Organics is climate action

by Pete Huggins

This year the Organic NZ Awards are celebrating how organic production lowers carbon emissions through increased soil health and biodiversity.

We’ve also decided to embrace regenerative agriculture (often called regen for short). Regen is the latest in a strong lineage of values-based farming systems with ecosystems and nature at their heart. And there’s a lot to like about organics and regen coming together, because we know that a focus on soil and farm biodiversity can have climate benefits.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards have just opened and run until March 22nd. Categories include the Organic Regenerative Farmer of the Year, Emerging Organic Leader of the Year and Organic Brand of the Year. You can nominate yourself, or somebody else.

Organics is climate action

Farmers and growers around New Zealand are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes many regenerative farmers who are certified organic. And these growers are also getting a price premium for their produce. So the 2023 Organic NZ Awards are about celebrating these leaders. The Awards are about inspiring more people to realise the holistic benefits of organics.

Organics is an internationally accredited and recognised verification. This means shoppers have a guarantee that their purchases aren’t being greenwashed. We believe customer demand for ethical and sustainable food will only increase. It means New Zealand can embrace this trend with a shift to organic regenerative farming.

About the awards

The Organic NZ Awards are presented by Organic NZ magazine as part of annual Organic Week celebrations. Winners will be announced during Organic Week on May 4th.

Organic Week is an annual celebration, held 1-7 May this year, organised by The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand and Organics Aotearoa New Zealand.

Organic Week is sponsored by Countdown, BiolChim New Zealand, Farmlands, Asure Quality, Kokako Coffee, Chantal Organics, TraNZalpine Honey, Pernergetic New Zealand, Waihi Bush and the Open Polytechnic.

Three peer-reviewed awards will be decided by a group of judges. These categories are: Organic Regenerative Farmer of the Year, Emerging Organic Leader of the Year and Organic Brand of the Year. Five peoples’ choice awards will be decided by public vote. These categories are: Organic Food Product of the Year, Organic Beverage of the Year, Organic Non-Food Product of the Year, Community Garden of the Year and Farmers’ Market of the Year.

Pete Huggins is the General Manager of the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, and chair of Organic Week 2023