Pesticide company under fire for funding research into bee decline

Pesticide company under fire for funding research into bee decline

from Sunday Herald, 04 October 2009

One of the world’s biggest pesticide companies, Syngenta, has been accused of a “howling conflict of interest” for funding research into the disappearance of honeybees - a problem which some say it may have helped cause.

Syngenta, based in Basel, Switzerland, last year clocked up £7.3 billion worth of sales in more than 90 countries. Among the products it markets to farmers are insecticides which have been blamed for harming honeybees.

It now also co-funds a £1 million project in the UK,announced last week, to research the decline of the bees. But the company insists that its money will not influence the outcome of the research, and dismisses criticisms of its role as “perverse”.

A film due to open in cinemas this week exposes the global plight of the honeybee, and argues that insecticides are partly to blame. Called ‘Vanishing of the Bees’, it is backed by the £9 billion Co-operative retail group, which has banned suspect chemicals from being used on its fresh fruit and vegetables.

According to beekeepers, honeybee populations in the UK crashed by nearly a third in 2008. The implications are alarming, as bees contribute £200 million a year to the UK economy and pollinate one in every three mouthfuls of food that we eat.

The crash has sometimes been labelled “colony collapse disorder”, and its causes are not well understood. Scientists speculate that a combination of factors may be involved, including disease, mites, weather and modern farming practices.

But some argue that a group of widely-used nicotine-based insecticides known as neonicotinoids could be inflicting neural damage on bees, and contributing to their demise. Syngenta sells two products containing neonicotinoids under the trade names, Actara and Cruiser.

To protect bee populations, the use of some of the suspect insecticides have been banned or restricted in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia. They can still used, however, in other countries like the UK and the US.

A coalition of environmental groups has launched a campaign for a ban on neonicotinoids in the UK. One of them, the Soil Association, which certifies organic food, criticised Syngenta for funding research into bee decline.

The association’s Scottish director, Hugh Raven, pointed out that the company had already made its position clear by opposing a ban on neonicotinoids. “The taint of commercial interest has undermined this research before it's even started,” he said.

The research project is also supported by the government’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). “The BBSRC should think again, and get a co-funder without this howling conflict of interest,” argued Raven.

He was backed by professor Andrew Watterson, head of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group at Stirling University. There were “potential conflicts of interest in the project which may affect the credibility of the findings”, he said.

“The public is funding a research project with a manufacturer who profits from producing some of the pesticides that others fear may be factors in the bee decline,” he added. “This may be good for business, but it does not seem the wisest use of public money.”

Graham White, a beekeeper in the Scottish Borders and an environmental author, was scathing about Syngenta’s role. “Putting Syngenta in charge of UK research into the causes of honeybee deaths is arguably the equivalent of putting the tobacco companies in charge of research into lung cancer, or asking the manufacturers of alco-pops to research the causes of teenage binge drinking,” he said.

But the criticisms were angrily rejected by Syngenta’s head of corporate affairs in the UK, Andrew Coker. To suggest that the company’s funding could influence the outcome of the research was “appalling” and “an outrageous slur”, he told the Sunday Herald.

“It seems perverse that we put our money into researching bee health and then get criticised for it. Nobody is sure what is causing bees to decline, so this is the right thing to do.”

BBSRC’s Director of Innovation and Skills, Dr Celia Caulcott, also defended the research. “The use of insecticides in agriculture is just one possible reason for the problems bees are facing,” she said.

“The most important thing to do right now is to understand exactly what is happening and then translate that knowledge into actions to address the decline. We are pleased that Syngenta is on board with us to work towards achieving this aim as quickly as possible.”

Caulcott added: “Results from the research carried out under this funding award will go through the normal process of independent review and publication to ensure quality and impartiality before they are likely to impact on farming practice.”

Backyard Fanfare

Biodynamics Field Day with the Master himself

Field Day with Alex Podolinsky:

The Bio-dynamic Agricultural Association of Australia invites farmers to a Field Day to be held at Andrew and Ben Fawcett's farm, "Power Hill" at 929 Lawrence/Glengower Road, Campbelltown on Monday April 26th 2010, from 9:30 - 12 noon.

