This newsletter is published every two weeks and contains the latest news and information about what is happening in the organics sector in New Zealand and overseas.

From the Chief Executive - Dr Jon Tanner

New Zealand has three great advantages in the world:

1. our expertise in primary production;
2. an environmental reputation which earns international trust and respect; and
3. our culture of entrepreneurship and innovation which allows Kiwis to consistently reach new, exciting and profitable markets.

Certified organics sits at the centre of all of these - with high value, knowledge-intensive production targeting valuable international niche markets, while enhancing New Zealand's 'clean, green' brand.

This week OANZ has been focusing on what it is about New Zealand's culture which makes us unique. Through our Treaty partner and founding member Te Waka Kai Ora, I was invited to attend the launch of the new KOHA Magazine (www.kohamagazine.co.nz) - a beautiful and inspiring cyberspace publication which showcases Matauranga Maori and leading Maori entrepreneurs such as Percy Tipene (on pages 12-13). A meeting with Maori Party MP Rahui Katene reinforced the role that Maori farmers and businesses can play in building the organic sector to even greater success.

Alongside this innovation in cyberspace, we have been busy redeveloping the OANZ website, which will be relaunched later this month. The upgrade to our online presence is aimed to increase public access to information about organics, as well as bringing local organic exporters and world markets closer together.

I sometimes think how, as an umbrella of sector organizations, OANZ itself reflects New Zealand's three advantages - with the members of our member organisations representing leading producers, environmentalists and defenders of standards, combined with communications, advocacy and marketing specialists.

OANZ is about championing what both brings us together and makes us unique. The organic sector has always been open to working alongside others, but is never afraid to innovate, or take the lead. As the Maori proverb says - "tena ko te toa mahi kai, ekore e paheke" ("a warrior who works hard at growing food will not fail").

OANZ receives Charities Commission registration

OANZ is now one of New Zealand's 20,188 registered charities, recognizing the organic sector's pursuit of environmental and educational aims.

The process of registering as a charity began after the OANZ Council meeting in September 2008, and means that OANZ will be able to claim tax-free status, as well as allowing any donors to count contributions to OANZ as tax deductable.

Dr Jon Tanner points out that OANZ will remain an Incorporated Society, but that also being on the Charities Register means OANZ will be able to accept funding from some trusts, charities and other groups which are only permitted to give money to charitable organizations. Registered charities also appear more favourably to potential supporters, with research showing the public believes charities make a positive difference to the matters they address.

Organics puts dairy farmers in touch with 'wealthy elite' customers

Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt are upfront about the fact that the financial benefits of farming organically are a major incentive - particularly in the current market.

Gray and Hamish are partners in Wuppertal Farming, a highly-profitable organic dairy farming partnership just west of Putaruru in the Waikato.

Gray and his wife, Marilyn, own the farm while Hamish and his wife, Jane, are in their second season of sharemilking 410 cows on the property.

Wuppertal Farming recently won the Supreme Award in the 2009 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The judges particularly praised their "big picture vision beyond their farm gate". They described the farm as an impressive operation, founded on excellent working relationships "with sustainability in mind throughout the business".

The land is in conversion to organic certification and is targeting 160,000kgs of milk solids production this season.

Gray says the decision to join forces in an organic venture stemmed from a casual conversation, literally over the boundary fence.

He notes, "Producing organic milk puts you in touch with a very wealthy and elite customer base, and this insulates you from bigger market trends."

"Sustainability is a nice fit, but economics come first. Organics is a successful way to farm and make money," Gray says.

Hamish says the premium paid for organic milk offsets any extra work or drop in initial production.

And he's finding he and his staff enjoy the greater variety of work on an organic property. The cows are also enjoying the change, with judges noting the good health of the herd and Hamish and Jane's meticulous and thorough record keeping. Jane has a nursing background and takes a keen interest in animal health.

Gray is enthusiastic about the difference the organic approach has already made to their pastures.

Approximately 40% of the home farm is set up for effluent spreading. This is vital because effluent provides the farm's only source of nitrogen.

