Australian Organic Connect

In this Winter 2023 issue we cover the launch of Australian Organic Market Report 2023, which was published in early May and represents the most complete picture of Australian organics available thus far. We discuss insights from BIOFACH 2023, the world’s leading fair for organic food that was held in Nuremberg earlier this year with 40,000 visitors in attendance. AOL Director David Keens, a fourth-generation farmer, talks us through his family’s decision to grow biodynamic and organic almonds from his property in country Victoria. We look closer at the services available through solo advisory, AOL’s new business unit designed to assist operators looking to navigate the path to certified production. We announce the Associate Scholar for the 2023 Australian Organic Wine Awards, a talented young sommelier from Western Australia. We look back at March networking events conducted by AOL, including trips to Lismore and the Darling Downs to discuss soil health and organic grain storage respectively.

In the Autumn 2023 issue you’ll learn about solo advisory services, AOL’s new business unit designed to support operators requiring specialised advice across all stages of their certification journey. We also share a summary of AOL’s February trip to Canberra, where we met with MPs, Senators and industry bodies to discuss progress toward mandatory domestic regulation of organics. Elsewhere, AOL Chairman Mike Brown takes us through the latest developments in the organic wine industry, including impacts caused by widespread flooding events in 2022. We discuss current opportunities around mentorship in organic wine, including the Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship that opens in March. You’ll also learn more about five AOL member companies in Western Australia, including some leading organic and biodynamic winemakers in the famous Margaret River locale, as well as a Perth innovator in organic pet treats and a health-boosting drink business looking to share a “whole lotta goodness”.

In the Summer 2022 issue of Australian Organic Connect, you’ll find a full summary of the Australian Organic Industry Awards held on 25 November, including all category winners and pictures from our Hunter Valley ceremony. Elsewhere, we take a look at the approaching summer solstice and explore the rise of certified biodynamic principles in winemaking. In a feature article, horticulturist Clair Bickle explains how to keep your summer harvest rolling in with a range of well-known veggie favourites that just love the heat and humidity. This issue also features a 2022 update on the organic beef industry from AOL Director Iain Scholes, an introduction to AOL’s new Chairman and Directors, plus we learn more about five AOL member companies, ranging from allowed input innovators to organic growers and a first-of-its-kind liquor producer.

In the Spring 2022 issue of Australian Organic Connect, you’ll find a full summary of ‘Embracing Change & Transformation’, the inaugural Australian Organic Conference that was held at the W Brisbane on 21-22 July. We also hear from Mobium Group Research Director Nick Bez, who highlights some key takeaways from the market research that Mobium conducted this June with more than 1,000 Australian food shoppers.

Elsewhere, it’s Australian Organic Awareness Month once again, our annual September campaign promoting the certified organic industry in Australia. We cover the campaign in detail this issue, and also take you behind the scenes on on our Awareness Month video shoot with Better Homes & Gardens.

This issue also features an update on organic produce trends from AOL Chairman Martin Meek, the latest news from our Advisory Committees, and we learn about five AOL member companies offering great organic services from their home bases in Queensland and New South Wales.

In the Winter 2022 issue of Australian Organic Connect, AOL Research & Policy Officer Nicholas Mukherjee provides an update on our pursuit of domestic regulation, as well as a summary of an advisory group conference that AOL convened in March. Australian Organic Limited Director Leo Watling details the latest developments in organic retail, while AOL’s Advisory Committees update us on their activities across the previous quarter.

We also profile the ‘Fair Farms’ program, an industry-led initiative striving for fair employment practices across Australian horticulture. We then speak to Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship Winner
Olivia Evans about her experience six months into her scholarship, before taking a trip to the Byron Shire to profile four organic operators making moves in the region.

In the Autumn 2022 issue of Australian Organic Connect, we discuss the Government’s domestic regulation exciting next phase. Board member and Company Secretary Bernadette Favis provides an update for organic processors and manufacturers, and AOL’s Advisory Committees provide a quarterly update on their activities.

We go behind the scenes of the two days of judging for the Australian Organic Wine Awards 2021 and speak to some of the judges. We chat to Olivia Evans on becoming the first recipient of the Australian Organic Wine Awards Associate Scholarship. Wine writer and judge Josh Martin reviews Agnes restaurant in Brisbane and shares his thoughts on their organic wine offerings. We also learn more about organic operators in the heart of the Barossa, while Dr Sarah Lantz provide us with a delicious organic recipe.

In the Summer 2021 issue of Australian Organic Connect, we discuss the Government’s domestic regulation announcement. We welcome Olivia Evans into our brand new Wine Scholarship program. Board Member Sonya Dowling provides an update on the organic poultry and livestock industry. We wrap up Australian Organic Awareness Month 2021 and try out Andy Allen’s delicious recipe. We celebrate the winners of the Australian Organic 7th Annual Industry Awards. We summarise the literature review conducted by the University of Melbourne surrounding organic agronomic practices and probiotics and also highlight the benefit of partnerships between academia and industry. We present a range of organic Christmas gift ideas in our Organic Christmas Guide. We meet certified organic grain producers and processors in Southeast Queensland. Claire Bickle gives us her tips for edible gardening success and Dr Sarah Lantz shares her recipe for gut-loving bubble tea.

