Organic farming advisory services
Organics in NSW DPI
Recognising the opportunity to assist with industry development and meeting the needs of new entrants to the industry, NSW Government is supporting the development of an organic industry within NSW for the benefit of producers and consumers. This will lead to more opportunities for producers, in both the domestic and global market place.
NSW DPI support is in the form of a range of organic initiatives at both Bathurst Primary Industries Centre and the Yanco Agricultural Institute, along with formation of the Organic Ministerial Advisory council. The Organic Ministerial Advisory Council will provide industry with a direct voice into Government.
Organic agriculture at Bathurst
Research and extension horticulturists have been appointed to head this initiative by NSW DPI. Through discussions with industry groups, potential research projects are being formulated. Preliminary soil sampling of a number of areas has been undertaken to determine suitability for demonstration of practices with the possibility of conversion to ‘organic’ status.
Research on selected vegetables, grapes and perennial tree crops is proposed. The intention is to examine technologies that can be transposed from conventional into organic production systems and vice versa. The aim is to demystify organic production, generate organic systems to satisfy market demands and increase the sustainability of conventional agricultural practices.
Bathurst Primary Industries Centre
Organic agriculture at Yanco
The Alternative Farming Systems Officer provides advice on organic and biodynamic farming (all crops and livestock management systems), low input agriculture, worm farming, composting and alternative (non chemical) pest control methods.
Yanco Agricultural Institute
NSW DPI contacts
Manager, Organics and Food Industry Development, NSW DPI
Scott Seaman
Bathurst Agricultural Research and Advisory Station
Bathurst NSW 2795
Ph: (02) 6330 1209
email: scott.seaman@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Organic Farming Liaison Officer, NSW DPI
Robyn Neeson
Yanco Agricultural Institute
Yanco NSW 2705
Ph: (02) 6951 2735
Fax: (02) 6951 2620
email: robyn.neeson@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Organic Horticulture Industry Development Officer, NSW DPI
Karen O’Malley
Bathurst Agricultural Research and Advisory Station
Bathurst NSW 2795
Ph: (02) 6330 1212
email: karen.o'malley@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Industry contacts
AQIS-accredited organisations. At the time of writing, there were seven industry organisations accredited with AQIS to certify organic produce:
Bio-Dynamic Research Institute
Powelltown VIC 3797
Ph: (03) 5966 7333
Fax: (03) 5966 7433
Australian Certified Organic
(Biological Farmers of Australia Co-Operative Ltd)
PO Box 530
L1 766 Gympie Rd
Chermside QLD 4032
Ph: (07) 3350 5716
Fax: (07) 3350 5996
email: info@australianorganic.com.au
Website: http://www.australianorganic.com.au
National Association for Sustainable Agriculture (Australia) Ltd
PO Box 768
Stirling SA 5152
Ph: (08) 8370 8455
Fax: (08) 8370 8381
Organic Herb Growers of Australia Inc.
PO Box 6171
South Lismore NSW 2480
Ph/Fax: (02) 6622 0100
email: herbs@om.com.au
Organic Food Chain
PO Box 2390
Toowoomba QLD 4350
Ph/Fax: (07) 4637 2600
Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers
8 Lenborough Street
Beauty Point TAS 7270
Ph: (03) 6267 9443
Safe Foods Queensland (SFQ)
PO Box 440
Spring Hill QLD 4004
Ph: (07) 3253 9800
Fax: (07) 3253 9810
Other contacts
Australia (Peak Body)
Organic Federation of Australia
PO Box Q455
QVB Post Office
Sydney NSW 1230
Ph: +61 2 9299 8016
Fax: +61 2 9299 0189
email: info@ofa.org.au
Website: http://www.ofa.org.au
New South Wales
Natural Produce Network
c/- Rosnay Organic Farms
Canowindra NSW 2804
Ph: (02) 6344 3215
email: info@organicfarms.com.au
Website: http://www.organicfarms.com.au
Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia Inc.
PO Box 54
Bellingen NSW 2454
Ph: (02) 6655 0566
Fax: (02) 6655 0565
email: bdoffice@biodynamics.net.au
Website: http://www.biodynamics.net.au
Henry Doubleday Research Association of Australia Inc.
816 Comleroy Road
Kurrajong NSW 2758
Tweed Richmond Organic Producers Organisation (TROPO)
PO Box 5076
East Lismore NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6687 8019
Website: http://www.nor.com.au/community/organic/index.htm
Sapphire Coast Producers Association
c/- 8 Upper Brogo Road
Quaama NSW 2550
Fax: (02) 6493 8217
Permaculture Institute
PO Box 1
Tyalgum NSW 2484
Ph: (02) 6679 3275
email: tagari@norex.com.au
ACT
Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc.
COGS
PO Box 347
Dickson ACT 2601
email: info@cogs.asn.au
Website: http://www.cogs.asn.au