Welcome to the first edition of the Otago Organics Newsletter which will be coming out four times a year (with the Seasons).  The aim of the newsletter is to inform grower and non-grower members about the scheme and wider organic matters. The format will evolve over time, and the headings are followed by an explanation of what sort of thing will be included.  Any contributions will be gratefully received.  Please email to Linda Duff silverlea3 'at' hotmail 'dot' com

Current organic affairs (Hot Compost!)

Some current issue or who is seen with who!  Completed by a nominated committee member or volunteer. Contributed by Dennis Enright, Otago Organics Chairman and top vege grower:

Organic Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ)

I was lucky to be able to attend the launch of Organic Aotearoa NZ (OANZ) on 5/11/05. I thought that although it was relatively expensive they put together a very good day which began with a breakfast including speaker Peter Segger -  who owns Organic Farm Produce UK, a very large organic food importer -  followed by an expo, official launch ceremony, and seminars and discussion groups throughout the day. There was a dinner and ball held in the Wellington Town Hall in the evening. For me it was a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile day.

While I realize there is likely to be some inhouse politicking, I also have every confidence that this is a very positive move for organics in New Zealand.

The following was taken directly from their web site:

After six years of planning, the new organic umbrella group, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is ready for action.

As the new organic industry representative, OANZ is a coalition of Bio Gro, Soil and Health, the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, the Organic Products Exporters of NZ (OPENZ), Organic Farm NZ, Te Waka Kai Ora, Agriquality and affiliates from the Organic Dairy Producers Group and the Certified Organic Kiwifruit Association.

New Year’s Honour recipient, and Tauranga organic kiwifruit grower, Doug Voss has been selected as chair by the interim council.

From paddock to plate

“This significant milestone for New Zealand’s organic sector is intended to encompass all of organics in New Zealand, from the paddock to the plate, from exporters, researchers, certifiers, educators and community initiatives through to consumers,” said Mr Voss.

Comparable to fashion industry

OANZ’s job will be to steer the $140 million organic sector safely through the next phase of its development.

A key aim will be to ensure New Zealand is recognized nationally and internationally as a world leader in organic systems practice, knowledge and products.

According to OANZ, the oncoming wave of development will be a critical time for the industry, which at 2003 figures, was worth $140 million to New Zealand, $70 million of that through export. 

To put that in perspective, the fashion industry earned at last count (2002) $40 million per year in exports through designer fashions.

New Phase

On this new phase, OANZ says, ”We have been there before, but each time we come to the next level the size of the move is greater.”

A range of organizations currently represent aspects of organics at different levels.

“All these organizations, from small committees to well run dynamic growth entities have helped make the sector what it is today, an important part of the New Zealand economy and social fabric,” said OANZ.

Brendan Hoare, co-convenor of Organic Federation of Aotearoa NZ (OFANZ), the steering committee for OANZ, said: “The collective will to realize our potential is tremendously rewarding. We are organized, committed and ready to go.”

He said the achievement was “no mean feat” and bought together all the skills and talents that the organic community has to offer.

Largest wave

OANZ says the sector now faces the largest wave of growth and development it has ever seen and along with that, challenge from outside the sector.

OANZ’s job would be to pull the various organic interests together to ensure that the sector receives sufficient government funding and backing.

“The other main threat to the sector is of its own success, and not being able to paddle fast enough to catch the wave we see coming, thus allowing others to catch and in fact ride the wave we have created — with no regards to the base tenants that underpin the sector.”

OANZ said the paddling had been taking many forms, paddling separately in small vessels, paddling in different directions, not knowing others were even paddling and so on.

Challenge

Many in the non organic production field saw the sector as a threat to long established marketing campaigns - as has been documented in meat and horticulture journals — and also to research efforts.

They were “paddling straight at us while we are heads down and bums up paddling.”

Unity

The new vessel, OANZ, would be one in which the whole sector could ride, with a lookout and a navigator, but would still enable those paddling to arrive at their individual destinations “having enjoyed the ride of their lives.”

It would be up to the sector to ensure the vessel was strong enough, and able to guide them confidently along the oncoming wave of growth.

The organization’s structure would allow for new member organizations to join up as the ride develops. Its job would be to facilitate information sharing, course setting and co-ordination — not doing all the paddling but leading the chant, said OANZ.

ends

Certification Matters: (Digging Deep!)

Educating all interested people in production rules for the various organic certifiers eg comparison of soil test requirements. This Contribution from Bobb Burton, our Certification Manager.

With four major Organic Production Certification Agencies in NZ, Otago Organics’ delivery of the OrganicFarmNZ organic certification stands out in a number of ways.

Cost is one. As a scheme for certifying organic producers for the domestic market, Otago Organics delivers a high-grade service at a very low cost.

Our commitment to verifying the suitability of our soils for organic production is another. All residue limits used are those set out in the BioGro Production Rules. These limits are in turn just 10% of the ‘safe limit’ imposed by the Food Safety Authority for conventionally produced meat, fruit and vegetables.

