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CNOFNZ Newsletter - July 06
Editorial Kia Ora , welcome to the first edition of the Central Northland Organics newsletter. I’m editing this first newsletter (with Pip who’s doing the formatting computer part) to get it off the ground. I’d like one of you to help with the next one and then work with Pip from then on to put these out. I’m very excited to have this group up and running. We’ve needed an organics support group in this area for a long time. I’ve never gone to Auckland for field days or to Whangarei for that matter. It’s too far! We are essentially here to support each other on our journeys into organics, however the group also has the ability to audit the certification process for OrganicFarm N Z members in this area. We have a skilled and staunch committee who has already done a lot of ground work to get this organization off the ground smoothly and effectively as you will see by the articles in this newsletter, the website already up, the newsletter and the field days which proved an overwhelming success on the very first one! The best thing about the field days perhaps is that it gives us a space to get to know each other and share info and skills. If you have ideas for future workshops or field days please let us know – email Jane (secretary). If you would like to receive copies of the minutes of the committee meetings please email Jane and ask to be put on the list. Note we are running a logo competition. CENTRAL NORTHLAND ORGANICS needs a great logo, the winner will receive a prize. Not sure what yet but it will be a good one! See you at our place in July Arohanui Kay
Want to Join? Annual Membership Fee for CNO is only $20 per property* For more information contact the Secretary - Jane Dennis, Tirn Aill Farm, 165b Porter Road, RD1, Paparoa. Phone 09 4316133 *(This does not include certification costs) A Word From The Chair….. By Kevin Hartung. A very big welcome to this first edition of our newsletter. The Central Northland OrganicFarmNZ region has been established at a very exciting time for organics in this country. The market for organically certified products continues to grow rapidly both here and abroad. The low cost certification option provided by OrganicFarmNZ is proving to be a winner for smaller growers and suppliers. To cap it all off, we have an increasing number of people who are prepared to commit their time and energy towards building the infrastructure that is taking organics to the next level in New Zealand. Your committee is proud to be part of this process. Central Northland may be the youngest OrganicFarmNZ regional body in the country, but plans have been made and actions are underway to enable us to meet our aims:
The Central Northland regional body is committed to each of these aims. Please feel free to communicate any views, needs or concerns you may have to any member of our committee and you will be heard. Our success is dependent on your involvement and we look forward to interacting with everyone in this region who shares our interest in organics and/or organic farming. Some of our plans are reported elsewhere in this newsletter. The OrganicFarmNZ website at www.organicfarm.org.nz will shortly include more information about the Central Northland region. I hope to hear from you. I hope to see you. Working together we will add value. Regards Kevin
A Quick Profile Kevin Hartung, Chairperson, Central Northland OFNZ Regional Body. Kevin is a fairly recent arrival in Northland, and in the agricultural community. After almost 25 years in the corporate world, working across three continents, Kevin and wife Pat decided to plant their roots in their own piece of paradise. After exploring the eastern seaboard of Australia, close to their home in Sydney, and the North Island in New Zealand, Kevin says there was no uncertainty about which offered the better life. The purchase of a Macadamia business on the outskirts of Whangarei was the start of a new and completely different life for both Kevin and Pat. Kevin describes himself as a ‘refugee’ from the corporate life and much prefers the quiet of the macadamia orchards to the continual travel and meetings he experienced as a director for the Asia-Pacific region with a major British multinational. “Organic” was only a supermarket label to Kevin prior to jumping in at the deep end with the purchase of 16 acres and a property that had been managed organically for almost 30 years. Kevin was an early adopter of the OFNZ certification, and after three certification audits and much input from many more knowledgeable growers he now feels he is starting to move up the learning curve. Kevin has a clear vision about the way ahead for organics in New Zealand. In his view, the biggest challenge facing the organics sector is achieving critical mass in the mainstream market. The only way we can get close to the government goal of $1 billion in organic sales by 2013 is for more growers and producers to find ways of building profitable organic business operations with or without getting a premium price for their products. Unfortunately, says Kevin, consumers don’t pay for the strength of our belief in what we are doing. They do, however, pay for healthy food that is readily available at a competitive price, and are increasingly doing so both in New Zealand and globally. Kevin is optimistic that the growth of OFNZ across the country is a clear signal of where the organic sector is going, and he is committed to facilitating this development. Certainly there are many challenges ahead, but Kevin believes the OFNZ model is an ideal structure for overcoming these challenges in a coherent and consensual manner: “The expertise and energy of our members is the key to our success, and I am looking forward to being part of this vibrant community”.