After a basic introduction to Bio-dynamics from Alex Podolinsky there will be opportunity to meet bio-dynamic broad acre grain & sheep farmers, beef & dairy farmers, vignerons, orchardists, olive & berry growers, egg producers, market gardeners, etc.

Powlett Hill is situated between Smeaton and Campbelltown on the Midland Highway. Vic Road Map 58 G/H 5/6

Australasian Permaculture Convergence - APC10, 2010

check it out class!!

http://apc10.org/node/11

Heaps of photos on the fundamentals of erosion and sediment control

Some great pics here.

http://www.austieca.com.au/Portals/0/ESC%20fundam%201%20hour%20-%20screen.pdf

Leaking farm dams info if ya interested

Leaking Farm Dams information and how to avoid it
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/164038/leaking-dams.pdf

Sodic Soils and their association with soil dispersion and tunnel erosion problems

http://www.usq.edu.au/users/raine/index_files/Raine&Loch_WhatIsASodicSoil_2003.pdf

Dispersive soils and their Management

http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/SWEN-7SU6DZ/$FILE/DPIW_DSM_Guidelines_April2009.pdf

Examples of erosion and sediment control management plan strategies that may help you get going....

Ashton Coal
http://www.ashtoncoal.com.au/documents/632930695836728642.pdf
Liddell coal
http://www.liddellcoal.com.au/doc/R02_V2_FINAL_ESCP.pdf

A few erosion control problems and strategies

Gully Erosion
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/b761ba058379d648ca256e78002977e0/$FILE/LC0093.pdf
Trickle Flow Pipes
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/cdbe90619d8b930dca2571380017c331/$FILE/LC0426.pdf
Landslips
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/d4c85f7a89b4adf2ca256e720024c1b7/$FILE/LC0095.pdf

Extreme composting

You may recall our visit to the Aquaponics guy last year .
One of the things he spoke of is -composting with the Black Soldier Fly
Here is a link to a two part podcast on about
composting with the Black Soldier Fly .Episode 78 and 79.
It is on Agroinnovations by Frank Aragona - http://agroinnovations.com/

foggyforge

Extreme Composting

You may recall our visit to the Aquaphonics- guy in Diamond Creek ,he spoke of composting with the The Black Soldier Fly .
Here is a two part podcast on Agroinovations discussing composting with the
The Black Soldier Fly .Episode 78 and 79.
http://agroinnovations.com/
as usual you will have to cut and paste the link, or just do a search
on Agroinnovations,or Frank Aragona
foggyforge

plan erosion meeting with Dave Corwal

Hey all

Rosemarie and I had the meeting with Dave Corwal today. Here is what we came away with

Septic system: All used water from the hospitality Centre first goes into about four tanks (that are in the utility area to the left of the main entrance) to be first treated, then put onto the site in a series of underground pipes below the two tanks. These pipes take up an area approximately 20m x 45m(L). There are approximately four rows of pipes.

The septic system for the residence is between the vegi garden and the big water tank.

Tanks
Overflow: none of the tanks overflow is connected to the dam, all overflow goes onto the ground.
Dave mentioned something about the council not allowing them to connect overflow to dam because they were collecting water from the carpark and all the toxins would pollute the creek.

Two little tanks 10,000litres
Big tank 30,000litres

Wine Shed:the roof is not connected to any tank. All water that is collected first runs into a box drain then over the ground.

Dam: Current capacity at approximately 8ML
Dave says if they were to enlarge it, 20ML would be great but doesn't believe Council would allow it.

Grapes: are watered by mains water, no data exists on how much water they recieve p.a.

Varieties that exist are, Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Verduzo.

Hospitality Centre: all water that centre uses is mains water.
All water collected from roof goes into tank closest to centre.

Residence: uses big tank water, and has a mains water back.
All water collected from roof goes into big water tank.

Liana

ADVERTISING POTENTIAL FOR PETTYS ORCHARD FESTIVAL

ADVERTISING POTENTIAL FOR-PETTYS ORCHARD FESTIVAL

- VEGETABLE BASED INK PRINTERS.

- GREEN PAPER PRINTERS.

- MYSPACE.COM

- FACEBOOK.COM

- GUMTREE.COM.AU

- ORGANIC HEALTH SHOPS.

- ECO FRIENDLY SHOPS

- GO TO AND RESEARCH OTHER FESTIVALS=Sustainable living festival,Ceres,

- START A WEBSITE = keep things current and update regularly.

- ADVERTISE ON OTHER WEBSITES

- DEVELOP YOUR OWN EMAIL LIST

- TOURISM= Organise a tour for community groups, old people homes, schools, etc

- ADVERTISE THROUGH GUEST SPEAKERS WEBSITES.

- ADVERTISE IN SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

- POSTERS IN CAFES, LIBRARIES, NOTICE BOARDS

- VIRAL EMAILS 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND 2 DAYS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL.

- GYMS,SELF-HELP CLASSES NOTICE BOARDS (MEDITATION,YOGA).

- SPORTS CLUBS, BIKE RIDE CLUBS, WALKING AND HIKING CLUBS

- PERMABLITZ FOR VOLUNTEERS ON THE DAY

- ORGANIC FARMERS, LOCAL GROWERS.

- AT TAFE COLLAGES, UNIVERSITIES,

- LOCAL NETWORK ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS CALENDERS

- ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINES, BETTERLIVING MAGAZINES, GARDENING MAGAZINES, LOCAL NEWSPAPER HARDCOPY AND ONLINE.

- LOCAL RADIO STATIONS, TV PROGRAMS (CHANNEL 31, SBS).

- LOCAL NURSERIES, CERTIFIED NURSERIES (Bulleen Art and Garden).

- Hand out flyers at other festivals-(Sustainable living festival would be perfect).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Great website into event planning and many links for organising etc
  

http://www.planetfriendly.net/promote.html

• Festival planning
  

http://festivalsandevents.com/resources/festival-planning/internet-promotion.shtml

Hope this info helps all.

Good luck, more add-ons and updates to come.

Mark Rigney.

swipers gully map

Hey evryone me again. Sorry about the last post, the mapping report hasn't worked.
dont know how to fix it so i'll just tell you how to find it.

Go to land.vic.gov.au
Select "Planning Maps Online" (on the right of screen)
Select "i agree"
Type in "25 eltham yarra-glen road kangaroo ground"(all into their appropriate boxes)
Select "search"
And then get report

Hope it works

Liana

plan erosion stuff and Petty's

Hello everyone

Don't know if everyone has the map report that i'm posting but just in case i'll post it anyway cos it's pretty useful

http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/download/25-Eltham-Yarra-Glen-Road-Kangaroo-Ground-Planning-Property-Report.pdf


And the Manningham events planning guide is the one I showed everyone at school

http://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/maccwr/_assets/main/lib90049/events%20&%20festivals%20infokit%20may%2009.pdf

Liana

Petty's assignment apple festivals

Nappanee Apple Festival
Nappanee, Indiana, USA
September 16 - September 19, 2010

Description:
The world's largest 7 foot baked apple pie comes out of the oven just in time to begin the Festival on Friday. We serve approximately 700 pieces of pie. Many travel across the United States to savor their annual piece of this pie. Activities this year include, great entertainment on two stages,120 craft vendors, 60 commercial vendors, carnival rides, televised parade with signature military aircraft fly-over, teen dance, queen contest, apple baking, garden tractor pull, pedal pull contest, car show, apple peeling, bike ride, road run, pie-eating contest, cheerleading competition, tractor pull, and a circus and thrill show. In the spirit of the celebration, you will find creates of fresh apples dotting the downtown sidewalks and more than 30 food vendors including many local non-profit organizations serving all your favorites. There will be plenty of your favorite apple products like Apple Pie, Apple Fritters, Apple Dumplings, Apple Turnovers, Apple Bread, Apple Cider and Apple Butter to enjoy during the festival or to take home to enjoy later. We invite you to experience a truly unique hometown festival that will leave you marking your calendar to return for next year's festival.



Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce 2009
© Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009. All rights reserved.
2009 Little Mr. Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom
Application
Must be a Columbiana County Resident
Please print clearly or type
Contestant Name__________________________
_______________________________
Date of Birth____________________________________________________________
Mark Category of Competition ______Miss Appleblossom_____________Mr Applebud
Contestant’s address_______________________________________________________
City___________________________________________________Zip Code__________
Area Code & Phone Number________________________________________________
Area Code & Cell Phone____________________________________________________
E Mail__________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Names___________________________________________________________
I have read and agree to the terms of the Little Mr. Applebud/Little Appleblossom
Parent’s Contract.
Parent’s Signature_________________________________________________________
Mail complete application with a copy (not original) of birth or hospital certificate.
Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce
40 N. Park Ave.
Lisbon, Oh 44432
(330) 424-1803
Fax (330) 424-9003
Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce 2009
© Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009. All rights reserved.
2009 Little Mr. Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom Parents’ Contract
1. Contestants must live in Columbiana County.
2. Contestants must be between the age of four (4) and nine (9) on September 15th
of the current year.
3. Full co-operation is expected at all times from the contestants, parents, all family
members and anyone acting on the contestant’s behalf.
4. Parents/family members need to be aware for the guidelines in the contract and
abide by them.
5. It is the parent/family member’s responsibility to obtain permission from area
businesses to place their collection cans. The collection cans can be placed from
July 1st to September 11th. It is the responsibility of the parent/family member to
collect, count, and obtain a money order/Cashier’s check for monies collected.
The money order/cashiers check must be returned to the Chamber of Commerce
office, 40 N. Park Ave., Lisbon, by September 11th at 2:00 p.m. No contestant
may have more than five cans in any one village/city. One penny equals one vote.
6. The winners will be asked to participate in the annual parade on Saturday
morning. A parent or guardian is allowed to join them.
Prizes Include:
• Appleblossom Tiara & Sash
• Applebud Crown & Sash
• Trophy or Ribbon
7. Parents must be willing to assist with driving during the parade. All drivers must
be 18, provide a copy of a valid driver’s license & auto insurance to the Chamber
Office.
8. Parents of contestants give their consent for their child’s photos to be used in
publicity of the Johnny Appleseed festival.
9. Any actions or statements that are detrimental to the Johnny Appleseed Festival
made by family or anyone acting on the royalty member’s behalf will not be
tolerated and will result in loss of title.
10. The judgment of the Chamber of Commerce is final in any and all conflicts
involving the program.
11. This contract is not all inclusive. Decisions of the Lisbon Area Chamber of
Commerce are final.
12. I have read and understand all the rules of the Johnny Appleseed Festival Little
Mr Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom. I understand that if anyone acting on
my child’s behalf does not abide by these rules, my child will loose his/her titles.
I agree to the duties of the parent;
Print Contestant’s Name_____________________________________________
Print Parent’s Name_________________________________________________
Parent Signature____________________________________________________
Date________


J Appleseed fest. schedule:


8:00 a.m. 5K Run – sponsored by Morning Journal & Chamber

10:00 – lining up of parade at McKinley School

11:00 a.m. Grand Parade – chr, Lori Sweeney & Charlie Senanefes

12:00 p.m. Grand stand presentations – intro Queen & Appleblossom & Bud – art winners

1:00 to 5:00 – Car Cruise at Valu King/IGA parking lot – sponsored by Steel Trolley –“Flashpoint” band will perform.

