2 August 2000 New-look national springboard for organics – Lincoln University's Biological Husbandry Unit re-launched

The icon of organics research in New Zealand, Lincoln University's Biological Husbandry Unit, will be ‘relaunched’ on Friday 11 August as a joint venture between the University and representatives of the national organic movement.

Through the establishment of a Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust, chaired by former Federated Farmers Dominion President Sir Peter Elworthy, the University has become a partner with The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand, the organic certification body BIO-GRO New Zealand, Christchurch's Organic Garden City Trust, and Certificate in Organic Growing provider Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

Central to reasserting the Biological Husbandry Unit's role in teaching and training, research and development, information transfer and consultancy are five key objectives that the Trust will address on the 10-hectare Lincoln University site established by organics pioneer Bob Crowder in 1976-77. Those objectives are –

• Securing and developing the BHU's on-going contribution to the national advancement of organic food production concepts.

• Ensuring that research, quality education, technology transfer and the development of qualifications in organic systems occurs at Lincoln.

• Establishing funding mechanisms to support BHU initiatives.

• Providing access to Lincoln University's facilities for community groups interested in supporting the advancement of organics.

• Facilitating on-going communication, strategic development and mutually beneficial interactions in the area of organics between the industry, community and the University.

When everything is in place it is anticipated that the University will run summer organic programmes with practical work components as an integral part of the University's academic courses. And, as in the past, community volunteers, visitors from the international movement Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOFers) and others, including students of both Lincoln and Christchurch Polytechnic, will also be encouraged to work voluntarily on the site.

"With its internationally recognised 'clean, green' image, New Zealand is ideally placed to become a premier certified organic producer in the world and enjoy immense benefits in income, employment, environmental attractiveness, health and prestige," says Lincoln University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Frank Wood.

"And in turn, through the Biological Husbandry Unit, Lincoln University has it within its power to become a leading centre in the world for the teaching, demonstration and research of temperate zone sustainable food production."

Members of the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust are –

Sir Peter Elworthy (chair)

Molly Chalklen, member and past president of the Soil & Health Association

Bob Crowder, pioneering founder of the Biological Husbandry Unit

Fiona Elworthy, rural alternative options

Ian Henderson, organic/biodynamic farmer and past runner-up in the Lincoln University Farmer of the Year competition

Jon Manhire, Organic Products Exporters Group Executive Officer

Dr Morgan Williams, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

"Lincoln University believes that under the leadership provided by the Trust and in partnership with the community and industry the BHU will emerge as an innovative force for sustainable land management and an inspiration for generations of students," says Dr Wood.

"Many of its innovations will find economic value as they are integrated with the more commercial initiatives of industry, community groups, Kowhai Farm – the University's joint venture in organics operated in partnership with Heinz Wattie's – and with the management of Lincoln's other farms too."

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