18 August 2000 Joint venture opens new era at Lincoln's Biological Husbandry Unit

The signing of an agreement between Lincoln University and representatives of the national organic movement has ushered in a new era in the history of the Biological Husbandry Unit at Lincoln University and sets the seal on its future development and enhancement.

The agreement takes the form of a Memorandum of Understanding and the establishment of a Deed of Trust placing the management and operation of the Biological Husbandry Unit under a Board of Trustees representing the interests in organic production of the organic movement and Lincoln University.

Former Dominion President of Federated Farmers, Sir Peter Elworthy is the inaugural chair of the Trust, and the joint venture was launched at Lincoln University on Friday 11 August in a ceremony attended by representatives of all parties involved.

Established through the vision of Bob Crowder some 24 years ago, the Biological Husbandry Unit at Lincoln University was a brave new venture at a time when organics was very much a fringe interest rather than the more main stream activity it is today.

Over the years the Unit, now covering 10 hectares, has played a significant leadership role in the national development of the organic philosophy and movement. Through work at the site, and Bob Crowder's enthusiasm, many students have been introduced to the principles of organic production and a number now hold prominent positions in the organic movement and industry.

The work of Bob Crowder was recognised by a Queen's Birthday Honours award of the New Zealand Order of Merit (Member) in 1997.

Efforts by the organic movement to encourage and assist the University to increase its involvement in organics at an educational, training, consultancy and research level, as set out in the MOU and the Trustee documents, indicate the direction seen as necessary for the Unit's success.

Lincoln University acknowledges the leadership that Bob Crowder has provided to the organic movement through his activities at the University and acknowledges too the time the joint venture steering group gave in helping to position activities in organic production at the Biological Husbandry Unit for the new millennium.

International linkages with European and United Kingdom universities have been established and student and staff exchanges are envisaged with Scotland, Denmark and Holland. This, together with strong collaboration between Lincoln University and the nearby Crown Research Institutes, provides a significant local capability that will focus attention on the development of best practice organic production for vegetables, fruit, pastoral livestock and arable crops.