1:00 p.m. – Kids Games ( Community action)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Jacobi Classsic Rock & Folk on Grandstand

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 – Trinity Playhouse players – “A Broadway Musical Revue”

3:00 – 7:00 p.m spinning demonstration on village green near gazebo & Quaker City Carvers , Dennis Regling – the Balloon Man, local Artist – Joe Morenz demonstrating

3:00 – 4:00 – Bettie Lee Dancers

4:00 – 5:00 Country Classic Dancers

4:30 - Pie baking contest – on Gazebo

5:00 p.m. – music by DJ Chip Highley

5:30 -8:00 Borderline – Country western band

6:30p.m. movie Madagascar 2 being shown at the Lisbon Methodist Church

8:00 – 11:00 “Rumors” – classic rock & roll band

11:00 p.m. festival closes
Sunday, Sept 20th

11:00 – church service by Rains of Grace - Grandstand

12:00 – 1:00 –Hired Hands - Sponsored by Home Delivery Healthcare of Lisbon

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. entertainment at the Trinity Playhouse by Stage Left Players

1:00 – 2:00 Mike Palm on grandstand

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Lisbon Community Chorus on grandstand – sponsored by Mills Insurance

3:00 – Lisbon Grange Apple Ice Cream Eating contest on grandstand

3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Biker’s Cruise – at the Valu King/IGA parking lot

4:00 – Ducky Race sponsored by Steel Trolley located on Jefferson St.

3:15 to 5:30 p.m. “The Nobody’s “– Lisbon’s hometown band on Grandstand

5:30 to 8:00 p.m.” Tribute” - classic rock band on the Grandstand


8:00 a.m. 5K Run – sponsored by Morning Journal & Chamber

10:00 – lining up of parade at McKinley School

11:00 a.m. Grand Parade – chr, Lori Sweeney & Charlie Senanefes

12:00 p.m. Grand stand presentations – intro Queen & Appleblossom & Bud – art winners

1:00 to 5:00 – Car Cruise at Valu King/IGA parking lot – sponsored by Steel Trolley –“Flashpoint” band will perform.

1:00 p.m. – Kids Games ( Community action)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Jacobi Classsic Rock & Folk on Grandstand

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 – Trinity Playhouse players – “A Broadway Musical Revue”

3:00 – 7:00 p.m spinning demonstration on village green near gazebo & Quaker City Carvers , Dennis Regling – the Balloon Man, local Artist – Joe Morenz demonstrating

3:00 – 4:00 – Bettie Lee Dancers

4:00 – 5:00 Country Classic Dancers

4:30 - Pie baking contest – on Gazebo

5:00 p.m. – music by DJ Chip Highley

5:30 -8:00 Borderline – Country western band

6:30p.m. movie Madagascar 2 being shown at the Lisbon Methodist Church

8:00 – 11:00 “Rumors” – classic rock & roll band

A family event for all ages, the UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of British Columbia's favourite fruits. All are welcome to attend, from children learning about the diversity of apples to those who remember tasting heritage apples in their youth.

Every year, between 11,500 and 13,500 kilograms (25,000 and 30,000 lbs) of apples are sold to a hungry public. Over 60 varieties of heritage, new and "tried and true" varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apple 'Grimes Golden' and 'Ambrosia', recently discovered in Cawston, British Columbia.
Waiting in line to taste apples

Also available for sale are many varieties of apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.

One of the most popular activities at the Apple Festival is apple tasting. For $3.00, curious eventgoers can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. Learn the history of those varieties from the Friends of the Garden's "published in-house" Apple Booklet.

The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association mounts a display of the nearly 200 apple varieties still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are also available to identify apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management. Or, at any time of the year, you can visit UBC Botanical Garden's online Fruit Trees discussion forum!

A new children's area is in place for 2008: the Johnny Appleseed Orchard, featuring six activity stations. Kids (and adults!) also enjoy the apple pie, hot apple cider and other delectable treats available.

The Food Fair showcases tasty treats, while the Shop in the Garden features apple-related merchandise. Craft vendors, UBC Herbarium merchandise and UBC Farm produce are also available on-site.

Buskers provide musical entertainment throughout the day.
Finish off the day by taking home a purchase of jugs of British Columbian organic apple juice.


Photography Contest (Open to the public--amateurs or professionals may compete)

Best Apple Picture Photography Contest
Submit a framed, ready- to- hang 8" X 10" picture of an apple, apples, orchard, tree, trees, etc.

