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It’s time to enter the annual Fiesta! Olive Awards, run by Fleurieu Food to build on the Fleurieu Peninsula’s reputation of one of Australia’s premium olive and oil regions. Entry is open to all Australian producers. Closing date for entries is October 5, with judging on October 9 and the award presentation dinner on 3 November 2012. Contact Rachel McMillan on 0405 264 381 or [email protected] for more details and entry forms.
On 18 July ABC TV’s 7:30 Report aired a story with allegations made against fertiliser manufacturer NutriTech Solutions (NTS). Two products NTS Fulvic 1400 and Nutri-Care were alleged to have contained synthetic nitrates and presence of benzene respectively, both not permitted in organic production standards. Auditing and testing of products have been carried out on NTS and on 8 August Australian Certified Organic (ACO) released an industry notice outlining results of investigations in relation to the allegations. Read it https://www.bfa.com.au/IndustryResources/BFAPublications/OrganicAdvantage/OrganicAdvantageArchives2012/mid/777/newsid777/202.aspx.
Local producers of “liquid gold” have been honoured for their achievements at the ninth annual NSW Northern Olive Oil Show. While the top honour – Best in Show – went to an oil from Varipodio Estate near Mildura, local growers David and Justine George from Tanglewood Plantation of Moonbi, and Jon and Chris Ness of Limbri’s Olive Nesst, took out the remaining two silver medals of the show. Tanglewood Plantation also received three bronze medals and Olive Nesst another bronze medal, while Mannin Grove at Coonabarabran also scored a bronze. In total, three silvers and 14 bronzes were awarded.
Grants are now available as part of the Federal Government’s $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program. The merit-based grants program aims to help local businesses transition to a clean energy economy via the funding of research and development, proof of concept/or early stage commercialisation of technologies or services to reduce carbon emissions and help improve business productivity. Grants of $50,000 to $5 million will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar co-investment basis.
For more information contact the office of Amanda Rishworth MP on (08) 8186 2588.
The Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Marketing Committee is creating food and wine tourism experience trails for food and wine tourism businesses across the region – restaurants/cafes, cellar doors offer a food experience, providores, farmgates and workshops/cooking classes. Part of the project is a workshop ‘Find the “Point of Difference” of Your Business and Learn How to Communicate Your Story Really Well’, presented by Flinders University Emeritus Professor of Tourism Jane James. The two-part workshop will be held at ‘Our Place’, Range Rd, Willunga Hill on Tuesday, 28 August from 3.30-7.30pm and Tuesday, 11 September from 4-6pm. Cost is $25.00. To book, or for more information about the trail project, contact Pip Forrester at [email protected] or on 0414 530 386.
With a conference program tailored to the region, the ABARES Bega Regional Outlook conference on 29 August 2012 looks at global issues from a local perspective. A mix of local and ABARES speakers will present sessions on ‘Global economy – local impacts,’ ‘Toward a more productive agriculture’ and a closing panel discussion on ‘Furthering regional Australia’s future.’ The latter will explore topics such as sea-change and demographic shifts, regional development, peri-urban expansion, urban-rural connections, future producers, labour and skills, future industries, new technologies and social media. The venue is The Homestead, Brogo, RMB 12755 Princes Highway, Bega, NSW, with registration from 8.30am and the conference 9am-5pm. Cost is $98 (inc GST). More information or bookings https://www.daff.gov.au/abares/regional or contact [email protected]
The Olive Alliance – Olive-tech, Agromillora Australia and The Olive Centre – are hosting a Field Day in South Australia on Tuesday, 30 October. Focusing on grove innovation, pruning and marketing, the event is a practical day looking at examples of how growers have converted traditional groves or vineyards to Super High Density. Topics covered include techniques and costs. Marketing topics will include How to value-add and Where to go when there are struggles in the industry. Participants will depart from The Lakes Resort Hotel at 8.30am, returning at 6.30pm. Seats are limited, with an early bird price of $99 available until 30 August (then $150). Itinerary and bookings https://www.theolivecentre.com/s.nl?sc=1&category=1404&it=A&id=4946&fromsla=T&whence=
Entries for the 2012 NZ EVOO Awards opened on 13 August and close on 10 September. Late entries will not be accepted, so hop to it! Full details and entry forms are available on the Olives NZ website https://www.olivesnz.org.nz/members-news/awards/awards-2012/
Auckland grower Alex Twentyman has become the second olive oil taster to achieve Associate status in the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes program. Alex, 23, participated in the 2010 Savantes program and returned for the Melbourne program in July, where he achieved the 60% mark required for Associate Savante status. The Twentyman family own the Ocean View Estate olive grove at Mangonui in the far north of New Zealand; Alex is also a professional bass guitarist and software marketer. Associate status is the first step to achieving full Savante status and membership of the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes Register. Tests include rancidity and intensity ranking, defect identification, regional identification, triangle tests and own oil identification. For further Information about the Savantes program, contact Simon Field at [email protected] or +61 418 329 890.
Olives NZ members are getting great promotion of their brands on the TV program Café Secrets. Screening on TV3, Sundays at 5pm, the program is featuring EVOO and also the OliveMark, providing positive support for the local industry and its quality products. You can watch the episode featuring Kapiti Olives https://www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/CafeSecrets/TVOnDemand.aspx Coming up are: 19 August – Napier, featuring Matapiro Olives; 2 September – Auckland, featuring Wells Grove Estate and 9 September – Nelson, featuring Matapiro Olives.