mentoring or the school teacher approach: organic inspections and certifications

How can organic farmers, growers and the processors who deal with organic food improve and develop their skills in a climate of learning rather than fear?

One approach that seems to be gathering momentum is mentoring. At present we have certification, inspections and occasional spot checks. But many feel unhappy with this limited method.

One organic farmer waxing lyrical about the mentored approach is Joe Condon. Joe has a Galloway beef herd at the foot of the Knockmealdown mountains, and is prominent in the certification body, IOFGA. He produces and sells highly acclaimed beef and beef burgers direct, through both local farmers� markets and through a nationwide delivery scheme.

Joe�s overall approach is very low impact and extensive; he also avoids the big industrial abattoirs and instead uses a local artisan butcher.

Indeed it was the skills of small scale local butchers, as much as the organic inspection process, that prompted Joe to start talking to me about mentoring at the recent All-Ireland farmers� market conference in Athlone:

�These small scale guys, they are highly skilled, and there aren�t many of them out there. But they live in fear of inspections. Surely there is a way to help them along, to train and improve them, to preserve their skills, rather that this school teacher approach we have at the moment�

�Mentoring could be a parallel process to inspection�you could take the top guys in their field, in each category: they could form a group in their area, and mentor those fellas coming in. It would make life easier for inspectors. If you are properly trained and mentored, you�re better at your job. In the inspection process, confusion can occur over small stuff.�

The benefit of this approach is that the best in a particular field would get to give practical help: �An inspector might not be a skilled farmer, and might not know the issues.�

Nevertheless, it seems ludicrous that inspectors, during the inspection process, are not allowed give advice to farmers on how they can improve their work.

Joe feels that there are gaps that need to be filled, but the language used and the approaches taken need to be subtle and well thought out. I also put it to Joe that there are some organic regional and sector-specific producer groups already, doing this skills-sharing to some extent:

�Even in these specialist and regional producer groups, people don�t admit that they are short of certain skills. People don�t want to admit that they are lax in certain areas.�

I know this to be the case myself, in my own non-organic related work, where I organise training for the Greenbox, the ecotourism project in the north-west. Various product providers once got �training�- now they get �capacity building�. This latter phrase suggests that already skilled people get to improve and develop in their area of expertise.

But it�s not just semantics: capacity building also involves doing different things, including for example one-to-one mentoring in various business skills and learning about examples of best practice and innovation from other product and service providers in comparable regions.

There does seem to be a genuine appetite for this sort of service. Often at the Teagasc organic farm walks, you actually get other organic farmers and growers attending to brush up their skills and get a few tips. These walks essentially involve farmer-to-farmer skills sharing. Likewise, organisations such as the Western Organic Network offer farm-based training.

In other jurisdictions, the mentoring approach has become a ground-up alterative to state-related organic certification. The�Certified Naturally Grown� (CNG) scheme in the US has emerged as an alternative to the cost, paperwork and perception of watered down rules in �USDA organic�.

Farmers inspect, advise and mentor each other in the CNG system, a system with minimal bureaucracy. In Ireland, between farming and organic certification, Joe reckons he could be inspected up to 22 times a year � and then there�s the farming to be done. As they say in the States, go figure.

For more on CNG: www.naturallygrown.org

Here's an article I wrote for the Irish Organic magazine, Organic Matters a while back. It's about a guy who was once the prime minister, or Taoiseach, in Ireland.

If you don't know his background, then look him up, he was a contraversial character throughout his career. This makes his organic interests all the more noteworthy. Article is on the Organic Matters own site:

charlie

and here's a wiki on charlie

any comments on newstalk chat today?

Post them here

new short slow food video available here.....

( http://tbsstoryline.com/ )

Here's an article I wrote on the recent farmers' market conference in Athlone

The recent farmers� market conference was an exceptionally positive event. It was so for a number of reasons.

First, it was packed. The event sold out two weeks before the 30th, which is never a bad sign. 370 delegates turned up, which leads to the next point: The range and calibre of the delegates. Those working in development (rural, agri-food, business and specific farmers� market development workers), producers and vendors, farmers� market organisers, some local authorities and politicians (including both Ministers O� Cuiv and Sargent) but also others less expected. At least, less expected until now: Insurance companies, environmental health officers, equipment sellers (from canopies to tilling), seed savers and sellers, researchers, journalists; the range itself was impressive. The stalls outside the conference area presented both great products and networking opportunities.

