OANZ February BUZZ Newsletter
Kia ora tātou from the Chair
With many important irons in the proverbial fire, OANZ continues to help progress the organic industry with a host of timely projects.
The ongoing Market Report is heading towards completion and the recent funding OANZ received from MPI allows us to move forward with a new major project, the development of an organic sector strategy.
The Market Report launch will be held on 26 March in Auckland. This important event brings us together to learn the facts about our sector's growth and opportunities, and to celebrate our successes.
It is crucial to have a strong sector representation at the day's facilitated workshops. Your attendance is needed for valuable insights and input so we can work together to create our sector strategy and continue to grow together. Space is limited, so secure your tickets here.
I was saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Peter Downard. Peter was a champion of local and regional economies. He was an early adopter, leader and pioneer of Organic Farm NZ and contributed to the formation of OANZ. Our thoughts are with Peter's wife Dyan and family at this time.
As the winds of uncertainty brought on by another round of COVID restrictions blow across the country, it's is a timely reminder to be kind to each other. Many of our organic colleagues will have been affected, so let's try to support each other as best we can.
Chris Morrison – Chair
T: 027 548 1293
E: chris@oanz.org
2020/21 Market Report Launch
Join OANZ for a full-day, participatory event that promises to deliver inspirational information, collect insights to identify a meaningful pathway forward and celebrate our diversity and success.
This unique and exciting event will help shape the future of Aotearoa's organic industry. Your valued input and guidance in the facilitated sector strategy workshops are needed to help grow the organic sector and move forward together.
The day will focus on two key areas:
Launch of the 2020/21 New Zealand Organic Sector Market Report
The Market Report gives us an in-depth understanding of New Zealand’s organic market and value chain, and identifies opportunities where the sector can grow.
Strategy Workshops: Crafting our Shared Organic Future
Working together, we will identify shared opportunities and challenges within and around the organic sector, and begin the work of establishing a clear pathway to ensure its continued growth.
Followed by a two-hour celebration of all things organic to network and toast to our diversity, collective achievements and a revived sense of purpose and unity.
We look forward to seeing you there!
OANZ RECEIVES FUNDING FOR ORGANIC SECTOR STRATEGY
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to advise it has successfully gained $212,500 funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund, to go towards developing a three-year organic sector strategy. The total project was costed at $376k and MPI’s contribution is extremely welcome. The balance is made up of cash and sector in-kind contribution.
A MIGHTY TOTARA HAS FALLEN
Organic kiwifruit grower and orchard manager, Peter Downard passed away on 13th February 2021, aged 71. Peter was a respected steward of Aotearoa's organic community and played a significant role in developing the country's organic sector, especially kiwifruit growing in the Waikato region. He helped steer the sector by serving on many Boards; he contributed to the formation of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand; he served on Soil & Health's National Council, and was the first Chair of OrganicFarmNZ's national committee.
A Celebration of Peter's life will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Friday, 19th February 2021 at 11 am followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to St John Ambulance would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Downard family, P O Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840. Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ.
Our thoughts are with Peter's family and friends at this sad time. He will be greatly missed.
ORGANIC SECTOR'S CLIMATE CHANGE SUBMISSION: OANZ NEEDS YOUR INPUT
The Climate Change Commission's Advice Report is out and OANZ plans to write a submission on behalf of the Organic Sector.
To do this, we need your input.
OANZ will collate thinking from across the sector to:
Create a consolidated submission on behalf of the Organic Sector,
Help amplify individual submissions from across the sector,
Use the submission to inform various Government entities about how the organic industry is helping NZ reach its climate goals.
We ask that individual submissions and/or notes about the Climate Change Commission's report be sent to Deputy Chair, Tiffany Tompkins, by 26 Feb.
An OANZ Member meeting will be held via Zoom on 3 March at 12:00 - 1:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to review OANZ draft submission prior to the 14 March deadline. Zoom details to follow.
WATCH NOW: OANZ 'REGENERATIVE FINANCE' WEBISODE
Thank you to everyone who registered for our recent webisode 'Regenerative Finance,' with special guests Robyn O'Brien and Mike Taitoko, as part of the OANZ Speaker Series.
You can now view it on the OANZ website here.
MEMBER NEWS
Kōkako's third, bi-annual Sustainability Report 2020 communicates the impact of the company's operations on critical sustainability issues, including how their business practices contribute to the UN's Sustainable Developing Goals. The report is available here.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) is offering several scholarships that are open to New Zealand students and trainees who have a special interest in the fruit or vegetable industry and are undergoing significant industry training or education. Visit HortNZ for more information.
One of the great pleasures of undertaking the Market Report is engaging with such a diverse community dedicated to growing organic in NZ. Our organic community spans the full spectrum from home and community gardeners, those focussed on delivering local and regional food, collectives, cooperatives, family-run businesses, exporters, large commercial concerns as well as a full suite of service providers - all with a dedicated customer base committed to health and creating a better world.
Weaving that complexity into a meaningful piece of work is the effort of an equally diverse and talented team. We are very fortunate to have researchers, communication specialists, critical thinkers, fundraisers, relationship and project managers with an in-depth understanding of organic systems approaches to help us get to grips of where the whole organic sector is strategically required to grow. And so the first draft of this work is done and the Board are now digesting the results, findings and insights.
