Late this month, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) released findings from their 2011 Organic Industry Survey. One such finding points out that the organic industry grew to a whopping $28.6 billion+ in 2010.

This is huge news, considering the flat growth experienced by many other segments of the economy. More impressive than growth alone, is that the organic industry experienced healthy growth, with some sectors of the organic market growing nearly 8% in 2010, while even other sectors of the organic industry experienced growth of well over 30%.

Honestly, I do find organics infinitely more enthralling than weddings, even royal weddings - but I'll admit that I may be the only one ;)

Still, with all the royal wedding shenanigans going on, this is an excellent time for all organic advocates to take a moment to be thankful for Prince Charles - possibly one of the most well-known organic advocates in the world. Although people haven't always taken his organic goals seriously. In fact, the Prince revealed in one interview early this year, that when he first made the decision to go organic people questioned whether he was in his right mind or not.

Now we know that the Prince was way ahead of his time. Back in 2002 he wrote Highgrove, which discussed the benefits of environmentally savvy farming and gardening. Later he wrote The Elements of Organic Gardening.

Most recently he released Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, a book in which the Prince of Wales shared his views on mankind's disharmony with nature and how that may be the reason for many of our ills. I haven't read The Elements of Organic Gardening, but I have read the other two and I think Harmony is a must read for anyone interested in sustainability. Seriously a MUST READ. Prince Charles is an excellent organic and eco-advocate.

With all the royal wedding news going on, has Prince Charles and his organic mindset been on your mind too? Have you read his books - and if so what did you think?

Image ©Garrison Photography via sxc.

Looking for a job in the organic industry? If so, I've got some new organic employment opportunities posted in the organic business forum that you might want to check out.

Good luck. Oh, and if you've got a legitimate organic-minded job opportunity available, feel free to post said job in the forum too.

Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., just announced their latest spirits venture - American Harvest certified organic vodka.

According to Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc.:

"American Harvest is handcrafted in small batches from organic winter wheat grown on a family owned and sustainably managed American farm. It is distilled and bottled in Rigby, Idaho using water from aquifers deep beneath the Snake River plain. The result is a distinctly smooth and silky spirit with a crisp, clean taste. American Harvest is the creation of Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., a third generation family business that is 100% US owned and operated."

The American Harvest Distillery is independently owned and operated and is USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. As per organic standards, this vodka is free from artificial additives or preservatives. It's produced with a continuous column distillation process and charcoal filtration to ensure the integrity and purity of the spirit.

American Harvest will be available beginning May 2011 in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon and South Carolina. Bottled in the 1.75L, 1L, 750ml and 50ml sizes, the suggested retail price for 750ml is $23.99.

The American Harvest website looks like a work in progress, but you can check it out and bookmark it for later.

Photo ©markmiller via morgueFile