive failure in livestock (see below). Although great expectations have been placed on Huber to publish his findings, he insists that before this can be done, further resources are necessary to be able to characterise the ‘entity’ and identify what type of species it is, including sequencing of its genome. This is a slow process and once complete, it is his intention to publish the work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Understanding glyphosate’s mode of action

Recognising glyphosate’s mechanism of action is the key to understanding how it may exert detrimental effects on the health of crops, animals, and the environment alike. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that interacts with a range of physiological processes in the plant and its environment. Although it is most commonly recognised to work through inhibition of the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) involved in the production of aromatic amino acids in the shikimate pathway, it was actually first patented as a strong metal-chelator that binds to metals including manganese, magnesium, iron, nickel, zinc and calcium, many of which are important micronutrients acting as co-factors for plant enzymes in different physiological processes including the plants’ defence system. Indeed, it is actually through chelation of manganese that the EPSPS enzyme is inhibited.  

Rendering plants more susceptible to disease through glyphosate’s pathogenic activity is actually the way it exerts its herbicidal activity. This is done not just through immobilising nutrients in the plant but also impacting the agricultural system as a whole. Consistently, if glyphosate does not reach the root of a plant or the plant is grown in a sterile soil, the plant is not killed.

Once in the soil, glyphosate is later immobilised through the chelation of cations, and is therefore very stable and not easily degraded. However, phosphorus (including phosphorus fertilisers) can desorb the herbicide, making it active once again in the soil.

Glyphosate interferes negatively with many components of agriculture

Huber stressed that agriculture is an integrated system of many interacting components, which together determine crop health and therefore yield. This concept is undervalued, and the sooner this is recognised, the sooner we will be able to reap the full genetic potential of our crops.

The three main components of an agricultural system are 1) the biotic environment including beneficial organisms for example, nitrogen-fixing microbes and mineralizers; 2) the abiotic environment including nutrients, moisture, pH; and 3), defence against pathogens that damage crops. The genetic potential of a plant can be achieved by minimising the stress placed on these components through improving plant nutrition and physiology and prevention of diseases and pests.

We have been repeatedly told that to meet the world’s needs for food production we must resort to GM crops and chemical agriculture. However, glyphosate detrimentally interacts with all the agricultural components, so much so that an estimated 50 percent of the potential crop yields are currently being lost (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 Interactions of glyphosate with plant and soil biology; adapted from Huber’s presentation

As shown in figure 1, glyphosate interacts with a wide range of health determinants, which intensifies stress and reduces crop yields. Not only does it accumulate in the plant tissues (shoot and root tips, reproductive structures and legume nodules), it accumulates in the roots where it then leaks into the soil and harms beneficial microorganisms in the soil including those that act as biological controls of pathogens. The obvious consequence is the increased virulence of soil-borne pathogens that lead to disease.

Glyphosate immobilises nutrients critical for plant defence system and other functions

One of Huber’s important discoveries was the close correlation of all the known conditions affecting the disease ‘take-all’ with the availability of manganese to the plant and its physiological effect on resistance to this pathogen.

Micronutrients are the activators or inhibitors of many critical physiological functions. Thus, a deficiency or change in availability of these regulatory elements can greatly affect plant growth and resistance to diseases and pests. Those metabolic pathways producing secondary anti-microbial compounds, pathogen-inhibiting amino acids and peptides, hormones involved in cicatrisation (walling off pathogens), callusing, and disease escape mechanisms can all be compromised by glyphosate.

Micronutrients are also necessary for other processes in a plant. Manganese for example is not only involved in co-activating the EPSPS enzyme, with up to 25 other enzymes known to be affected by manganese chelation. Such enzymes are necessary for photosynthesis, in assimilating carbon dioxide in the electron transport chain, along with zinc. It also helps in the synthesis of chlorophyll and in nitrate assimilation. Numerous enzymes requiring other mineral co-factors are also affected, among them enzymes of the shikimate pathway, to which EPSPS belongs, are responsible for plant responses to stress and the synthesis of defence molecules against pathogens, such as amino acids, lignins, hormones, phytoalexins, flavenoids and phenols.

Consistent with what is known about the role of micronutrients and glyphosate, the levels of key minerals have been measured in transgenic RR soybeans and found to be lower than those in isogenic non-transgenic varieties. Manganese was reduced by as much as 45 %, while iron was reduced by 49 % [5]. Similar deficiencies in mineral content have been found in non-GM varieties, suggesting that the glyphosate, and not the RR transgene, is responsible for reducing mineral availability [6]. Glyphosate reduces photosynthesis, water uptake, amino acid production as well as lignin, a molecule conferring mechanical strength of the plant and crucial for conducting water through plant stems [7, 8].

