HOGS has had a few big events over the past couple of months - August was the AGM and our 45th Birthday celebration, September was the Living Smart Festival and October is the Sustainable Garden Trail. So, this November we decided, as a few HOGS members are already attending this special event, that we would meet up here and support this event at Organic Feast on the 3rd November.

Any HOGS members wishing to attend will need to book and pay as per instructions below.

Did you know? Legislation is being developed at government and corporate level to change the definition of what constitutes safe and healthy food?

Plans are in motion for “biotech” synthetic and lab grown foodstuffs to replace our traditional natural food systems. Forget nutritious locally sourced organic produce grown in healthy living soil and think lab grown foodstuffs and genetically modified organisms. Does that sound safe and healthy to you?

This legislation is being developed under the guise of addressing climate and environmental concerns.

But there is another way forward!

Sunday 3rd November 10am-1pm

Organic Feast Cnr Lawes & William St, East Maitland

Cost: $20 morning & light lunch provided

Enrolments:
email info@fostertonfarm.com.au / 0407 457 649 or pay at Organic Feast

Join us for this event with keynote speaker, Kate Mason - Social Ecologist & Researcher.

Kate will discuss:

- The synthetic and patented transformation of our food systems proposed by government and private initiatives

- Implications for our health and food sovereignty if patented synthetic food is our future

- Integrity of our ecosystem and natural and farming environments

Hear from our local contributors:

Ben Sharp, Regenerative farming consultant and horticulturist.

- Healthy growing environment from the soil up

- Regenerating your existing farm or growing system to improve quality and production costs.

Amorelle Dempster, Slow Food Hunter Valley Leader

- Supporting local farmers and growers

Brent Fairns, owner Organic Feast

- Issues related to retailing organic food

Loo Boothroyd, one of the founding members of Dungog Local Growers Stall

- The benefits of establishing a local growers group

Sponsored by: Slow Food Hunter Valley, Organic Feast, Fosterton Biodynamic Farm

Dianella Animal Sanctuary 

A shared field day between H.O.G.S and our L.E.T.S friends found us surrounded by a multitude of re-homed roosters, jostling, strutting, crowing and fighting over their own little patch of land. The roosters were spectacular in physical appearance, proudly displaying and promoting their plumage that embodies strength of spirit and a soft spot within!

Dianella Animal Sanctuary is situated on 32 hectares near Maitland, NSW. Our host Kathy Isherwood graciously opened her sanctuary for a field day visit to once again demonstrate her dedication, commitment and love toward her animals and birds that warms your heart in admiration for a tireless, hardworking and devoted women. Kathys main plan was to rehabilitate the bush & protect this sanctuary as a conservation area in perpetuity. This has been achieved with most of the 32 hectares covered by this conservation plan.

The sanctuary is home to animals of all kin, shape and size that have arrived through rescue, surrender or abandonment from as close as local homes to far away animal carers south of Sydney and beyond. We spent part of our day touring the sanctuary, feeding the cow, sheep, goats and hungry pigs. Their spacious enclosure and dams giving them freedom to roam in a natural setting, living their best, free and spared second chance at life.

We helped with a little planting and garden maintenance amid the zoetic, greening food forest that blankets the rustic blue metal winding road that cuts through the property dividing the animals but not their vitality. Then, a slow lunch sharing stories of life, friendship, growing and our appreciation towards Kathy and her selfless journey of sacrifice that she – “likes to believe that will leave the property, & the animals that call it home in a much improved state”. Any warm-hearted, caring animal loving folk who have a little time on their hands to spare. It would be a godsend for Kathy - to help by growing a little occasional surplus food or rescuing food from supermarkets, that would be a special treat for the grand and grateful animals that call Dianella …… “home”.

By Stephen Griffin

Nellinda Street Farm

Australian Assassin Bugs - Watch Out!