Of all the different agencies operating in NZ and of all the regional agencies within the OFNZ umbrella, Otago Organics has in place the most rigorous testing regime of all.

We have long recognized the widespread use of dangerous agricultural chemicals throughout NZ. There are virtually no areas of this land that are not at some risk of past contamination. Otago, with its agricultural and horticultural history is no exception and all of NZ soil types do retain some contaminants.

Otago Organics requires all our growers - at the very beginning of the certification process - to conduct certain soil tests:

- A soil fertility analysis (updated every 2 to 3 years) to show the actual makeup of the soil and to identify any areas of concern or mineral deficiency.

- A multi-residue screen test to identify any contaminants present and whether those detected contaminants are within acceptable limits. This is a comprehensive list of chemicals including DDT, DDD, DDE and a wide range of Organo-chlorine residues.

- And finally, prior to attaining Full certification, a test for Heavy Metals - for the eight most widespread and destructive elements.

The negative health impacts of all the aforementioned residues are well documented.

Our aim is to ensure that consumers who purchase our organic produce are buying the cleanest, safest, healthiest and freshest produce available.

We are what we eat. Literally.

Organic Tips/Did you know…? 

We invite people to send in ideas – recipes to bug control methods, interesting facts..

Worming it out. Did You Know…? Earthworms have been on Earth for over 120 million years. Charles Darwin said of earthworms “It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world.” Cleopatra of ancient Egypt claimed “earthworms are sacred.”

Each earthworm moves approximately 1.5 tonnes of earth each year through its body. Worm casts contain 5 times the nitrogen, 7 times the potash and 1.5 times the calcium that can be found in good topsoil. Earthworms neutralise the pH level of the soil – brought about by the calciferous gland of the earthworm and the buffering action of carbonic acid giving calcium carbonate. The burrowing action of worms mixes the soil layers and allows for water drainage. Worm casts can hold up to nine times their weight in water.

Let us take all steps to encourage these amazing workers in our soil!

Upcoming Events

Otago Organics will organise at least one Field Trip or speaker of interest per quarter.  Details of other important events will be included also.

Otago Organics Members’ Field Trip on Saturday 21st January 2006

1pm – 4pm at Dennis Enright’s property 100 Hagart Alexander Drive, Mosgiel.  Directions:  take the Mosgiel turnoff on SH1, Hagart Alexander Drive is the first right after the railway line.

Dennis is a vegetable grower and has a substantial shade-cloth house.  He also has pigs.  It is a good opportunity to see a soundly established OFNZ certified property.  All welcome. Phone Dennis 4894020.

Soapbox (Get the Pip!)

For anyone who wants to submit an opinion related to organic issues – subject to censor!

A Voice

Interview with some part of the industry. This contribution from Taste Nature, our Dunedin Organic Retailer

We have been asked to give a quick blurb on being an organic food retailer here in Dunedin.  Since 2003, we have built on the original Taste Nature legacy left by John Gadd and the committee – one of strong commitment and loyalty from both growers and consumers.  We continue to grow from this base, with the business’s primary objective to supply good quality, certified organic, staple food to a cross section of the community, firmly in mind.  

We are a member of Otago Organics, as a grower ourselves and as a retailer - an intermediary between growers and the consumers who shop with us.  Our main objective is to lessen the gap between producers and consumers as much as we can and see ourselves as complementary to the Otago Farmers Market in this.  Consumers depend upon the integrity of our labeling system that provides direct information of the grower, their locality, and certification.  However, being able to procure produce and products from local sources is becoming more and more important.

Such produce has to meet certain criteria to meet consumer expectations.  While it is perfectly natural to expect organic food availability to be seasonal, consistency of supply in season is important.  Consumers like to know that they can get the same thing they enjoyed the week before, at least for a few weeks.  For much the same reason, consistency of quality is also important and standards are important in ensuring this.  Certification provides the third party verification that the produce is of the necessary standard.  Competitive pricing is the other necessary ingredient to make this work.

This is where it gets tricky.  When competing with larger growers, who are advantaged by economies of scale, there sometimes doesn’t seem to be much in it for the small grower at the end of the day.  Organics is labour intensive at all stages of the production-consumption cycle and growers need a decent monetary return for their effort.  Careful planning, co-operation, and communication between all aspects of the local organic sector are important in collectively working towards this end.  Otago Organics provides the perfect vehicle for this as it supports local growers and associates working together for mutual benefit.  We are pleased to be asked to contribute to this very first newsletter.

Mark and Rayna Dickson - Taste Nature (2003)

Advertising

Cost $20 First in first served.eg produce, hay, straw, livestock, machinery, equipment etc.

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What have you got that is underutilised and might be used by somebody else in exchange.

We would like people to use this space to declare that they are able to loan to or swap with others eg equipment, labour, services etc.