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Organic Food & Farming

Organic products represent a business option for producers and processors that is based on emerging consumer trends in both domestic markets and export markets.

The term organic refers to a “method of production” where techniques and inputs permitted are defined by organic standards and verified by an organic certification scheme.

Modern organic farming can be defined as “a whole farm management system where natural biology and balanced soils give sustainable yields without synthetic chemicals or forced growth”. Biodynamic is a distinct form of organic farming, however the generic term organic can also include biodynamic. 

WA organic businesses comprise a wide range of enterprises from small landholders or part-time micro producers and food processors to large scale multi-million dollar corporate investments. Organic production involves virtually all sectors of agriculture and food industries in WA.  Details of many organic food companies in WA can be found on Agrifood Infonet.

The location of organic farms are dispersed throughout the state with most situated in the south west agriculture region:

• Map by Shire (percentage)
• Map by Shire (number of growers)

Certified organic and biodynamic farms are noted as sensitive agricultural production systems and their location can be registered for inclusion on the Sensitive Sites Map which is updated annually.

Organic production prohibits the use of products or by-products that are derived from genetically modified organisms.

• Organic farming and genetically modified crops
• Co-existence of different production systems

Conversion to organic typically takes 3 years, although product can be sold labelled as “in-conversion” organic after one year of compliance. Producers should carefully assess the technical feasibility and commercial viability of organic conversion prior to embarking on formal organic certification.

The Department of Agriculture and Food can provide a range of organic industry development assistance as well as food industry development services.

DAFWA publications for organic food and farming

• Organic food and farming : introduction No. 199 (2006)
• Organic apples : a production guide No. 4715 (2007)
• Organic Mangoes: a production guide No. 4712 (2007)
• Organic vegetables : a guide to production No. 4517 (2007)
• Organic horticulture : strategic opportunities in Western Australia No. 4622 (2009)
• Organic beef : a production guide No. 4518 (2009)
• Organic wheat a production guide No. 4519 (2007)
• Viticulture Spray Guide 2011/2012 Bulletin 4828
• Pome and Summer Fruit Orchard Spray Guide 2008/09 No. 4753 (2009)
• Organic farming - Locust spraying issues
• Organic marketing matters
• Growing organic : what you need to know
• Heart and soil in organics

Some relevant home Garden Notes

• Managing a garden the natural way
• Natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals
• Beneficial organisms in the home garden
• Compost, manure and flies
• Soil pH and plant health in the home garden
• Control of pest snails and slugs
• Nematodes in the home garden
• Slaters and their control
• Vegetable growing: a guide for home gardeners in Western Australia

Many other DAFWA publications have some relevance to organic food and farming

• GM Crops
• Horticulture information
• Orchard alert
• Practical farm biosecurity advice for keeping the plant industries safe from biological threats
• Planning to grow vegetables commercially
• Compost production and use in horticulture
• Soil organic carbon: A Western Australian perspective
• Crop Updates 2009: Building soil carbon for productivity and implications for carbon accounting
• Soil testing : a guide to fertiliser use
• Diagnosing and ameliorating problem soils : decision tree on how to diagnose and ameliorate problem soils : 2nd edition
• Effectiveness of rock phosphates
• Farming Systems publications
• Small Landholder Information Service
• Farming for the future : self assessment tool
• Food : On the Retail Shelf

Other Australian state government agencies have useful publications related to organic food and farming

• Organic Viticulture: An Australian Manual
• Organic Citrus: A growers’ manual
• Rural Industries Research & Development Corporations
• Vic DPI Organic Agriculture
• NSW Dept Ag. Organic farming
• TAS DPIW Organic Farming
• Qld DPI Organic farming

Organic Industry organisations

• OGAWA_Home_Page – Organic Association WA
• Organic Federation of Australia