   Rain forests, those lush and vibrant havens of biodiversity, shelter secrets that have fascinated scientists, healers and explorers for 100’s of years. With an estimated 80,000 – 100,000 different plant species found in global rain forests, these species represent a staggering diversity, ranging from towering canopy trees to delicate orchids and vibrant under story vegetation.

   Rain forests play a vital role in maintaining the health of our planet, with their significance underscored by compelling statistics. These ecosystem stats. are as follows:

* home to over half of the world’s plant and animal species, despite covering only 6% of the Earth’s land surface.

* act as carbon sinks, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and regulating the global climate.

* provide essential ecosystem services, like purifying air and water.

* regulating rainfall patterns.

* preventing soil erosion.

   Beyond their awe-inspiring beauty lies a treasure trove of plant species with profound medicinal, culinary and cultural significance. From life-saving medicines to exotic spices and traditional beverages, rain forests offer a cornucopia of resources that enrich our lives in many ways, including supporting the livelihoods of millions of people, and are a source of countless medicinal plants. For generations, indigenous peoples have turned to rain forest plants for remedies for ailments ranging from fevers to cancer. Today, modern medicine continues to unlock the therapeutic potential of these botanical wonders.

   For example: Quinine derived from the bark of the Cinchona officinalis tree centuries-old wisdom meets modern science in this potent anti-malarial drug. Similarly, vinblastine and vincristine, sourced from the Madagascar periwinkle – Catharanthus roseus - have revolutionised cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients battling leukaemia and lymphoma. And, that’s not all: Curare – Strychnos toxifera – muscle relaxant. Anti-cancer prowess of paclitaxel derived form the Pacific Yew tree - Taxus brevifolia. The tranquillising effects of reserpine form the Indian snakeroot – Rauwolfia serpentina.

   The list goes on. Each discovery is a testament to the untapped potential of these bio diverse ecosystems. Beyond the medicinal prowess, rain forests tantalise our taste buds with an array of exotic flavours and aromas. From the subtle sweetness of vanilla – Vanilla planifolia, then the fiery kick of black pepper – Piper nigrum.

   Rain forest spices have found their way into kitchens around the world adding depth and complexity to culinary creations. Cinnamon – comes from the inner bark of several tree species belonging to the genus

Cinnamomum. Cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum. Ginger comes from the rhizome of Zingiber officinale and cloves from the dried flower buds of the clove tree – Syzygium aromaticum. Nutmeg and mace come from the seeds and aril (an extra seed covering, typically coloured and hairy or fleshy) of the nutmeg tree – Myristica fragrans, which is native to the Banda Islands in Indonesia, a region with rain forest habitat – their aromatic allure evokes distant lands and ancient traditions, weaving a taspestry of flavour that trancends borders and cultures.

   There is more, and that is in the form of fruits.  For example:

Mangoes – Mangifera indica

Papaya    – Carica papaya

Bananas  - Musa acuminata

All offer a tropical treat.

Nuts and Seeds: Brazil nuts – Bertholletia excelsa

                            Macadamia nuts from Macadamia spp

                            Cocoa or chocolate derived from the seeds of the

                            cacao tree – Theobroma cacao

Provide a nutritious boost to our diets, especially for the dark chocolate overs out there. Also root vegetables like taro and cassava sustain communities with their hearty goodness, while beverages like cocoa and coffee offer a rich and invigorating experience for the senses.

   And, even more. Several rain forest species contribute to the production of perfumes. Aromatic compounds are extracted from their flowers, leaves, resins and fruits. The species involved include:

- ylang-ylang – Canangra odorata. A key ingredient in the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume.

- patchouli – Pogostemon cablin – an herbaceous plant from Southeast Asia, known for its earthy scent.

- The root of Vetiver – Chrysopogon zizanoides,a grass native to India, Indonesia, and Australia.

These species are essential in perfumery, often serving as base, fixative or middle notes, adding depth and character to fragrances.

