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Research Report Contents
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A project facilitated by the Research and Development Group of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association
10 Organic Organisations in New Zealand Apart from the many polytechnics and other training institutions that now provide education on organic farming, the main sources of information for farmers and growers have been: The Soil and Health Association, and the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association, and their branches and regional groups. Bio-Gro NZ, while principally a certification organisation, also provides some information, and the Permaculture Institute provides information on design of systems relevant to organic farming systems. Information about the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association and its resources is provided on this website. Information about the Soil and Health Association can be found on its website: www.soil-health.org.nz. The following review has been provided by Brendan Hoare, former President of the Association.
The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand Incorporated Founded in 1941, the Soil and Health Association of New Zealand Incorporated was originally named The Compost Club and has since gone through several name changes. The organisation has 60 years of publication history, its first publication was March 1942. ‘To the Rescue of the Soil’ was the title of the first editorial that clearly laid out the Association’s maxim ‘healthy soil — healthy food — healthy people.’ Sustainable land management and a holistic approach to improving the whole production system have always been central from early to present writings. Methods for restoring soils, the importance of humus and herb leys, vermiculture, methodologies of production, soil biological practices, the importance of weeds in the biological system, connections with human health have been common themes central to the philosophy over the last 60 years. The written documentation has always been a mixture of recent scientific studies, observations from practitioners, and relevant articles from international publications.
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Emphasis has also been placed on the value of all producers, including domestic and small-scale ones. Central to the work of the Association is the importance of the home garden for family health and education. Regular sections of the journal have demonstrated how home gardeners can grow food in any conditions and on all types of soil throughout the world, but especially in New Zealand. The management practices of home gardening have always been espoused as a social imperative, central to family health and well-being. The Association has for a long time considered itself the gatekeeper and conscience of Organics in New Zealand. It has been instrumental and innovative in the establishment of broad-scale composting, the creation of BIOGRO New Zealand, and the initiation of the vision of New Zealand being an Organic Nation by 2020. It has also offered New Zealand some of the earliest documented critiques of land use management practices. Past President and mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove Myer Robinson, was as early as 1950, writing and offering the use of municipal composting. Eutrofication of New Zealand Lakes, what the science of ecology means to farming, the effects Genetic Engineering will have on Organics and commentary of landscape ecostructures for sustainable societies are some examples of other critiques and commentary. The Association also holds historical documentation and commentaries on controversial practices and issues such as charcoal as fertiliser, sewage sludge as compost, the hazards of atomic radiation in relation to agriculture, issues pertaining specifically to Maoriand mad cow disease. When required, the Association produces ‘special issues’ relating to pertinent social issues. Three of the most prominent special issues are ‘Conservation and the Environment’ (1971), The Self Help Cancer Cure Book’ (1997) and the ‘GE Issue’ (1999). Apart from the use of artificial fertilisers, one of the most persistent themes of the Association has been the drive to remove artificial chemicals and biocides from our environment. Concern about the use of DDT was expressed as soon as it became common practice, and articles were written as early as 1959. This concern and advocacy role has continued right through to today . Regional Groups Auckland Ian Fielding 09 298 8693 Taranaki Deborah Schrider 06 756 7453 Palmerston North Margaret Mc Kenzie 06 358 2535 Mid Canterbury Bev Cameron 03 308 2041 Juliet
Hooper 03 308 8950 National Office PO Box 36-170, Northcote, Auckland 9 Ph: 09-419 4536, Fax 09-419 4556
Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association The following are products and services available to the Association members. Some are also sold to non-members.
A number of Association members are prepared to offer interested people the opportunity of working experience on their properties. Period of stay is negotiable, with accommodation and board usually exchanged for work.
Northland - Robert and Janet Browne, Ph. 09 433 9690 Auckland South - Ian & Kate Buckingham, Ph. 09 233 6006 Auckland North - Bernadette Blair, Ph. 09 415 9044 Bay of Plenty - Peter and Gill Bacchus, Ph. 07 542 1914 Waikato - Tanja Benthien, Ph. 07 872 2545 Gisborne - Jack Wanklyn, Ph. 06 862 5484 Hawke's Bay - Cleone Armon, Ph. 06 878 3128 Wairarapa - Frank van Steensel, Ph. 06 304 8116 Wanganui - Col Priddle, Ph. 06 343 7943 Manawatu - Joanne and Greg Turner, Ph. 06 329 0943 Kapiti Coast - Hannelore Geuther, Ph. 04 235 6275 Wellington - Judy Randall, Ph. 04 589 5366 Motueka - Dieter Proebst, Ph. 03 528 8718 Westland - Terry Duthie, Ph. 03 736 9321 Canterbury - Peter White, Ph. 03 314 6886 South Canterbury - John Guthrie & D. Davaux, Ph. 03 689 4880 Central Otago - Nick Mills, Ph. 03 443 8084 Dunedin - Cathrin Stewart, Ph. 473 0303 South Otago - Warrick Thomson, Ph. 03 418 3357 National Office David Wright PO Box 39045, Wellington Telephone: 04 589 5366 Fax: 04 589 5365 Email: info@biodynamic.org.nz Website: www.biodynamic.org.nz
Organic Products Exporters Group Inc (OPENZ) OPENZ – Organic Products Exporters of NZ Inc. was formed to encourage and support companies and organisations, who have an interest in the New Zealand organic export industry. PO Box 8640, Christchurch. Ph 03 348 0979, Fax 03 348 1867. The website incudes a directory of research and information reports Email:info@organicsnewzealand.org.nz Website: www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz Agriquality through its certification business provides organic certification to the AgriQuality Organic Standard. International recognition through Certenz accreditation ISO 65.
David Brown PO Box 307, Pukekohe Provides organic certification since 1983. IFOAM accredited. Kaye McAulay PO Box 9693, Marion Square, Wellington. Telephone: 04 801 9741 Fax: 04 801 9742 Email: KayeM@bio-gro.co Website: www.bio-gro.co.nz Organic Farms NZ Small growers, pod based, affordable regional certification scheme. Contact Soil & Health Assoc of NZ Inc (see above)
Regional Contacts:
Farm/rural producer organisation President: Tom Lambie PO Box 715, Wellington Telephone: 04 473 7269 Fax: 04 473 1081 Email: receptionwgton@fedfarm.org.nz
Website: www.fedfarm.org.nz Permaculture Institute of New Zealand Permaculture National organisation : advocates and promotes training in sustainable design and the practises involved in maintaining and developing sustainability and beyond.
Permaculture in New Zealand, P O Box 9376 Marion Square,Wellington Contact Sylvia Frean 04 973 5334 Runs courses, sells books and develops materials for teaching environmental education including permaculture design . Networks with many organisations about sustainability.
Living Lightly 66 Ngamotu Rd, Taupo contact Jo Pearsall or Bryan Innes 07 377 8910
Runs national events for sustainability and networks with other organisations on all issues of sustainable development in NZ and elsewhere. Ecoshow Charitable Trust 66 Ngamotu Rd, Taupo
New Zealand Organic Kiwifruit Growers Association. Leo Whittle PO Box 330, Te Puke Telephone: 07 573 8471 Email: whittle@hyper.net.nz Organic Pipfruit Growers NZ Inc. Heidi Stiefel Telephone: 06 835 4850 mobile: 021 336 791 email: heidi.stiefel@xtra.co.nz
Organic Dairy Producers Group Incorporated Exists to;- Promote organic dairy farming as a viable sustainable way of farming,
financially, environmentally and personally. Provide a forum to allow members to exchange ideas and information
with other organic farmers. Be a voice for organic dairy farmers in NZ where ever that role might be needed. Assist members wherever possible. Contact; Ray & Jenny Ridings 15 Ridings Rd, RD 1 Paeroa Fax: 07 867 6899 Email: ridings@wave.co.nz
Regional Groups Canterbury Commercial Organic Group Mary Ralston, Back Track, RD 12, Rakaia Email kem@xtra.co.nz Central Districts Organic Growers Group Pauline Blaikie RD Rewa, Feilding Telephone: 06 328 6842 Fax: 06 328 6872 Far North Organic Growers and Producers Association Seed, group, certification Terry Higginson 09 408 4218 or Verner Krieger 09 408 4354 Tairiwhiti Organic Incorporated Society Collective research, advocacy, market research, developing infrastructures for organic farming. Growers, processors, exporters, education / training advisors.
