A skeptical look at organic gardening.

On Thursday evening, 26 June 1990, a large number of members and friends gathered at the University of Canterbury Staff Club in Christchurch, to hear Prof. T.W. Walker, late of Lincoln University, talk on Organic Gardening.

After a brief history of agriculture, and of the contribution made to agricultural production by chemistry in the nineteenth century, Prof. Walker discussed a range of "organic" topics. Compost, in his view, is a "Good Thing"; so are inorganic fertilizers, added to the soil to supply plants' needs for potassium, sulphur, and trace elements. He poked gentle fun at the inconsistencies of "organic gardeners", and the tortuous arguments used in deciding which of these "chemicals" to accept and which to reject. His strongest condemnation he aimed at the "biodynamic" school of agriculture, the followers of Rudolf Steiner. Their practices are wildly paranormal, and lack any experimental verification.

Among non-members present was the teacher-in-charge of the Organic Gardening course at Christchurch Polytechnic, and at the invitation of the Chair, she spoke briefly about herself. A lively discussion ensued, which continued during supper after the meeting closed.