As Huber stated, the consequences of these nutrient deficiencies is that “crops don‘t look as good, are not as productive or rigorous, and are slower growing“ (see Figure 2).  He noted yield drags of 26 % for RR soybeans. Furthermore, with current concerns for global warming, plants that are up to 50 % less water-efficient, such as RR crops, are counter-productive and can only exacerbate problems.

Huber stressed that there is nothing in the glyphosate tolerant crops that operates on the glyphosate applied to them. Consequently, although they have enough resistance to prevent them from dying (conferred by the EPSPS transgene), their overall physiological function is compromised by glyphosate.  It therefore affects GM as well as non-GM crops through residual levels of glyphosate in the ground.

In addition to chelating nutrients in the plants, glyphosate can lower mineral content through damaging beneficial soil organisms, including  microbes producing indole-acetic acid (a growth-promoting auxin), earthworms, mycorrhizae associations, phosphorus & zinc uptake, microbes such asPseudomonads, Bacillus that convert insoluble soil oxides to plant-available forms of manganese and iron, nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, and organisms involved in the biological control of soil-borne diseases that reduce root uptake of nutrients.  

Figure 2 Effects of long-term glyphosate on crop health; adapted from Huber’s presentation

Glyphosate increases incidence and virulence of soil-borne pathogens

Thirty-four diseases have been reported in the scientific literature to increase in incidence as a result of glyphosate weed-eradication programmes. They affect a wide variety of crops from cereals to bananas, tomatoes, soybean, cotton, canola, melon and grapes [9]. Some of these diseases are considered ‘emerging’ or ‘re-emerging’ as they had not caused serious economic losses in the past. This has worrying implications for the agricultural sector with the US now in its fourth year of epidemics of Goss’ wilt and sudden death syndrome and eighteenth year of epidemic of Fusarium fungal colonisation resulting in root rot and Fusarium wilt.  Not only does glyphosate affect disease susceptibility, there is also evidence of increased disease severity. Examples include ‘take-all’; Corynespora root rot in soybean; Fusarium spp diseases, including those caused by Fusarium species that are ordinarily non-pathogenic. Head-scab caused by Fusarium spp of cereals increases following glyphosate application, which is also now prevalent in cooler climates when previously it was limited to warmer climates.

Food and Feed Safety Concerns

Nutrient-deficient, transgenic plants suffering from disease that also harbour herbicide residues, presents an array of possible safety hazards to animals and humans. According to Huber, possible harm include direct toxicity of glyphosate itself, which has been shown to cause endocrine disruption, DNA damage, reproductive and developmental toxicities, neurotoxicity, cancer, and birth defects (see [10]Glyphosate Toxic and Roundup Worse,SiS26; [11]Death by Multiple Poisoning, Glyphosate and Roundup,SiS42; [12]Ban Glyphosate HerbicideNow.SiS43; [13]Lab Study Establishes Glyphosate Link to Birth Defects,SiS48). Furthermore, allergies are on the rise, and animals are showing allergy responses, including inflamed irritated stomachs (Figure 3), discoloration of stomach lining, leakage of intestines as well as behavioural symptoms of irritability and anti-social behaviour in cows (abnormal for herd animals). Inflammatory bowel disease in humans has risen 40 percent since 1992, which may be related to consumption of GM foods, although this has not yet been proven.

Figure 3   Stomach shows allergic response of discolouration and inflammation in GMO fed pig (right) compared with control (left)

The increase in infestation of crops with fungal pathogens that produce toxins is an added concern. Mycotoxins, including fusarium toxins as well as aflatoxins released by Aspergillus fungi are carcinogenic and have forced imports of wheat into the US due to unsafe levels found in domestic harvests.

Triple whammy of reproductive toxicity caused by glyphosate

In 2002, the Cattlemen’s Association gave a statement to US Congress on the serious and puzzling rises in reproductive problems. It said: “high numbers of foetuses are aborting for no apparent reason.  Other farmers successfully raise what look to be normal young cattle, only to learn when the animals are butchered that their carcasses appear old and, therefore, less valuable...The sporadic problem is so bad both in the United States and abroad that in some herds around 40-50 percent of pregnancies are being lost.. [and] the viability of this important industry is threatened.”

Glyphosate appears to be able to induce reproductive failures through three separate mechanisms. The first, mentioned above is the endocrine dysfunction caused by direct toxicity of glyphosate.

The second is the reduced nutrient content having consequential effects on the nutritional status of animals. Manganese in animals, as in plants, is an essential nutrient, and deficiencies have been associated with a variety of diseases as well as reproductive failures, which are becoming increasingly common in livestock. One study performed in Australia following two seasons of high levels of stillbirths in cattle found that all dead calves were manganese deficient [14]. Furthermore, 63 percent of babies with birth defects were also deficient. Manganese is known to be important for mobilising calcium into bones, correlating with abnormal bone formation in these calves.