The main block is 187ha, with 145ha effective and 38ha trees. A nearby 45ha run-off was added last year to provide a reliable supply of organic supplementary feed, and winter and calf grazing, once organic certification is completed.

Extensive tree planting is ongoing, with special attention paid to protection of waterways. The Pokaiwhenua River runs through the property and the Baldwins take their responsibility for this seriously.

The Baldwins are keen to use their farm to showcase the commercial viability of organics, and are planning a field day on May 5. (See 'Dairy these Dates' below for more details.)

Mentoring partnerships for farmers to learn about organics

Farmers who are thinking about going organic, or who want to expand their knowledge of organic methods, can take advantage of the Rural Mentoring project, which is backed by OANZ and MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund.

The project offers advice on any aspects of organic farming, marketing, or organic certification.

Coordinators will do their best to match participants with a local mentor who has relevant experience in the organic sector.

Mentors will be experienced organic farmers, who offer support, guidance, encouragement and motivation.

Applications are now being received for both mentors and "mentees" in the dairy, pastoral, vegetable, and mixed tree crop sectors.

Feedback received from last year's participants in the OANZ-supported organic mentoring included:

"It's always very inspiring visiting them (our mentors) and there are always many useful bits of information for us." - Mentee

"It was good to able to discuss specific aspects of our property in situ. Seeing what we are doing, our mentor could offer advice, relevant to the situation." - Mentee

"It is always positive to help others learn, especially when they are keen to learn. We believe in organics and are passionate about expanding the benefits of organics to as many people as we can." - Mentor

There is a cost of $200 for mentees which is non-refundable after attending the training. Mentors' costs are paid by the programme.

For further information, or to register, contact the Rural Mentor coordinator: info@ruralmentor.co.nz, phone 0800 787 256 - or apply online at www.ruralmentor.co.nz.

Obamas plant organic White House garden - 'Big Ag' gets upset

US President Barack Obama has demonstrated his backing for organics on a personal level, by starting an organic fruit and vegetable garden on the White House south lawn.

First Lady Michelle Obama, with the help of local school students, broke ground for the 102 square-meter garden last week. It will provide as many as 55 different fruits and vegetables for use in the White House kitchen. Some of the produce will be donated to a nearby soup kitchen.

The new garden, the first of its kind since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden during World War II, made headlines and brought some positive news and brightness to a nation that has been inundated by negative economic news.

But not everyone is happy. Some interests in conventional agriculture appear nervous about the Obama's public backing for organics. The Mid America CropLife Association, a group that backs conventional chemical farming, wrote to Mrs Obama with a word of warning:

"As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the US in feeding the ever-increasing population, contributing to the US economy and providing a safe and economical food supply. America's farmers understand crop protection technologies are supported by sound scientific research and innovation."

Mrs Obama has named White House chef Sam Kass to head the White House Food Initiative. Mr Kass is a strong advocate for organic and local food sourcing.

Prior to last year's election, the Obamas were in regular contact with advocates of organic food, who provided information about how organics can lead to healthier eating habits, while reducing reliance on huge, energy-intensive and chemical-driven industrial farms.

President Obama has publicly endorsed organic farming and now he appears to be demonstrating his personal support with new White House garden. The garden will be fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybirds and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs.

Growth in demand for organic foods expected to continue

Global demand for organic foods is expected to grow by 46% over the coming five years despite the world economic crisis, according to an outlook from the United Nations Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD).

Although organic retailers are experiencing consumer resistance to paying more for organics, UNCTAD says many consumers have weighed the higher cost of organic food against its benefits - concluding that organic products are worth the extra cost.

The report notes consumers seem reluctant to give up the last vestiges of high-quality, gourmet food, adding "they want something a bit more interesting than your standard meat and three vegetables."

World sales from certified organic products are expected to reach US$67 billion in 2012, up from US$46 billion in 2007 and about US$23 billion in 2002.

Organic produce is attracting a much wider demographic than previously seen - highlighting the need for more farmers to start supplying organic. UNCTAD says that in developing countries, the increasing number of organic food consumers offers extremely important benefits for small-scale traditional farmers.

