OANZ is Helping Farmers to Thrive.

From March to September 2022, an OANZ Sector Work Group met fortnightly via Zoom to establish a draft plan to create an organic ecosystem database, the purpose of the group was to help define the next steps in creating a technical solution that will provide resources, help connect farmers and draw on existing groups and networks. The project objectives for the extension programme included:

• Allow for better sharing of resources across the Organic Sector

• Reduce knowledge and technical barriers to entry

PURPOSE OF PROJECT

An opportunity has been identified to create a platform that can provide resources, help connect farmers and draw on existing groups and networks. An organic ecosystem database that will help farmers connect, learn and prosper. Desired outcomes for the database includes:

• An platform of organic resources available to all farmers and producers in an easily searchable format, such as a website and/or app

• Allow for better sharing of resources across the Sector

• Knowledge and technical-based barriers to entry are reduced

THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE

Farmers participating in the 2022 Extension Stocktake Survey highlighted multiple obstacles when looking for information on organic farming. There is a lack of a shared knowledge base of best practices in organic agriculture, challenges to direct learning from geographically distributed producers, and a lack of any extension support. The key constraints were highlighted as being:

• A lack of production information, advice and education readily available to producers to assist current and potential organic farmers in increasing their effectiveness and knowledge of organics

• No single place to go for information materials, tutorial videos or guides on how to get started and transition to organics

• There is a lack of information and help for all farmers looking to move away from synthetic nitrogen, pesticides and herbicides

• Producers want to understand what inputs and other supplies that could empower them to thrive, particularly those new or transitioning to organics

• A need was highlighted to build community and boost the mental health of organic producers who feel marginalised

• There is a current lack of understanding of how Government GHG and freshwater policies apply to organic producers

• There is a huge need for an integrated platform that utilises existing knowledge bases; producers currently do not know where to go for information and credible advice

THE SOLUTION:
Using Technology to Share Organic Resources & Knowledge

The Organic Hub will be a central dashboard giving producers quick access to all the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to succeed in Organics.

Supported by technology, the Organic Hub will connect producers with each other to share new ideas, solutions and knowledge. The Hub will harness the power of community to support the growth of organics in New Zealand. Main features include:

• Access to a community of experienced organic farmers

• Easy-to-follow information and educational resources

• Videos, guides and tutorials from trusted sources

The ecosystem database project will be absorbed into the farmer extension programme to deliver online resources for producers and a communications hub.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand would like to acknowledge and thank the many people across the Organic Sector who participated and gave time and energy to this action group, specifically Chairs, Malkiat Singh, Kingseat Organics and Secretary, Pete Huggins, Soil and Health Association of New Zealand and to every volunteer who participated in the action group meetings. For more information please download the full report below or to get involved in the next stage please contact us.