The first spontaneous round of applause came when Darina Allen asked the IFA to become more involved. After she said this, a representative of the IFA�s horticultural section stood up and pointed out that he was in fact present, had worked with minister Sargent previously, and himself and the organisation were interested in the farmers� market phenomenon in a way they were not until very recently.

The need for consistency from local authorities also reappeared as a theme again and again. According to some of the research done and presented at the event, the most successful single act of promotion you can do for your farmers� market is to have road signage. It beats word of mouth and all other adverts. Yet there is severe inconsistency in local authority attitudes to signage, ranging from fines for having them to funding to make them. This certainly emerged as a topic that needs resolution to encourage growth in the sector.

That there were some local authority representatives from a town without a farmers� market, pleading with producers to come and set up a market in their town was a welcome development, and a sign of how attitudes to farmers� markets have improved.

But there are still some belligerent and short sighted local authorities who don�t see the long term benefits of the farmers� market to the local cultural life and economy. One presentation compared the two northern towns of Ballymoney and Coleraine. The difference was staggering: Coleraine town council invested �32,000 and have people to liaise with the farmers� market. They now have 24 successful stalls. Ballymoney has had the opposite treatment, and struggles.

In general, the need for more support people to help develop the sector emerged clearly. Whether this involves managers who run and represent clusters of farmers� markets, or specific people employed by local authorities, a more organised and thorough system would be welcome.

The need for consistency in the farmers� market itself was also an issue. Having labelling (products details, prices, name tags) promoting the farmers� market in both creative and traditional ways (from putting one stall outside the entrance to entice people in, to sending press releases to the local papers when there�s news) and the importance of key products such as fruits and vegetables, fish, cheese, meat and breads all emerged as important.

The importance of training, from Teagasc to agricultural colleges and departments in academic institutions, also emerged. Training in sustainable farming, outside of the organic collages and training centres is thin on the ground, according to one speaker. That this speaker works in rural development and has some training in this area, which he travelled over to Scotland to receive, speaks volumes.

Certification of the farmers� market also emerged as a discussion point. Should farmers� markets be demarked as having a particular standard related to provenance? Should their support (as regards funding) be tied to this? There was both support and resistance to the idea. The UK certification model was presented, but some speakers felt that something like this certification would be easier in a place the size of the UK. It was also pointed out that you don�t need funding to set up a farmers� market - you need belief, initiative and a flask of boiling water, it was suggested.

Others felt that language was being misused, to the point that some consumers in some markets were being mislead about the provenance of the produce: Farmers� markets should be for farmers and farmed produce, not for wholesaling, otherwise surely rate paying shops would complain. This issue is likely to rumble on.

Rumble it will, but farmers� markets are one of the success story in agriculture, and one with a bright future.

This is the follow-on interview with Trevor Sargent, the new minister of state in the Department of Agriculture and Food. In the previous post, he outlined his remit and vision for food in Ireland. The only relevant aspect not covered in detail was organic farming. Here's the organic bit...

Oliver Moore:
We�ve had targets for increasing organic production before, and failed. All across Europe, despite some growth in the sector, increased organic production targets have not been met. This has also been the case in countries where the Greens have been in government, such as Germany. In this context, how realistic is the aim for 5% organic by 2012?

Trevor Sargent:
The target is high but hopefully not too high. Austria is leading the way in Europe, with over 11%. I would hope our 5% is seen as prudent and practical. It�s especially realisable in the sheep and drystock area. This would have been acknowledged in the Dail by the previous minister, Joe Walsh, in debates we�ve had. He was saying that much of the production is almost organic, and I was saying let�s make it official then, by helping the farmers in question to be certified organic. Then they would have the additional benefits and premiums in being certified organic.

OM: What are the barriers you see to the development of the sheep and drystock aspects of the organic sector?

TS: Getting animals slaughtered in a way that ensures they could maintain their organic status�that has been a problem for a number of organic growers that I�m aware of. They produced animals to the organic standard, but when it came to slaughtering, they weren�t able to maintain their organic standard beyond slaughtering� that�s why I�m working to insure that local abattoirs are available, so that organic farmers can comply with the requirements for slaughter. I�ll also be talking to the other factories, to make sure that there�s room for organic slaughtering as well. It�s a case of filling the gaps in the system that are there already.


OM: I suppose it fits in with the traditional green approach to not liking live exports, while at the same time dealing with the economic realities of Irish farming.

TS: It�s positive. I mean, this is what I hope my ministry is all about - looking at the positive, and capitalising on the natural advantages we have, while being pragmatic in supporting farmers.