   Yet beyond their touchable gifts, rain forests hold a deeper significance for indigenous peoples around the world. These ecosystems are not just a source of sustenance but a sacred space where traditions are preserved, and connections to the land are forged. For indigenous communities, the rain forest is more than just a storehouse of resources – it is a living, breathing entity that sustains life in all its forms.

   If you fancy a trip to Sydney this month, the Royal Botanic Gardens will have a display in the Calyx called, Alchemy of a Rainforest. This display will take you through the rich and diverse ecosystems of the Australian rain forest, from the canopy to the forest floor.

   Deforestation, climate change and unsustainable practices threaten not only the biodiversity of rain forests but the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. We must support conservation and sustainable practices, so we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where the wonders of rain forests continue to inspire and enrich our lives.

   So, if you have space, plant a food forest as a rain forest ecosystem, or just plant one or two species you have the space for.

By Di Powell

HOGS Member

Adapted from The Gardens magazine RBG, Syd.

Comfrey - Symphytum officinale

Symphytum officinale Knitbone, Knitback, Boneset, Bruisewort, Gum plant, Church bells, Isaac and Jacob, Saracen Root. It says a lot about the plant that it has this many names and each name tells us about its uses. Symphytum means heal together and comfrey has many healing benefits Arthritis, boils, bronchitis all the way to varicose veins. Officinale, when you see that at the end of a name it means the plant has medicinal qualities and for Comfrey these are Anti- inflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Expectorant and Vulnerary.

Knitbone, knitback and boneset all tell us about why Comfrey has had a long history. Dioscorides described using it for wounds, broken bones and bruising back in the 1st century AD. It continues today to be used for therapeutic purposes as in sprains, fractures and is used in compress, poultice, cream and ointments. Even in the bath for dry skin, itchy skin and skin problems. 

Isaac and Jacob, Church bells don’t ring for Comfrey’s qualities they talk about the flowers. You may have only seen purple flowers but depending on what Comfrey we are talking about they could be purple, blue, pink or white. Church Bells describes the shape of them. Saracen Root tells us about the history of Comfrey. It was the Crusaders who first introduced the plant to Britain, and they named it after the Muslims they were fighting against. 

Comfrey belongs to the Borage family and there is S Uplandicum, S Ibericum, S Hidcote Blue. The S Ibericum is a dwarf variety with white flowers. Hidcote Blue was grown for its blue flowers. S Uplandicum is Russian Comfrey, that would be the one we are most familiar with. Comfrey can be grown in sun, semi shade or shade depending on the climate. It will grow to 90cm high and same wide. It grows from a central root. 

The leaves are long and shaped like ass ears which explains how it got that name. The leaves are used for tea, dried, poultices, compresses. The root is used for ointments, creams, and is the main part used for healing.  But it also helps other plants grow by making available nutrients from deep soil. The leaves also can be used for liquid manure. They also provide animal food. 

Have you thought of using Comfrey for your hair? The root is used for dandruff, dry hair, dry scalp, scalp irritation and even for normal hair. It is quite varied in its uses, and we haven’t covered them all. There is so much more about Comfrey like how do you propagate it? Usually by root cuttings any little bit of the root will grow.

It is such a beautiful and useful plant for growing. This article scratches the surface of its beauty and usefulness. Did I mention that you can make a tincture of it and use that? I could write a book about Comfrey. 

Mike Lorraine

That Herb Guy

HOGS Vice President

Current Committee Members

President - Steve Griffin

Vice President - Mike Lorraine

General Secretary - Gerda Maeder

Treasurer - Tracey Evans

Membership Officer - Jesse Kelso

Newsletter Editor - Melissa Fogarty

Website Manager - Will Power

Social Media & Publicity - Jesse Kelso

Events - Helen Reynolds, Mike Lorraine, Jesse Kelso, Tracey Evans, Steve Griffin

General Committee - Helen Reynolds

Public Officer - Barbara Nudd

Hunter Organic Growers Society

hunterorganicgrowerssociety@gmail.com​