OANZ October BUZZ
Kia ora tātou from the Chair
A warm greeting to you all, and we hope that your farms, gardens, and hearts are flourishing — despite these challenging times.
Sadly, yet again we have had to adjust our plans and move our Organic Conference to next year due to COVID restrictions. Although this is frustrating, it does give us time to create a wonderful event and to meet with many of you face to face. In the meantime, we are looking forward to the launch of the Organic Strategy on the 5th of November. Thank you to all who have contributed especially the Leadership Group who have spent many hours pulling together everyone’s feedback into a cohesive report. I am heartened by this report and the future is looking very positive. The Organic Sector is poised to be a the forefront of the regenerative economy we all desperately need.
I welcome Allan Richardson onto our Board. Allan has been farming sheep and beef organically for over 20 years. He is particularly interested in Regenerative Organics and sequestering carbon in our soils. We look forward to learning from Allan reaching out to his networks.
Warmest wishes to you all.
Ngā mihi nui,
Chris Morrison – Chair
T: 027 548 1293
E: chris@oanz.org
OANZ ORGANIC REGENERATIVE CONFERENCE POSTPONED UNTIL MID-2022
Unfortunately, due to covid restrictions, the conference has been postponed until 2022. We will keep you updated with more information closer to the time. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
ORGANIC SECTOR STRATEGY UPDATE
The sector strategy will be launched on 5 November during an online press conference from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. The strategy will be posted on the OANZ website and we will send out communications with a link on the same day.
NZ's ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY IS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS ON GLYPHOSATE AND HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE
GLYPHOSATE
The EPA is accepting Submissions on Glyphosate now until 22 October. They are calling for information that is relevant to the current use, practices, and benefits of glyphosate products; evidence of the effects of glyphosate products; how glyphosate products are used and applied in different areas, and your views on the positive or negative impacts you think glyphosate products have on our environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing.
OANZ will be making a submission and will continually monitor the EPA's progress on this issue.
If you would like to make a submission please visit the EPA website. Submissions close 22 October.
You can also sign Soil & Health's glyphosate campaign here.
HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE
Submissions are open until 5.00 pm on 26 November 2021.
Hydrogen cyanamide is banned in Europe, and its re-registration is currently under review in the United States. In New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is undertaking a reassessment of the substance, which is primarily sprayed on bare kiwifruit orchards to help buds form after winter.
Click here for more info.
SOIL & HEALTH ASSOCIATION UPDATES
A huge thank you to Organic Week's many supporters
The Soil & Health Association wishes to thank the many sponsors and supporters of Organic Week 2021 for making this year's event the biggest and best ever. Despite the challenges of changing Alert Levels the organic sector can be proud to have made such a big splash with the week. Huge thanks in particular to the Organic Week national promotion team of Tiffany Tompkins and Melissa Reid.
Organic NZ farewells Philippa Jamieson as editor
After 13 years Philippa Jamieson is moving on to new things and Organic NZ is on the hunt for its next superstar. The editor role is offered as a 0.5 FTE role. More information here.
Latest Organic NZ hits the shops next week
On sale from the 28th October, Organic NZ magazine's Nov/Dev issue feature vibrant vegan recipes, earth building, natural weed solutions, organic underwear and more.
ORGANIC FARM NZ UPDATES
Congratulations to Barbara Harford and Marion Thomson, the new co-chairs for OFNZ.
Marion has had a long term relationship with organics in Aotearoa. She was part of the initial team of OFNZ as the deputy chair to Peter Downard. She has been the certification manager initially for the lower North Island from Wellington to Whanganui across to Wairarapa to Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. Marion also served 16 years on the National Council of Soil & Health Association and was either chair or co chair for a period of eight of those years.
Barbara began her official organic journey when the family purchased a former organic egg farm in 2010. Initially joining Wairarapa Organics, Barbara established the SouthWest North Island branch of OFNZ in 2015, and joined the Board of OANZ to lobby for national recognition of organics in Aotearoa. She continues as certification manager for 30 growers in the south west, together with running the family orchards to produce a wide range of organic fruit preserves.
Rory Fogerty is the new OFNZ National Office Manager. Rory and his partner Jennifer set up Permakai on the 15ac lifestyle block they bought in 2015 where they grow seasonal vegetables for the retail and wholesale markets. They use their flock of free range hens to clean and fertilise their small orchard. Permakai was fully certified in 2020 and Rory was NCC representative for the Waikato region until early this year. In August he stepped into the role of National Administrator for OFNZ. He is using his IT experience to introduce automated tools and processes to the National Office.
WORK FOR THE ORGANIC SECTOR
OANZ: Administrative Assistant
OANZ is looking for a part-time admin assistant (10 - 15 hrs/week) to support the OANZ Board and ensure the smooth running of the organisation’s activities. Click here for the job description and how to apply.