Baby Appleseed Contest announcement
1:00 PM

Live Auction
1:30 PM


The announcement and coronation of the winners will be held at the Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds.

Live auction for the top ten apple pies. At the MSAHF booth in front of the Dining Hall.
Apple Eating Contest
1:30 PM Kids, can you eat an apple in less than 2 minutes? Remember, no hands! Cash prizes, trophies, & ribbons for the winners. Awards sponsored by Fallon Nationwide Insurance Agency Inc . No entry fee!



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Apple Festival
accommodations
click to see more of this unique adult accommodation on Salt Spring Island
Spindrift Oceanfront Cottages is your adult nature sanctuary for Apple Festival week-end. Six cottages on six acres of natural preserved oceanfront featuring the island's only white sand beaches. Wildlife appreciation and privacy are encouraged in this unique setting.
click for website

Who?
Natural food lovers like YOU!

What?
An apple tasting extravaganza of the best selection, tastiest and most wholesome apples anywhere!

When?
Sunday October 4, 2009 9am-5pm.

Where?
Participants choose to visit those orchards that interest them, based on a map showing locations & descriptions of each.

Suggested starting location is Fulford Hall at Salt Spring's south end.

Why?
Because Salt Spring has a fascinating apple-growing heritage, is the home of a new apple Organic Apple Coop, and is the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada.

Tickets?
$10 each, students $5, kids under 12, free.

Tickets available ONLY on Festival day at Fulford hall and outside the Ganges tourist info centre.

Admission includes a map of Salt Spring showing locations of host farms descriptions of each. Participants choose locations they wish to visit and will be challenged to see everything within the hours of between 9-5.



Salt Spring Island's 11th Annual Apple Festival

Sunday Oct 4, 2009
Celebrating Heritage Apples: Travel Back in Time

This is your chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth! Become a Salt Spring Island Apple Connoisseur for a day.

Where else do you have over 350 different apple varieties being grown organically? Salt Spring's apple history dates back to 1860. Explore our incredible island, the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada.

Heritage apples refer to any apple variety that was growing before 1900. These apple varieties were all chance seedlings and as such grew without any HUMAN INTERVENTION. They are then GIFTS OF MOTHER NATURE.


click to see
Apple Festival Highlights from 2008

More apple Festival highlights



Display of HUNDREDS of apples all grown organically on Salt Spring Island



Tasting of more than 100 apple varieties at just one farm (Apple Luscious). Most others had tasting of their own varieties



At least 12 labeled varieties of apple pies baked by the Pie Ladies



Theatrical performances by Johnny Appleseed, Theodore Trage, the Queen and Captain Apple



A rich history of apples going back to 1860



Educational information on organic apple growing



Apple identification services



Orchard bee and honey bee experts available



Apple art by local artists



Read about Apple Festival 2006 on the Island Tides news site.

Salt Springers are very proud of their apples and the incredible collections we amass at Fulford Hall for every Apple Festival is a sight to take your breath away. The scent of apples when you enter the room will take your soul on a journey. Last year, we had 262 varieties all grown organically on Salt Spring Island, all arranged alphabetically and all having detailed labels.

The task of setting up the collection is performed the night before by a team of about 30 island volunteers, ranging in age from children to senior citizens, who consider this one of the highlights of their year.

click to enlarge Pink Pearmain red-fleshed apple from the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge red-fleshed apples from the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge Fulford Hall during the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge Fulford Hall during the Salt Spring Island apple festival
Salt Spring Apple Festival 2006





photo by Ron Watts
want more?

read about Salt Spring apples in the Vancouver Sun »

click to see photos of
Festival 2007 by noofoto.com »


They love their apples and they are delighted to show island visitors our apple diversity. Note that at Apple Festival 2006, there were 296 varieties, but with a very cold, wet spring in 2007, some varieties did not produce a crop. We are hoping in 2008 to break the 300 variety barrier for the first time.

