Organic Growers of Ireland established

�We just felt that we we're being represented, so we decided to do something about it�.

So says Jason Horner, founder member and driving force behind a new group called Organic Growers of Ireland.

Their steering group consists of many high profile names in organics. Along with Jason, the group features Siobhan Morris (consultant), Padraig Fahy (grower, former IOFGA chair), Cait Curran (grower, trainer and editor of Organic Matters) and Laszlo Kenderesi (organic trainer).

Thus far, this new representative organisation has found a receptive audience amongst organic growers.

�I brought 40 handouts to the recent NOTS conference, but we had more than twice that turn up� according to Jason Horner.

Another indicator of both the interest and the need in representing organic horticulture is the response OGI got to their initial expression of interest letter.

�30 people got back straight away, the vast majority of whom were growers� according to Jason.
He goes on � at the NOTS conference, we circulated a questionnaire: we got 66 responses from the 80 people in room, and most were interested in getting involved.�

Jason also points out that over half of these were registered growers, with others also being involved in the sector, including students of the organic colleges, organic advisors and consultants.

Jason was also keen to point out that OGI is �non aligned. We're independent politically and financially, and will try to represent all growers equally�. He points out that they will be open to members of both IOFGA and the Organic Trust.

The organisation aims to represent the needs and views of the organic horticulture sector. It also lists the following objectives:
To support effective and dynamic promotion of organic produce
To identify training needs of growers
To share practical and market information and facilitate networking between members.
To improve access to technical information on organic horticulture
To encourage new entrants to organic production

In the next short while, OGI aims to take specific actions to start achieving its aims. It will aim to establish an interactive website, with discussion board, blogs, buying and selling areas as well as areas for technical advice specific to Ireland.

While this might sound like par for the course, in reality organic growers are amongst the most internet-savvy of the entire farming community:

A similar orgnaisation in the UK, one which Jason has already had dealings, the Organic Growers Alliance, has 160 members on its books: only 3 are listed as non-internet users.

OGI will also develop an Action Plan. Both Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF) have organic action plans.

However organic growers I have spoken to have been annoyed at the complete lack of horticulture in the Teagasc plan, and the lack of concrete, tangible horticulture actions in the DAFF plan.

An example of the forgotten nature of the organic horticulture sector is the fact that the plan for converting 5% of Ireland to organic is area rather than productivity-based. Inevitably, this mitigates against the more concentrated and productive horticultural sector, compared to more extensive sectors such as sheep and beef.

Following on from this, OGI aims to have representation on the various organic-specific steering, advisory and marketing groups.

There will also be a media dimension: they aim to make accessible the UK OGA magazine for members, as much but not all of the technical info will transfer. They will also look to inputing into that publication.

Likewise, OGI will be aiming to contribute regularly to the Irish farming and organic farming press.

Another action is to establish farm walks � both Jason Horner and Padraig Fahy have held Teagasc organic farm walks in recent years.

A further development to this is their desire to conduct study trips to the UK, where the organic horticulture sector is more developed.

Forever upbeat, Jason finished on a positive note: �The market is there, you only have to look at the level of imports. So in a sense, the market is established. I do believe there is capacity to grow�.

To contact OGI, (email only) irishorganicgrowers@gmail.com