In today’s blog news:

1. Organic farms as carbon sinks
2. Innovative compact liquid food dryer aimed at small agri-food processors
3. Corner Brook Farmers’ Market – looking for a home
4. Press Releases

1. Organic farms for carbon capture:

“Organic farms sequester as much as 3,670 pounds of carbon per acre-foot each year. A typical passenger car, according to the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency”, emits 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year (traveling an average of 12,500 miles per year).”

Consider this:
320 organic farm = 117 cars off the road

“The key lies in the handling of organic matter (OM): because soil organic matter is primarily carbon, increases in soil OM levels will be directly correlated with carbon sequestration. While conventional farming typically depletes soil OM, organic farming builds it through the use of composted animal manures and cover crops.

“Organic farming for carbon capture is also compatible with other environmental and social goals such as reducing erosion, minimizing impact on native ecosystems, and improving farmer livelihoods. Compared to forests, moreover, agricultural soils may be a more secure sink for atmospheric carbon, since they are not vulnerable to logging and wildfire.

“It’s a no-brainer,” [The Rodale Institute Research Manager Paul] Hepperly concludes. “Organic farming is not a technological fix, not an untried experiment that could have its own unforeseen consequences.” Instead, it’s a step toward solving global warming that brings with it a wealth of other environmental benefits.”
From, and for more info on this: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/ob_31

2. Innovative compact liquid food dryer aimed at small agri-food processors

“Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agri-food sector may soon have another option for processing liquid food products into powder. Marzouk Benali and Mouloud Amazouz, research scientists in Industrial Systems Optimization at CanmetENERGY’s research centre in Varennes, Quebec, developed a novel compact dryer for small and medium capacities. This dryer offers several advantages over the conventional atomization dryer, commercially known as a spray dryer.

SMEs, especially those whose food powder production is between 50 and 500 kilograms per day, cannot easily upgrade their facility to accommodate the 4.5 metre and greater height required by the conventional spray dryer. For such businesses, the spray dryer is too expensive at about $500,000, and its large capacity is unnecessary. However, SMEs are increasingly looking to process new value-added products into powder.”
From, and for complete article, go to: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/technical-info/library/newsletter/archives-2009/Vol-XIII-no-8-
may1.cfm#b

3. Corner Brook Farmers Market

The western environment centre is currently seeking a suitable Farmers Market Venue. The venue should preferably be outdoors (we will be providing tents), with room for vendors to park their vehicles and set up tables, as well have near by parking and be close to a busy area; such as down town. Access to washrooms and electricity are also important. The Market will take place on Saturday mornings from July to October, 2009, with a “debut” Market to be held on June 6th in celebration of Earth Week. For info, contact: Corinne Hynes: 660-0078 info@wecnl.ca

4. ACORN-NL Press Releases
We’re adding another page to this blog. See News for a listing of our Press Releases and other, um, news.

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