Certification Manager’s Report by Julia Geljon This is intended to be a regular feature of the newsletter where I’ll give a brief overview of what’s been happening in the region in relation to properties becoming certified. I have now received from both Auckland and the Far North, everyone’s paperwork from previous audits. This is very helpful for reviewing this year's PMP’s (property management plan) as it clearly indicates requests for any outstanding issues such as off farm input certificates or restricted inputs permission forms. Please remember that permission must be sought from the CM in advance of using restricted inputs. If you expect to be using something from this category, write it on the form. I would also like to remind people that Round-Up is a prohibited input not a restricted one and as such does not qualify for use whatever the quantities. If there is some extreme case where parts of a property suffer invasion by a noxious weed the owner may apply for a derogation to use a prohibited substance. This is considered on a case by case basis, usually with reference to the National Body, and of course has some impact on the certification status of the land in question. This season’s PMPs are coming in and Chris will be continuing audits over the next few weeks. We look forward to receiving applications from new members whenever they feel able to complete their Property Management Plans. These and many other useful documents such as guidelines and the OFNZ standards are available on (y)our OFNZ website. www.organicfarm.org.nz If not sure about an input or need assistance with a PMP please call me on 09 4319121 or email gaia@xnet.co.nz. This could save you, the CM and/or Auditor valuable time later.
CNO’s first Field Trip By Kay Baxter We held our first field trip to Chris and Julia’s property on Mountain road, We checked out the stunning lowland native bush, quite rare around the Kaipara, their goats and their Dexter cows they are using for cleaning up the paddocks after the goats. It was very relaxed sunny!!!! day with over 30 people in attendance and loads of information shared. We had a guest speaker from Agriessentials who produce Rok Solid (certified organic fertiliser) who not only happens to have an excellent product but he was also a great speaker. Fun informative and knowledgable. Koanga Gardens now stocks 25kg bags and 5kg buckets of Rok Solid).
Field Day/Workshop at the Koanga Whare By Kay Baxter Sunday July 23rd , 10:30 am – 3:00pm Our next outing is a workshop led by Bob Corker of Sustainable Habitats. We’ll follow the format which was very successful at Chris and Julia’s which is to begin with a cup of tea and a circle so well all get to know each other and what we’re all up to. Followed by a talk from Bob on the principles of Sustainable Design, followed by a shared lunch after which Bob will be happy to discuss your own issues with you if you bring maps and photos. This will be done with the whole group. If we consider it to be dry enough Kay and Bob will take you for a quick trip around their house site afterwards. Bring: Something for the bring and buy table (anything organic from your property that you’d like to sell – 10% will go to the organization- and something for a shared lunch. (If you drive past the shop, through the nursery you will see parking signs).
Field Trip to David Colley’s By Julia Geljon Sunday September 19th, 10:30am – 3:00pm The property is 8 hectares and is a former deer farm on which ferrets have also been raised. It is probably a good example of what not to do, with some projects having worked well. The main crops which I have tried commercially are Macadamias, Olives, Passionfruit & Water Chestnuts (no longer growing). Timber trees have been planted (Pines, Eucalypts, Cypresses & a few others) and there are a number of different fruit trees for domestic use. The property is situated on the Taiharuru harbour, east of Whangarei & contains areas of attractive native bush. The house is somewhat unusual. Directions - take the road from Whangarei through the suburb of Onerahi and get onto to the road to Whangarei Heads/Pataua South. After about 12 or 15 minutes you will come to the Parua Bay Garage on your left with the Parua Bay Primary School on your right. Continue on the road heading to Pataua South. About 5.5 km past the Parua Bay Garage is Beasley Road - the sealed road takes a 90 degree left turn but you continue straight ahead into Beasley Rd. Approximately 800 metres up the road on the right is my property - there is the name COLLEY on a piece of wood nailed to the fence & you drive up off the road & follow the driveway to the house. It would be a good idea if you could get an indication of the numbers attending closer to the time so that arrangements can be made for parking, which is a little limited.
In other news... Audits done so far - Congratulations to Kevin and Kay who have Full Certification and to Jane who is on the first rung of the ladder. Joe, Wendy and Robert, Sarah, Greg and Jeni have also just had their audits which are currently being evaluated by the certification committee. Welcome to new members - In the following newsletters we’ll print a list of all the new members so you can see who’s in your area. Resource Directory - We are compiling a resource directory for the use of our members. If you know of any resource that could be useful please email or phone Jane. Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) The Government has provided $2 million funding for the operation of an Organic Advisory Programme for the next three years. The programme will focus on:
The organisation has been operational since May 2006. For more information see the OANZ website.
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Kaiwaka. They have been living on the property for six months and have begun the certification process for the property and intend milking Saanen goats, making cheese, and producing chevron sausages. They also grow garlic, make garlic sauce, and soap, all of which they sell. A certified organic kitchen is on the way. 