Getting to Grips with Certification

A Quick Guide to the OrganicFarmNZ Certification

Published in “Organic NZ” March/April 2004

OrganicFarmNZ is a low cost certification scheme designed for small domestic market suppliers that can’t afford or don’t warrant the cost of export orientated schemes such as Bio-Gro, while still reaching the same standards.

Developed by the Soil & Health Association in 2002/03 it’s intended to encourage and support new organic growers, and nurture new enterprises, thereby helping to reduce unemployment.

The scheme involves a (minimum) three-year programme:

C0 = Registration year
C1 = Conversion year 1
C2 = Conversion year 2
OFNZ = Fully certified.

Three years allows for the establishment of a solid organic system, e.g. establishment of a bio-diverse sward in an orchard, and of course for the gradual reduction on the property of any prohibited chemical residues that might have been previously used on the property. It also ensures the producer understands the Standards and how to apply them.

In the OrganicFarmNZ system, the transition from C0 to C1, C1 to C2 and C2 to fully certified is usually marked by peer reviews of the properties – that is, reviews by neighbouring members of OrganicFarmNZ, with the documentation checked by a regional certification committee and an independent auditor.

Reviews may also be done on an individual basis.

If necessary, the reviewers will give the producers Corrective Action Requirements (CARs), for example, giving more feedback on their Property Management Plans (PMPs), or removing obnoxious items from the property, enhancing biodiversity, having product tested for chemical residue, etc. The CARs ensure the organic process is maintained and that the Producer remains operating within the boundaries of the Standards. Some members are able to run their properties without needing any corrective actions at all.

The reviews are also an opportunity to see how intentions stated in the PMP are being implemented on a year-by-year basis.

The system is intended to be both supportive and instructive, rather than deflating and invasive.

Evidence of how the system works to assist producers can be seen in the reports of regional producer groups (“pods”), and individual enterprises commonly featured in Organic NZ.