TROPO's Organic Info Library

A New Breed of Farmers

by Bryan Peterson, NASAA certifying officer and TROPO vice-president.

Just a few short years ago, the certified organic farmers of Australia were mostly small croppers, orchardists, herb growers and dedicated hobby farmers. Many of these were located in the more fertile growing regions of the eastern states and generally on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range. Although big on committment, the volume of certified produce flowing from these operations left consumers wanting more.

In recent years, an increasing number of broadacre farmers west of the Great Divide have begun to contribute sizeable quantities of grains, seeds and legumes to the organic food bowl, this being most apparent in the breakfast cereal department of the local supermarket.

The advent of a supply of organic sugar is the next logical progression at this time and would, I believe, kick-start up a whole new range of organic processed food lines such as pies, cakes, biscuits and snack foods. This would ensure a higher profile and greater demand for organic produce amongst Australian consumers.

Meanwhile, the revolution in farming practices continues to sweep across the landscape into the semi-arid centre of Australia where a new of graziers are looking at certified organic production of wool, lamb and beef. This in response to a growing international demand for not only "chemical-free", but also organically grown, food and fibre sources.

With holdings typically of 100,000 acres and often much larger, these growers have the potential to rapidly transform the nature of land itilisation in outback Australia. Already, Australia is seen as one of the cleanest agricultural zones on the planet by an increasingly discerning global marketplace.

Just over our western horizon, second and third generation graziers and farmers alike are looking over the fence at a new breed of growers making the switch to clean and sustainable production. Strong market trends in Europe and Japan in particular, suggest their courage and committment will be rewarded.

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