Third, the unknown pathogenic ‘entity’ may be associated with inducing pseudo-pregnancies. As far back as 1998, a suspect agent was found in reproductive tissue of livestock. It has now been isolated in high concentrations from semen, amniotic fluid as well as placental tissue. It has also been found in aborted foetal tissue. Some farms are reporting up to 50 percent fewer conceptions in animals due to increased miscarriages and pseudo-pregnancies. Although evidence of the widespread presence of this new pathogen is clear, Don Huber suggested the need for further research to understand not only what kind of pathogen it is, but importantly, the effects it is having on the health of plants as well as animals.

To conclude

Over 100 peer reviewed papers have been published by Huber and other scientists on the detrimental effects of glyphosate. Glyphosate increases disease in plants (as well as animals), prompting Huber to write to the Secretary of Agriculture. It may be linked to many health problems in animals and humans, which are an added cost to all the failed promises of a new agricultural technology that would feed the world. As Huber concluded, the “public trust has been betrayed.”

Bellingen Support Group

Inspired by a conversation at Bello Baby, we are creating a support network in Bellingen to help those in need, with those who are willing to contribute help, ie in times of childbirth, illness, etc.

I have attached more info about this (and pasted it below) and would love if you could let the wider community know about this network and invite people to join.

We are also open to changing the name to something more 'alive' so if anyone has any ideas please share it with us!

Bellingen Support Network

A community of volunteers willing to contribute to help those in need, in times of:

-         birth

-         pregnancy

-         illness

-         life transitions

-         death in the family

-         operations

-         times of need

Contribution can be made in the form of:

-         meals

-         housework

-         gardening

-         shopping

-         looking after children

-         dropping off and picking up children from school etc

-         looking after pets

-         company, cups of tea

-         whatever is needed

The support network is a safe place where you are invited to ask for help whenever needed.

It allows people in the community to experience the joy of contribution and connection with community in a way that is enriching and fulfilling to all, and to allow people to experience receiving support when they need it.

As part of this network, you may be contacted to see if you are available to contribute when need arises within the community.  There is no obligation to help if it is inconvenient for you at the time, simply an opportunity to be part of this supportive network.

For more information, or to join the group please contact Alice on:

O422 379 722

(02) 6655 0205

alice@bongobaby.com.au 

Journey from Zanskar - film showing Sunday 27 November 2011

Journey from ZanskarZanskar

Bellingen Chamber of Commerce Summer Business breakfast Friday 2 December 2011

Chamber of Commerce Summer breakfast

MOU's with Monsanto cancelled in India

Monsanto loss in India

Biodynamics Agriculture Australia Advanced Workshop

Advanced workshop 25 November 2011

Green Gifts - Finch Publishing - half price offer

half price book offer

Kalang Valley Upstream Festival 11/12 November 2011

Kalang Valley Festival

Bellingen Community Gardens - Pancake Breakfast Sunday 13 November 2011

Pancake Breakfast

Biodynamics Agriculture Australia Activities November/December 2011

Biodynamics Australia

 Scroll down for  Advanced Biodynamics Workshop

Daniel Theodore Chmelik birth 16 October 2011

Photographs of new baby

Poetry and Songwriting Workshop 24 October 2011

Poetry and Songwriting Workshop

Local Food Film Festival - Bellingen 23 October 2011

Local Food film Festival

Bellingen EYEBALL 22 October 2011

Bellingen EYEBALL 22 October 2011

Bellingen Youth Space volunteers needed

Bellingen Youth Space

Yoga and Meditation - Scotts Head November 2011

Insight Meditation and Yoga

Leading with the heart

Offer to Transition Bellingen supporters - pay what you can

La Via Campensina

La Via Campensina

Global Carnival and Seres

Seres at Global Carnival

Ride to Work - October 12 2011

Ride to Work

Claire Dunn events

Courses

Special Fund Raiser for the East African Famine 8 September 20112

Steve Biddulph at Bellingen High School

Bellingen Chamber of Commerce Spring breakfast 2 September 2011

Spring breakfast

Transition Companion

Book by Rob Hopkins - updating Transition Initiative thinking

Canoe the River 28 August 2011

Local Government  week

Sydney Premieres Thursday 25 August 2011

Premieres of new Book "Permaculture Pioneers" and documentary "Anima Mundi"

Living Books Coffs Harbour 24 August 2011

Living Library Catalogue

North Bank Gardens Fund Raiser Saturday 13 August 2011

I Need Ute - fund raiser to replace stolen Ute

High School Community Garden opening 6 August 2011

High School Community Garden Opening