The History
The ODPG was formed by farmers who saw the need for support and leadership within the organic farming industry. Over the past 7 years a number of field days and seminars have been held mainly in the Waikato region.
The ODPG is an Incorporated Society, bringing with it a more formal structure. At the 4th AGM on 9th March 2007, elections were held and the office holders are identified overleaf.
Currently
We are now entering an exciting era for organics. Growth in the organic food sector is occurring at unbelievable rates. Fonterra have a formal policy on organic milk and are actively seeking 200 new suppliers by 2008. This is causing a shortage of organic supplements and grazing. As the number of producers continue to grow, there is a rising need for co-ordination of processing and marketing of organic products such as meat , feed, livestock and grazing
As a combined voice of producers, the ODPG has been effective in negotiating premiums, sorting out certification issues and successfully obtained funding for research and extension.
Through discussion groups and our email network there is support for members and communication enabling sales of feed and livestock as well as discussion on current issues.
ODPG members have been kept informed of upcoming events and discounts off certain products have occurred. Discussion re a website has been ongoing and we have recently commissioned a company to complete this. The website is expected to be up and running within a few weeks.
We have two representatives on the OANZ council.
Funding has been granted from Organic Aotearoa New Zealand and AGMARDT for the delivery of workshops and field days. We have received funding from Sustainable Farming Fund and DairyNZ for a three year project aiming to lift the production on individual farms. DairyNZ provides funding for a trial on mastitis.
Future Growth
Our membership of over 100 is currently is made up of around 60% organic dairy farmers , 15 % drystock farmers, 10% input providers and 15% conventional farmers.
We are a Organic Pastoral group as we believe that essentially we are all growing the same product. That is grass therefore face similar issues.
With the low density of organic farms there is a lot to be gained from combining resources and extending services to both sectors. This reduces duplication, enables different regions to be better serviced by extension programmes whilst still allowing for specialist groups to work across the regions. It creates a network that encourages organic growth.
VALUES
Grow as a united and supportive group, sharing ideas and information, to actively promote
the vision of sustainable agriculture, while nourishing and nurturing our environment
VISION
The ODPG be a source of sustainable, biological farming information,
and at the same time promote organic produce as a premium product both in quality and price