Organic Research Group
A number of organic research and industry development activities are underway at UNE. Several staff and students have considerable experience and knowledge in organic agriculture, and have strong industry links developed over the past decade. UNE is expanding on it’s current organic work on several fronts along the supply chain: from farming inputs and on-farm production constraints, through to consumer and marketing issues, as well as the social and environmental impacts of organics. This site profiles some of the people involved and the exciting initiatives taking place.
A key impediment to organic food and farming research has traditionally been the low level of funding specifically allocated to organic agriculture by the RDCs, CRCs and other major funding agencies. Private sector investment in organic agriculture has also been low in the past. This has changed in recent years, (a) as the consumer demand for chemical-free, environmentally friendly ethical production systems continues to escalate and (b) as economic, environmental and social benefits of organic food and farming have been recognised.
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Biodynamic herb and vegetable grower, Avi Danon of Upper Thora (near Bellingen, NSW), shows Dr Paul Kristiansen his rich soil. | Sheep are grazed under kiwifuit vines at Tom Hackett's farm "Kiwi Down Under" located at Bonville, near Coffs Harbour, NSW. |