17 December 1999 Organics Field Day at Lincoln

Interest by farmers and small-holders keen to find out more about the organic movement has prompted an organics field day at Lincoln University in January.

"Organic production is big news at the moment and will continue to command attention well into the future," says Lincoln's Professor Steve Wratten.

"There is a ground-swell of consumer interest in organic foods as shown by the large increase in the market for organic produce in Europe and North America. Local suppliers of organically grown products for export cannot get enough," he says.

"We hope to help remedy this a little with a field day at Lincoln University on Saturday 29 January, 2000, starting at 10am.

"I know that's at a busy time for farmers but it's essential to hold the field day when the crops are worth looking at. That way there will be something visual to illustrate the discussion on systems that rely on management and not chemicals."

The Lincoln field day will feature formal presentations by successful organic producers of both grains and animal products and sessions by researchers and industry agronomists.

Also on the programme for discussion are the regulations governing the registration of organic properties and the associated responsibilities.

Lunch will be provided, followed by a walking tour of Kowhai Farm, the Lincoln University Heinz Wattie demonstration organic property.

For further details and a programme contact Errol Costello at Lincoln University fax (03) 3253840 or email costelle@lincoln.ac.nz

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand