March 2022 Update - Organic Sector Strategy Action Groups
2022-2025 ORGANIC SECTOR FOCUS
There are many ways in which the sector can respond to the opportunities and challenges it faces. Following the principles of organics, the health of the environment and of people will always be integral to the business. For the organic sector, how it grows is as important as growth itself. Growth in the organic sector will enrich our whenua (lands) and our hapori (communities) as much as producers, brand owners, exporters and others engaged in the organic ecosystem.
The organic sector is committed to addressing massive environmental issues facing the world today, be it climate change, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, or polluted waterways, while at the same time feeding people healthy food.
Focusing on the next three years, several projects have been selected for their potentially significant impact in a short period of time. These projects have been highlighted as those that will benefit our climate and environment the most in the shortest period. OANZ is facilitating seven strategy action groups to kick start the priority projects, with five of the seven action groups launched in March, over the next six months, 80 volunteers from across the country will work towards implementing the strategy.
Each month OANZ will cover these sector-wide projects via this blog. We'll keep you informed of essential information, progress, timelines, etc. Check out the first update below.
Anyone from the sector can join a group at any time, if you have a passion for organics and skills you'd like to share we invite you to learn more by emailing tiffany@oanz.org or a specific project below resonates, click ‘join group’. Read the full Organic Sector Strategy HERE.
Project: Establish an organic farmer extension programme.
Purpose: Create a specific organic programme that focuses on solutions for organic agriculture.
Update: The first kick-off meeting introduced group members to each other, reviewed Jon Manhire's group presentation from 25 November 2021, and determined group leadership.
A draft plan for the group is under development on how OANZ can support the development of extension services for organic growers. The draft plan will be shared with the group and, upon approval, will guide the group's work plan for the next few months before it formally reports back to OANZ.
The next meeting will take place around Easter.
Group leadership: Chair - Jon Manhire (The AgriBusiness Group), Secretary - Christina Robinson (Zespri- Global Extension Lead Sustainability).
Project: Create an organic ecosystem database
Purpose: Create a national database for organic resources
Update: The first kick-off meeting introduced group members to each other, discussed the various directories already in use, and emphasised the need for more producer input.
The group will start working on further identifying the purpose of the database. A potential two-pronged approach to looking at the project includes 1) focusing on knowledge and 2) creating a community or support network. The next meeting will be held in early April.
Group Leadership: TBD
Project: Build partnerships and collaborations between the organic sector and other agricultural industries and farmer-owned organisations to increase R&D, innovation and technology development
Purpose: Build upon and develop multi-level partnerships with farmer levy organisations.
Update: The group's next meeting will allow members to get to know each other and discuss what is missing from the current list of objectives as outlined in the strategy.
Group Leadership: Chair - Monique Bartosh (Soil and Health, National Council), Secretary - Gaz Ingram (Farmlands)
Project: Create collaborations between the organic sector and government.
Purpose: Develop deeper inroads into government to inform the benefits the organic sector provides New Zealand.
Update: The kick-off meeting will be on 30 March at 10:00 am via Zoom.
Project: Explore and develop better funding models for the sector
Purpose: Without levy funding, the sector's ability to engage the wider agricultural sector, research institutes, and the government are limited.
Announcement: There has been a lack of registrations for this group. If you are interested in engaging with OANZ on this topic, please get in touch with Tiffany Tompkins via the button below.
Project: Support the development and implementation of the Organic Products Bill, standards and regulations
Purpose: With work on the standard and regulations underway, the sector must communicate best practices and maintain that the new regime is fit-for-purpose.
Update: The first meeting established the group's purpose - to act at a high level, ensure that work on the regulations and the standard progresses, and feed into the OANZ Technical Committee. This group creates the opportunity for the sector to become engaged in developing the standards (priority) and the regulations (secondary).
The group is open to anyone in the sector. The group wishes to invite others to join the group to have significant representation across organics.
The second meeting will be held on 24 March at 1:30 pm via Zoom.
Group Leadership: Chair - Derek Broadmore, Secretary - Claire Bleakley
Project: Increase consumer recognition of organic as an effective environmental and nutritional solution
Purpose: Identify the sector's "WHY". Determine how best to communicate organics to consumers, farmers and the government.
Update: This group has had two meetings, with a third meeting occurring next week on 29 March at 10 - 11 am via Zoom.
Group discussions have focused on 1) where we want to be and 2) understanding where we are now relating to how the sector communicates organics to consumers.
The group will meet fortnightly on Tuesdays at 10 am.
Group Leadership: Chair - Robyn Vickery (BioGro, Marketing & Communications Manager), Secretary - Marion Wood (Commonsense Organics & Soil and Health Association)