Trends in 2009 include natural, organic and sustainable

Consumer interest in green cosmetics as well as natural and organic food and beverage will continue to grow in 2009, says Organic Monitor. It says fairtrade products and those made sustainably are also trending upwards.

Specific upward trends forecast by Organic Monitor include: natural cosmetics, organic dark chocolate, snack bars containing organic vegetables and fruit, and organic teas.

Sustainable Foods Summit planned

The world's first conference dedicated to eco-labelling and sustainability is to be held in Amsterdam in June.

Organic Monitor is organising the inaugural Sustainable Foods Summit, which aims to bring together some of the most influential and key organisations involved in sustainability in the European food industry.

The summit will include a focus on organic standards, fairtrade concepts, food miles and traceability, carbon labelling and local foods. The major organisations involved in eco-labelling - including Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), Institute for Marketecology (IMO), Rainforest Alliance, Carbon Trust and UTZ Certified - will present papers and participate in a panel discussion that looks at the future direction of eco-labels.

More information is available at www.sustainablefoodssummit.com.

New awards for NZ export businesses

Organic exporters have an opportunity to gain recognition (and a prize of $100,000) by entering the inaugural New Zealand International Business Awards.

Entries close on on April 14 for the awards, which are run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Business NZ. They are designed to recognise the successes of New Zealand businesses operating in the international market and bringing vital dollars back to the New Zealand economy. The Supreme Award winner will receive $100,000 to invest in furthering international growth. More information is available at www.nzte.govt.nz/awards.

Diary these dates

April 5 - 9. Introduction to Asia-Pacific Terraquaculture - 4-Day Short Course. Twizel, Waitaki Basin, South Island.

• Introduction to the the culture, craft and science of farming water flowing through the landscape.
• Productive and sustainable farming-forestry systems in the Asia-Pacific region
• Farming living water flowing through the landscape: watershed terraquacultures
• Key skills for developing sustainable terraquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand

More information: Sheryl Miller or Hiakai Tane on 03 435 0029 or visit www.watershed.net.nz.

April 17, 2009. Financial Workshop. "Assessing and improving the organic production dollar". Run by John King at the Biological Husbandry Unit, Lincoln University. Sponsored by OANZ's Organic Advisory Programme.

The workshop will be filled with practical examples and exercises for participants to refresh their financial skills and develop strategies for sound organic production.  Only 20 places available. More information: holger.kahl@oanz.org.nz, or phone 03 329 3157, mobile 027 227 0181.

April 25, 2009. Canterbury Organic Field Day. 'Organics in Action' - fruit & vegetable production.
At TreeHugger Organic Ltd, 541 Main Sth Rd, St Andrews, Timaru; and Alvina and Brendan Murphy's property, 76 Pudject Rd, Adair, Timaru.

May 5, 2009. Field Day at Gray and Marilyn Baldwin's organic dairy farm at Putaruru. The farm won the Supreme Award at the recent 2009 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.  More information: David Natzke, phone 07 834 0400 or email waikato@bfea.org.nz.

Organics News Roundup

A selection of recent stories on organics from news media in New Zealand and around the world.

Nominee for No. 2 USDA job defends organic past
Reuters 01/04/2009

The Obama administration's nominee for the U.S. Agriculture Department's No. 2 job on Wednesday defended her work on organic food from Senate critics who questioned whether she could work with other farmers.

"I see (deputy secretary) as a great opportunity to represent all kinds of agriculture. Organic is a small slice of the pie," said Kathleen Merrigan, tapped for deputy secretary of agriculture. "I've always been a provocateur. That's part of my personality," she added.

During a confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Merrigan defended her record and said she has done work on a wide-range of agricultural issues. Republican lawmakers expressed concern that Merrigan, a Clinton administration official who helped develop USDA rules on what can be sold as organic food, has been too closely associated with organic farming. More... http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN0149790420090401

The individual comments and views in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the view of OANZ.