This festival is farm based, connecting you to the organic farmers on Salt Spring. They are your best guarantee of food quality and good health.

click to enlarge photos of Apple Festival 2006
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006

photos by Ron Watts
Salt Spring Island
among the first area in BC to grow apples (1860)
now grows over 350 varieties organic apples
home to the Salt Spring Island Organic Apple Coop
is the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada

Proceeds go to:


- development of a juicing facility on Salt Spring



- annual $500 bursary given to someone on Salt Spring, to support practical
learning in the field of organic agriculture.



- supporting the education of a third world child


- Up to $100 going towards thanking in the best possible manner, a local
who has made Salt Spring a better place to live.







Captain Apple- A new Superhero


Johnny Appleseed


Those interested in becoming involved in this festival can contact Harry Burton at 653-2007 or by email


Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
Theme: Celebrating Red-Fleshed Apples - THE APPLES OF THE FUTURE
Growing over 350 varieties of apples organically
Sunday, Sept 28, 2008 from 9 to 5
Starting Point: Fulford Hall
A chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth!
http://www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/
Salt Spring Island BC, Canada


Winter Red Flesh (crab) on left and Hidden Rose on right

Winter Red Flesh (crab) on left and Hidden Rose on right

Red-fleshed apples are truly the apple of the future. We grow 23 varieties at Apple Luscious Organic Orchard on Salt Spring Island and they are great to eat. The excitement of biting into the apples, the great taste and the novelty is amazing. You never have to encourage a child to eat them. Kids love them. Not only that, but the red colour is an indication that the fruit has extra antioxidants, in the form of anthocyanins, that are great health benefit. I predict that red-fleshed apples will become the apples of the future, in the same way that red grapefruit has displaced white grapefruit as the common type. They taste even better than they look. The first reaction to biting into the red flesh is always “WOW”.

The most prolific, most dynamic, most creative and least know apple breeder in North America was Albert Etter, a self-taught genius of horticulture who lived in Ettersberg, Northern California until his death in 1950. His greatest and most lasting horticultural achievement was with apples, to which he shifted focus in the late 1920’s. For his grafting, he was fortunate to obtain scionwood for Surprise, a bright rosy pink-fleshed heritage apple variety from the remote wilds of Turkestan. Although not highly rated in The Fruit and Fruit Trees of North America (1869), which was an eastern US publication, Surprise grew much better in the California climate, and it became the basis for Albert’s red-fleshed apple breeding program. Fortunately, Etter was not inclined to put much faith in the advice of “Eastern” experts growing apples in less favourable conditions. He loved to show how well most apple grew in the hills of Ettersberg. His intuition paid off. He was also unique in that he used unlikely breeding parents using localized, wild apple breeds and often including some crab apple breeds.

Pink Pearmain apple – one of Albert Etters great apple breeding successes

Etter claimed to have created at least 30 red-fleshed apple varieties, most probably open-pollinated seedlings of Surprise. He had a vision. Etter was delighted with the great taste and beautifully red coloured flesh of his apples and told his neighbours that someday his red-fleshed varieties would “grace the menus of San Francisco’s most elegant hotel”. I believe that he will be proven correct, exactly the same way as the red-fleshed grapefruit have become so popular today.

However since the mindset of the 1940’s was not leaning towards change, it became difficult to introduce new varieties. Albert gave scionwood for 40 of his best apple varieties to California Nursery Company (CNC) with the hope of introducing the best to the public. Unfortunately, only the Pink Pearl (a red-fleshed variety) was really in any way successful, and is still available to this day, even though Etter did not claim it to be his best variety. CNC has discontinued or lost the 39 other varieties. So most of Etters varieties were neglected after his death and heading for extinction.

Fortunately, Ram Fishman, of Green Mantle Nursery in Etterberg, California, has taken on the task of rediscovering as many of Albert Etters apple varieties as possible. He has catalogued at least 15 red-fleshed varieties. With his family, Ram would track down any red-fleshed apple trees they could find, attempting to differentiate, catalogue and preserve by propagating, any red fleshed apple trees they found. This was no easy task since the varieties were not only scattered throughout their local area of Ettersberg, but appear to have been growing in parts of Oregon, where Etter had colleagues who probably shared his scionwood. In addition, Ram had the difficult task of trying to match the Albert Etter given variety names such as “Hoover Redflesh”, to the currently discovered red-flesh variety. Quite a challenge.