In the Spring issue, we hear from Australian Organic Awareness Month ambassador Andy Allen about his organic journey; we talk organics and wine with Mike Bennie; Anika Molesworth touches on the importance of organic agriculture in creating a healthier farming future; we speak to Dr Liza Oates about organic food as medicine; AOL Board Director and Vigneron Committee Chair Mike Brown of Gemtree Wines gives us an update on the organic wine industry; Chair of the Grain Advisory Committee, Grant Maudsley, provides an update on the Committee’s activities; we learn more about certified organic operators and members of the Sunshine Coast region; AOL’s Amy Stewart gives us some tips on caring for cut flowers; Dr Sarah Lantz helps us to buy organic on a budget; and Horticulturist Claire Bickle lets us know the 101 on all things organic gardening.

Written by industry for industry, the Winter issue discovers the latest news, trends and insights from industry experts and certified operators.

We take you through the highlights of this year’s Australian Organic Market Report; AOL Board Director Iain Scholes, discusses opportunities in organic beef, we celebrate the organic wine industry and the winners of the Wine Awards 2020; Export Connect provides advice on identifying the right export markets for your business; Kelvin Free of Wattle Organic Farms provides an update for the AOL Horticulture Advisory Committee; Owen Gwilliam takes us through the key steps to gain certification for producers; Market Organics celebrate their 5th Anniversary; we learn more about our members Organic Merchant and Bauer’s Organic Farm; Amy Stewart, AOL’s Research & Education Officer, talks sustainability with Todd Sampson; Louise Wright, AOL’s Social Media Coordinator, provides some photography top tips; and Claire Bickle talks organic soil 101

This jam-packed issue sets off 2021 with a range of industry news, updates and expert advice.

Australian Organic Limited (AOL) CEO Niki Ford provides an update on organic domestic regulation, including what the new Organics Industry Advisory Group means for the industry. AOL Board Director and Founder of Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods, Leo Watling, talks us through the importance of traditional Retail Principles. Megan Woodward speaks to Australian Organic members about the importance of soil and sustainable farming practices for Organic Earth Week. AOL Chief Technical Officer Owen Gwilliam celebrates home-grown organic farming heroes. We meet certified organic producers of the Riverina Region in NSW and hear their incredible stories. AOL Education and Research Officer Amy Stewart takes us through the 101 of vermicomposting, and we hear about the importance of keeping bees and making honey wine from Dr Sarah Lantz.

Written by industry for industry, this season’s edition wraps up the year with the latest news, trends and insights from industry experts and certified operators.

AOL Board Director, Company Secretary and Founder of The Cocolife, Bernadette Favis, talks us through some of the benefits of organic certification. We catch up with Andrew Sutherland, Founder of lightswitch consulting, about his new venture. We learn more about certified operators and 2019 AOIA winners Marinova. AOL Chief Technical Officer Owen Gwilliam debunks the myths of cattle and the environment. Dr Sarah Lantz helps us understand the importance of a healthy microbiome, whilst AOL CEO Niki Ford shares her own tips for making organic living more affordable.

The third edition of our quarterly e-magazine celebrates Australian Organic’s largest annual campaign to date – Australian Organic Awareness Month.

In this issue, we talk about the importance of achieving domestic organic regulation in Australia and what this could mean for organic brands and businesses, and why it’s important for consumers to look for certification marks on organic products in the meantime. We also have an exclusive interview with the face of Woolworths’ Fresh Market Update, Paul Turner and with this year’s Awareness Month ambassador Lincoln Lewis to hear more about what he learned on his visits to certified organic producers, processors and retailers in Queensland.

The second edition of our quarterly e-magazine focuses on Australian Organic’s number one strategic priority for 2020 – Organic Domestic Regulation.

In this issue, Mobium Research Director Nick Bez discusses consumer trends and barriers to organic; RMIT University Lecturer Dr Liza Oates shares her thoughts on domestic regulation; Warren Beaumont discusses news & opportunities for organic exports; and journalist Megan Woodward speaks to Australian Organic members to share their stores about some of the positive outcomes of COVID-19.

The first issue of Australian Organic Connect speaks to industry experts and organic operators about recent events and opportunities for the organic sector.

In this issue, Marg Will introduces the AOL Livestock Advisory Committee; Director of Enviroganic Sonya Dowling discusses poultry opportunities; CEO Niki Ford outlines AOL’s priority for domestic regulation; AOL’s Rhonda Vohland looks back on January’s devastating bushfires; Warren Beaumont discusses export opportunities in the US; Owen Gwilliam shares his opinion on regenerative agriculture; and we speak to founders of the Bud, Gavin and Rosemary Dunn.