OM: What else does the organic sector need to develop:

TS: We also need to insure that the training is there too, and an independent organic agency. These are oft called for from the organic bodies. Also, a public procurement programme for organic food in canteens and restaurants. These are all part of (the overall) strategy. I�ll be working to put that strategy in place quickly, to insure that it gets the targeted funding it needs. I�ve no doubt it�s (5%) a realisable figure, there�s a great public appetite, no pun intended, for the target, as it represents import substitution. According to figures I�ve read, up to 75% of organic produce is imported. Aside from the export potential which is huge, and needs to be developed further, there is a huge potential for import substitution. It�s a sad reflection that so many people associate organic with imported produce.

OM: What about the role of the organic certification bodies?

TS: I recognise the huge work they are doing, but I think too much is being put on their shoulders. It�s not about taking away from the certification bodies, but about augmenting the work by having a national strategy. I know the organic development committee is working hard to implement a national strategy: I look forward to meeting Mr Duggan and the committee to do everything I can to help in that. I�m involved myself with all three certification bodies, Demeter, the Orgnaic Trust and IOFGA.

OM: Are you certified organic yourself?

TS: I�m sorry to say I have all the documentation at home, but I haven�t had time to deal with all the paperwork! Which I�m sure is a problem that most farmers can relate to, the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy that goes with it.

Here is the interview I did with Green Party leader and New minister of State for Food and Horticulture here in Ireland, Trevor Sargent. It was published recently in the Irish Examiner's farming supplement, which comes out every Thursday. Nothing about organics actually, as that was kept over for the organic diary, which was published last thursday.

Oliver Moore: Being from Dublin, and with the Green Party having such an urban base�

Trevor Sargent: Hang on a second, are you labouring under the misapprehension? Aren�t you aware that half of the fresh produce in the country is produced in north county Dublin? There are also a lot of lamb, sheep and dry stock farmers there too. And, for the record, I�m not a city person - where I live is a serious food producing area

OM: So you have an automatic connection to farming�

TS: I do, also through my family in Longford and Meath, I would have been involved with farming during my summer holidays

OM: You also do some gardening, if I�m not mistaken?

TS: I do: I grow as much of my food as possible in a small suburban garden

OM: Tell me about your new role. What�s your remit?

TS: My responsibilities cover the development of the food industry throughout the country. That entails monitoring the food industry headings under the national development plan. The specific aspects include the horticulture sector, including plant health and organic production, though of course organic production goes far beyond horticulture, as the biggest growth in that sector is in livestock.


The early retirement scheme is also in my area. Insuring that farming has a future means encouraging young people to get involved in farming. This scheme can�t be made attractive enough, for somebody to let their farm be farmed by a younger person, when they get to an age when they could enjoy a slightly easier life, given that farming is such a hard life.


I also have responsibility for livestock breeding. A particular interest of mine is in establishing more abattoirs locally. Animal feedstuffs are another important area of mine.

OM: That�s a fairly broad remit. This latter area is an interesting one.

TS: It has an international dimension. Currently, we are relying on imported feedstuffs, even though much of our livestock is produced for export�we have to insure that these imports are of a standard to get the best market opportunities in our exports. So we need a full debate on the growing influence of the biotech industry in the production of GM animal feed, given that our markets are very keen to ensure GM-free produce. Examples include Co-Op Italia, and many others� Carrefour, Auchan, in the UK there�s UK Teascos, M&S, Sainsburys, Budgens stores. They all have high quality labels that require meat and dairy produce to be fed on certified GM-free feed.

OM: But we do sell meat to these countries, and these retailers you�ve mentioned are some of the biggest players in these countries. So is it that we don�t get to sell meat to them or that we are at risk?

TS: I think we�re at risk. Because at the moment, we don�t declare that the food is fed with GM. So it is taken as read that if it�s not declared as GM it must be non-GM. So we are managing to get away without having to certify it as GM free at the moment. But I�m seeing a trend internationally, where consumers are requiring far more upfront certification. In that regard, we need to be prepared for that. We have such a good grass producing climate in this country. We should be taking advantage, and insuring the greatest possible self-reliance in feed from our cereal sector, and making sure the supply of GM-free feed is assured.

OM: What is the current status of availability of GM-free feed?

