Olive Oil News

A Diploma of Agriculture in Organics is being offered by Advance TAFE. The Diploma can be undertaken as a part-time course at the Farmtec campus, Sale, eastern Victoria, or off-campus via flexible delivery. The teacher is Alan Broughton and there are four intakes per year. For more information contact Advance TAFE on ph: (03) 5142 2541.

A new trade event for local, regional and international fine quality food and drink, Speciality Food & Drink Fair will showcase artisan food and drink directly to buyers. Organisers say the event will attract thousands of key decision makers and buyers from the best independent retailers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and hospitality outlets looking to source quality food and drink products. The event will run from 27-28 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and is strictly trade only.

The Australian Government is investing more than $2 billion over five years to achieve a real and measurable difference to Australia’s environment. Caring for our Country provides funding for a broad range of sustainable land management and environmental protection work. Caring for our Country is available to legal entities including organisations and community groups for work that will contribute to achieving one or more of the Caring for our Country targets. Applications close 9 February 2012.

Food marketers have an opportunity to help consumers seeking healthy foods by providing easy-to-understand nutrition information on-pack, according to a new report from Nielsen.

Fairfax Media and Elders have launched the official Australian Year of the Farmer (AYOF) photo competition, with camera equipment worth $10,000 on offer for the winning photo. Monthly winners will be awarded across six categories in each state and territory, along with an overall monthly winner, with a total 442 prizes valued at over $30,000 awarded. The competition aims to inspire farmers to capture the magic they encounter in their daily lives, whether at work or at play, in the categories of: Farming people at work and play, Farm animals, The things we grow and process, Farming landscapes, Fun and funky in the country, and Country-city links. The competition runs until 30 September 2012 and images can be uploaded via the official AYOF website.

A Facebook shopping app has been launched in Australia, aiming to help small businesses reverse recent downward trends in consumer spending. Developed by Brisbane-based start-up aradium, the app enables small businesses to run an online e-commerce store on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking website. More information www.facebook.com/aradium and read more in the coming edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

Random weather conditions continue to be experienced across Australia, from heat waves to heavy rains, floods and even cyclones. How has your grove fared? Have you lost blossoms or young fruit to strong winds? Is your grove under water, or parched from days of scorching heat? Send Olivegrower & Processor editor Gerri Nelligan an email with details of what’s been happening in your area, and she’ll compile a snapshot of how things are looking across the country. And New Zealand growers, we’d love reports from you too. Send your details to [email protected]

Time is running out to comment on the National Table Olives Committee’s discussion paper. Feedback in invited from all olive industry participants, with input providing the basis for the development of draft Australian Standards for Table Olives. Download the paper at https://www.olivessouthaustralia.com.au/index.php/home/1-general-info/35-discussion-paper-on-table-olives. Forward comments before the end of January to Peter McFarlane, by post to 33 Phillips St, Somerton Park SA 5044; by fax on 08 8376 7048 or via email to [email protected]