Organic NZ Magazine: Editor
Organic NZ magazine recently completed a successful brand refresh and is looking to appoint a new magazine editor to build on this exciting opportunity and take us new places. The editor role is offered as a 0.5 FTE role. More information here.
FSANZ CALLS FOR COMMENT ON CHANGING THE DEFINITIONS FOR GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking public comment on its proposed approach to changing the definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology'.
FSANZ invites comments from interested parties on its proposed approach. The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 03 December 2021. FSANZ will consider all submissions in finalising the proposed approach, which will then be released for a final round of comment. Learn more here.
BECOME AN OANZ MEMBER
Join OANZ and help shape the future of Aotearoa's organic sector!
With so many exciting things happening right now across our sector, a well-supported organisation will allow us to make it happen faster and even better.
OANZ is looking for new members who want to support us in our work as we help advocate for organics in Aotearoa, from promoting the Market Report to our Sector Strategy, the Organic Products Bill and regulations, and work around regenerative agriculture, clean waterways, and Climate Change.
Please help us by encouraging others to join OANZ.
ORGANIC NEWS
Churton Wines Launches First Horse Powered, Organic Vineyard Pledgeme Campaign. Help Churton replace tractors with horsepower. Funds help with costs of the horses and ongoing training and equipment.
Bostock Named Organic Brand of the Year. Bostock New Zealand has been recognised for its commitment to growing organic products that work for people, the planet, wildlife, and the climate.
Consumer Demand to Dictate Farming. Newly-crowned Organic New Zealander of the Year Cathy Tait-Jamieson believes that environmental regulations are here to stay.
Partnership Growing Organically. Business is booming since a transtasman partnership bought an organic market garden in North Otago.
CoralTree Turns to Succession to Drive New Growth. A domestic drive is in the wings for 26-year-old organic apple cider vinegar producer CoralTree as the family business transitions to the next generation.
New Zealand Well-placed to Ride Regenerative Agriculture Wave. Taste, health and environmental benefits of regeneratively produced food products resonated strongly with consumers.
Farmers Should Act Now to Become Market Leaders in Regenerative Agriculture. Due to its existing pastoral systems, but lack of a clear definition is holding it back, new research has found.
Nitrate Takes Less Than 5 Years to Travel from Farm to River, on Average. The decisions farmers make today to reduce excess nutrients will be reflected in water quality improvements in our rivers within five years.
Planning a Vege Garden? Get a Free Soil Test to Check for Lead. Community science project offers Kiwi gardeners free testing for heavy metals.
Global Surge in Organic Vineyard Surface Area. Nearly half a million hectares worldwide are today dedicated to organic vines: with most of this in Europe but with organic vineyards gaining ground across other continents.
Organic and Animal Welfare Claims Drive Sales, SPINS Finds.These claims accelerate retail growth for products straddling the line of better-for-you and better-for-the-environment, the data firm said, motivating consumers' purchasing decisions.
Right to a Healthy Environment. Passed by the United Nation’s Human Rights Council, it recognises the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and encourages States to adopt policies for the enjoyment of this right.
Sri Lanka’s Inorganic Transition to Organic Farming. Sri Lanka's decision to move to organic farming is not behind its food shortage given that a majority of the farmers have not even started the transition process.
Cocktail of Pesticides in Almost All Oranges and Grapes, UK Study Finds. Traces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products, many with links to cancer.
National Organic Program; National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (2022 Sunset). USDA’s NOP has released a proposed rule to remove several substances from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
EVENTS, WEBINARS & RESOURCES
5TH ANNUAL HIRSHBERG ENTREPRENEURSHIP INSTITUTE EVENT
Auckand/Online | November 9 - 10
Register Here
OUR LAND OUR WATER WEBINAR SERIES: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN AOTEAROA
Episode 1: Overview of Regenerative Agriculture in New Zealand
Tuesday 26 October | 12–1pm
Register Here
OUR LAND OUR WATER WEBINAR SERIES: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN AOTEAROA
Episode 2: Soil and Climate Change
Wednesday 3 November | 12–1pm
Register Here
OUR LAND OUR WATER WEBINAR SERIES: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN AOTEAROA
Episode 3: Biodiversity and Animal Welfare
Tuesday 9 November | 12–1pm
Register Here
OUR LAND OUR WATER WEBINAR SERIES: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN AOTEAROA
Episode 4: Productivity, Profit and Food Quality
Wednesday 17 November | 12–1pm
Register Here
OUR LAND OUR WATER WEBINAR SERIES: REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN AOTEAROA
Episode 5: Measuring What Works, Where It Matters
Tuesday 23 November | 12–1pm
Register Here