See previous newsletter
Closed for Christmas Holidays -
Mumm's Sprouting Seeds will
be closed for Christmas holidays starting Dec 23. We will be open
again on Jan 3, 2005. If you need an order shipped before the
holidays, please place it by Dec 17.
OUR FARM -
This was the first
year since Jim and I started farming in 1976 that we did not have
leafcutter bees and a crop of alfalfa seed. As our business grows it
is hard at times to do a good job of both farming and running Mumm's
Sprouting Seeds, and since leafcutter bees are labour intensive, we
decided to drop them.
We harvested some
cress and broccoli raab, but our dwarf grey sugar peas and hulless
oats crops are under the snow.
WEATHER
CONDITIONS 2004 -
We hate to relay
another sad story of weather and farming here in Saskatchewan. Summer
frosts, cold summer temperatures (the coldest summer here in 96
years!) and an early snowfall, means many farmers will not be
combining some of their crops until spring, if at all.
US CUSTOMS -
The "anti
bio-terrorism act" and all the new customs regulations and costs kept
us busy last summer.
CROP NEWS -
·
Some New Products -
New seeds in the last year
are: crimson clover, fava beans, trapper peas, dill, caraway,
and coriander.
·
Alfalfa, Lentils, and
Clover –Bad
weather both for pollination and harvest will mean that these crops
will be in short supply. Expect to see price increases.
NEW RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
CONFIRMS POSSIBLE ANTI-CANCER BENEFITS OF SPROUT MIX.
Eating 113 g (4 oz)
a day of a mix of alfalfa, red clover, radish, and broccoli sprouts
has been shown to prevent DNA damage.
Published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2004;13(7).
July 2004
We’ve added this mix
to our product line. Ask for our new mix if you are interested in
trying it.
Monsanto has made an application to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
to register a genetically modified variety of alfalfa seed (a herbicide
resistant Round Up Ready variety). This alfalfa, if introduced, will
spread into non-GM crops by cross pollination. It may or may not be
harmful, but consumers and farmers will lose the choice. It is also
scheduled for US release in spring 2005, so complain to your
legislators.
For more information see our website at
http://www.sprouting.com/GMalfalfa.htm.
You can help stop the introduction of genetically modified alfalfa by
writing the Minister of Agriculture and letting him know that
organic farmers do not want their markets and livelihoods destroyed, and
that you don’t want alfalfa sprouts containing Roundup Ready GM genes.
You can write the minister of
agriculture or your MP without postage. Tell him that you don’t
want a GM alfalfa released in Canada.
The address of the Federal Minister of
Agriculture is:
The Honourable Mr. Andy Mitchell
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
You can fax him at 613 759 1081
THANK YOU
We'd like
to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers.
Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes
for the New Year
From
Maggie, Jim, Mel, Lois, Marilyn, and Deanne.
