New training resource for organic food industry

Organic certifying body, Australian Organic, has launched a new training program that aims to help producers in response to a recent WA court case involving an organic canola farmer that highlighted specific challenges for the industry.

Australian Organic says it used cutting edge research to develop the training program, The Australian Organic Onboarding Program, to help farmers overcome the sorts of obstacles that culminated in the WA court case.

Organic farming may be the third fastest-growing industry in Australia and expected to double in size over the next five years, says the not-for-profit company, but it’s not always easy to achieve and keep organic certification.

The program encourages farmers to be proactive and look for solutions in the face of external events and is the first training initiative developed to help organic producers run a compliant and profitable business.

The Onboarding Program helps growers get through the organic certification application process, and also helps growers prepare for audits. It also aim to fast track their understanding about running a certified organic business and overcome practical farming challenges.

“Producers, new and existing, need more support to become certified and profitable. The Program holds farmers’ hands every step of the way to make sure they’re successful and tapping into the right markets,” Australian Organic’s commercial manager Joanne Barber says.

“It’s also about being pragmatic and helping the industry grow sustainably so that supply and demand are well-balanced.”

The program is being run in collaboration with training group the Agribusiness Development Institute.