Tracey Tangiharere PO Box 404, Gisborne Telephone: 06 862 8541 021 362 833 Horowhenua Organic Group (HOGS) Tony Robinson Telephone: 06 368 9265 Southern Region Commercial Growers Ian Sloan Mataura Island, No.1 RD, Wyndham Telephone: 03 206 4907 Top of the South Organic Producers Hugh Webb and Vicki Carlisle RD 1, Takaka, Golden Bay Telephone: 03 525 8729 Producers and consumers group promoting organics in the Wairarapa
Frank van Steensel PO Box 19 Greytown Telephone: 06 3048116 Research & Development Organisations and Scientists This list includes some research organizations and scientists with an involvement in organic research and development. Ag Research http://www.agresearch.co.nz/ EcoAgriLogic www.ecoagrilogic.co.nz Landcare Research www.LandcareResearch.co.nz Lincoln University http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/ Massey University Institute of Natural Resources www.massey.ac.nz Organic seed NZ colinwalker@organicseed.co.nz Unitec New Zealand www.unitec.ac.nz University of Otago, http://www.otago.ac.nz/nzpg/csafe
Peter Bacchus Soil, biodynamic consulting pbacchus@actrix.co.nz Gill Bacchus Soil, food quality gillcole@actrix.gen.nz Dr Troy Baisden Soil ecology BaisdenT@LandcareResearch.co.nz Dr Diane Bourn Food Quality diane.bourn@stonebow.otago.ac.nz Assoc Prof Hugh Campbell, CSAFE, Otago Univ. hugh.campbell@otago.ac.nz Dr John Clearwater orchard entomology j.clearwater@xtra.co.nz Dr Ross Cullen Commerce Division, cullenr@lincoln.ac.nz Murray Doak, stats & monitoring issues DoakM.ADCPO.ADC@maf.govt.nz Scott Fraser soil microbiology scottfa@callplus.net.nz George Fietje Technical Manager gfietje@livingearth.co.nz Dr Alf Harris indigenous, post-petroleum agroecology a.harris@waikato.ac.nz Dr Allan Hewitt soil databases hewitta@landcareresearch.co.nz Prof. Stuart Hill organic systems s.hill@uws.edu.au Brendan Hoare Unitec Hortecology Sanctuary 09 8154321 x 7294 Dr Tim Jenkins Microbiology, soil fertility tuss@paradise.net.nz Holger Kahl CPIT Education/Training and Research kahlh@cpit.ac.nz Dr Terry Kelly organic systems education T.C.Kelly@massey.ac.nz Dr Gavin Kenny organics and climate change gavinkenny@clear.net.nz Dr Peter Kettle Science policy Peter.Kettle@maf.govt.nz Dr Maggie Lawton, Operations Manager lawtonm@landcareresearch.co.nz Dr Alan Palmer, Soil mapping, and evaluation A.S.Palmer@massey.ac.nz Dr Roger Parfitt, Soil N, soil P, soil OM ParfittR@landcareresearch.co.nz Dr Don Pearson Biological Husbandry Unit thebhu@quicksilver.net.nz, Nick Pyke Foundation for Arable Research PykeN@far.org.nz Dr Anis Rahman Weed Management anis.rahman@agresearch.co.nz
Duncan Stuart FMRSNZ duncan@kudos-dynamics.com Bruce Snowdon HBY Heinz Wattie bruce.snowdon@heinz.co.nz Prof. Haikai Tane Center for Catchment Ecology: taneh@watershed.net.nz Greg Tate Crop Health Services gtate@inhb.co.nz Frank van Steensel agri-ecological R & D info@ecoagrilogic.co.nz Colin Walker Organic Seed NZ sunlight@orcon.net.nz Dr Meriel Watts Food Safety; policy m.watts@organicnz.pl.net Dr Gregor W Yeates Soil Zoologist YeatesG@LandcareResearch.co.nz Web Directories Website: http://www.organic-register.com — online directory with over 1000 organic producers and products in New Zealand. For details of many organic products, services, research and certifying agencies. A hard copy is also available from: NZ Organic Register, 95 Kahuterawa Rd, RD4, Palmerston North. Organic Pathways http://www.organicpathways.co.nz The Organic Directory NZ will help you find organic products, businesses and organisations. It includes organic producers, retailers, processors and services as well as organic groups and organisations
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