What we do know from the results is that the great work we are doing in NZ matches a global expectation where protecting the health and interest of society and the planet is the norm. With eight decades of practical expertise and supporting knowledge we are clearly part of the solution we have all been waiting for. We also have the answers for society's demand for healthier choices as we produce food that is free of pesticides and chemicals and produced using methods that are in harmony with wider demands for biodiversity enhancement, water quality, mitigating climate change and wider sustainability goals.
We now need your help to get the next steps for the whole sector right. To do so we are excited to invite you to participate in our Market Report Launch and Sector Strategy Workshops on 26 March 2021 in Auckland.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Platinum: Ceres Organics, Countdown, Fonterra, Foodstuffs
Gold: KPMG, Lewis Road Creamery
Silver: AsureQuality, BioGro, Organic Winegrowers NZ, NZ Winegrowers
Bronze: BioDynamic Gardening and Farming Association, Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust, Chantal Organics, Commonsense Organics, IncaFe, Jersey Girl Organics, Kings Seeds, Organic Traders Association NZ, Pāmu, Selling Solutions, Zespri
Pledges: Berrysmith Foundation, Organic Farm NZ
ORGANIC NEWS
Commission’s First Draft Advice Published and Consultation Open. Commission Chair says the advice is ambitious but realistic and makes a clear case for taking immediate and decisive action on climate change. Submissions Due 14 March 2021!
New Zealand Vegan Milk Factory to Boost Nation’s Economy. In a national first, a New Zealand vegan milk factory will enable the growing, milling, and processing of oats into milk.
Organic Produce Sales Growth Tops 14% in 2020. US organic produce sales rose more than 20% in the spring of 2020, according to June data from the Organic Trade Association.
Landowners Concerned Roadside Weed Work Could Affect Region's Honey Exports to Japan. Marlborough Sounds landowners with mānuka and kānuka trees are concerned about roadside weed spraying, and the effect it could have on honey exports to Japan.
Living the Dream Down on the Farm. Named after its location in Shaggery Rd in the Motueka Valley, Little Shaggery Farm is a delightful 60 acre BioGro certified organic farm with an orchard, berry garden, small vineyard, vegetable gardens and woodlots.
Evidence Mounts That Eco-Friendly Wine Tastes Better. Certified organic French wines rated higher by experts, UCLA-led study finds. The difference in quality is apparent for wines that certified organic by a third-party accreditation services.
Calculation of External Climate Costs for Food Highlights Inadequate Pricing of Animal Products. Although the agricultural sector is globally a main emitter of greenhouse gases, thorough economic analysis of environmental and social externalities has not yet been conducted.
If We Want Better Enforcement and More Clarity on Rules, the Industry Needs to Change its Approach. Examples of how some US organic sectors operating without a clear set of rules has impacted the industry.
Peru Renews its Moratorium Law Against Genetically Modified Organisms. On January 6, 2021, the Peruvian Congress enacted a moratorium law prohibiting the entry and production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within its borders for the next 15 years.
New Zealand Just Shy of Organics Target, But Growth Continues. New Zealand has just missed its self-imposed 2020 organics target, though a groundswell of producers switching up their practices means the country could be on track to reach the milestone within the next couple of years.
Canada’s Organic Sector Just Keeps Growing. According to a recent Export Development Canada report, Canadians will buy about $7 billion worth of organic food in 2020. Demand is growing at a rate of more than 8% annually and domestic production can’t keep up.
UK: "A Clear and Compelling Case for Organic” OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers) is championing the launch of the English Organic Forum’s (EOF) new report, ‘Why organic – contributing productively to future farming and food policy’.
Trends Still Pointing Up for Organics. The number of organic farms in the U.S. in 2019 totaled 16,585 farms, up 16.7% from 2016 and up 31.3% from 2014. The total organic cropland in 2019 totaled 3.52 million acres, up 26.6% in 2016 and a whopping 73.5% higher than 2014.
EVENTS, WEBINARS & RESOURCES
School Strike 4 Climate X Climate Change Commission
Join School Strike for Climate and the Climate Change Commission as they talk about what Aotearoa needs to do to tackle climate change, how young people can get involved, and what the Commission’s advice means for the future of Aotearoa.
18 February | 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Online
Planting Green Techniques in Organic No-Till Systems
In this webinar, farming, industry & extension experts will discuss the use of 'planting green' techniques in organic no-till and rotational tillage systems.
18 February | 6:00 - 7:30 am NZDT
Online
Climate Change Commission: Our path to 2035
Come and listen to our expert team unpack our proposed path to deliver the first emissions budgets for Aotearoa.
19 February | 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Online
So You’re Ready to Transition to Certified Organic
Our Organic Crop Consultants will host a virtual seminar about working with Rodale Institute’s Consultancy to transition to organic.
25 February | 8:00 - 9:00 am NZDT
Online
OANZ Organic Sector Market Report and Sector Strategy Workshops
26 March | 9:30 am - 7:30 pm | Auckland
Tickets available here
Go Green Expo: Auckland
New Zealand’s Largest Green Living & Sustainable Lifestyle Show
27 - 28 March | 10 am - 6 pm | ASB Showgrounds
Free Tickets Available Online