TS: It is available. There has been a meeting between suppliers and the 3rd largest feed supplier in the world, the Brazilian company Imcopa. They were assuring farming organisations they have sufficient feed for the whole of Europe, should the whole of Europe decide it wanted it .They certainly would supply Ireland

OM: I suppose we then get into a whole set of other arguments, about GM, food miles, regulations in Brazil�

TS: Well this is the crossroads we are at. We need to capitalise on the high quality reputation we have, and that is to be found in guaranteeing that we are GM free. We need to both maintain and enhance our reputation. We need to look at what we stand to loose, not just the costs. We need to make the best, long term decisions. 15 dollars per tonne is the price of guaranteeing GM-free soya, according to Impoca. We need to also work at import substitution, to make sure that the money goes to our own cereal sector, rather than exporting the money. We also need to maintain our extensive production, so that we can rely as much as possible on grass feeding�it�s about playing to our natural advantages.

OM: What about the recent Teagasc report on GM, which pitches the cost of staying GM-free as somewhere between �7 and �42million, depending on the scenario considered?

TS: I want to meet with Teagasc, to see how they arrived at that figure. Because it�s very important that we take decisions based on all the information, and longer term contexts, and what potential we have to avoid costs. I think it�s fair and wise to ask those questions. Previously, let�s remember, we were all advised feeding meat and bone meal was a good cost effective course of action. We found to our cost that it was anything but. I think we should learn lessons from the past.

OM: Maybe it is the case that the scope of research Teagasc can do, while being good in its own scientific area, might not be able to take into account the market, socio-cultural realities and so on.

TS: Well I would say that (is the case), because the previous programme for government, when it came to GM, talked about taking into account both health and environmental criteria. It didn�t talk about taking into account markets. From an agricultural point of view, it�s vital that we take into account the market�. there are GM-free zones all over Europe, including Ireland�.

OM: But what about the legal status of these zones?

TS: There are ways around it. EU rules state that you need to prove that it�s not possible for GM and non GM to co-exist, before you can declare an area GM free. There�s grounds for that in Ireland�.Likewise, you can, if there�s an agreement in an area, where all the growers undertake not to grow GM, you can de facto declare the area GM free. And it would be, I would argue, in the interest of farming in the area to capitalise on their selling point in doing so. The fact that councils have declared their area GM free indicates that there is popular support for declaring an area GM free. There are ways around the WTO rules, (rules) that have been seriously influenced by the biotech industry, but I think people need to be able to determine their futures.

OM: You mentioned at the start that you were from a horticultural region of Dublin. What is the current situation regarding horticulture?

TM: In particular, they are the ones under the most pressure - so many of them are under so much pressure that they are going out of business. This is bad news not only for these farming families, but also for us nationally, because our food security is further diminished. Food and energy are intrinsically linked together. The price of energy is a large part of the food production costs. A grower in my own area, producing parsnips and leeks, has found that his energy costs have more than quadrupled in the last 5 years. And yet, he�s not getting anything more for his produce. He�s under more and more pressure every day to keep going. If we could reduce the food miles, and have more access to his produce rather than just depending on supermarkets, then there would be the option for him to continue beyond what he is currently doing

OM: So is part of your remit also farmers� markets?

TS: Very much so. There needs to be a number of measures in this job, to insure you are making progress, and the number of farmers� markets is one such measure. So I will be meetings county managers, local authorities, public representatives and officials, so that they will recognise that they have a role to play, to insure that their area has as many farmers� markets as possible.

OM: As you are aware, different local authorities have had different attitudes to farmers� markets ranging from positive to negative.

TS: Very much so, both your paper and your strong Munster readership have been leading the country in this regard. You have managed to create the association between say, west cork and gourmet food...

OM: But why is it that in Ennis they�re fined for putting up signs saying the farmers� markets is on, and in Leitrim they are funded for putting up signs saying it�s on?

TS: There is a clear inconsistency�so there should be consistency in how our markets are developed and advertised, notwithstanding regional branding diversity

OM: How will farmers� markets accommodate the very large growers in your part of the country?

TS: (These producers) are in many ways designing their operations around supermarket interests - to the point of just having one or two crops�maybe farmers� market can help these producers, if only in relation to market research. Maybe it�d be a small part of their sales, but it might provide a lot of useful information for them�for example, one thing that went down quite well, though it would be a small part of his overall business, was the selling at farmers� markets of Brussels Sprouts still on the stalk. That�s something of a unique selling point, it keeps the product fresh while people also like the idea...there needs to be some reaching out from the organisers of the farmers� markets; maybe to take delivery of some of the produce for markets from these farmers, and undertaking to sell the produce on a commission basis. There needs to be some way of connecting farmers and farmers� markets, and that requires a bit of lateral thinking