To Ram Fishman we owe a great deal of thanks. Not only has he revived these varieties, probably with little financial reward, but in some cases, he has saved these varieties from extinction. Rubiyat (a red-fleshed variety), for instance, was a decrepit fragment of a tree when Ram discovered it and fortunately, his first attempt at grafting succeeded, for by the following year, the original tree had been, in Ram’s words “bulldozed over by some pesky cows”.



The best way to connect with red-fleshed apples is to connect with red-fleshed apples is to attend The Salt Spring Island Apple Festival on Sunday, Sept 28, 2008.

We have a very unique, diverse, exciting organic Apple Festival. The 700 or so happy people who attended in 2007 are our best advertising. They were delighted. They all became Salt Spring Island apple connoisseurs. Where else do you have over 350 different apple varieties being grown organically and for good taste?

Can you imagine a 92-year-old woman, with a walker, becoming as enthused as a teenager when she discovered we had the old Gravenstein apples she had known as a kid. She climbed up the 2 stairs to our selling area on her own. WOW. Her words were, “You have made my day”.

So the following are Apple Festival highlights from 2007

• The display of 262 apples all grown organically on Salt Spring Island.

• Tasting of 105 apple varieties at just one farm (Apple Luscious). Most others have tasting of their own varieties.

• At least 12 labelled varieties of apple pies baked by the Pie Ladies.

• 15 farms open to the public.

• Theatrical performances by Johnny Appleseed, Theodore Trage, the Queen and Captain Apple

• A rich history of apples going back to 1860.

• At least 23 varieties of red-fleshed apples.

• An on-site narration by Naidine Sims tracing her black history on Salt Spring back to 1860

• Tours of most farms.

• Educational information on organic apple growing.

• Apple identification services.

• Orchard bee and honey bee experts available.

• Apple art by local artists.

Salt Springers are very proud of their apples and the incredible collections we amass at Fulford Hall for every Apple Festival is a sight that takes your breath away. The scent of of apples when you enter the room will take your soul on a journey. Last year, we had 262 varieties all grown organically on Salt Spring Island, all arranged alphabetically and all having detailed labels. The task of setting up the collection is performed the night before by a team of about 30 island volunteers, ranging in age from children to senior citizens, who consider this one of the highlights of their year. They love their apples and they are delighted to show island visitors our apple diversity. Note that at Apple Festival 2006, there were 296 varieties, but with a very cold, wet spring in 2007, some varieties did not produce a crop. We are hoping in 2008 to break the 300 variety barrier for the first time.

Collecton of 262 Apple Varieties at Fulford Hall in 2007

Details of Apple Collection

This Apple Festival is farm based, connecting you to your LOCAL ORGANIC farmers on Salt Spring. They are your best guarantee of food quality and good health.

Contact info:

Harry Burton

- 250-653-2007

- burtonh@saltspring.com

- http://www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/



Burlington Old Fashioned Apple Harvest Festival
Burlington, West Virginia
Admission to the two-day event is free of charge, as is the live country, bluegrass, and southern gospel music performed on-stage throughout the weekend. The festival's signature attraction, Burlington's Famous Apple Butter, made the old-fashioned-way--outdoors in open-air kettles--is the world's best tasting apple butter!

Take a stroll beneath the towering walnut trees; listen to the sounds of the meandering brook; browse the 3-acre flea market; visit the country-style "shopping mall" and wander leisurely through huge tents filled with unique, handmade items. The "food court" features yummy apple delights, country ham sandwiches, funnel cakes, and many other country fair goodies!
Antique autos and tractors, the intricate stitching and beautiful color schemes lovingly combined into the many heritage quilts on display, a rousing parade, a toe-tappin', fiddle/banjo/mandolin contest, games, pony rides and a variety of fun for the whole family!